Books of all genres, unique trinkets, and handcrafted gifts are piled high on shelves and tables at Birdhouse Books. Abby Strite, the owner, greets each guest warmly while a small Yorkie named Mae Mae dashes forward as they enter.
Tucked away on Burnet Road, this small gay-owned bookstore and gift shop promotes local artists and writers while holding gatherings that unite Austin’s queer and literary communities. On August 1, the small store will be converted into a sapphic singles’ escape room, complete with lockboxes, literary puzzles, and lots of flirting.
Birdhouse Books will present Lin Cognito’s summer case, Who Killed the Love Interest, as part of their second partnership with Lin Cognito’s Murder Mystery Parties.Nonbinary, queer, and trans women can meet possible matches while solving a mystery for $22 per ticket. Participants work in pairs to find clues and respond to themed questions throughout 10-minute sessions.
According to Megan Okonsky, the host and founder of Lin Cognito’s Murder Mystery Parties, it’s like speed dating without any pressure. The last thing you want is to have to guess someone’s sexual orientation. It’s not necessary to speculate about someone’s relationship status. It’s obvious to see that everyone is there for the same reason at the singles event, but they’re also there to have fun, be goofy, and not become too serious.
Okonsky decided Birdhouse Books would be the ideal location for the event after meeting Strite there to talk about her upcoming book. Strite provides the room; Okonsky provides the game. The event maintains the excitement of a night out without the commotion or stress of a bar thanks to beer from Zilker Brewing Co.
We want people, especially LGBT people, to have a space where they feel safe and can be who they are, so it’s the ideal alliance, Strite said. It will be a match made in heaven if we host a dating event that encourages that.
In this environment, even people with social anxiety feel at ease. Returning visitor Alex Hopper expresses gratitude to Strite for providing her with a social life and for providing a venue for LGBT individuals to come together, socialize, and form new relationships.
There was a joke going around that said, “If sapphics are introverted and only want to crochet on the weekends, where do they go to meet people?” Hopper stated. It would be a good occasion.
Every week, Birdhouse Books hosts literary events, and throughout the year, Okonsky’s game host persona, Lin Cognito, hosts murder mystery parties at various locations throughout Austin. In a warm, inviting setting, this event blends romance, puzzles, and play for sapphic individuals looking for connection outside of the usual pub environment.
According to Strite, the things that I personally care about the most—such as books, games, and queerness—perform the best here. I did it if I was able to give folks that room. Mae Mae will be present for that mission. Visit the business even if you are unable to attend the event. Say hello.
