Politics and Prose Bookstore

I’m home. Politics and Prose, Washington DC. This is where I learned all I know about truth, power and the beauty of both synergised together. 2003 was the year I’d be here very weekend. Listening to talks in the evenings after work. Brushing shoulders with lawmakers, poets and authors hoping someday I would be one of the three. Coffee in the cafe. The slowness of being in your 20s, the world ahead of you. Not behind, like it is now. The impact of books is like the impact of peace. It’s grows on you then before you know it, you can’t do without. You need to surround yourself with books and peace, both. Then you realise all peace comes from wisdom in them. It’s such a fraught world, so much noise: I pray I get enough peace to read all the 100s of books I collect and hoard. Ps: thank you for the clean bathrooms 🙏

Politics and Prose is best thought of as a neighborhood haunt. After years of living in the area, I finally went there today. It's an impressive, well-run, small bookstore. (An increasing rarity nowadays.) Nice little coffee shop in the lower level. Nice staff. Having said that, there's very little parking, especially during rush hours. The coffee shop closes a bit early. It's best if you're within a short walk or can used the bus.

Never disappoints. Amazing selection of books of all genres, carefully curated. Staff is incredibly attentive and knowledgeable. The hard thing there is to contain yourself and not want to buy the whole store. Today’s choice was The Invention of Sicily. Chose it as a birthday present to a friend, ended up getting one for myself as well.

The sort of place you could spend all day in! Parking isn't ideal (busy road, metered), but there were tons of people in the store, so I think they figured out how to manage. So many different books, events, and trinkets available. Some of the aisles are extremely close together, but perhaps that adds to the charm? There's also a downstairs, which I didn't have time to look at.

Great bookstore and cafe. Shop local 🫶 Cafe has a decent amount of seating and sometimes live music.

Loved this bookstore , so many books found a new home ! Cant wait to visit the other locations 🙏🏻

My fellow book lovers know they can find anything they look for here. Bought Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Dream Count here. Best to sign up for yearly membership

I love Politics & Prose but particularly this location! They have a lovely calendar of events and a well curated selection of books. They also have a coffee shop downstairs for a delightful bev + book combo. Every staff member I’ve interacted with has been helpful and lovely.

Amazing service all around. Hope specifically noticed I was having a tough day and went above and beyond (lol her name speaks thru) Also the food, coffee and treats are truly exceptional.

Just moved to DC and was looking for my local spot, and I found it! Charming local bookstore with great gifts, and best of all a yummy cafe. First day I went in for books, second day for a relaxing lunch break. Can't wait to frequent this spot more.

I used to love this bookstore, having purchased probably over 500 books, maybe more, for my family, particularly from the children's section. Recently, something caught my eye at the front of the shelf: a book titled "Trans Kids Our Kids." I want to clarify that I do not represent any political party, as I do not personally support any of them. Additionally, I am not a religious person. My main belief is in teaching values to our kids, and I respect everyone regardless of their race, gender, age, or ethnicity. I don't think it is necessary to promote this book by placing it at the front of the store.

I love the idea of the store. Books, cute knick knacks, snacks, and coffee - my dream. However, the coffeehouse (the Den) is a complete hit or miss. I've been many times and sometimes the coffee is amazing and sometimes it is not drinkable (I order the same two things). The food is also good but incredibly overpriced with tiny portions.

Underneath a busy bookstore is the coffeehouse that is equally as bustling. A wintery Saturday afternoon draws the laptop crowd, families and friends catching up, and me, just reading a book as I waited for the author talk upstairs to start. I was lucky to find a spot to sit as someone was leaving. Then just as I left someone else claimed my table. I sat near the entrance, where there seemed to be a constant flow of people coming in and out. It's a decent place to work or read if you don't mind some chatter and light music in the background. Latte was good. The menu has a good variety of options for breakfast and sandwiches, plus a selection of pastries.

P&P is a WONDERFUL bookstore! Their staff is knowledgeable and very helpful, they have a wonderful array of books, and interesting gifts as well. I feel fortunate to be within walking distance so I can visit more frequently!

P&P is THE go-to bookstore in DC. They have a fantastic selection and knowledgeable staff (who can be a bit snobbish at times given their high standards for literature, whereas mine is more limited to brain-rotting perennial fiction). Their cafe on the lower level is endlessly charming and constantly busy. The london fog is to die for. Politics and Prose is a must for bookworms like myself!

I absolutely love the vibes of this spot but tbh the coffee kinda booty . drip coffee good but their lattes just aint it. vibes impeccable so ill be back. but can get really busy so heads up if looking to sit, even M-F during day

Politics and Prose (specifically this Conn Ave location) is my favorite bookstore - not just in the District, but nationwide. They've got so much more than just books to offer, although of course they've got plenty of good books. I love that they have an entire area of sale books, where I can always find gems, especially with cookbooks. They can order pretty much any book imaginable if it's not on their shelves, and if you pick it up at the store, there's no delivery cost. Beyond books, this location has a great cafe in the basement. Perfect for a sweet pastry or a glass of wine. And, most importantly, Politics and Prose has an incredible offering of classes and events each season. I've taken 4 classes (all online) so far, and loved every one of them. They are able to attract great instructors, and they have a wide range of topics for all interests. I particularly enjoyed the Art of Food Writing class I recently took with Nevin. Forget Amazon - come to Politics and Prose (in-person or virtually!) and support a wonderful local establishment.

I love a local indie bookstore and will always search them out when I travel! P&P is fun and funky, 2 stories and great to roam around in and get a little lost. Staff was friendly, helpful, and courteous and the book-related stuff was super fun as well. I'll definitely visit this spot again.

Amazing mocha! The bun was not as good though. Perfect place to stop by after browsing books... It's a bit cramped but still cozy (8/24/24)

Lovely bookstore with a café downstairs that serves cheap (but delicious) coffee and tea beverages. The cappuccinos there are great! The café and bookstore are cozy but the café can get a little drafty when it's cold out.

This review is for The Den Coffeehouse. I have lived in this neighborhood for years and I always forget about this amazing coffeehouse. Small, neighborly, boho- feeling. Exactly what you want in a neighborhood hangout. The fact that it was packed on this rainy Thursday morning is a sign that people obviously know a good thing! Strong dark drip coffee and a lovely selection of baked goods - the usual muffins, croissants, etc. Great nosh with your flavorful coffee!

A D.C. fixture for decades, Politics and Prose is the "OG" of bookstores. Spacious and well-organized, this neighborhood gem has a top-notch selection of books. You can find a book on just about any subject...fiction, nonfiction, politics, religion, poetry...you name it! Giving Politics and Prose a big up for their diversity. There's something for every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age group. Excellent selection of children's books. For the old heads out there, this is one of the few places that still sells CDs and DVDs. You can also snag a few last minute gifts. They have a bevy of tote bags, magnets, jigsaw puzzles, and graphic tees. Enough greeting cards to make your head spin! And for those who don't know, this location is known for hosting an array of events that puts the spotlight on various authors and poets. Don't get it twisted...this bookstore has hosted some heavy hitters like Toni Morrison, J.K. Rowling, and Michelle Obama. Special mention: Gotta shout-out The Den! It's an adorable coffeehouse and wine bar located in the basement of the bookstore. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can dine-in or do takeout. Menu has a decent variety of coffee, craft beers, and wine. If you're looking for friendly customer service and a good read, I highly recommend Politics and Prose. Come and get your shop on while supporting a local business!

Very good The employees are friendly help...... Good sto look at the books Go to get coffee Buy the interesting cards Come back That bookstore is good!!!!!!

I am so glad I was able to stop by here for a coffee before I went back home. This place was super cute and had a chill vibe to it. The barista was very helpful and nice. I deff will be back here. I always love chill vine places!

An American University student must visit, I frequented Politics and Prose's main location regularly. It's huge. It has every book under the sun, making it very overwhelming. Another bookstore that definitely gets paid by publishers to put the popular hits on their front and center tables. They do have a cool sales section in the very back which I like. While the staff is nice, because of the sheer size of their collection, they aren't very familiar with it, so they are not the most helpful sometimes. When they have events, it makes the space very difficult to move around it, too. I do love The Den- their coffee shop space in the basement. It's a good size and great ambiance. I love love love their grilled cheese there.

This is the perfect rainy day to be curled up with a book on your sofa-- esp if it's from Politics and Prose. This store has been around for a long time and I can't believe I have ranted and raved about it before! The staff is super helpful and you have soo many choices of books to look through. They also have puzzles, cards, posters and other cute gift ideas! There is even a little cafe downstairs if you need a little treat! Children's books are downstairs too. Parking around back or street parking in front. Check out this place-- I usually leave with a few books!

Friendliest staff. Congenial cafe. Support your local bookstore! Order from the website to pick up in person at your convenience.

Politics and Prose is a DC institution (this Tenleytown location is fabulous). Love brick-n-mortar bookstores (a rarity these days); love them even more when they are, like Politics and Prose, a community center and a gathering place. They regularly host book readings, events, talks. Free and open to the public, first come first served. A huge bookstore in fact. And they carry souvenirs and gifts that are "only in DC" such as a Doctor Fauci figurine, oven mats that say Repuplican and Democat (clever!).

really cute store with an equally cute coffee shop below!! i came here with a couple of friends who were visiting dc and had wanted to come here for ages. we all got coffees and wandered around the bookstore. my lavender latte with oat milk was excellent and the book selection is huge and diverse. we spent hours here and i easily could have spent hours more. it's a little far from my neighborhood but i would love to spend another lazy day here :)

It's a nice place and parking is not an issue since they have plenty of lots behind the Politics and Prose bookstore. Downstairs is a coffeehouse where locals read books and work on their laptops-- Sometimes I also see friends and family members reunite and chat. I enjoy my time at this spot which is why I visit once a week or every other week despite the 20 min driving distance. Finally and most importantly, all the staff members there are friendly but Megan, the new staff member (I believe), is exceptionally amazing! I really hope that she works there for a long time. She is always so positive and helpful. Her sincere smile is very noticeable as a customer. We need more individuals like Megan in the community.

Really great bookstore with so many options! This is my favorite location. They have a really big sale section as well and I found a lot of good books there. I have a hard time narrowing down my choices.

A lovely bookstore! Great selections, frequent events, and delicious food and drinks. Taking off a star because of the union-busting management and the unfriendly employees in the cafe.

Wonderful bookstore, helpful staff, and great place to just sit and read or browse at you leisure. The cafe downstairs has fresh, tasty fare. Wish they'd turn off the Wi-Fi, however, because people park there on their laptops and stay for hours. Sometimes on weekends, I can't get a seat.

This has been my go-to spot for about 2 years now, but recently they have realllly stepped up their game!! They have SO many new pastries, which are all perfectly made! Some of the best in the area. They still use the same coffee beans, but I've noticed their drinks are more flavorful and balanced. A+ baristas! The staff is so friendly, I feel like they actually care about how my day is going and my experience there. Good music is always playing. The vibe is perfect for reading, working, or meeting up with friends.

I love Politics and Prose. I love books and reading and this bookstore is truly dedicated to that. I also prefer to support independent stores in my community. Politics and Prose has a fantastic selection. The children's selection is on point, plus they have super cute merchandise. Clearly, the politics/world affairs section is big. They also have a nice cookbook selection. Staff is friendly. I was most recently there for an author talk and signing. I was able to buy the book, "Cool Beans" and have author Joe Yonan sign it. He was in conversation with Pati Jinich, which was great. and Little Sesame (my favorite) had samples for that event. So they do cool things like that. Plus, heading up here gives me a reason to check out restaurants I wouldn't normally get to, so there's that bonus as well. Definitely a great D.C. fixture.

I debated whether or not to send this because as a member and even before joining, I had mostly positive experiences at Politics And Prose and The Den. For the second Sunday in a row. I was at the Den on Connecticut Ave around 1:15PM. I placed an order and the cashier and barista were fine, but for whatever reason, the person prepping the food ignored me, even when I was the ONLY one waiting for food. No one likes to feel invisible and if the person doesn't like serving ppl from various ethnicities, they shouldn't be serving in what's considered a liberal spot or any other place. I don't want anyone else to feel as I did and it will be sometime before I return to The Den, if ever.

A very cool and interesting bookstore. It is very well known. Politics and Prose is the best place to get reading material. Fun activities like social clubs come to meet here. They have books of almost any interest. Bookstores are not as common as they used to be. If you can read something on a pad or phone, why do you need a book? There's many reasons. If you're looking for an older book. There's lots of older books here. It also has lots of newer books. Some people just like actual books, especially if these are classics. There's also certain benefits to going to bookstores that you can't get on a screen. At this store they often have visits by famous authors. There always seems to be a book signing. It becomes rarer to find a bookstore. This one always has something interesting to read or see. You can check the calendar to see when a famous author might come to visit.

There are few bookstores left and there are fewer still that can match the breadth, depth, and fire power of Politics and Prose. A terrific bookstore with a neighborhood feel but that punches way above its weight. It attracts THE authors who make things happen as well as the odd interesting arrival (I saw Billy Bragg talk about his latest book there). Staff is knowledgeable and there are plenty of places to browse and enjoy the smell of books. Nice little café downstairs, plenty of parking around. Let's make sure that bookstores continue to thrive and survive. We need them!

The Connecticut Avenue store will reopen tomorrow, and The Wharf & Union Market stores will reopen on Tuesday. Safety measures continue: customers must wear masks at all times, they must use hand sanitizer upon entering, social distancing must be maintained, and visits must be limited to 30 minutes. Note that all employees returning to the stores have tested negative. P&P has instituted additional safety measures as of this week; a reduction in occupancy limits and a shortening of shopping hours: Occupancy limits at the Connecticut Avenue store - 40, at The Wharf - 15, and at Union Market - 8. Hours: Connecticut Avenue: 10-7 daily (the coffeehouse will be open from 9-7 daily, and the kitchen will be open from 9-7 on M-F & from 9-4 on S/S). The Wharf and Union Market: 11-7 on Tues.-Sat. and 11-6 on Sun.

Stopped in while out posting flyers for work and saw the cutest bookstore/ cafe! Really nice, spacious and well laid out floor plan. Upstairs is more political and religious, history, magazines etc.... Downstairs is children's and young adults. They also have a small but nice cafe where you can get coffee, pastries. Loved the whole vibe! Will return!

An employee 'Shane' made fun of me for reading. He said I was staring intently at the book cover. Then laughed and walked away. I'm never sure when it's okay for people that look like me to be doing the same behaviors as others without being judged. Was reading the description for "The Undocumented Americans" by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. Would've purchased until the store worker thought it'd be funny to verbally attack and ridicule a patron.

Outstanding selection of books for 1-2 yr old. Politics and Prose offers a service of sending gift books monthly to a child. After taking information from me about my preferences and the child, they send 2-3 books a month for a year. The parents of the recipient said the choices were unusual and outstanding, so much so that they recommended them to their friends with similar aged children. The books are always on time and reasonably priced. It was such a successful gift, I decided to continue for the next year. Thanks to the Children's' Book Section, Politics and Prose.

I came and sat in the cafe downstairs to do some work, and I was pleasantly surprised by the service! The baristas were super nice and attentive with a long line of customers, and my latte was soooo delicious. There were a lot of people there for a weekday morning, but I found a seat near the window and found it a great place to focus. Will be coming back! :)

Politics and Prose is a local bookshop that has a couple more locations at The Wharf and at Union Market - they offer both hardcovers/paperbacks and e-books, in addition to in-store events such as in-house book clubs, author visits, and, even sponsoring international trips. They have monthly book subscriptions where you're presented with a carefully picked book. I love that this place is all about giving back to the community and are open to fundraisers and such. We've come here as a group to explore and purchase various literary pieces, took advantage of ordering at their coffee shop, The Den, and to attend author signings. Parking is a bit limited. +author events +book trips +monthly book subscriptions +in-house coffee shop +limited parking

Recently, I came to this location with a few friends from out of state for a Q&A and book signing with one of our favorite authors. Quite possibly, it was one of the worst experiences of our lives. To start, the event was labeled as seating starting at 6:00 pm. We arrived at 5:20, and all seats were already taken, so we were one of the first groups of people standing. Next, either the air conditioning system was not working, or they were simply unwilling to pay to run it. It must have neared 90 degrees inside the building as it was packed to maximum capacity, and everyone was soaked with sweat, including the author. Keep in mind that most people at the event were also standing. The staff acknowledged the issue and simply suggested going outside or into the basement. Next, the event itself was extremely disorganized. Once the Q&A concluded and the signing began, it broke out into chaos. There was no effort by the staff to ensure the line formed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the moment they announced the signing was beginning, everyone barged in to be at the front of the line. Even people who managed to get a seat were completely cut off by those who got to the event well after them. It gets better. We arrived at the event at 5:20, meanwhile, people who arrived at 7 (the event starting time) and were originally towards the back were well ahead of us in the line (if you could call it that). Upon realizing this, a portion of our group decided to go downstairs to cool off, as advised by the store staff, while the remainder of our group stayed in line. One hour later, once the crowd cleared out a bit and our group progressed in the queue, we returned to the rest of our group. One of the event staff approached our group and gave us the paperwork for our book customization. Then, not one minute later, one of the rudest individuals I've ever had the displeasure of encountering approached our group. The staff member who approached us accused us of cutting without even letting us explain what happened. When someone tried to explain the situation, she cut them off nastily by repeating "sorry, you can't cut," not allowing anyone to get a word in. She then walked away, and we were re-approached by the original staff member (who clearly understood that we weren't cutting), and she said we were fine. She then walked away, and the rude staff member came back and said, "Did she say something different? Well, it doesn't matter; you need to go to the back of the line." At this point, other people in the line began overhearing her saying we were cutting, and they began getting upset (I can't say I'd blame them if that were the case). Ultimately, our entire group, including the people who never went to cool off, was forced to the back of the line after being some of the first people to arrive at the event. Had the staff member approached us in a kind manner (usually customary in customer service environments, or so I thought) and heard us out and still said there was an issue, we would have totally understood and moved to the back of the line (even though the staff insisted on taking the time to cool down multiple times). Sadly, though, this was not the case, and the staff member was hostile, unempathetic, and not understanding from the start, so much so that she began making a spectacle of it. While the location may be a good spot to purchase books, grab a bite, and chill, please avoid this location like the plague when it comes to events that draw in a crowd. Authors, please do not subject your fans and yourselves to this torture, and fans, if you must go, bring a chair, ice, and plenty of patience; you're going to need it.

I love coming hear to get coffee cakes reading, this place definitely is a great place to Go be alone and work and enjoy time to yourself. The staff who serve the coffee and food are amazing and friendly. And their playlist is the shit!!! Love it here

What a remarkable book store! I could get lost for hours in here, browsing not only the books, but the huge selection of fun gifts and the awesome card department. If I lived nearby, I'd be here all the time. It's a bit out of the way if you're staying downtown or in Georgetown and visiting the city, but I was really glad that we found a way to get there.

The staff is fantastic. I went to a book signing, but I arrived too late for a seat. I'm disabled and the staff was very accommodating. They had some seats reserved for those with disabilities. When it came to the book signing, I wasn't able to stand in line. One of the employees offered to bring me toward the front of the line. The customers in line were very kind.

the bookstore is quaint and cool, (but aren't most local bookstores) ;however, the cafe ruins it. the food is not great, the tea is barely average and the attitude of the guy running the register sucks. he was rude, acted snobbishly and made it an altogether unpleasant experience. I was planning on hanging for awhile and reordering tea while I read, but he negated anything interesting there. back to Kramers for this girl! at least they act happy to see you!

Politics and Prose bookstore has generously donated many brand new books to The Fostering Health Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. One of the staff members at the bookstore (Susan) reached out to our clinic asking how they could help. We were able to share with them a wish list of books that our clinic gives out to the patients we see. The patients we see in our clinic are children who are placed in foster care in the city of Philadelphia. It is our mission to make sure these kids have access to books with diverse backgrounds and cultures. Every child that is seen in our clinic is given books and learning toys as they leave. We are eternally grateful for anyone who makes a donation to this program so that we can continue to do this work. Thank you, Politics and Prose Bookstore for your generous donation. We would not be able to provide these books without help from generous donors like you.

The atmosphere is nice for busy work in the cafe area. The coffees are a decent price, and the staff are personable

I am a book lover, and this is book heaven! There are a ton of books to choose for every genre. There's a'ways some great signings and discussions going on here. If you're looking for book accessories this is also your place to look. Parking is on the street but there's plenty of it. There's a cafe called "The Den" below with wine and coffee.

A friend and I stopped by Politics and Prose to look for a book I needed this past weekend when we were nearby in Bethesda. I was so blown away by how great this independent bookstore is! In the era when there aren't many independent bookstores (or bookstores full stop) left, a lot are really tiny (not a problem in and of itself, and you can almost always order books that they don't have in stock), but Politics and Prose is really large! It's well organized and well stocked. They also have a bottom level where they have their children's section AND a café! (We went downstairs for an afternoon caffeine pick me up.) I was lucky to make it out of there with just the book I came for, because there were so many other books that I wanted during my browsing. It's just a great, well-stocked independent bookstore! (I couldn't help but notice a recent 1-star review about how the owners of the three Politics and Prose locations had hired a law firm that has represented Trump and is known to bust unions in response to their staff's announcement that they were moving to create a union. I think a business's values are definitely something we should consider as a factor when deciding where to spend our money and which businesses to support. So I just thought it was worth providing this little update: The owners pivoted at the end of December 2021 to work with a local labor attorney to negotiate the scope of the unionization, and Politics and Prose just because the first unionized bookstore in the DC a the beginning of January 2022. Just FYI.) I really loved this bookstore. I will happily return when I'm in the area.

Come on, it's just the best. Conservatives will not feel quite as "at home" there as liberals, but I think everyone will find it to be a wonderful, friendly, erudite, interesting place that will give you personal attention from incredibly well-informed staff. Great unusual gifts and cards, too.

Everyone who needs a bookstore loves a bookstore - so yes P&P has all of those things. But my five star review comes for their staff. I have an early reader I'm trying to get to become a book lover. When we couldn't roam through the bookstore, their amazing staff sent me book recommendations of things that would be his speed and engaged. Now that we are able to go back in they have been fantastic listening to him and what he likes and helping us find books. The latest recommendation is Dragon in a Bag, which we both loved reading together. Thank you so much.

I was cat sitting in the neighborhood, and searched Yelp for any low key coffee house genre places. This place popped up on my radar, and it sounded familiar. I was told I needed to try their pie fries, so off we went. It sounds familiar because it's related to Busboys and Poets. I practically lived at Busboys during one of my semesters of grad school, so it clicked. The bookstore is upstairs, and downstairs you'll find the cafe. It's a small space, so on weekends they disable the wifi and encourage people to share tables. I had the butternut squash soup, a green tea latte, and of course, the pie fries. All of it was delicious. The pie fries come with two types of dipping sauce; the key is to have both on the same fry. I love the little knick knacks available near the register. I bought a hilarious crazy cat lady coloring book :)

I am so excited that this bookstore exist! Let it be known that you can still buy books inside of a store... Wait what? Yes that's right, ladies and gentlemen you can still purchase books inside of a bookstore. While the idea of a bookstore is slowly dying, I for one enjoy being able to pick up a book and skim through it before deciding to purchase it or not. I also really appreciate this bookstore because often authors come in to do Q&A's along with book signings. The one downside is definitely the location. Parking can be extremely difficult to find. However; once inside the store you will find books on almost every topic you could desire. Cookbooks, religion books, political... Obviously, autobiographies, children's books, and a bunch of other knickknacks that you never knew you needed but definitely want. This is also a great place to stop if you are in need of a gift. I recommend checking this book store out if you are in the area.