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Bookshop interior: shelves filled with various books, display table with new releases

Bàrd Books

Bard Books Store Front

More than just a book shop

BÀRD BOOKS is more than just a bookshop. Alongside the carefully curated bookshelves, it’s a place you can pop in for a coffee or pastry; somewhere to meet friends, make friends, do some work, read a book, write a book, listen to authors, hear some music – just escape. Bookshops are third spaces; “much-loved local haunts that are neither home nor the workplace, but which we rely on for a sense of community and everyday socialising… the lifeblood of our high streets and fundamental to our mental health.” [ROMAN ROAD LDN]. In the evening, the lights dim, and books provide the backdrop for a glass of something deliciously chilled.

LOOKING FOR A BOOK? Browse the shelves or grab one of our team for some recommendations.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Meet the Bàrd - Dan Whitlam in conversation with Emma-Louise Boynton
    Meet the Bàrd - Dan Whitlam in conversation with Emma-Louise Boynton
    Sep 01, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    London, Grove Rd., Bow, London E3 5TG, UK
    'I Don't Want to Settle' is the much-sought-after debut poetry collection by spoken word artist, rapper and Tik Tok sensation Dan Whitlam
  • Meet the Bàrd - Ixta Belfrage in conversation with Melek Erdal
    Meet the Bàrd - Ixta Belfrage in conversation with Melek Erdal
    Sep 02, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    London, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Feeling peckish? Following the massive success of MEZCLA, bestselling author, Ixta Belfrage introduces us to further Brazilian flavors in FUSÃO. Expect samples!!!
  • TESTING GROUND - September
    TESTING GROUND - September
    Sep 03, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    London, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    A night of open-mic poetry and music from the team behind 'Off The Chest', featuring a headline act by FRANCIS XAVIER-MUKIIBI
  • Meet the Bàrd - Melissa Hogenboom and Anna Whitehouse in conversation with Anna Whitwham
    Meet the Bàrd - Melissa Hogenboom and Anna Whitehouse in conversation with Anna Whitwham
    Sep 04, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    London, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Motherhood's a bitch...
  • Pre Launch event 'This Queer Arab Family'
    Pre Launch event 'This Queer Arab Family'
    Sep 09, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    In Arab culture, tradition often dictates an individual’s role in a family, with personal desires subsumed in favour of unity. So, what happens when Queer Arabs challenge and re-imagine these expectations?
  • The Bàrd's (Loosely Bookish) Pub Quiz
    The Bàrd's (Loosely Bookish) Pub Quiz
    Sep 10, 2025, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    with Quizmaster Sarah Respect to be gained. Prizes to be won.
  • POSTPONED LAUGHLINES open-mic comedy
    POSTPONED LAUGHLINES open-mic comedy
    Sep 12, 2025, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Monthly open-mic comedy night hosted by Jess Carrivick ( ☆☆☆☆☆ 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, BAFTA Rocliffe shortlist writer). September's headline TBA
  • September Bàrd Debuts
    September Bàrd Debuts
    Wed, Sep 17
    Sep 17, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    London, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Imagine a night of speed dating except the people selling themselves are the newest authors on the scene. JOIN US for the latest of a monthly night celebrating debut author. Meet the faces behind the work as they each take the stage for 10 minutes to present their work.
  • 22 Fictions - Short Story Salon
    22 Fictions - Short Story Salon
    Sep 18, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    London, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Conversation with editors Kate Ellis and Robert Loyko-Greer, followed by some spectacular readings
  • Meet the Bàrd - David Nicholls
    Meet the Bàrd - David Nicholls
    Tue, Sep 23
    Sep 23, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    The man who made the nation cry with 'One Day' not just once, but twice; and one of our favourite Davids - in conversation with our own Barry Pierce.
  • Scratch Night
    Scratch Night
    Wed, Sep 24
    Bàrd Books
    Sep 24, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    A night of unseen theatre presented by local theatre company 'No Cucumbers in the Market'
  • Bàrd Book Club - September
    Bàrd Book Club - September
    Thu, Sep 25
    Sep 25, 2025, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Join us and 40 of your new closest friends to discuss 'Slanting Towards the Sea' by Lidija Hilje. Tickets must be booked in the shop.
  • Read Against the Machine
    Read Against the Machine
    Sun, Sep 28
    Bàrd Books
    Sep 28, 2025, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    The first of our book clubs catering towards the activists amongst our reader. 'On Civil Disobedience' by Hannah Arendt Tickets must be bought in the bookshop
  • Play the Game: FRUIT MACHINE
    Play the Game: FRUIT MACHINE
    Tue, Sep 30
    Sep 30, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Rough Trade Books x National Poetry Day 'LondonPoetry Fruit Machine' – Poets Play the Game!  Featuring Ella Frears, Jessica Todd, Joe Dunthorne, Will Harris and John Osborne
  • An evening of poetry
    An evening of poetry
    Fri, Oct 03
    Oct 03, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    London, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Join Len Pennie to launch her new book of poems 'poyums annaw' alongside Joelle Taylor 'The Night Alphabet' and 'C+nto' and Theresa Lola 'Ceremony for the Nameless'
  • Hollie McNish in conversation with Salma El-Wardany
    Hollie McNish in conversation with Salma El-Wardany
    Oct 12, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Hollie is an award-winning poet, writer and performer. She is the Sunday Times bestselling author of 'Lobster' and 'Slug' and won the Ted Hughes award for new work in poetry with her poetry and parenting memoir 'Nobody Told Me'.
  • Meet the Bàrd: Gary Younge and Sulaima Addonia
    Meet the Bàrd: Gary Younge and Sulaima Addonia
    Oct 15, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
    Join writers Sulaiman Addonia and Gary Younge in a discussion inspired by Addonia's acclaimed novel ‘The Seers’, as they share their perspectives on London, writing, Sudan, the experiences of refugees, and much more.
  • Astrologica: storytelling under the stars
    Astrologica: storytelling under the stars
    Thu, Oct 30
    Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
    Oct 30, 2025, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Southern Grove, London E3 4PX, UK
    Join us at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park for an atmospheric evening of storytelling in with children's book author Suki Ferguson.

Brown Cockapoo dog sitting on pink and green checkered cushion

In the Press

BBC logo: three black squares with white letters

'I feel like we're bringing people together'

Logo text: The Slice

A bar in a bookshop? The new independent bookstore on Roman Road 

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Independent Bookshop of the Month: Bàrd Books

Faber logo: elegant typography

10 London bookshops are finalists for Independent Bookshop of the Year 2025

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