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Our story
Spring of 2014
When Changing Hands Bookstore opened its Phoenix location in May of 2014, it brought with it a new spot to relax, grab a pint, and gather with fellow book lovers. Since then, First Draft Book Bar has expanded its offerings to include more than 40 craft beers, 20 wines, local mead, and a full range of coffee drinks and food.
Spring of 2020
In March of 2020, Changing Hands Bookstore and First Draft Book Bar temporarily closed to the public for the first time. Through incredible local support, both Changing Hands and First Draft withstood the COVID-19 pandemic, finding creative ways to serve the community even as our doors remained closed. Changing Hands would later reopen for socially-distanced shopping, and First Draft reopened for dine-in in the late summer.
Present Day
First Draft Book Bar continues to serve the community with curbside pickup, take-out, and dine-in! Check out our homepage for current hours of operation. We have partnered with Phoenix College and The Virginia G. Piper Center at ASU for our monthly writing workshop series, Write Here Write Now. USA Today Books Editor Barbara VanDenburgh also continues to host our popular First Draft Book Club every month.
Our crew
Alex
Cameron
Cameron
Aside from spending hours digging through used albums at the record store, Alex also enjoys listening to music, and writing songs of his own. A prevailing analog theme presents itself through his life, as he also likes to learn about mechanical cameras, shoot film photos, and develop prints and negatives. He loves reading, painting with
Aside from spending hours digging through used albums at the record store, Alex also enjoys listening to music, and writing songs of his own. A prevailing analog theme presents itself through his life, as he also likes to learn about mechanical cameras, shoot film photos, and develop prints and negatives. He loves reading, painting with his girlfriend, and spending time with their two kittens. Additionally, Alex is currently attending college for a degree in printmaking, and owns original copies of the first eight “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” games.
Cameron
Cameron
Cameron
Cameron is one of our assistant managers and lead beer buyer. When they aren't slinging craft beer and coffee behind the bar, they can be found writing on their typewriters, cooking delicious vegan meals, or giving their cat lots of love. They also host a podcast, Pod Part Deux, with their wife where they brainstorm fake movie sequels.
Erin
Cameron
Kelsey
Erin has a bachelor's degree in creative writing and English after graduating from The University of Arizona. Outside of pouring beer and brewing coffee, she likes to read sci-fi fantasy novels and Marvel comics. Her life long goal is to meet Taylor Swift... and also be a published nonfiction poetry writer.
Kelsey
Kieyona
Kelsey
Kelsey is our head baker here at First Draft. She's a vintage enthusiast/Disney Adult/Star Wars fanatic who WILL talk your ear off about Rebels, so be prepared. When she's not up to her elbows in flour, you can find her tracking down new food adventures with her daughter and eating both their weights in dumplings.
Kieyona
Kieyona
Kieyona
Kieyona is our newest bartender! When they aren’t suggesting which pastry you should pair with your beer (psst, it’s all of the pastries!), they are usually found scream-singing to their favorite songs while cleaning the house, falling asleep during the first ten minutes of movie night with their partner, or laughing along to Spongebob.
Kieyona is our newest bartender! When they aren’t suggesting which pastry you should pair with your beer (psst, it’s all of the pastries!), they are usually found scream-singing to their favorite songs while cleaning the house, falling asleep during the first ten minutes of movie night with their partner, or laughing along to Spongebob. They are wanting to get back into gardening now that they have a backyard, so feel free to pass along gardening tips when you’re next in for a book and a drink!
Ryan
Kieyona
Kieyona
When not at work Ryan may be found hiking and spending time with his wife Kalyn. Ryan also enjoys spending his time reading about and exploring topics ranging from literature, poetry, painting, and sculpture, to matters of the human condition, to his deep love of Dungeons and Dragons, board games, and drinking delicious beverages.
Van-Lam
Van-Lam
Van-Lam
Van-Lam is the bar manager and natural wine lover. When not behind the bar she is eating some tasty food with her chef husband and listening to k-pop or watching anime or Korean dramas. If you need a fantasy or romance novel recommendation ask Van-Lam! She also hosts a romance/fantasy book club, Bangin' Bookclub.