Rough Draft - Day Nomad Guide

![[IMG_8881.jpeg | 350]] # Rough Draft Bar & Books *♨︎ [[Book Shop]]| [[Coffee Shop]] | [[Bar]]* *☞ 82 John St, Kingston, NY 12401* *⌚︎ Every day | 7am – 8pm* *☏ (845) 802-0027 | [Contact](mailto:[email protected])* *⌖ [Apple Maps](https://maps.apple/p/J0CEz37KKY_bRz) | [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dLdtq7Luz9vT5WHi8)* *⎋ [https://www.roughdraftny.com/](https://www.roughdraftny.com/)* [![[instagram_logo_icon_small.png | 17]]](http://instagram.com/roughdraftny) ## Introduction Picture this: You're sipping a locally crafted beer, or Counter Culture coffee, while browsing the latest bestseller, all under one cozy roof at Kingston's historic four corners. That's Rough Draft—part bookstore, part bar. This is where literature meets libations in the best possible way, and where "just one more chapter" pairs perfectly with "just one more pint." Beyond the great selection of beer, cider, wine, and carefully curated books, Rough Draft has become Kingston's living room—a place where locals and visitors gather for readings, nightly events, and the kind of conversations that only happen when good drinks meet good ideas. **Amenities:** > ➤ Good & reliable wifi (no need to register) > ➤ LTE cell reception (Verizon) > ➤ Street 2-hour parking (paid) > ➤ Credit cards accepted (including tap to pay) > ➤ Permissive laptop use policy > ➤ Very few outlets (in inconvenient locations) > ➤ One bathroom > ➤ Sidewalk tables in warm weather ## Working at Rough Draft Bar & Books Rough Draft offers a unique work environment—with some ground rules. When you can snag a spot during their designated laptop-friendly times, it's perfect for focused work sessions. Head to the corner with high-top tables and cozy window benches (check the photos—they're as inviting as they look). These prime perches are laptop-worker magnets, so consider yourself warned. The bookshop also has couches, though you'll be sharing real estate with book browsers—it's part bookstore, part office, after all. Oh, and outlets are about as rare as a quiet subway car, so charge up before you arrive or pack a power bank. Rough Draft has become a victim of its own success—popular enough that prime spots vanish fast. Weekends and peak hours? Forget about it. The place fills with book browsers and fellow laptop warriors, turning your productivity dreams into a game of musical chairs. Your best bet: arrive early if you're planning a marathon session, though keep an eye on that parking meter (street parking maxes out at 4 hours)–see the pro tip below. When it's packed—and it often is—there are other options nearby worth exploring. There are also house rules: Laptops are welcome at the bar during specific hours only. No Zoom calls, no streaming, and phone calls happen outside. **Local alternatives:** > ➤ [[Kingston Bread+Bar*]] > ➤ [[Camp Kingston*|Camp Kingston*]] > ➤ [[Kingston Social*]] > ➤ [[Rosie General*]] > ➤ [[Starbucks (Barnes & Noble Kingston)*]] > ➤ [[Village Coffee and Goods*]] ## Atmosphere Rough Draft is old-school in the best way—a place where "unplugging" is still sacred. It's not your typical all-day-laptop-camp kind of café—and that's actually refreshing. When you can work here, you'll be fueled by excellent coffee, a selection (albeit limited) of local pastries, and the quiet energy of people actually reading physical books around you. The carefully curated book selection and rotating craft beer list don't hurt either. This is decidedly _not_ your standard remote office. At the same time, Kingston has become a family town. It is not uncommon to find local hipsters intermingling with families bringing the kids to the bookstore for an outing. Don't forget to take a look at the books on offer before heading out. Just one heads-up: there's only a single bathroom, which can feel a bit constraining when the crowd descends (which, let's be honest, is most of the time). **Good to know:** > ➤ See online [reviews](https://www.yelp.com/biz/rough-draft-bar-and-books-kingston) > ➤ [Food Menu](https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vT27RoynR-jlwDAn3rM0-rXE-opsWtQe9QvzQCpzU6m7IfXt7Sgb4TpFL1HVCEcT-nD57LFZqQVQhwL/pub) > ➤ [Beer menu](https://www.beermenus.com/places/48889-rough-draft-bar-books?user_type_survey=1) > ➤ Loyalty cards available > ➤ Gift cards for [purchase](https://www.roughdraftny.com/gift-cards) > ➤ [Sign up](https://squareup.com/customer-programs/enroll/TkHGsKAjJZvT?utm_medium=copied-link&utm_source=online) for the newsletter ## Local Neighbourhood Rough Draft is located in the Stockade District, Kingston's historic uptown neighborhood, where the city's 350-year story began. This eight-block area traces its roots to the 1650s Dutch settlement of Wiltwyck, and you can still walk streets laid out along the original wooden stockade walls—in fact, it's the only place in New York where you can still see the raised ground outline of those defensive barriers. The neighborhood wears its history proudly, from Colonial-era stone houses (there's even a unique four-corner intersection where every building dates to pre-Revolutionary times) to the soaring white steeple of the 1852 Old Dutch Church that defines the skyline. But here's the thing: the Stockade isn't stuck in the past. Recent years have brought a creative renaissance to these historic streets, trading grungy storefronts for trendy boutiques and farm-to-table restaurants, all while maintaining that distinctly progressive, artsy vibe—think giant colorful murals painted on brick walls and a community that fiercely protects its character. You'll find quirky touches like the covered wooden sidewalk canopies along Wall Street, plenty of parking lots tucked between buildings, and an easygoing mix of residential charm on the west side and bustling commercial energy to the east. It's a place where George Washington once walked, the state of New York was born, and today's visitors can sip craft coffee while soaking in three centuries of American history. **Pro tips**: > ➤ Street parking is paid. Get the [Flowbird App](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flowbird-parking/id1440123516) (zone # 13, $1/hr, max 4hrs) and pay for your parking online without having to leave to go feed a meter and risk losing your seat. In case you are wondering, parking tickets are issued regularly (I can confirm this from first-hand experience) > ➤ Go early & avoid high-traffic hours > ➤ Try out some of the seasonal drinks on offer > ➤ Buy a book (and keep indie bookstores in business)! ## Images ![[Rough+Draft+Kingston+New+Yorkformat=1000w.png | 350]] ![[Rough Draft interior2.webp | 350]] **Additional Sources:** > ➤ [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_Stockade_District) #Monday #Tuesday #Wednesday #Thursday #Friday #Saturday #Sunday #Wifi #Coffee #Tea #Pastries #Bathroom #Books <a href="https://www.instagram.com/daynomadguide/"><img src="instagram_logo_icon_small.png" width="32" height="32"></a> <a href="https://www.threads.com/@daynomadguide"><img src="threads-app-black-logo-icon-small_transparent.png" width="32" height="32"></a> <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/daynomadguide.bsky.social"><img src="Blueskylogo_icon_transparent_small.png" width="32" height="32"></a> <a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/daynomadguides">Donate</a> | *<a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/daynomadguides/membership">Membership</a> Copyright (c) 2025, Day Nomad Guide All original rights reserved Last update: 2025 - 10 - 26