Two bars, two venues, one bookstore

For more than a decade, The Wild Detectives has been a place to read, have a drink, meet people and spend time together. As our community has grown, we’ve made room for another way to explore the world through books.

Sometimes we turn to stories and poetry to understand ourselves and others. Sometimes we look to history, science or philosophy for a more direct explanation. Neither path matters more than the other. That’s the idea behind Stories and Ideas.

Stories, at 314 W 8th St, is home to fiction, poetry and literature in Spanish: books that invite us into other lives through imagination, language and emotion.

Ideas, at 321 N Zang Blvd, focuses on nonfiction, from history, philosophy and politics to science, biography, journalism and the arts: books that help us ask questions and make sense of the world around us.

Both spaces have a bar, host cultural events and welcome you to browse, stay a while or join a conversation. Two venues, different shelves, one shared project.

Keeping that project accessible matters to us. We strive to offer something for every budget, and most of our programming is free. Our community helps shape what happens here, bringing ideas, organizing activities and making new connections. Whether you visit Stories or Ideas, you’re welcome to be part of it.