When it opened its doors in October, The Ink Drinker signaled to book lovers across Seattle that if they need a place to read a book or sip a literary-inspired cocktail, it was the place to go. Located in the heart of Ballard, the literary bar screams dark academia, with its tall bookshelves, black leather chairs, dark blue walls, and low lighting. Whether meeting for a first date, catching up with friends, or simply curling up on the couch with a romance novel, it is a come-as-you-are kind of place.

That was the goal for owner Shelle Yusuf, when she first got the idea for The Ink Drinker. An avid reader herself, Yusuf recognized that there is a stigma around people who go to bars alone, especially with a book in tow. It can be easy to feel shame about walking into a place like that alone. Yusuf wanted visitors to come into the Ink Drinker and not feel judged for coming solo.

Aside from monthly reading parties at venues like the Hotel Sorrento in downtown Seattle and bookstore cafés, the city didn’t have a spot where people could order an alcoholic beverage while also browsing bookshelves or reading a novel. 

“Before I opened up the bar, I remember going to a place and trying to read. Then some guy started bothering me,” Yusuf said. “Like, I’m actually reading because I want to read and have a drink.”

Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Yusuf also wanted people to feel safe when they walk into the bar, thus the prominent Pride flags in the space. The Ink Drinker showcases the diversity of Seattle with its Queer staff members and visitors.

“We are a spot for Queer dating. I see a lot of first Lesbian dates,” Yusuf said. “I see a lot of returning Lesbian dates, and I see a lot of Trans folks on dates. It is really cool.” For Valentine's Day, Yusuf is working to coordinate a ticketed, dark romance–themed event with Swoon City Books and local authors. The date and time are still to be determined, with more information to be put on the business’s website and social media.

The Ink Drinker features a wide variety of food and drinks, the latter with a literary twist. There  are alcoholic options like the Lonely Immigrant and nonalcoholic ones like the Grapefruits of Wrath, to name a couple. The former, by the way, is a tribute to Yusuf’s father and the book of poems he wrote in the 1970s at university after leaving Guyana. 

Looking back at the first couple of days of opening, Yusuf was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who came in. The kitchen could not keep up, running out of supplies and having to close early on the second day. Overall, Yusuf is shocked by how popular the bar has become, but excited to have created a space where bookworms can just be.