Afternoon Tea
Join us for Afternoon Tea in the beautiful and historic setting of the Folger Shakespeare Library. Sample a generous assortment of savory bites and sweet treats, paired with a selection of Harney & Sons Fine Tea. The menu features refined takes on classic tea fare, including finger sandwiches, pastries, and baked goods, artfully arranged on tiered platters.
Reservation details
Afternoon Tea at the Folger takes place on the first Saturday of the month, with two afternoon seatings in the Founders’ Room.
- Tickets are $85 per person and $45 for ages 8-13. All prices include gratuity.
- Reservations must include a minimum of 2 people. Tables can seat up to 4 people, so please note that groups of more than 4 will be seated at separate, adjacent tables.
Additional Afternoon Tea events may be scheduled in the Reading Room for special occasions. See below for more details about these special teas.
Get notified
Afternoon Tea events sell out quickly. Sign up to receive an email when reservations open for future seatings.
Afternoon Tea at the Folger
Afternoon Tea at the Folger
Special teas
An Austen Afternoon
An Austen Afternoon, the Folger’s celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, will begin with Afternoon Tea in the Reading Room, followed by a Regency Dance. More details
Family Tea
All ages are welcome at this special Afternoon Tea on Friday, December 26, in the Reading Room. Sign up to receive an email when tickets go on sale.
Locations at the Folger
About the Founders’ Room
Emily Jordan Folger, who founded the Folger Shakespeare Library with her husband, Henry, would serve tea to her guests in the Founders’ Room, originally designed as a reception suite for the couple to give them a private space when they visited the library. The room’s beautiful stained glass windows, by Philadelphia designer Nicola D’Ascenzo, depict famous characters from Shakespeare’s plays.
The Founders’ Room is used for Afternoon Tea at the Folger on the first Saturday of each month.
About the Reading Room
For many visitors to the Folger, the Reading Room is a must-see, with its beautiful stained-glass windows, enormous chandeliers, carved oak paneling, and high trussed roof. During weekdays, the Reading Room is a quiet space for researchers to work with Folger collection materials. At the west end of the Reading Room is one of the Folger’s treasures, a large stained-glass window designed by Nicola d’Ascenzo that depicts the famous Seven Ages of Man from Jaques’s speech in As You Like It.
The Reading Room is used for special-occasion or themed Afternoon Tea events.
