Our New Cafe Brings Books to Bradbury

A novel Blue Bottle tradition in one of DTLA’s most historic buildings

agvc0yf5tsoem8otnfdh.png

Crossroads are where culture happens, and our newest cafe, located on the first floor of the historic Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles, has the curious luck of being right in the middle of things. 

Just blocks from the Los Angeles City Hall and MOCA, and with a history in celluloid going back to the 1940s (you can spot the filigree ironwork of its five-story atrium in Blade Runner), it’s safe to say that this National Historic Landmark has picked up a few stories since it opened in 1893—and we’ve yet to find a better complement to an interesting story than a good cup of coffee.

ktmimf05cljlvuv3qpd1.jpg

As our largest cafe in Los Angeles, Bradbury has the space to offer more than just LA’s first zero-proof Cold Bar and a full menu of sweet and savory offerings. In homage to its rich cultural history, its cathedral-like center court will also host Blue Bottle’s first library and bookshop. 

Now, over single-origin, blend, or espresso coffee, Bradbury guests can browse the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, or get a recommendation from one of our baristas. Used books are for sale at a flat price of $7, while new Blue Bottle titles (such as the The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee) go for their original retail price. Profits from all books sales will be donated directly to the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.

One of the lovely things that books and coffee share in common is their portability: Both can be enjoyed just about anywhere. But in a place like the Bradbury—with its Italian marble, bird-cage elevators, and Baltic birch cabinetry—the pleasure intensifies.

For more photos of Bradbury's gorgeous interior, check out its write-up in Eater LA.

NewsTom Purtillnews