Shelves stacked with new titles line the walls, the air mixing the scent of coffee, hops, and print. Laptops quietly open beside lattes, and the tap handles buzz with steady orders as daylight moves through tall windows.
What to Expect:
📚 Full-service bar set inside an indie bookstore, with tables and lounge seating
🍺 Rotating taps of local craft beer, cider, and select wines
☕ Barista drinks alongside free Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets
🥧 Pastries, savory pies, and small snacks for reading breaks
🎤 Regular live events—trivia, readings, local comedy, and music nights
Important Information:
✔ No reservations—walk-ins only, busiest on weekends and during events
✔ Wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms on main level
✔ Outdoor patio is dog friendly; laptops not allowed at the main bar after 3 PM
✔ All ages welcome most hours; 21+ ID for alcohol orders
Haley's Pick 🍽️
You probably know her as @milehighandhungry. Each week, Haley shares the one place she’s obsessed with right now. From hidden gems to hot new openings, if she picks it, it’s worth the hype.
Haley's Review of Riot BBQ
Riot BBQ on South Delaware feels like a backyard cookout run by a Top Chef, because it is. Chef Manny Barella and pitmaster Patrick Klaiber have teamed up to blend Monterrey flavors with Texas-style smoke, and the results are seriously craveable.
The brisket steals the show: tender, deeply smoky, and finished with Barella’s bold spice rub. Get it solo or wrapped in buttery Raquelita tortillas. The pulled pork brings heat with ancho, guajillo, and morita chiles, and the al pastor ribs are sticky, sweet, and slightly charred in all the right ways.
Even the sides are insanely good! Think crunchy pepita-macha slaw and banana pudding served in a jar that tastes just like childhood (but better). Every bite feels intentional.
It’s barbecue with heart, history, and just the right amount of heat. Riot BBQ isn’t just a meal, it’s a moment worth lining up for.
– Haley @milehighandhungry
Local Insights
📚 Early Browsing: Mornings (before 10 AM) are the quietest for solo reading or laptop work.
🍺 Tap Takeover: New beer or cider kegs usually get tapped Thursdays by late afternoon.
🎤 Trivia & Readings: Wednesday trivia draws a crowd—arrive early if you want a table. Author events pop up often, announced via Instagram.
🌳 Outdoor Chill: Patio opens as soon as weather allows; bring a sweater for shaded spring evenings.
What folks are saying
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Based on the 50 most recent Google reviews
Visitors consistently praise the excellent draft beer selection, strong coffee drinks, and the book-lined space perfect for lingering or meeting up. The staff is described as friendly and knowledgeable, and guests love the frequent events and ample seating options, both inside and on the patio. There are rare notes of slow service during peak event times and occasional confusion over laptop policies at the bar, but overall, feedback is overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the blend of books, drinks, and community.
Last updated on
October 9th, 2025
