Bookworms, rejoice! A new bookstore opened in Melbourne a few weeks ago, and it’s dedicated entirely to scandalous stories and guilty pleasures. Wander among the shelves at The Forbidden Chapter, and uncover plenty of romance, thriller, horror, fantasy and more books that will make you blush. When you’re not searching for your next read, pop into the cafe and relax with a coffee or two. Sign up to be a member, and enter The Forbidden Vault, a velvet-clad space inspired by 50 Shades of Grey. The Forbidden Chapter is now open in Brunswick West from Thursday to Monday, and the Vault is set to launch in March.
The Forbidden Chapter
Feel utterly obsessed when you pop into this cosy new bookstore. They’ve got a massive selection of romance novels, including contemporary, alien, dark romance, taboo, sports, queer romance and more. You’ll also find plenty of fantasy and romantasy, as well as thriller, horror and crime. They also stock books by Australian authors, and aim to increase their range with a minimum of five Aussie authors each month.
When you’re not browsing along the 12-metre book wall, treat yourself to a drink or snack from the cafe. You’ll find beverages like coffee, smoothies, milkshakes and soft drink, as well as bites like muffins, banana bread, lamingtons and sausage rolls. There’s cosy Chesterfield lounges for you to curl up in, and a private area for members. The cafe features inside seating and tables, and next year, they will open up the back decking area for even more space.
Craving a little more? Sign up to be a member and have access to The Forbidden Vault. This spicy red room features sound-proofed walls, and offers plenty of perks like exclusive releases, monthly book club nights, giveaways, members-only discounts and more. No phones are allowed in the vault.
The Forbidden Chapter is all about building a sense of community, so you can look forward to plenty of events, including author signings, early launches and more. Coming up soon is a movie premiere, followed by a discussion to talk about the book. On Valentine’s Day, swing by for a relaxed night of snacks, mocktails, trivia, games and more. Keep an eye out for future events here.
With disabled access and gender neutral toilets, all are welcome to this space. There’s also free Wi-Fi, so you can stay as long as you need.
Key information:
đź“…Thursdays, 9am to 9pm, and Friday to Monday, 9am to 5:30pm.
đź“Ť453 Victoria St, Brunswick West VIC 3055
Start exploring here.