#15: Molasses Books

Sweet, sticky, and Bushwicky.

The Shop: Molasses Books

Bushwick, Brooklyn: 770 Hart Street

“I’ve never been to Molasses Books,” I proclaimed recently at a bar with some friends. “Bullshit!” declared my friend and former comedy writing partner Richard Bucey, “Dude, we wrote a show there!” It’s true— I fondly remember afternoons in 2017 shooting off sketch ideas in this cozy Bushwick cafe/bar/bookstore hybrid that I could never remember name of! Needless to say, I was overdue to return. Molasses books has the charming highbrow hip yet simultaneously falling apart charm that characterizes much of Bushwick. On my recent Wednesday night visit, this tiny storefront by Maria Hernandez park was buzzing not with flies but hip Bushwick types drinking beers, rolling joints and cigarettes, writing, and reading! Get here early enough and you can claim the ultimate prize— a window spot to work on your screenplay in style. And remember, no laptops after 8pm

What I got:

Some beers

Moving apartments necessitates the bittersweet ritual of purging one’s bookshelf. I loaded my backpack with some books before my trip to Molasses, exchanged the books for store credit, and exchanged the store credit for beers! Like everywhere else in NYC, Molasses installed some spartan outdoor seating in what was once street parking. I had a great time drinking out here, reading books, and making friends with a tiny dog!