Seven friends open The Bookstore, Patchogue’s new ‘bartender co-op’ bar

Patchogue has a brand-new hangout — and yes, it really does sell books.

The Bookstore, which opened this fall on East Main Street, is the creation of seven friends and veteran bartenders who decided it was finally time to build a place of their own. They call it a “bartender co-op,” where each partner runs one night of the week, but the team operates the cozy neighborhood bar together.

“It’s basically seven friends who got together,” said co-owner Michael Fortini, a 33-year bartender who lives and works in Patchogue. “We all have an equal part — seven nights, seven bartenders. One group, one team.”

The ownership group includes: Michael Fortini, Jean Pierre, Kyle Kelly, Melissa Zelli, John Paul Aceto, Mel Beaudy, and Jesse Roenbeck.

“We’ve all been doing this forever, and some of us have worked together for years,” said partner Jean Pierre. “One of us is a lawyer, one does real estate, someone flips houses, someone’s a music producer. But the common thread is bartending. This setup gives all of us the flexibility to still do what we love.”

The group began talking seriously about the idea in late summer. The name “The Bookstore” stuck early — a nod to the cozy, lived-in vibe they wanted. And yes, customers can actually buy books for $5 or trade one in.

A Main Street space that checked every box

Fortini said the idea came together quickly.

“I told Kyle one day, ‘If anything ever opens up like a small Main Street spot with no crazy food program, let me know,’” he said. “Three days later, he calls and says, ‘Mike, I found the place.’ It checked all the boxes.”

The space previously housed Main Street Apothecary and, before that, the Cheese Patch. The partners got the keys late in the summer and spent 14 whirlwind days renovating the space.

“I was having a meltdown,” Fortini laughed. “Things were late, nothing was happening, and Jean and Kyle kept telling me to calm down. But it all worked out — everything came together at 4:30 p.m. the day we opened.”

Affordable drinks, simple food, and a real community feel

The Bookstore aims to be Patchogue’s true neighborhood bar — the kind of spot where you can start your night, finish your night, or just slide in for a beer and the jukebox.

“In a bar world where cocktails are $18, you get a break here,” Pierre said. “Our drinks are 12 to 14 bucks. You can get a beer and a shot for $8, or another combo for $10. We don’t want to be the over-the-top cocktail bar. Just a solid, comfortable spot.”

Each owner created one signature drink, giving the menu seven originals. The food is intentionally simple: hot dogs, knishes, nachos, charcuterie, bourbon meatballs, and the bar’s homemade chili.

“It’s fun bar food — easy to execute, easy to enjoy,” Pierre said. “If someone suggests something smart and doable, we’re open to it.”

The books are not just décor

The literary twist wasn’t chosen at random — and it’s already becoming part of the culture.

“We’ve gotten a lot of requests for book clubs,” Fortini said. “On our second night, four girls sat in the back with wine and discussed their book. They came back the next day. Others asked if they could host their clubs here. So that’s definitely a thing.”

The bar is open 4 p.m. to midnight most days, with earlier openings on Saturdays and community programming throughout the week.

Wednesdays are open mic nights. Sundays will feature spoken word and poetry. Mondays are “industry night” for local bartenders and servers who work weekends.

He said the community response has been nothing short of “incredible.”

“The town has come out for us,” he said. “Everyone’s been here. It’s been very positive.”

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Top: Owners Jean Pierre (c) and Mike Fortini (l). Pierre also owns The Grill on South Ocean Avenue in Patchogue. Scroll down for more photos by Nick Esposito.