Barstool Book Club: What to Read While Drinking Alone in April
Literary pairings for the thinking drinker—one glass, one chapter at a time
There’s a quiet art to drinking alone—especially in April, when the light lingers just a little longer and the city exhales between storms. It’s a month of in-between: coats half-buttoned, sidewalks not quite dry, moods not quite certain. In other words, it’s perfect reading weather.
This is for those evenings when you’d rather sit solo at the bar (or by the window at home), with a book in one hand and a beautifully made cocktail in the other. No screens. No small talk. Just ink, glass, and time.
Literary & Cocktail Pairings for April
These aren’t just drinks. They’re companions to plotlines—notes of citrus for the hopeful, bitter amari for the broken-hearted, and a good whiskey for the reflective twist at the end of Chapter 19.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Pair With: French 75
Effervescent, sharp, and fleeting—just like Gatsby’s parties. The French 75 (gin, lemon, sugar, Champagne) carries both elegance and danger in every sip.
Where to read it: Bemelmans Bar, seated solo. Let the piano play you through.
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney
Pair With: Chardonnay (unoaked, if possible)
Lillian walks Manhattan in heels and poetry. Pair this novel with a crisp glass of Chardonnay—cool, measured, slightly wistful.
Best enjoyed: At your kitchen window with the city in motion below.
The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias
Pair With: Pinot Noir or a Smoked Mezcal Negroni
Dark, tense, and brilliantly structured. Pair it with a brooding red or a cocktail that brings the heat and the herb in equal measure.
Where to take it: Lover’s bar in the East Village, alone, back booth.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
Pair With: Classic Champagne
Sometimes you just want something lovely and light. This romantic, time-bending story pairs perfectly with a tall flute of dry Champagne.
Sip it: At home, bath running. Pages open. Phone off.
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
Pair With: Moscato or a bright spritz
Vacation in a book. Serve it with a drink that’s part sunshine, part sweetness, and all easy sipping.
Serve it: With ice, citrus peel, and an open afternoon.
Want to Read—and Drink—More Intentionally?
At Art of the Cocktail, we host private mixology experiences where drinks are more than drinks—they’re stories in liquid form. Whether you’re curating a literary salon, hosting a book-themed bridal shower, or simply want to drink like your favorite character, we’ll help you design the perfect pairing.
Custom cocktail menus inspired by literary themes
Small-group classes perfect for book clubs
Low-ABV and zero-proof options for thoughtful sipping
Hosts who can speak to both structure and flavor
Let your next reading group swirl with citrus oil and stirred vermouth. We'll bring the books to life—glass by glass.
And if You Need the Right Space…
Morgan at NYC Event Venues can help you find it. From sun-drenched lofts to tucked-away lounges, Morgan curates beautiful, intimate spaces for every kind of event—including the quietly literary ones. She’ll coordinate every last detail—so all you have to do is bring your reading glasses and your cocktail ring.
