A hush-hush bookstore-and-bar is quietly taking shape beneath Old Sacramento’s historic waterfront, promising a low-lit escape from the souvenir shops and school groups overhead. When it opens, the space is expected to lean hard into a Prohibition-era mood, pairing floor-to-ceiling shelves with cocktails and live music for nights that feel a little bit off the grid.
As reported by What Now Sacramento, the venue, called The 1920s Bookstore, is headed for Pioneer Square’s underground brick courtyard at 900 Second Street, and owner San Bao has confirmed the plans to the outlet. The outlet also notes that an alcohol license has been recently filed for the address, signaling the spot is being built as both a bookstore and a cocktail lounge.
The project’s own site (the1920sbookstore.com) describes the concept as "a bookstore with secrets" and invites readers to "join the list" for opening-night access. The site lists an inquiries address at [email protected] and teases an experience unfolding "below the city’s bustle."
What To Expect
On its site, the team says the cocktail program will "reflect fifty years of mixology," blending Prohibition-era precision with mid-century and 1970s-style refinement, with live music planned as part of the mix. The idea is to make the lounge feel like a hidden speakeasy tucked behind rows of vintage volumes, more secret study than tourist bar.
Timeline And Details
What Now Sacramento reports that the operator is aiming for a June 2026 opening, and San Bao told the outlet he expects to share more specific menu and programming details in April. Until then, the waitlist and social updates are set to be the main way curious locals get a peek at what is happening underground.
Where It Fits
Old Sacramento’s waterfront has long been known for field trips by day and bar crawls by night, but a tucked-away speakeasy-bookshop could change the after-dark rhythm in Pioneer Square’s brick courtyard. The concept taps into a wider trend of combo spaces that fuse retail and nightlife, giving Sacramento a quieter, more intimate option when the sun goes down.
The 1920s Bookstore has announced the handle @the1920sbookstore along with a signup list for opening-night invitations. All eyes now turn to the promised April update, when we will find out exactly how the bookshelves and cocktail shakers are set to share the spotlight beneath Old Sacramento’s streets.
