ABOUT US

Founded in 1990 in New York City, BAR AND BOOKS set a new standard for Cigar Bars worldwide by redefining the concept of hospitality. Our signature is creating an inviting ambience along with a discerning selection of spirits and cigars with a style of service that is second to none.

In addition to our  New York location Hudson Bar and Books  /going back 35 years ago/, Týnská Bar and Books / going back 21 years ago/  was opened as sister bar in the Czech Republic, located in the heart of Prague's scenic Old Town.

In 2015 to honor our  25^th Anniversary, we had opened a new venue in Warsaw, Podwale Bar And Books. 

Our journey continues successfully till June 2025, when we are going to welcome our new venue Národní Bar and Books, located in busy Prague 1 district close to National Theatre.

 Whether you are  in New York or Europe conducting a business meeting or out for a romantic evening, kindly visit to any of our establishments you will see why they are "The World's Most Refreshingly Civilized Places To Meet.^TM"

ABOUT PEOPLE

President and CEO, Bar and Books, Raju S. Mirchandani
Raju S Mirchandani, the owner and founder CEO of Bar & Books, a chain of upscale cocktail lounges in New York City, established in 1990, is also the proprietor of Le Bateau Ivre, New York City’s first authentic “Bistrot a Vins”. Mr. Mirchandani has worked in several internationally acclaimed/renowned hotels including the Dorchester Hotel, London, U.K.; The Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay, India.

He was with the elegant Westbury Hotel in New York for a decade as its Director of Catering.  Subsequently, he spent two years as  a partner with the Park Bistro Group, which owned and operated  Les Halles and Park Gourmandises. Mr. Mirchandani has a degree in Hotel Management  from the Middlesex College, London, U.K. and is also a graduate of the Institute of  Hotel Management, Bombay, India

CEO, Bar and Books Prague and Warsaw,  Martina Peštová
Martina is co-owner of Bar and Books in Prague. Although born there, she moved to New York in her teens. She spent five years working with restaurants as a design consultant and began her carrier in bar management. New York wasn’t Martina‘s first international work experience; she had also spent three years in Australia studying English and working in many classy bars and restaurants.

In 2004 Martina returned to Prague where she opened the first Bar and Books in the Czech Republic in Týnská street and four years later in Mánesova street. 2015 together with Raju they had opened Podwale Bar and Books at Warsaw. Martina is now known as one of Prague's most successful business women, designers and bar operators.