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Comment by Simulacra | Hacker News Reader

You know I think they have this kind of a thing already, it’s called a library. I guess the Innovation here is that you can order drinks.

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Except many libraries aren't open past 7pm on the weekends. Sometimes you just want a clean, well-lighted place to read into the night.

None of the bars that I've been to would qualify as clean or well-lit. Are they common?

> a clean, well-lighted place

This brings back fond and sad memories...

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-Clean-W...

There's a strong cultural difference in how a library and a bar is viewed though. If you're going to a library it's meant more of a quiet affair, and trying to strike up conversations with others is more likely to annoy them.

Plus depending on where you're at, it's more likely that a bar is going to be open than your local public library. At least that's true for where I'm at.

If my library had a bar (it already has free parking, coworking desks, conference rooms, copy machines, and WiFi), I’d never leave. Just build condos above so I had someplace to sleep at night. Or just add showers, I can sleep in my car.

I wonder if universities still have 24 hour libraries. We used to live there. Slept there many times.

Many do. It's amazing having a big space to read, work, think, etc. at 1am on a weekday (this might not apply if you have a 9-5 job, are married or have kids, etc)

The (relatively new) Austin central library built a restaurant/cafe as part of it. I’ve long thought that if it turned into a bar in the evening it could generate substantial income for whatever administration runs the library.

But it doesn’t - though I’ve heard good things about the food, I’ve never actually been in...

Seattle public library has a cafe area that I thought could be turned into a bar/dance area at night also...

But most libraries are supposed to be quiet zones which discourage talking and socializing. No, that doesn’t necessarily mean libraries need to be #disrupted... they’re good at what they’ve for.

So this kind of thing seems like a nice idea in that it gives people more avenues for healthy behavior, while possibly making it more exciting.

You can order beverages and food in some libraries (self service). No idea about alcohol.

Actually, is there something for reading together on your computer or phone? KindleSync?

See what virtual groups are reading, join, socialize and discuss online with integration to existing online food delivery services.

Have you been to your local library? It's likely filled with mental ill and homeless.

While this is a rather crude way to describe the issue, the homeless are increasingly taking shelter in libraries during the day.

https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2019/06/03/give-them-s...

It's certainly a problem, but it's one of the (many) that no one wants to address and instead continually ignore.

While between jobs, I went to the local library near my spouse's work in Marina Del Rey, CA. They provided fast and free wifi along with power outlets so it worked for me but it also attracted a lot of homeless. They had portable DVD players and would just sit and watch movies all day. Sometimes the librarians would ask the homeless to leave b/c their aroma was so foul (especially when it rained), would burst out obscenities or bring in a lot of belongings. I eventually ended up paying for a co-working space.

On this article though, my spouse and I aren't into drinking but enjoy being out late so we find going to boba cafes to be ideal. The ones around us are open until 11pm, serve snacks & drinks and provide wifi. It even makes us feel young and hip because most of the patrons are high school and college kids who can't drink yet and spend time on their laptops too.

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