Rough draft is a book shop, coffee shop, and bar housed in one of the most historic buildings in Kingston. It is a place with respect of Kingston’s past while having a real pulse on Kingston’s present and hope for its future. The staff are incredible! They are knowledgeable, kind, and efficient. If you visit, I recommend you try one of the monthly coffee or tea specialties named after books. Each year I look forward to the “June Austin” (a lavender and vanilla latte), and the “sex drugs and coconuts” that generally returns in August. If none of these appeal to you, then I recommend the cold brew, the hot chocolate, and the mocha. I also recommend you try one of the pastries from the case that they source from Kingston bread and bar; my favorite being the salted chocolate chip cookies. The tap list is always exciting to look at as they do curate a fantastic selection of local craft beers and ciders. This place is excellent for everyone! They often have story time on Sundays for children. They have a schedule of events that always surprises me with its range from trivia nights, to author book signings, to meeting your public representatives. There’s bound to be something that interests you. They also encourage you to come to work with your lap tops or notebooks. The seating here allows it to be friendly to all size groups. There’s bar seating along the windows if you’re cruising solo, smaller tables of you have 2-4 people, one bigger table or a lounge area nestled around a coffee table for larger groups. I always recommend this place to friends visiting from out of state as I feel like this is a great place to see what Kingston is really like. Edit: I recommend bringing your own reusable to-go cup! They have always been environmentally conscious, and as part of that consciousness they do charge extra if you require a paper cup. This isn’t a problem if you intend to stay to drink your coffee there! However if you’re taking to-go, best bring your own cup!

Great chill spot for morning coffee, a study session, or to have a night cap! We visited during a holiday weekend, and though it was busy, we still found a spot to sit and enjoy the awesome atmosphere. Definitely recommend if you’re visiting the area!

The owner of Newt recommended that I check out this coffee/used bookstore and I’m glad I did. I ordered a cafe air lait and the coffee was wonderfully smooth. They had benches and tables outside and it was a perfect way to enjoy my coffee and read a book I brought. A bonus is that dogs are welcome to come inside. Though not a dog owner, I do love dogs so seeing dogs made me happy.

A great place to drop in for a local beverage, peruse the bookshelves, and find a sweet stack of local authors to treasure. You can also find some amazing baked goods from Kingston Bread for purchase as well. A sweet little place to drop in, tune out, and lose yourself to imagination. Finding this place could be tricky, and one may need gps to help you with parking; as it is located in the city of Kingston, with its anciently established roads and buildings. Worth a visit and a browse.

Our recent weekend adventure was spent in Kingston, NY. I’ve been following a bunch of places on Instagram so we decided to do an overnight and try to do as much as we could. First stop was Rough Draft. First of all … the name is BRILLIANT! As a writer and book lover, I was squealing over this play on words! It’s this beautiful bookstore with cozy places to sit and relax and also a coffee shop/bar nestled into the original Kingston Academy building built in 1774 (that is, if I read the landmark sign out front correctly). Exposed beams in the ceiling, old brick and stone on the walls … so simply done but so rich in history and beauty. We walked in not knowing what to expect and there was a long line at the counter. We were quickly greeted by a barista/bartender asking if anyone wanted snacks, drip coffee, or beer to step out of line so we grabbed a couple bar stools and placed our order. The beer was local and delicious and we just sat and chatted, taking in all the bustling around us. It was so neat to sit next to people drinking coffee, espresso and lattes, beers and bond over books! I love this concept! We finished our beer, walked around the bookstore and headed to the next stop. When we return to Kingston, this will be my first stop again when we can stay longer! Highly recommend a visit here!

A charming and cozy spot with fantastic coffee and delicious food! The almond croissant was absolutely divine - flaky, buttery, and just the right amount of sweetness. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the scent of books creates an unforgettable atmosphere. I’ll definitely be returning. If you’re in the area, this place is a must-visit!

We took a quick getaway trip to Kingston - our first time there. We stopped off at Rough Draft Bar & Books and it did not disappoint. The book selection was good, and my kids liked the kids section. I did end up picking up one book on my list which always makes me happy. My husband and I both had caffeinated drinks while we were there: mine was a mocha, he had one of their specials: Lav-ender’s Game. That one was interesting, you have to try it to see what I mean. If you are in Kingston put this place on your list - I kind of wish we had one closer to us! :)

Got there late in the afternoon. Some pies are sold out. We each ordered a drink and a pie. Love their cookie (forgot what it's called). Fast service, quiet environment, and lovely setting. They sell local postcards as well. Great outdoor seating. We went there on a Sunday afternoon, so many street parking available.