Perched on a hill with glimpses down to Kinsale harbour, Simon Prim’s cave-like bookshop has been a Kinsale institution since it opened in 2014. At its heart it remains somewhere to explore an eclectic and ever-curious collection of second-hand fiction and non-fiction, while evolving over the years into a unique multipurpose daytime cafe, night-time wine bar and sometime music venue.
That chameleon character was there from the start, with a little coffee bar, piano, board games and scattered seating making it always more than just a retail space. In 2020, Prim began to use the book shop as a night-time music venue, developing his Book’d @ Prims series of gigs which continues to run about four times a month to showcase touring Irish musicians like Soak and Ailbhe Reddy.
Having fine-tuned his love of wine and sherries while working in neighbouring wine bar and restaurant The Black Pig, in 2023 Prim introduced an evening wine list to his own space. An unusual emphasis on sherry sees two pages dedicated to the various styles of Andalucia’s much under-rated fortified wines. It’s rare to see such a wide range of sherry styles represented, from Fino and Manzanilla through Amontillado, Palo Cortado and Oloroso to Cream Sherry, Moscatel and PX, never mind to see two or three expressions of each style from different producers. Expect classic bodegas like Lustau and Valdespino alongside smaller bodegas like Diataomists and Collantes.
Vermouth gets a look in too, with the wonderful Partida Creus ‘La Muz’.
Another two pages cover off red, white, orange, rosé and sparkling wines – all Spanish, and offering a fascinating overview of modern Spanish wines – plus there are seasonal specials such as a chilled red perhaps or pet nat.
Benches slung with sheepskin rugs, candlelit corners, moss-green walls and a quality sound-system and vinyl collection all add to the attraction of the space.
Simon and his partner Catherine can happily guide visitors through the exciting list. Clever sherry flights help make it accessible to newbies, as do tastings as part of local food tours and the couple are happy to say that an initial tasting more often leads to a second order as their customers discover the joys of this most rewarding of wines. There are snacks available too such as paprika almonds, olives or bespoke ‘sherrymels’ made in Kinsale’s chocolatier, Koko. Sometimes a food truck will pop up outside, where chairs and stools ofter spill onto the pavement. But Prims is happy to position itself as somewhere to come before or after a meal in one of Kinsale’s very many excellent eateries.
