Follow us on
7 Cozy Places for Reading in the Metro
Bookworms would surely love to visit these reading nooks in Metro Manila.
By: Karen Grace Libao | June 16, 2017
Some places are just not meant for quiet time alone for you and your books, that’s probably why many library cafés popped up in the previous years. We are not complaining, though. For us to have a wonderful reading time, we need a safe place with good lighting, cozy ambience, and perhaps a nice music playlist.
Heads up, bookworms! As much as we don’t want to spoil readers’ favorite hideaways, we are giving you seven (7) places in Metro Manila where you can sit, sip, and explore through your imagination with your current reads.
1. Cool Beans Café
Cool Beans Café claims to be the first ever library café in the Philippines.
If you’ve watched that film of Jennylyn Mercado tutoring Derek Ramsay how to speak Tagalog while inside a café and someone hushed them, then you already have a picture of what Cool Beans Café looks like. Cool Beans has a homey ambience probably because of the couches stalled adjacent to their bookshelves plus the warm lighting. They claim to be the first library café in the Philippines and have been a home to silent readers since 2013.
Their books vary from comics to young adult novels and Philippine literature. If you have a book to finish, you can bring it with you at no cost. Their books have names on their spines so it wouldn’t be confusing for the readers and the staff.
The place has limited space and sharing couches with fellow customers is encouraged. You can take pictures all you want and instantly share them to your friends as WiFi is available in the area.
Where: 67-B Maginhawa Street, UP Village Quezon City
Operating Hours: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Sunday – Thursday); 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Friday & Saturday); Closed on Wednesdays
2. Quezon City Public Library, Quezon City
It’s good to know that our taxes go to community projects like a public library. (Image: Jephan Botor thru Beyond Access Philippines)
Metro Manila’s largest public library, Quezon City Public Library, recently caught the eyes (and heart!) of the netizens and readers because of its modern and inviting look. It recently opened its doors to public in February 2017 offering more than 17,000 books and 90 multimedia materials including magazines, journals, and more. Not to mention, they also have fully functional computers available for public’s use.
It houses a café where guests can order a cup of coffee and snacks to eat while reading. There’s also a children’s corner and puppeteer’s room and a function room that can accommodate events.
Where: Gate 7, QC Hall Compound, Barangay Central, Quezon City
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday); 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Saturday)
3. Coffee Project
Coffee Project entices customers through their instagram-worthy interiors.
Staying at Coffee Project feels like home because of its garden-inspired interior. The warm lights and artsy decors make it a more suitable place for readers who want a quiet place to catch up on their readings. Students and workers alike can find the place relaxing also because of the couches seated in every corner of the café. There are also wood panels at the center of the café where co-working or sharing seats is encouraged.
Aside from coffee and non-coffee beverages, their menu also include pastries, and pasta for hungry customers.
Coffee Project has several branches in Metro Manila and nearby provinces but each one has almost the same interior setting with the iconic bicycle.
Where: Starmall Alabang, Vista Place, Quezon City, AllHome Imus, Vista Mall Sta. Rosa, Vista Mall Pampanga, and Vista Mall Balanga
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
4. United Coffee
United Coffee is an ideal hideaway in the middle of a busy city.
Kapitolyo in Pasig made its name for being one of the best food hubs in the metro. But unknown to majority is a small coffee shop that caters to readers who want to hide from the noise and stress of the bustling city. Sandwiched between Ortigas Business Districts and Bonifacio Global City, United Coffee gives you rest with its calming atmosphere.
Upon entering their doors, guests will be welcomed by the aroma of the brewing coffee. On the left corner lies a bookshelf that houses books and magazines in different genre. They also have a chart that educates the customers about the different kinds of coffee.
Where: 16 United Street, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Operating Hours: 11:30 AM to 12:00 AM (Fridays and Saturdays), 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM (Sundays to Thursdays)
5. Book and Borders Café
Be stunned with the wide collection of books at Book and Borders.
We rarely find comfort when we think of the city. But Book and Borders Café, located in several busy Manila districts, provide comfy seats and delicious food in a peaceful setting. The name itself is inviting for book lovers and readers who are looking for a silent place to dabble with words or finish their pending projects. Those who want to discover some new reads are also welcome to browse all their titles from A-Z. If you still can’t afford that new book that you’ve been meaning to read, chances are you’ll find them here. You only need to present your ID upon borrowing a book and claim it upon return.
They very first branch is located in Tomas Morato in Quezon City, followed by a branch in McKinley, Taguig and another one in Eastwood, Quezon City.
Where: Tomas Morato, Quezon City; McKinley, Taguig City, Eastwood Mall, Quezon City
Operating Hours: Varies per branch
6. The Warrior Poet Art Café
Warrior Poet Art Café lets everyone tell their stories.
Warrior Poet Art Café is located inside Cubao Expo, a popular destination for those who want to get a dose of the local art scene. More than a café, Warrior Poet also caters to artists, readers, art enthusiasts, and coffee lovers who want to tell their stories through art exhibits, writing workshops, and spoken word events.
On ordinary days (or nights), Warrior Poet is a perfect sanctuary for readers who are searching for a sound place to catch up their readings. Guests are welcome to discover new reads on their bookshelves filled with classic and comic books while sipping a hot/cold brew. They also serve delectable sandwiches, too.
Where: 64C Cubao Expo, General Romulo, Ave., Socorro, Cubao, Quezon City
Operating Hours: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Monday to Saturday); Closed on Sunday
7. The Book Stop Project
The Book Stop Project encourages everyone to share the love of reading by donating a book. (Image: National Commission for Culture and the Arts)
Reading by the nature? Go to the Book Stop Project, a pop up library that allows everybody to get or borrow a book and return it after. Everybody is also encouraged to donate books for the public to read. This project by WTA Design studios aims to create a platform for learning one book at a time.
The Book Stop project occasionally creates community events where people can interact to stimulate awareness on the importance of a well-read community. That includes book reading, poetry reading, and blind date with a book. The pop up library moves from one place to another, most commonly in underserved areas in Metro Manila. As of writing, it is located at Plaza Roma in Intramuros until July 22, 2017.
Help us find more interesting places in the metro! Name the place of your favorite reading spots at the comment section below.
Click the store name links to see their exact addresses, branches, and contact numbers.
Photos are from the official websites and Facebook pages of featured establishments, except those indicated otherwise.
Prices may change without prior notice.
About Karen Grace Libao
Karen writes for a living and for fun. She started her writing career in 2014 when she worked as Content Manager for a women’s website and never looked back since. On her free time, she tries to catch up on her current reads, seeing independently-produced films, watching theatre plays, and attending live music and open mic gigs. She dreams of becoming a published writer and film producer in the future.
Learn more stories on:
Location Tags:
Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although
careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all
information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended
to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
ALSO READ
CATEGORIES
VIDEO MARKET PLACE
FOLLOW US ON
MORE STORIES AROUND THE PHILIPPINES
