Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café Bar / Café / Culture / Live Music Venue / Bookstore

Dupont Circle, Washington, DC –

A combination independent bookseller and high-end café, Kramerbooks & Afterwords has become a DC staple for an eclectic and hyper-literate clientele.

Lined with classics, rarer finds, novelty books, and a wide selection of politically-minded literature, the bookstore offers a pleasant place for smartly-dressed patrons to browse, meander, and read as they wait for a seat at the Afterwords Café in back.

Although daytime sees a steady flow of shoppers and casual young urbanites in the store, the vibe shifts gears at night in the dimly-lit café, when crowds of well-dressed young professionals show up to savor unique specials like coconut Maui Mahi, curried goat, and dozens of specialty beers and cocktails.

A contingent of upscale bohemians joins the mix on live music nights when acoustic artists take the stage on the second floor, providing the perfect backdrop for patrons lingering over the last bites of their intricate desserts.

Both spaces stay open for twenty-four hours straight from Friday to Saturday morning, and more than a few trendy book lovers have been known to treat themselves to a long night among the stacks, only to return for Sunday brunch. Reservations for large groups are encouraged, especially on warm days when the café’s patio quickly fills to capacity.

With its unique beer and menu selections, live music, and stacks of offbeat literature, Kramerbooks & Afterwords has a distinct charm that keeps its bookish clients returning time and again.