Talking Cursive Brewing Company in downtown Syracuse has started a book club to combine two popular pastimes for the community to enjoy: reading and drinking beer.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Local brewing company hosts monthly book club
Dan Papillo: On a Wednesday night in mid-November, Talking Cursive Brewing Company is packed with people. No, not because it’s Burger Night, but every month the bar hosts Salt City Books and Brews, a monthly book club where residents of Central New York can enjoy a cold one and discuss their good reads. For Marketing and Events Manager Alexis Colton, the idea came to life off of two passions.
Alexis Colton: It was just kind of one of those things where I’m an avid reader, I’m an avid beer drinker so it was combining two of my favorite hobbies and seeing if there was anyone else out there who would enjoy doing that and making some friends who also enjoy that, and there’s been a really good response.
Papillo: As interesting as the plot of “God Of The Woods” sounds, Books and Brews is all about fostering a community, and giving people a place to go on a Wednesday night.
Jess Van Valkenburg: I think especially in Upstate New York in the winter months, there’s not as much going on, so it gives me an excuse to get out of your house and interact with people and you network and meet different people. I come with my friend, but, you know, we see these people enough times that you form like casual acquaintances with them and can chit chat about other things.
Colton: A lot of people enjoy the social aspect of drinking, I think maybe there’s an unspoken thing where maybe like bookworms aren’t so social, maybe they’re kind of quiet and to themselves, and I think when we’re into our books we probably are. But, I think we’re equally extroverted and enjoy having a pint and being able to chat with other people, especially when you have a topic to talk about.
Papillo: The club has been running for over a year strong, and doesn’t show any signs of getting cutting off. Another round in December! But for now, reporting from downtown Syracuse, Dan Papillo, NCC News
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – On a mid-November Wednesday night, Talking Cursive Brewing Company on Erie Boulevard in downtown Syracuse is buzzing with people. The patrons aren’t there for a group outing, they’re there for a book club. Each month, the bar hosts Salt City Books and Brews, a gathering that blends two pastimes many Central New Yorkers enjoy: reading and beer.
The idea came from Talking Cursive’s Marketing and Events Manager, Alexis Colton, who wanted to merge her own interests into a welcoming community event.
“It was just one of those things where I’m an avid reader, I’m an avid beer drinker,” Colton said. “It was combining two of my favorite hobbies and seeing if there was anyone else out there who would enjoy doing that. And there’s been a really good response.”
Books and Brews is about more than discussing the monthly title, this month’s being “God of the Woods” by Liz Moore. For many attendees, it’s an opportunity to connect and be social, especially during a season when things to do can feel limited.
“I think especially in Upstate New York in the winter months, there’s not as much going on,” said participant Jess Van Valkenburg. “It gives me an excuse to get out of the house and interact with people. You network and meet different people, you see these people enough times that you form casual acquaintances and can chit-chat about other things.”
Despite stereotypes about book lovers being quiet or reserved, the club has shown that readers are eager to be social when given the space and a shared topic to bring them together.
“A lot of people enjoy the social aspect of drinking,” Colton said. “Maybe there’s an unspoken thing where bookworms aren’t so social, but I think we’re equally extroverted and enjoy having a pint and being able to chat with other people, especially when you have a topic to talk about.”
Now more than a year in and dozens of books read, Salt City Books and Brews shows no signs of slowing down. The next meetup is already on the calendar for December.