Secret 1920s Bookstore Bar to Open in Old Sacramento's Underground

The 1920s Bookstore will blend books, cocktails, and live music in a speakeasy-style setting.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A new speakeasy-style venue called The 1920s Bookstore is quietly taking shape beneath Old Sacramento's historic waterfront. The concept will blend a bookstore with a cocktail lounge, offering floor-to-ceiling shelves, Prohibition-era inspired cocktails, and live music in a hidden, underground setting.

Why it matters

The 1920s Bookstore taps into a growing trend of combined retail and nightlife spaces, giving Sacramento a more intimate and secretive after-dark option in the typically tourist-heavy Old Sacramento area.

The details

The 1920s Bookstore is headed for Pioneer Square's underground brick courtyard at 900 Second Street. The venue will feature a cocktail program that "reflects fifty years of mixology," blending Prohibition-era precision with mid-century and 1970s-style refinement. Live music is also planned as part of the experience, creating a hidden speakeasy vibe behind the rows of vintage volumes.

  • The 1920s Bookstore is aiming for a June 2026 opening.
  • The operator plans to share more details on the menu and programming in April 2026.

The players

The 1920s Bookstore

A new speakeasy-style venue that will blend a bookstore with a cocktail lounge in Old Sacramento's underground.

San Bao

The owner of The 1920s Bookstore.

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What’s next

The 1920s Bookstore has announced the handle @the1920sbookstore along with a signup list for opening-night invitations. More details on the menu and programming are expected to be shared in April 2026.

The takeaway

The 1920s Bookstore represents a unique blend of retail and nightlife, offering Sacramento residents and visitors a hidden, speakeasy-style experience that combines books, cocktails, and live music in the city's historic Old Sacramento district.