So... We go to this book store probably every couple mos. Weve spent hundreds there, at least. I totally understand the need to wear masks and I always comply with such rules. Today, I happened to go in with my two boys and my husband. One of my sons has autism. The lady at the counter was very short with him. Apparently he had let his mask down too low on his face. She told him to put in on fully with a nasty attitude. I then responded by saying, Im sorry, he has a disability, he didnt know. - To which she says nothing. I then asked her if she heard me and she said she did in a nasty way. It was awkward and hurtful. While I understand and respect the rules (we always come in masked), what i dont understand is this employees lack of respect for my son, me, and my family. During this time, its important to be kind and for store employees to forget that and be rude, particularly to a child with a disability and then his mother, is unnecessary. Heres a surprise: We wont be back! We have no problem taking our business elsewhere. Bye-bye Bards!Edited to add: In response to owners comment... It doesnt not cost a lot to be kind. Additionally, she was rude to my son, rude to me, and again, I did inform her of his disability and when I asked if shed heard me, she replied yes. Hire maybe some individuals with some people skills! And maybe get some yourself!

Friendly staff helped me pick out a book for my friends son. A nice space and they have a lolalty program.

Great local bookshop, with nice atmosphere and selection. My son and I went in to get a book we saw in the window and ended up leaving with 4 books! Early reading, kids, SciFi, Minecraft I was surprised and happy with what got and the superhero full staff.

Cute little bookstore where I got a copy of a cute little book called the basic laws of human stupidity. Go there, you wont regret.

Every book in this store is a good book. They dont carry just anything. They are selective, and you will rarely if ever leave with a purchase that isnt excellent. Its nice because I dont have to waste time checking reviews while I browse.

Great women-owned independent bookshop. Good selection, a free loyalty club, and friendly people.Their book clubs are varied and when its not pandemic times they have a fun wine cafe atmosphere as well with events. I cant wait until gatherings can start up again, I feel like this is normally a real community atmosphere.Definitely my new standard book store. You can also order from them online through bookshop.org.

The experience of the booksellers here makes the task of discovering a new book, or a classic, an easy and exciting experience! All of the staff members here are pleasant and enthusiastic about books of every genre. I do admit that this bookstore is small, but they carry a great selection of books. I also need to mention they have a café that serves WINE, BEER, COFFEE and FOOD! Not to mention they carry Mary Lee’s bakery treats (the M&M blondie is amazing). Come check out this quaint little shop and discover something new!

They had so many current and great book recommendations plus the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Shop is charming with a nice patio and ambiance!

Definitely sign up for their rewards program you get a gift card after spending $200 (~10 books)! The staff is always helpful and they have such a nice, curated collection.

I came across Bards Alley today and absolutely loved it! The ambiance is note worthy and their staff is so helpful! I had the pleasure of meeting Lynn, she was so friendly and made my shopping experience memorable.

A lovely shop, a diverse selection of books, and friendly customer service.

Great bookshop! Nice curated selection. Fun to support a local small business. Go buy a book over there already.

Small local bookshop - I found a new release I was looking for right away. The shop is small but well organized. There is also a space for a coffee shop. It looked like there is the ability to order books online and then pickup in the store. Cute place, I will be going back.

Great Book Store! Wonderful Service.

Great local place!

Love this bookstore! Great staff - very kind! Fun to support a local small business.

One of the best independent bookstores in Northern Virginia.

A great spot in the heart of Vienna. They have a wonderful selection from kids to adult reads. The space is warm and inviting and the staff is very friendly and accommodating.

Ive never been here but my teenager spends a lot of time and money here so it must be good. 5 stars.

Warm cosy and smells just as a book store should...of fresh books !

A cozy, friendly place for book lovers!

Cozy little neighborhood book shop. Friendly, helpful staff.

We discovered this indie bookshop and spend SOOOOOO MUCH TIME browsing and just talking with Kathy Ellen. It was a wonderful experience and we got a bunch of great books by her recommendation. :)

A quaint, eclectic bookstore with helpful and fun staff! Every time I’m in downtown Vienna, I can’t help but buy a book from here!

Great bookstore. Locally owned. They have great titles for such a small space and can quickly order just about anything you want.

Amazing little bookshop!Great selection of books and they have a wine/coffee bar too! The wines we picked were fantastic and the staff was friendly too!Fabulous!

Wonderful small independent book store atmosphere with a great selection of interesting books. Staff were incredibly nice. Predictably, they did not have the book I was wanting since it was published several years ago but they were able to order it for me so I could pick it up in a couple of days. Meanwhile the skies opened up with a torrential downpour so I sat down at their cafe and had a bowl of curry lentil soup that was delicious. Left a very happy man.

Great small independent bookstore with wonderful customer service.

Lovely independent book shop.

Pleasant combination of a small book shop with a small cafe. The selection is limited, but good. Bards Alley also has frequent events to bring book lovers together. Today I went for a Shakespeare reading. There are several book clubs associated with the bookstore too, as well as occasional visits from authors.

Convenient and not too big. Good choice of books

Excellent customer service and wide selection of genres and authors.

Friendly staff and interesting local finds, as well as the prerequisite books!

Excellent selection of books, which is a great compliment for such a compact shop. I always discover something new at the store. Staff is pleasant and friendly. Havent yet tried the snacks, but that is next..

This is a great, tiny little Bookshop and coffee shop. Its tiny, its not like a politics and prose. In size. But if you like hanging out in tiny little book shops, this is the place.

Great selection of books with some unusual finds. Within a few minutes of browsing, my friends and I each came across books we eagerly bought. And I for one can browse at B&N and leave empty-handed so I was impressed. Also a few nice seating areas to meet or relax in. We really appreciated them hosting our small group meeting - we just turned up. Small but good selection of appetizers, wine and other beverages available.

A great local bookstore.

What a gem! great selection of books. was even able to order a few that werent in stock. had a great time sitting at their bar with a glass of wine and yummy food.

This is what Church Street in Vienna should be about - a place you can drop in, find what you want, chat with the owners and operators and meet your friends. The book selection is a nice mix of current and classic works. They manage to find the most upbeat of the independent publications as well as some things that make you question your own point of view. Great children’s book section with funny and thoughtful picture books and nice selection of teen books. They even manage to have a great sci-fi section. Oh, and almost forgot to mention the day my daughter found 5 science related books she wanted to read. Great place to find a gift and something to read for yourself.

Cool atmosphere. Friendly staff. Very cool that they sell coffee and booze.

Small, but whoever is purchasing books for the sci-fi/fantasy section needs to be applauded. Great picks.

Great variety of books. The small yet quaint atmosphere is great for a sit with a friend. They have yummy food there and a nice beer/wine selection.

Great little place. Staff are present but dont press. Nice selection of books overall, good recommendation section, cute gifts.

This place is so cute!! Quaint bookstore that still has a bunch of good selection and you can have a glass of wine while shopping or if you want to sit and read some! The staff was really nice and helpful and offered to order in a book I was looking for if I wanted them to.

Small bookstore packs a big book happy wallop with amazing selections! I am so happy it is in the heart of Vienna and the coffee is great too!

Nice bookstore with a great vibe and a bar. Book selection is limited, but there is something for everyone. Employees were helpful. Worth a visit for sure.

Very friendly staff, great selection, and love the refreshments!!

What an absolute gem this place is. Books to browse, informed staff ready with recommendations, coffee or wine and outdoor seating. Couldnt love it more! #shoplocal at its finest!

Very quaint. Its an independent bookstore that reminds me of the bookstores I loved as a kid.

Beyond amazing. Feels like a home away from home from the moment you walk in.

Everyone is friendly and helpful. If they dont have your book, they can order it. Im a huge fan of local businesses too.

The dangerous mix of good wine and a good selection of books means I always walk out of here having bought something.

I cant go into this place without buying something. Great selection of books and trinkets and friendly staff to help you find a gift for any occasion.

A great book buyer! Very eclectic taste in books! And her knowledge about books is unsurpassed!

Great little book shop, committed to supporting its authors and giving great service to its customers.

This is a very good bookstore, or has a lot of selections and even has a bar to eat/drink at.

Cool little book store. buy a latte. buy a book

Friendly and helpful staff. Great selection of books, of all genres. What books they dont have, you can order. Great pastries and quick bites (eg, soups, hummus plates, etc. The soups are locally made (Herdon), and the coffee locally roasted (Vienna).

Love this place! Such a warm, inviting atmosphere with friendly employees. Such a great addition to the town of Vienna!

Fun little book store with a wine bar. Neat place to escape the world for a while.

Love this little independent bookstore. Great hand curated book selection for all ages, excellent and friendly customer service, plus a nice little selection of beer/wine and food... all in a convenient and comfortable location.

Good selection and they can get whatever you want. Cute wine bar.

Awesome book store -- make sure to get out & shop local!!

Maybe I went on an off day but people seemed to be more focused on sitting in the small aisle spaces gossiping than on book shopping. This is also the most expensive independent bookstore Ive ever been in with a pretty poor selection.

Bards Alley is a nice little independent bookstore with a small, but well varied stock of books. They also sell wine and other goodies to have in the store or on their balcony.

Shop was great... different things and staff was great.

Great independent bookstore with a good mix of new and classic books. I havent tried the cafe yey, but that will happen at my next visit - and there will be a next visit.

Wonderful friendly service, great selection of books, food was tasty (I had pea soup and ham sandwich), and cool atmosphere to chill and read.

The world needs more small, intimate bookstores. Love this place.

You really cant go wrong with a place that has wine and books.

Great new bookstore/Cafe/wine bar! Lovely selection of books and warm, inviting setting.

Great to have a local bookstore that supports the community. Lots of events and kids books too!

Lovely shop. Nice selection

A great find!!! I loved their small business Saturday deals & how festive they get!!

Great addition to the personality of the Town of Vienna!

My favorite local bookstore!

Nice place. Books worth reading

Great selection of books, helpful and friendly staff!

Such a great place, and the booksellers were so friendly.

Quaint little book shop with wine and beer! Whats not to love! They also stock childrens books!

What a charming little bookstore.

Friendly folks, good selection of books, and wine!

Great local bookstore. Shop local!

Terrific selection, friendly staff.

Cozy little book store with a bar.

Always the most friendly of staff

Independent bookstore, nice environment, wine and beer bar, relaxing. Owner is very friendly

Wine & books! what a concept! love it!

Great bookstore, easier parking than the mall

Very charming bookstore and coffee shop

Great ambiance.

Great bookstore.

Exelent brunch!!!

Go there. Buy a book.

Small bookstore large inventory

Great place !!!

A lot of everything

Very well organized store with great associates. Will go back again to enjoy the nice atmosphere and explore the books.

It is a very cozy place, where they treated me with kindness and patience.