Cease and Desist Book Club

Easily one of the worst bar experiences I’ve ever had. My date and I were seated at a booth, and within 10 minutes the owner (bald guy) was hovering over us, telling us to finish our drinks and move to the bar to make room for a larger group waiting to be seated. When I pointed out we had just sat down, he threw a tantrum and stormed off. We walked out. Mediocre drinks, zero professionalism, and an owner with the charm of a bouncer who just lost his job. This is a sad wannabe speakeasy we’ll never return to.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

A clever hidden gem. Creative cocktail menu. Ben the bartender is really welcoming, friendly and makes great cocktails.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Took my son here recently for his 26th birthday on an early Sunday evening. Great atmosphere. Large and well thought out drink menu. Added plus the bartender made me a Brandy Old Fashioned sweet! Definitely putting it on our list of regular drinking 🥃🍸🍹destinations.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Top quality drinks, vibes, and conversations. We met the owner when we visited, he was very humble and his road to a successful bar was inspiring. Will return soon!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

No food here just good drinks, good vibes n good music. It's kinda small so me mindful of the time u get here or u might not get a seat.

I had a pain killer. Comes in a cute tiki style glass but it's smooth, has a pina colda tone to it with nutmeg on top which compliments it will. The person i was with had a whisky sour.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 4

I don't want you to know about this place but they're really awesome. So OK, please keep them going. They're great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is really cool. It’s got a great vibe and is a little hole in the wall (literally) with some good drinks.

Bartender was nice and helpful.

Bartender was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Drinks were tasty and fun, I had a great time.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

We were recommended to come here by our waiter at nudo and when we came here we were so excited because this place is the style bar we love to come to. The speakeasy vibes were on point and the cocktails were amazing and perfectly balanced. The owner just so happened to be bartending and the conversations were just as good as the cocktails. If we are ever in spokane again we will be sure to come back. Everyone should go and get drinks here

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

This is me and my husband’s new favorite spot. The drinks are amazing and the atmosphere is romantic. Zac makes amazing drinks, he is truly an artist of his craft. The bananas foster is my go to, and my husband recently tried the trail mix old fashioned and loved it. It’s a great chill spot to start or end your night.

Great atmosphere, better drinks, and even better service/staff. Not even sure that's possible, yet... here C&D be. Definitely a hidden gem in Spokane worth visiting at least once.

This place over serves everyone. Doesn’t ID anyone, super young crowd, everyone is way too drunk. Rude service. Atmosphere through the roof of drunk enough. Do not come here as a visitor

Cease and Desist Book Club offers a unique fusion of literary charm and expertly crafted cocktails, making it a must-visit spot for book lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, with books lining the shelves and intimate lighting that creates a perfect atmosphere for relaxing evenings. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, often happy to recommend books or drink pairings to enhance your experience.

What truly sets this venue apart is their innovative approach to drinks. Their craft cocktails are inventive, meticulously prepared, and beautifully presented. Each cocktail seems thoughtfully designed to complement the theme of the evening or the mood of the space. Ingredients are fresh, and the balance of flavors is impeccable, offering both classic favorites and daring new concoctions.

The combination of a literary environment with high-quality drinks creates a soothing yet stimulating environment. It’s a fantastic place to unwind with a good book and a well-made cocktail or to gather with friends for lively conversations. Overall, Cease and Desist Book Club excels in blending culture, community, and craftsmanship, resulting in a truly memorable experience worth revisiting.

Get it

Ben the Bartender, is simply the best sort of bartender you could hope for. The sort of bartender who introduces you to new drinks that become mainstay cocktails for years to come.

Story time: several years ago at a different bar, Ben introduced me to a drink I’d never heard of before: The Spaghett. This east coast drink is a simple concoction, with just two ingredients. Aperol and a Miller High Life. You take a sip off of the top of the High Life, and drop a shot of Aperol into it. And let me tell you, it is a fantastic drink. Like an Aperol spritz without the fancy.

Since this humble first Spaghett, I have since had many many more, even expanding the idea of some cheap suds and some magical aperitif, be that soda water and Foro Original, or a cider and an Underberg, or a prosecco and a Ferrari (half Fernet, half Compari). Ben started me on a cocktail journey that has been unquestionably the best cocktail rabbit hole imaginable.

I guess that’s the thing about a place that hires amazing bartenders like Ben. Whenever I’m in town, I go find where Ben is at. So I’m here at Cease and Desist, enjoying an Spaghett, and feeling pretty darn happy.

5 stars.