It’s long been around - the movie and book exchange at the Baboon cafe/bookstore. For those who have blinked and missed the note in the Kyiv Post Community Listings (see p. 33 for these), it’s pretty simple: bring your old books to Baboon, trade them in for old or new ones, or receive credit on future purchases. The same applies to movies, of which they have a growing stack of VHS tapes. Maybe most people have already switched to DVDs, but for those that haven’t this is a gold mine.
Lots can be said about Baboon: it’s the closest thing in the city to an American-style bookstore where you can sip coffee or beer and read the latest fiction titles or biographies of well-known celebrities. Seating is often in short supply, and what’s there could be more comfortable, but at least it’s possible to sit and read.
Another good thing about Baboon is the daily music entertainment: often light piano music floats on the air during the day, or a cool new band will take the stage by night and have the neighbors complaining. It’s not without reason that the concerts at Baboon always start at the childishly early hour of 8 p.m.
Add good food to the list. Vegetarian selections at Baboon are well-portioned, tasty and not over-priced, and that goes for the entire menu, which is generally light on calories and high on taste. The service can be a bit slow, but in defense the place is often busy. Or maybe the staff gets stiffed too often by people with big discount cards who leave flimsy tips (many such cards were handed out early on in the history of this beloved and most-Bohemian of Kyiv hang-outs). But I digress.
Check this place out. Replenish the stock of used books at Kyiv’s only true used book store/coffee shop. And for God’s sake leave a decent tip.
Baboon cafe/bookstore
39 B. Khmelnytskoho, 234-1503.
Open daily from 9 a.m. till 2 a.m.
by Paul Miazga, Kyiv Post Staff Writer
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