Black Bird Bookstore & Cafe

What you need to know

The bookstore

Independent bookstore in the Outer Sunset, opened by Kathryn Grantham. The selection covers adult and children’s books, with a focus on authors from underrepresented communities and small presses. Staff recommendations are handwritten.

The cafe

The cafe serves coffee and light food, including matcha lattes with seasonal syrups made from weekly farmers market produce. Cafe hours are 7am to 6pm; bookstore hours are 9am to 7pm.

Community events

Black Bird runs a rotating art gallery, monthly Open Mic Night, a co-hosted Analog Night with Tunnel Records and Balboa Theater, frequent author readings, and a weekly children’s storytime. The space also hosts flea markets.

Getting there

The store is at 4541 Irving Street between 45th and 46th Avenues. The N-Judah Muni line stops one block south at 46th Ave & Judah. Street parking on Irving is usually available in this part of the Sunset. Ocean Beach is about three blocks west.