announcement
Independent Bookstore and Celebrated Cocktail Bar Launch Cultural Programming Series Bridging Storytelling, Community, and Curated Experience
July 01, 2025
MONTECITO, CA (July 1, 2025) – Godmothers, Summerland’s beloved independent bookstore and gathering space, and The Manor Bar, located in the Forbes Triple Five-Star Resort Rosewood Miramar Beach, are proud to announce a new, joint partnership grounded in shared values: thoughtful curation, meaningful connection, and a love of the local community.
This collaboration brings together two local institutions deeply committed to storytelling and discovery. Since opening in September 2024, Godmothers Bookstore has become a cultural anchor in the region, offering dynamic programming from author talks to hands-on workshops. At the heart of this new partnership is The Manor Bar, Rosewood Miramar Beach’s celebrated cocktail destination known for its library-inspired interiors, elevated mixology, and storied ambiance, best exemplified through its literary-themed menu, Chronicles of Cocktails, with its most current volume featuring literary lands.
Together, they introduce the Godmothers Literary Society at The Manor Bar—a monthly speaker series designed to foster cultural exchange and connection. Open to both hotel guests and the larger community, each gathering within The Manor Bar’s library will feature intimate author conversations and literary events, curated by the Godmothers team. In addition to the speaker series, the partnership will also include a quarterly book club, also occurring within The Manor Bar, inviting readers to engage more deeply with featured titles through guided discussion and community dialogue.
The Manor Bar will also debut Reading Hours, a new daytime experience created in partnership with Godmothers Bookstore. Open to all from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily, the bar transforms into a serene reading and working space, featuring cozy corners and a thoughtfully curated selection of Godmothers titles—available to browse, borrow, or purchase—set within the ambiance of the resort’s sophisticated library lounge.
Beyond the bar, the collaboration comes to life across Rosewood Miramar Beach with the installation of a custom Little Library, modeled after the iconic Godmothers storefront and filled with rotating titles on loan. In turn, the resort will join select Godmothers events off-property throughout the year, extending the partnership beyond the resort and reinforcing a mutual commitment to nurturing local culture and creativity. From thoughtfully crafted culinary moments to signature hospitality touches, these pop-ups bring the essence of Miramar to Summerland—offering guests a taste of the resort’s signature service and sense of place.
Whether gathered over cocktails or curled up with a book, Rosewood Miramar Beach, The Manor Bar, and Godmothers invite all to connect through the enduring power of stories, marking the first chapter of an evolving collaboration between neighbors united by creativity, curiosity, and a commitment to each other.
To learn more, visit: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito/dining/the-manor-bar
ABOUT GODMOTHERS
Opening in September 2024, Godmothers is an independent bookstore and cultural gathering space located in the heart of Summerland, California. Founded on the belief that community is a powerful force for healing, Godmothers harnesses the art of storytelling to foster meaningful connection. The shop features a carefully curated selection of books across genres, along with a dynamic calendar of live events—including author talks, expert panels, and workshops designed to inspire personal growth and collective dialogue. With local roots and a global perspective, Godmothers is more than a bookstore—it’s a welcoming space for curiosity, creativity, and community.
ABOUT THE MANOR BAR
Inspired by its library-like setting, The Manor Bar – the craft cocktail destination at the heart of the Forbes Triple Five-Star Resort Rosewood Miramar Beach – is known for creative signature drinks that pay homage to great literature. Just as a great book can transport readers to far-flung destinations, great cocktails are designed to spark the imagination. Launched in March 2025, the fourth iteration of The Manor Bar's literary series features literary lands ranging from Camelot to Lilliput, featuring glassware by 3D Vault, who crafted custom-made vessels for all 12 new signature cocktails. With this new volume, The Manor Bar team invites drinkers to journey through these imaginative realms with cocktails designed to transport you into the pages of timeless stories. Located within the Manor House of the coastal Montecito resort, The Manor Bar’s welcoming atmosphere includes warm wooden accents, leather armchairs and a roaring fireplace topped with an original work by famed Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Previous themes for Chronicles of Cocktails included classics and literary works by women with female protagonists.
ABOUT ROSEWOOD MIRAMAR BEACH
A Forbes Travel Guide Triple Five-Star hotel and spa, Rosewood Miramar Beach is situated on one of the most pristine beaches in the region and is in Santa Barbara’s picturesque Montecito community known as The American Riviera. Offering 153 ultra-luxury guestrooms and suites, including beachfront accommodations, a collection of signature suites, and multi-bedroom bungalows, the resort has been designed with style, grace and glamour and perfectly balances the residential and the refined. Amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness studio, two cabana-lined pools, bespoke beach service on the sandy shores of Miramar Beach and Sense, A Rosewood Spa – the only Forbes Five-Star spa in Santa Barbara. Home to several distinct dining venues, including Caruso’s, the signature oceanfront restaurant, and The Revere Room, an all-day eatery with an emphasis on hyper-locality, Rosewood Miramar Beach is a culinary destination for locals and visitors alike. An elevated retail experience further bolsters Rosewood Miramar Beach as the ultimate retreat for the best in luxury lifestyle, with The Shop at Miramar exclusively featuring The Miramar Collection, a first-of-its-kind goop Sundries Shop. Expansive indoor and outdoor event space, totaling approximately 33,000 square feet, includes the Chandelier Ballroom with over 6,500 square feet, and the Great Lawn, which offers infinite ocean views. Personalized service makes Rosewood Miramar Beach the perfect destination for celebrating life’s moments, both big and small. Rosewood Miramar Beach is owned by Caruso and managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
