There are parties, and then there are cultural feasts—events so perfectly seasoned with intellect, indulgence, and impact that they become the stuff of New York legend. On Thursday, June 5th, the Housing Works Bookstore in Soho will swing open its iconic doors for Feast for the Books—an ultra-curated evening where the power of storytelling meets the prestige of fine dining, all in support of one of the city’s most vital causes: advocacy and aid for those affected by homelessness and HIV/AIDS.
A glittering gathering for the literary- and food-obsessed alike, this year’s benefit promises to be more than just an event—it’s a narrative in motion. A plotline laced with butter, bourbon, and social good. Curated by none other than Brooks Headley, the cult-favorite chef behind Superiority Burger and a board member of Housing Works Bookstore, the evening will feature a gastronomic lineup that reads like the Michelin Guide’s secret diary: ATLA, Contento, Dame, Strange Delight, Eel Bar, Forsyth Fire Escape, Lola’s, Union Square Café, and of course, Superiority Burger itself.
If that menu doesn’t get your heart racing, the VIP hour will: Monkey Thief cocktails flowing like poetry, confections from Hana’s Bakery and The Good Batch that border on sonnets, and a fireside-style Q&A with Dan Pelosi (a.k.a. Grossy Pelosi, cookbook king of “Let’s Eat”) and Jaymee Sire, the voice behind Food Network’s hit podcast Obsessed, along with a few of the evening’s culinary stars.
Feast for the Books is not just a dinner. It’s a declaration. A statement that reading is radical, eating is exquisite, and giving back is the most glamorous act of all. Amidst rare-book stacks and beneath twinkling lights, guests will sip and savor while bidding on silent auction offerings from culinary icons and luxury partners including Josh Capon’s Little Maven, Café Carmellini, Mattos Hospitality, Jono Pandolfi, Cozy Earth, and more.
All proceeds will benefit Housing Works’ continued mission to uplift New Yorkers through housing, healthcare, and human dignity. For over 30 years, the organization has stood on the frontlines of the AIDS crisis, fought for health equity, and reimagined retail and fashion as tools for liberation. This evening—equal parts soirée and statement—continues that tradition with a sharp heel and a full heart.
Details
🗓 Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
⏰ Time: 6–9 PM (VIP Hour begins at 6 sharp)
📍 Location: Housing Works Bookstore, 126 Crosby Street, Soho
🎟 Tickets: Click here to purchase – because revolution should taste this good.
Expect live beats by DJ Taylor Schober, cocktails courtesy of Tip Top Proper Cocktails, lush tablescapes by Please B Seated, and the most electrifying blend of literary prestige and culinary decadence the city has seen all season.
Books. Bites. Benevolence. This is New York at its most deliciously refined.
