Bookworms and bibliophiles, please avert your eyes from whatever you’re currently reading, and listen up. I’m sure you’re all aware of London’s rather impressive bookshop offering. We’ve got historic bookshops, hidden bookshops, floating bookshops, and fancy bookshops. We’ve also got some pretty darn gorgeous bookshops (if we do say so ourselves).
One of London’s particularly good looking literary locales can be found inside a Grade II listed building in Piccadilly. A building that used to be the site of a high-security bank, to be exact. Maison Assouline is picture-perfectly perched near St James’s Square, offering books, beauty, and a bar. What more could you possibly want, hey?
Maison Assouline
Filled to the brim with elegance and timeless charm; Maison Assouline is one of those places in which you could quite easily spend all of your time and money. The ‘cultural concept store’ is the flagship site of the premium publishing house, Assouline. And offers Londoners an oh-so sophisticated spot to peruse the pages of the carefully-curated selection of art, fashion, travel, history, and coffee table books.
The Swans Bar
Tucked behind the titles at Maison Assouline, you’ll discover the jaw-droppingly beautiful Swans Bar. Boasting sumptuous seating, and a bar as fully-stocked as the bookshelves; it’s easy to see why the space has recently been named the 8th most beautiful book cafe in the world. The accolade came courtesy of the book-buffs over at 1000 Libraries, who took it upon themselves to uncover the shiniest gems in the world of books-and-beverages.
The Swans Bar serves up a selection of cocktails, coffee, and light bites; giving visitors a cosy nook to sip, snack, socialise, and scan the pages of their newly-purchased book. With a whole host of artwork and antique furniture dotted around, and something gorgeous to gawp at in every direction; you’ll be hard-pressed not to want to redecorate your entire home after visiting, though. You have been warned…
📍You’ll find Maison Assouline at 196A Piccadilly, W1J 9EY.
