A New Chapter for Brentwood: Inside The Raven Book Lounge
A Place to Read, Sip & Gather in Brentwood, Tennessee
A new bookstore and cocktail lounge is opening in Brentwood, TN, bringing together books, beverages, and small plates in a space designed for reading and conversation. Located south of Nashville at the Brentwood Place shopping center, The Raven Book Lounge has been described by its owner as a “boozy bookstore,” though it is not a traditional bookstore or a bar with books added as an afterthought. Instead, it is built around the idea of lingering, whether that means reading, meeting friends, or spending time alone without feeling rushed.
During a recent visit ahead of its official opening, we spent time inside the space and spoke with owner Danniele Reeves about the vision behind the lounge, the story that led to its creation, and how she hopes it will serve the Brentwood and Williamson County community.
The Story Behind The Raven Book Lounge
For Danniele Reeves, the idea for The Raven Book Lounge emerged during a period of transition. In January 2025, she lost her husband unexpectedly, an experience that prompted her to reassess what came next. “I knew who I was, but I knew who I was as a partner,” Reeves said. “When he passed away, I was like, I have to reinvent myself. Who am I now?”
She wasn’t ready to step away from work altogether, but she was thoughtful about what she wanted to pursue next. Reeves said she felt caught between being too young to stop working and unwilling to commit to something that didn’t feel meaningful. That pause led her to think less about what kind of business to start and more about what she personally needed.
She began by asking herself a simple question: “Where would I feel comfortable going by myself, just to get out of the house?”
The answer to that question arrived one evening while scrolling through Instagram. Reeves came across a post about a bookstore that paired reading with drinks, and the concept immediately clicked. “I thought, I love reading a book and having a glass of wine. That would be fun,” she said. What surprised her was how strongly it resonated. “It made my heart beat a little faster,” she said. “I hadn’t felt that in a while.”
As Reeves began looking into the idea, she noticed a shift happening around independent bookstores. She observed that more people seemed drawn back to physical books and in-person spaces, places that felt tangible and social rather than transactional. When she started sharing the idea locally, the response reinforced that sense. Friends, acquaintances, and even strangers reached out with encouragement and interest, something Reeves said she hadn’t expected.
“I think people really want to go analog again,” she said. “They want something tangible and a place where they can connect.”
That feedback helped shape the direction of The Raven Book Lounge. Rather than creating a space aimed at a narrow audience, Reeves wanted something broader. “I don’t want this to be one type of person or one type of group,” she said. “I want all different kinds of people to feel comfortable coming in.”
That sense of intention is reflected in the name itself. While The Raven nods to classic literature, it is also deeply personal. Raven is the name of Reeves’ younger sister. “The name is the most personal part,” she said. “This is a place I would go to. That’s how I know it’s right.”
Inside The Raven Book Lounge
The same question that shaped the idea for The Raven Book Lounge also guided how the space was designed. Reeves wanted the room to feel comfortable for someone arriving alone, while still working just as well for conversation and small gatherings.
It’s a large space, but it has been intentionally divided into smaller sections that feel defined without being closed off. Leather seating, dark wood furnishings, and layered textures establish the overall tone, while chandelier lighting keeps the room bright enough for reading without feeling harsh.
Much of the furniture and décor was sourced secondhand, with an emphasis on finding pieces that felt lived-in rather than new. Reeves worked closely with her sister-in-law, who helped shape the look of the space by tracking down furniture, artwork, and accents through Facebook Marketplace, resale shops, and local finds.
Instead of centering the room around a single focal point, the layout offers choices. Small tables are set aside for puzzles and games, while sofas and chairs are grouped around coffee tables, including seating near a faux fireplace. Reeves said she wanted people to have options for how they use the space. “I wanted to create areas where people could come, play games, sit, and get to know each other,” she said.
Along one wall, curtained booths offer a sense of privacy while remaining connected to the rest of the lounge. Elsewhere, smaller nooks provide quieter spots for reading or conversation without feeling removed from the room’s energy.
Decorative details are layered throughout, with artwork, vintage accents, framed documents, and antique typewriters mixed with subtle literary references. Ravens appear throughout the space, offering small nods to the lounge’s name.
The bar is sizable, with ample seating, but it doesn’t dominate the room. Reeves said she wanted it to function as another place to gather rather than the main attraction.
Food and Cocktails at The Raven Book Lounge
The Raven Book Lounge will offer a full bar with cocktails, wine, beer, as well as mocktails, soda, and coffee. Reeves emphasized that the goal is not to create a bar-forward space. “It’s not a bar vibe,” she said. “It’s a place where you can have a cocktail or a mocktail and connect.”
Food will focus on small plates designed to pair easily with conversation. Reeves has partnered with chef Jake Barr, who will oversee the kitchen and create a rotating menu. “The kitchen is going to be his domain,” she said. “He’s creating a small bites menu and a rotating weekly special, and he’s going to try to locally source as much as he can.”
Planned offerings include charcuterie-style boards, quiche, meatballs, and seasonal items. Affordability was also a consideration. “I don’t want this to be crazy expensive,” Reeves said. “I want people to be able to come in, have a glass of wine, and stay for a while.”
Books at the Center of The Raven Book Lounge
While food and drinks are an important part of the experience, Reeves is clear that books remain at the core of The Raven Book Lounge. The space is designed first as a place to read, browse, and spend time with books, with everything else built around that foundation.
Books are shelved throughout the lounge rather than confined to a single area, reinforcing the feeling of being in a personal library rather than a traditional retail space. The Raven will carry new books across a range of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, classics, historical fiction, travel, and select self-help titles. The selection is intended to give readers room to discover something new without feeling overwhelmed.
Local authors will play an important role as well. Reeves plans to highlight regional writers through dedicated shelf space, author readings, and signings. She sees that support as a natural extension of the space. “When people create something and put it out into the world, that takes courage,” she said. “If I can support local writers and artists, I want to do that.”
Events and Gatherings at The Raven Book Lounge
Beyond casual visits, Reeves expects The Raven to function as a regular gathering place. Interest has already come from a wide range of groups, which Reeves sees as a strength. “I don’t want all one age group,” she said. “I don’t want all one type of thinker.” Inquiries have ranged from book clubs and spoken word performers to Mahjong groups and social meetups, reflecting the broad audience she hopes the space will attract.
Even ahead of its official opening, Reeves has hosted small, informal gatherings that have given her a preview of how the lounge works in practice. Groups have settled in for conversations, games, and shared activities without the room feeling crowded or noisy, something Reeves sees as essential for a space built around conversation and connection.
The Raven will also be welcoming to guests under 21, with mocktails, food, and games available. Reeves expects the atmosphere to shift throughout the day, with quieter afternoons suited to remote work, reading, or low-key gatherings and evenings that lean more social. After six, laptops will be put away. “Close your computer and socialize,” she said.
Looking Ahead: Opening The Raven Book Lounge in Brentwood, TN
For Reeves, success isn’t measured only by numbers or opening-week buzz. What matters most is how people feel when they walk through the door. She described success as guests coming in and thinking, “this feels like a comfortable, safe place for me,” whether they arrive alone or with others.
As The Raven Book Lounge moves closer to opening, Reeves is planning a series of soft openings ahead of a larger public debut. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the lounge is expected to open soon at Brentwood Place, located at 330 Franklin Rd., in the space formerly occupied by City Cafe and, more recently, Mama D’s.
Readers can follow The Raven Book Lounge on Instagram for opening announcements, event details, and early looks at the space.
