1520 S Riordan Ranch Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Bookmans is an entertainment exchange store where you can trade in used movies, books, video games, and musical instruments for store credit. The best part is that you can use your credit in the cafe for a nice hot espresso drink. It really is a neat system as you can get rid of old stuff you no longer need (that someone else might need at the time) for something you want like a great cup of coffee. Surprisingly, they serve some of the best espresso drinks in town. When visiting Flagstaff, you will quickly notice an abundance of independent coffee shops scattered around this small town. Bookmans stands out amongst the best due to the cozy setting, consistent quality espresso drinks, and a unique program where you can trade in used entertainment products for fresh coffee! I love that I can trade in old books and movies for coffee credits: what a great promotion!
Bookmans works with several local companies for their coffee and cafe goods. Coffee is sourced from local roaster Firecreek where beans are roasted fresh weekly, while Curran's Specialty teas is used for the loose leaf tea and specialty tea drinks. An assortment of locally baked pastries is also there to tempt you with your trade in credit.
The mochas and Americanos we have tested out on multiple occasions have always been fantastic, definitely amongst the best tasting in town. Drinks in other local shops can be a hit or miss depending on what barista is working, however, Bookmans is typically pretty consistent. They make their Americanos with a nice cream layer which is the way I prefer the drink. High quality Monin chocolate is used to make delicious creamy mochas. The drinks are always flavorful, without tasting burnt.
The Matcha Green Tea Frappe is another nice choice. Hot chocolate and smoothies are available for those who prefer to skip the caffeine.
Bookmans also rewards repeat customers with a frequent visitors card. You will receive a free drink after purchasing 10. This is a great program that most other coffee shops do not participate in due to the steady tourist flow downtown.
Baristas are always friendly and pretty quick. I have never had a problem with any barista or order.
The setting inside the used bookstore is cozy and relaxed. The music is never too loud like other shops in town, but rather just the right background noise. They could use a few more comfy couches as opposed to the hard tables. Overall, it's a nice setting for reading, getting some work done, or socializing over a long, relaxing weekend coffee break.
Overall, Bookmans is one of the best places for coffee in Flagstaff. I recommend skipping some of the overhyped choices downtown in favor of this laid-back local gem.
