Cafe & Bookstore FAQ
How do I make a reservation in the cafe?
Cafe reservations are made through OpenTable. OpenTable allows reservations up to 30 days in advance. We do not take reservations over the phone.
The cafe dining room is cozy; the total capacity is 20 people. The largest reservation possible Tuesday-Saturday is for 6 guests. Due to limited capacity in the cafe, we cannot make exceptions to this rule.
Parties of 10+ are considered private events and should proceed by filling out our private events inquiry form.
If OpenTable only shows 'OUTDOOR' dining, this means only patio tables are currently available and all indoor tables are booked.
If you need to amend or cancel a reservation, the only way to do so is by logging into OpenTable via your confirmation email.
Does the cafe take walk-ins?
Yes! Though reservations are encouraged, we have a four-stool countertop that we reserve for walk-ins only and we accept walk-ins whenever space allows.
We do not keep a cancellation waitlist. Walk-ins are first-come, first-serve.
Does the cafe have a prix fixe menu for all meals?
The cafe has a prix fixe menu for supper and for afternoon tea. This involves a multi-course meal with a fixed price per person: $55 for supper and $65 for afternoon tea.
Supper includes an appetizer, entree, and dessert for each person. Wine is available by the glass or by the bottle for an additional charge.
Afternoon tea includes a pot of tea, finger sandwiches, scones, assorted pastries and one glass of sparkling cider or prosecco for each person.
Breakfast and lunch are not prix fixe menus.
How do I attend Sunday afternoon tea?
Sunday afternoon tea can only be booked via OpenTable. The largest reservation possible on Sundays is for 4 guests. Due to limited capacity in the cafe, we cannot make exceptions to this rule.
Afternoon tea often books within hours of the date becoming available, so please make sure to plan well in advance. (Reservations become available at midnight 30 days in advance.)
If no reservations populate for your desired date, this means there are no tables available. We do not keep a cancellation waitlist, but we do take walk-ins whenever space allows.
Do you sell gift cards?
Yes! Gift cards can be purchased in-store or through our Shopify store. Our gift cards work both in the bookstore and the cafe. We do not sell digital gift cards. Gift cards are for in-store purchases only and cannot be used to make purchases in our Shopify store.
Digital gift cards purchased through Bookshop.org are for online use only and cannot be used in-store.
Is your building ADA accessible?
Yes! Our ADA entrance is through the cafe courtyard. We have an elevator on every floor and an accessible bathroom on the 2nd floor.
What are the paint colors in the store?
All of the paint colors in our store are by Farrow and Ball.
The blue on the 2nd and 3rd floors is called Light Blue. The white trim in the stairwell is called Old White.
The blue on the children's floor is called Skylight.
The red in the Aesthetics room is called Rectory Red.
The gray-blue in the YA room is called De Nimes.
How can I submit my book to your store?
If you would like to submit a book to be carried in our store, please fill out this inquiry form.
Our buyers review these submissions regularly. Due to the high volume of requests, we cannot reply individually to each one.
If our buyers feel the book is a good fit, we will do our best to reply to you. If you have not heard from us after one month, then we are unable to bring in your work.
We appreciate you thinking of us and congratulations on your book!
Can I interview someone from the store?
We have a handy media kit with pertinent store information and high-resolution store photos.
You are welcome to direct specific interview and media requests to hello@bhbooks.com; however, due to the volume of requests, we cannot always guarantee a response within your requisite deadline.
Do you ship merchandise?
We ship select store merchandise through our Shopify store.
Are you hiring?
We are not actively hiring, but this situation is subject to change and we encourage potential applicants to submit their resumes to hello@bhbooks.com.
Do you host private events?
Yes! We have limited availability for private events. At the moment, we are booking private Cafe rentals on Mondays for luncheons or cafe dinners. We are also booking full store buyouts on Thursday evenings for formal three-course Library dinners on our 3rd floor.
We do not host private events on weekends.
If you are interested in having a private event, please fill out this inquiry form.
We review these submissions regularly. Due to the high volume of requests, it may take up to two weeks to receive a response.
Do you host author events?
Yes! We host author readings, signings, and talks on a regular basis.
If you are interested in having an author event, please fill out this inquiry form.
We review these submissions regularly and will do our best to reply to you. If you have not heard from us after one month, then we are unable to host your event.
We appreciate you thinking of us!
Where can I park to visit the store?
The closest parking garage is the Boston Common Garage at Zero Charles Street (underneath the Boston Common), which is about a 10 minute walk to the store. There is also metered street parking on Charles St.
What is the closest T stop?
The closest T stop is the Charles/MGH redline stop, which is about a 5 minute walk to the store. The Park Street greenline stop is also about a 10 minute walk to the store.