Dozens of bibliophiles sprawl throughout Hotel AKA’s chic Alexandria bar, silent except for turning pages. Welcome to the Silent Reading Party, where Old Town Books and Hotel AKA have partnered for literary bliss.
Readers lose themselves in different worlds—the Amalfi Coast, haunted Hill House, the Appalachian Mountains. Book-themed cocktails flow (try the Sunken Spritz: Aperol, orange bitters, sparkling wine inspired by Sarah Penner’s The Amalfi Curse). Relume, a craft café from D.C., teaches attendees to build tiny bookshelves of their favorite reads.
Each reader inhabits their own universe, yet they’re profoundly connected—bound by passion for the written word and the community surrounding it. It’s doing what you love, surrounded by people just as obsessed. StayAKA.com, OldTownBooks.com
Follow @HotelAKA.Hotel and @OldTownBooks on Instagram for the next Silent Reading Party dates.
Silent Reading Parties encourage sheer enjoyment of the written word.
This article originally appeared in the May 2026 issue.
