The River Bar in Manhattan’s Chinatown was abuzz with excitement on Wednesday evening as patrons gathered for a unique event celebrating the limited run of Hate Reads, a pop-up newsletter within a newsletter created by writer Delia Cai of Vanity Fair.
The evening kicked off with a curious patron asking, “What’s Hate Reads?” little did she know she was about to embark on a night of readings and revelry. The Hate Reads newsletter featured anonymous essays critiquing everything from Taylor Swift’s outfits to media parties, and even the Hate Reads themselves.
Contributing writers took the stage to read excerpts from their essays, revealing their true feelings about topics they despised. From bizarre beverages at house parties to fast walkers, the crowd was treated to a range of passionate rants.
One standout moment came from writer Mary H.K. Choi, who hilariously shared her self-loathing for loving musician Post Malone. The crowd erupted in laughter and applause as she described her conflicting feelings.
As the night came to a close, guests lingered in the dimly lit room, sipping on “Haterade” (vodka soda) and mingling with fellow attendees. It was a gathering of writers, editors, and media personalities, all connected in some way to the Hate Reads writers.
Overall, the Hate Reads event was a night of laughter, camaraderie, and shared disdain for various topics. It was a reminder of the power of words and the catharsis of expressing one’s dislikes in a creative and entertaining way.
