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Politics & Prose
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Food Coffee & Tea Bookstores, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
5015 Connecticut Ave NW(at N Fessenden St)
Washington, DC 20008
Neighborhood: Chevy Chase
(202) 364-1919
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
118 reviews for Politics & Prose
Review Highlights
"Their author events are truly amazing."
(in 9 reviews)
"This review is for the cafe downstairs (Modern Times."
(in 12 reviews)
"By far the best independent bookstore in the District."
(in 20 reviews)
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118 reviews in English
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Review from MacRae O.
11/19/2011
It looks like bookstore. It SMELLS like a bookstore.
The inventory is intelligent.
You can meet-and-greet with talented writers.
*You can print out-of-print books, or your own manuscript, on their Espresso Book Machine.*
Dear god, Politics & Prose: do not go the way of the dodo and Border's.Listed in: You Shouldn't Have, I'll Learn You. I'll Learn…
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Review from Ordale A.
Washington D.C., DC
10/2/2011
Ha Ha Ha Ha Staying Alive, Staying Alive...
I give em five stars just for being open in the age of e-books.
They have a good selection of books, popular or obscure. They have speakers, book signings and meetings and there's a cafe in the basement. They beat out Borders and advance to the next round of Survivor. -
Review from Ningxi X.
9/26/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Nothing to complain about except perhaps the location. It's not exactly metro accessible although you could walk there from Van Ness, Tenleytown, or Friendship. The neighborhood is also pretty barren, making the bookstore the only shiny spot in its vicinity. However, that enhances the calm neighborhood ambiance and quietude that makes Politics and Prose stand apart from Kramer's (some 30+ blocks down Connecticut Avenue). I love the books on sale downstairs; you can find great bargains (not draining your wallet when book shopping). The cafe is also nice, though it could be a bit difficult to find seats when it's busy. They also host events upstairs regularly and all of them are free. A lot of books sold contain subjects on politics and current events (naturally) but there are also titles of fiction, cooking, etc. Notable guest speakers who have graced the premises with their presence include Jimmy Carter, Ron Suskind, Amy Chua, amongst a multitude of others.
They also have memberships available for $25 a year, $45 for two years, and $100 for half a decade. Members get discounts on events listed in seasonal newsletters and those promoted during events.Listed in: Beyond the touristy DC
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Review from Eddie S.
Arlington, VA
2/4/2012
This was one of the first bookstores I checked out when I moved to the area. This is the kind of independent bookstore gem that is disappearing. As a political buff I appreciate the enormous inventory and selection of political/current affairs type books. The store also hosts author events, many of which are featured on C-Span. Let's hope this place doesn't go the way of the dinosaur.
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Review from L T.
Starkville, MS
12/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
There's just nothing not to love about Politics & Prose - there's just no better in independent (or chain) bookshops anywhere. They also now have a book publishing service for those interested in self publishing that produces really good quality paperbacks. Don't forget you can now buy your ebooks from independent retailers like P&P!
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Review from Stephanie S.
Silver Spring, MD
8/28/2011
This bookshop turned my gloomy weekend into a ray of sunshine. Perhaps it was a post-Irene frenzy to buy books (and for what purpose, I do not know)... but it was packed. I still had room to browse the sections and I loved the staff suggestions. Every book I considered purchasing was noted as a staff pick. I ended up buying a book called "I Was Told There'd be Cake". I bought my book, went downstairs to Modern Times Coffeehouse, bought a chai latte, and went outside to sit on a bench and enjoy the sunshine & cool breeze.
What a lovely day complemented by a great visit to Politics & Prose. -
Review from Salman C.
Washington D.C., DC
6/8/2011
I'm not a huge book reader, but when I do get some free time to read a book I always go to Politics & Prose (it's also a block and and a half way). I just called to see if they have a James Patterson novel that I have been wanting to read for some time now, and they DIDN'T have it 0.0 I was actually very surprised. They have such a large selection, and to not have a James Patterson book is Unforgivable (i bet everyone remembers those funny clips).
It turns out that the employee on the phone would place an order to get the book by Friday and that they would call me the second they received it. Now that's service.
Move aside Kramerbooks! -
Review from Daniel A.
10/18/2011
Great selection of books. There is no two ways about it. Basically as good as it gets short of a Barnes and Noble Superstore and P&P has the advantage of being a local bookstore. The prices are a bit high: they can certainly be beat with Amazon or if you use an e-reader of some kind. But if you want a real, paper and ink, local bought, instant gratification book, Politics and Prose is great. Head downstairs and to the left for the clearance shelves. You can find some decent stuff if you're willing to put the time in. Also, they have tons of book signing events. I almost made it in to see Cal Ripkin Jr. The Iron Man, folks, THE IRON MAN!
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Review from Tiffany H.
Washington, DC
3/31/2011
Kramerbooks, you have been dumped. See ya! Don't let the doorknob hit you in the ass on the way out...
Politics & Prose is smarter than you, more attractive than you, has better friends than you, and has a bigger you-know-what (Selection! Gutter brains... ;)
I come here as frequently as I can, which isn't nearly often enough. The booksellers who work here aren't extraordinarily gregarious, but I haven't ever found them to be rude or "elitist." I think the staff recognizes what a treasure trove P&P is, and their philosophy is to kind of just hang back and let you discover, and to help when needed; they're certainly knowledgeable enough. As many have attested, the author events are a real treat, and are often of such a caliber that they're taped and run as programs (numerous episodes of CNN's 'Book TV' were filmed at Politics & Prose).
Now, this is an independent bookstore, folks; the books ain't cheap. But you can really score some savings by becoming a member (and supporting a local treasure in the process!). The member sales are held several times throughout the year, and you can realize even further rewards as a member of one of P&P's book clubs, with a discount on each month's titles. The website's great, too, and I'm always happy when the email newsletter pops into my inbox full of reviews, musings, recommendations, and upcoming events.
I mean... What more can I say? The only thing that would make Politics & Prose better is if it were closer to me, like in my basement. Barring that, you are looking at the holy Mecca of bookstores.Listed in: District Heights
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Review from liz r.
Washington, DC
12/17/2011
Politics and Prose is the Best. Bookstore. Ever. I love going there. The only negative thing I can think to say is that I definitely spend too much when I go there. My favorite part of Politics and Prose is the book selection. I love their paperbacks. I trust the reviews they stick up on the walls. I also like that they have a great magazine rack and a decent nonfiction section. I know the book business is tough, but Politics and Prose is doing everything right. I also like the coffee shop downstairs. The baristas there are true artists. I almost feel bad drinking the coffee they make for me because the designs on top are so well done. When people ask what do I want to do when I retire, I think, I want to hang out at Politics and Prose and read all of the books that I have bought there. I hope to have time to take some classes there someday. I have gone to several of their events at night and they are always stimulating and interesting.
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Review from Elizabeth B.
Washington, DC
4/19/2011
I've been a customer since P&P opened, and since then it's become one of the top independent bookstores in the country. For good reason! They hold author events practically every night. They also host book clubs and sometimes have classes as well. The coffee house hosts a weekly open mike music night on Fridays, which is fun.
The book selection is great and if they don't have something, they're always happy to order it. The staff can give you great recommendations for both adults and children's books. This is the kind of bookstore where you can say, I'm looking for a book for a 12 year old who loves soccer/mysteries/whatever. They're good.
Downstairs there's a great selection of "remainders" at bargain prices. I've gotten lots of hardcovers from this section for less than the paperback price, but also buy the regularly priced books as well. I'm happy to pay full price instead of going to the big box stores like Barnes & Noble or ordering on Amazon - it's important to support local independent bookstores, after all.
I love Politics & Prose, and think you will too! -
Review from Stef S.
5/18/2011
This review is for the cafe downstairs (Modern Times):
Overpriced? Yeah sadly, but I love the diversity of offerings with sandwiches/soups/drinks/pastries. Wish they had more pastries. The lemon bunt cake was delicious and moist. The biscotti was tasty. The cappuccinos are AWESOME. Love the random mix of tables. It definitely gets crowded though. Thank heavens for the wifi and food.
The downside? Super grumpy staff. Seriously, what's y'alls problems? -
Review from Nicole L.
11/16/2010 2 Check-ins Here
A very last minute text message woke me up from number crunching. My fellow culinaire enthusiast, I like to think that we love to cook slightly more than eat, informed me about our pop idol of the culinary world Harold McGee was having a book signing for his new publication: Keys to Good Cooking. That prompted me to drop everything to head over to the store.
I love this bookstore. There was an outstanding collection of cook books from A to Z. I was in awe with my friend's Ad Hoc book and they carried signed copies by Thomas Keller. I was in cook book heaven. I also bought a copy of Keys to Good Cooking before the Q&A session started. For those who wants a bargain, this aint a budget bookstore, I just paid $90 for two cook books.
Due to a severe sleep deficit, I needed a coffee. There was a cafe downstairs so we headed down it was such a cute place. The barista here was comparable with the Northside Social - really professional and made a kicked-arse latte for me with cute patterns like the other coffee place.
Harold McGee is such an interesting guy! He was originally more interested in astronomy. He went to Caltech then Yale - that made him a super nerd right? He became interested in writing and about writing science, however he was not a trained chef nor a chemist. But I guess super geniuses can do whatever they want. He developed his own food lab doing experiments for his books. Harold McGee was responsible for coining the term - Molecular Gastronomy. He downplayed on the importance on this new culinary definition but in my eyes as a scientist - everything is in molecular term. Haha. During the Q&A, a bunch of idiots kept asking him about beans and gas, come on already let's move on to the next topic! Harold answered his questions with poise, in the most scientific yet profound ways. Amazing!
Anyway I love this bookstore, did I say that already? It's a great resource for cook books among other literature finds. Kindle can never replace this experience.Listed in: Bookstores Yes Books!
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Review from Debbie D.
Washington, DC
10/16/2010 ROTD 1/13/2011
This is a great independent bookstore. The focus is definitely on the books. They hold several events each week supporting a wide range of authors. The vast majority of their events are in the store, although they occasionally hold larger events at other venues. They are particularly supportive of local authors, although they also get nationally-known authors to speak. They limit most talks to one hour.
Cafe is nice, although sometimes hard to get a seat. Staff picks are good. Staff is very friendly. There is off-street parking behind the store.
This is worth checking out if for no other reason than that it is one of the few remaining independent community-oriented bookstores in the area. -
Review from Sarah B.
Washington, DC
10/1/2011
I can't believe all the complaints below: too far to walk 15 minutes- take the L2 bus which lets you off, 15 paces away. It's not a "new" book store; it's almost 50 years old; it's got new owners. They're out of James Patterson- he's in every airport, CVS, grocery store book section. Pick it up there. But if you want Anita Desai's 1999 In Custody, this is the place to go. It's a superb book store.
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Review from Ann E.
Washington, DC
12/8/2011
If you want cockroaches with your lunch as well service by rude and surly people, then you should have lunch at the cafe at Politics and Prose. Yesterday, one of the cook staff was visibly annoyed when I asked him to correct my order. Then a large cockroach crawled across our table. When I told the staff about it, they ignored me. At least they could have acknowledged my compliant verbally or with complementary cup of coffee. Instead they gave me a verbal finger.
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Review from J C.
Washington, DC
3/2/2011
Ack, I'm torn between 4 stars and 5 stars.
On the one hand, I love this bookstore and especially the Modern Times cafe downstairs. I love the huge selection of kids' books, the great selection of greeting cards, and even though I have yet to attend one of their author events, I love the fact that they have so many of them. I love that they are community-oriented, and though their selection is not as broad as, say, Amazon or Borders, I know that if I want a more high-brow, acclaimed, deeper, insightful reading experience, it's sure to be there. Don't get me wrong, they've still got lots and lots of great books, and probably everything on the bestseller lists, but once I had to pick up a chick lit book at my sister's behest, and of course didn't find it there.
Which is to say, since this is not Amazon or Borders, I can't just pop into this store for all my book needs. Also, in my fits of environmental consciousness, I would love if they had a used component to their bookstore as well... although I just discovered their vast selection of sale books downstairs (next to the cafe), where you can get both hardbacks and paperbacks at a HUGE discount, which captures half the fun of browsing through a used bookshop, i.e. great books at low prices.
So in the end, I'm going to go with 4 stars. This place is *just* short of my perfect bookstore and the elusive 5 stars... but it comes pretty damn close. -
Review from Suzy D.
Stevensville, MD
8/20/2011
Goodbye, chain book stores. Hello, awesome independent stores! I absolutely love this place ;) Everytime I come here, I feel like I'm in heaven. I tend to come here instead of Starbucks when I am nearby. Also, the atmosphere is amazing. Is it just me, or does it seem like everyone here is HAPPY? Coffee aroma + leisure reading is so relaxing. I'm a huge fan of this place, and I would highly recommend coming here!
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Review from Daniel M.
Arlington, VA
3/24/2011
What can you say about P&P that hasn't already been said before. It's a DC institution without which we'd all be the worse for. Let's go down the list shall we?
Indie? Check. Great neighborhood? Check. Amazing selection? Check. Frequent author appearances? Check. Knowledgeable staff? Check. Coffee? Modern Times Cafe downstairs, check. Music? Small but legit section upstairs and open mic Friday downstairs, check.
As far as new books go, I love it. Always find something new I want to read. Plus it's not as crowded as Kramerbooks. (Check.) -
Review from Colleen C.
Washington, DC
7/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
The only reason I'm not giving Politics and Prose 5 stars is because, for me, the location is out of the way. I'm a walker, but when the weather sucks (which happens often in DC), the 15 minutes uphill from the metro is kind of a pain. That same hill also makes biking a pain. That said, every time I go, I realize how much I've missed it. It's the archetype of everything I love about an independent bookstore. It has knowledgeable staff who dearly love reading, books, and all things literary, and who also love any chance to help you. I went in there once to ask about a translation for Fyodor Dostoevsky, barely remembering the recommendation I had been given. My fumbling ask went something like this, "Um, ok, I'm looking for a good translation of Dostoevsky, and a friend recommended this couple who are supposed to be good?" The P&P repsonse, "Oh yea, Richard Pevar and Larissa Volokhonsky. Russian is my first language. I'll show you where they are." That's an indie store. That, plus their amazing ability to get the best authors on tour - Alice Walker, Art Spiegelman, Amy Chua, David Brooks, the list goes on. And they're free.
All this and I haven't even gotten to their coffee shop downstairs, Modern Times. Free wifi and a cozy vibe (though I did notice on my last visit that they had covered all their outlets. Hmm...). The fact that they also have the best tea drink ever - the London Fog - is like sprinkles on a birthday cake.Listed in: Veg-friendlies
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Review from C W.
Washington, DC
7/10/2010
After telling myself for weeks that I'd go there at some point, last Monday I FINALLY made it up to P&P...and promptly decided that I'd like to live there. Or marry it. Either way.
It's small, yes, but I love that the political books are right smack dab near the front of the store--saves me time and energy when I don't have to wander around several stories. Love the recommendations marking different books, the indie style of the store, seeing various books that were totally new to me, etc. I became a member of the store on the spot, right after buying 4 books. To top it all off, Congressman Ed Markey was there in his running clothes buying books. Mmmm, DC nerdery at its finest at Politics and Prose. -
Review from Matthew L.
Rapid City, SD
8/7/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Could this be the best coffee shop/bookstore in the country? My vote would be "yes".
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Review from Sean P.
Fredericksburg, VA
6/25/2011
Well, what can I say about this place? It's an independent new bookstore in DC, that's pretty well respected in and out of DC. Great selection, high prices, nice cafe in the rear, mostly political works, and it offers a lot of events for all those stay at home moms in DC. Definitely the place to go, if you need a shiny new copy of the latest NYT best seller.
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Review from Emily H.
Washington, DC
1/13/2011
Ah, Politics and Prose: my all-time favorite bookstore. Since I grew up right in the neighborhood, I've been coming here for as long as I can remember.
I'll start by saying that the service here is impeccable - I've never seen such a knowledgeable staff anywhere else. The people who work there have always given me great recommendations, whether it's for a book for myself or a gift for someone else. I don't know why a few reviewers said the service was poor... sometimes on weekends when the store is really crowded you don't get as much attention, but I'd say that's still pretty rare.
The speaker events are always great fun - the ones I've been to have been, anyways. The environment of the bookstore itself creates a really cozy atmosphere for the events they host. If you've never been to one, you really, really should - the speakers really vary across a lot of different genres. You can find their current schedule on their website here: http://www.politics-pr.... I'd say that in general, the speaker series is one of my favorite things about P&P.
The cafe is nice, though it's not my favorite part of the bookstore. As previous reviewers have noted, there's very little seating, the noise level can be distracting, and the prices are a little steep, so I don't really frequent the cafe unless I'm grabbing a take away latte as I head out to the parking lot in back.
Politics and Prose is a fantastic independent business, and I highly, highly recommend it. -
Review from Spumoni L.
Chevy Chase, MD
8/20/2011
I've been coming to their basement cafe ever since I was in high school. It's become way more popular, meaning the only downside in my mind is that it can be hard to find a table and you have to wait a little longer for your food to come out.
The atmosphere has a secret almost Euro-chic feel to it, so while you're people watching or diving into your new book you can take advantage of a full coffee bar and bistro-type menu.
My absolute FAVORITE sandwich is the Turkey Apple Brie (melty brie cheese with honey mustard, sliced turkey, and thinly-sliced Granny Smith apples on a crunchy toasted French-type bread) and I always get a Birch Beer with it (I'm wishing I had that right now...).
Friendly, efficient staff. Love this place. -
Review from Pegah Y.
9/27/2011
Ok, so now I'm hooked. I went to Politics & Prose for the first time ever today, though it's just a walking distance from me, and I absolutely adore this place. I fell in love with it on first sight. It's just my type of place. I am a huge fan of bookstores in general and have had a love affair with books since I was a little child. This place combines everything I love so perfectly - cute cafes, good and inexpensive food, and shelves upon shelves of books. I love the cafe downstairs - I got myself a tall glass of orange juice and boy was it fresh and tasty! I really liked the vibe down there and did some reading for class down in the cafe. The only thing that I did not like was the inadequate lighting, which caused me to get up and leave after just half an hour of reading down there. I honestly love the vibe though. If i had something to do on my computer, I would definitely go back and study there. The people at Politics & Prose are friendly, smart, lively. I just love this place so much. I spent a good half hour perusing the shelves for a good find. I found what I was looking for in the Politics & Current Events section and walked out the proud new owner of a new book. The prices are decent and the books are varied and relevant. I absolutely adore Politics & Prose and will definitely be returning again very soon.
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Review from alaysia p.
Washington, DC
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great for book readings. Just sat in on a book reading from the author of "Push, " Saphire.
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Review from Me M.
Washington, DC
11/16/2011
Staff is consistently arrogant, prices are high, cafe is out of food by mid-day, and they have no respect for surrounding neighborhood despite marketing themselves as a local indie bookstore. People come for the hype and to be treated like crap so they can feel they are getting a really "authentic" experience.
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Review from Ina C.
11/9/2008
We had time to kill in DC, needed internet access and a place to sit where we wouldn't feel bad not eating. Enter Politics & Prose! Here are some reasons why I think this place is fantastic:
- There are readings and presentations by all kinds of authors here ALL the time. I saw Jhumpa Lahiri hosted by P&P, and it was a very well-organized and wonderful event! Check their calendar often!
- Free (and fast!) internet
- There's a good amount of seating downstairs in the coffeeshop
- I saw the question-mark guy there last Friday! (http://en.wikipedia.or...)
- I browsed the "new fiction" table and saw NO CHICK LIT. -gasp-
- Free parking lot in the back -
Review from Áine F.
Baltimore, MD
11/7/2009
25 years as an independent, brick and mortar bookseller in this environment is an astonishing feat. And yet, Politics and Prose turned 25 this summer and they are still going strong.
The readings are incredible opportunities to meet authors you didn't know you loved, those you admire, and some you could go completely stalker-crazy on (Al Gore is sold out, btw.)
This is not a snooty Levi-Strauss, Chomsky, Hegel hole-in-the-wall-wear-a-black-beret-do-not-enter-i f-you-don't-write-bad-poetry kind of place. It is bright, well-stocked, vibrant, and staffed by passionate bibliophiles who specialize in certain genres. Any one of them can convince you that the following 20 books are musts. And they're right, d*mn them!
Politics and Prose...a dangerous and delightful addiction.Listed in: Off the beaten path
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Review from T B.
Washington, DC
7/23/2009
Between Amazon and BooksforAmerica in Dupont, I dont really need another source for books, but Politics and Prose has been all about the local community for years and I am very appreciative for that.
As far as I can tell, P&P is single-handedly supporting the District's book tour scene and doing an unbelievable job. Their author events held multiple times each week are superior to anything in the area. They bring in a range of authors (from political to fiction) including first time authors to Pulitzer prize winners.
The majority of their events are held at the back of the store, but when they bring in someone such as Toni Morrison or Jhumpa Lahiri, the Sixth and I Synagogue is utilized (and packed out). I would be thankful enough with an event twice a month, but the extensiveness of their events is amazing. They will host an obscure author knowing only twenty people might show up more as a community service rather than a profitable venture.
Only negative with P&P is their location. Closer to a metro stop would be more convenient, but the buses (L2) do run up there. I usually end up walking the mile or so down to Van Ness. -
Review from Peter A.
Washington, DC
7/30/2010
With a coffee shop connected to the bookstore and good selection of new books, it's a great environment for reading...except that you can't bring books into the coffee shop unless you've already bought them! grrrrr
The prices are not good, even on their clearance sale books downstairs. And with no good sitting areas in the bookstore it's tough for me to justify a trip to P&P. -
Review from Gayle G.
Woodbridge, VA
11/8/2006
How appropriate to review this place the day after Election Day. It has been awesome to see this store move across the street to a bigger space, add a cafe and most recently buy up the place next door. They carry a good amount of books- the claim is about 100,000- and their focus is on fiction. But they also have a great selection of travel and children's books.
If there is a politician with a book out, or someone with an issue oriented book, you will find him or her speak here. I saw Al Gore on his book tour at P&P a few years ago.
If you don't have the time to browse, P&P offers an online shopping program which is Book-Each-Month Club that mails you a new title matching your interests from a form that you fill out. Cool! They also offer a membership program that costs twenty bucks a year, but in return you get 20% off books mentioned in the monthly event calendar and access to their member sales which are held three times a year.
As far as their cafe, it is the only place I have found Gingerbread latte and Eggnog lattes that are better than at Starbucks.Listed in: Places I Like To Eat And Hang
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Review from alexis g.
Falls Church, VA
9/18/2006
P&P is a very cute, community-oriented bookstore uptown, which means it's not near a metro. Van Ness is the closest, but it's quite a hike. Maybe I'm lazy but that's how it is.
Anyway, I really appreciate this type of place and I'm happy it's still open. One of my professors (in the book publishing industry) says this is his favorite bookstore in D.C. It's the kind of place where the staff picks are actually books the staff has picked. I heard a story recently about a girl who worked at B&N and came in and saw some book she had never read listed as her staff "pick." Her manager told her this was because they just happened to be overstocked in that particular book.
There's some sort of event at P&P every day, whether it's a reading or a signing or whatever. They also have a lot of smaller-scale magazines and literary journals that you can't find at some of the bigger chain bookstores. I don't want to really knock B&N and Borders, because what's the point? But still check this place out if you are in the neighborhood. -
Review from IH K.
Portland, OR
1/29/2009
I'm torn! GREAT little socialist bookstore - but the coffee shop is weeeeeeeeeeeirdO.
The concept is great - you know - cafe tables, hipster employees, low grade furniture and local live music playing in the background. Hmm...that sound GREAT, actually!
Fine, I admit it - truth be told, the tile floors are really what KIRK me out. I just can't help but feel like I'm playing house in my friend's parents' basement. It's just not "warm." For this reason alone - I won't/can't go back. I guess that's a personal problem. -
Review from Patrick H.
Santa Barbara, CA
5/19/2007
I haven't seen anything as drastic as what Dawn R. described (holy smokes), but it's pretty true that the staff at the cafe are a little less than talkative. But after similar experiences at several other independent coffee places, I'm starting to think it's a marketing scheme so they can distinguish themselves from the Starborg.
What was I saying?
Oh right, actually I like this place quite a lot. Grumpy or not, the staff pulls a mean cappuchino, and the coffee is good. Free wireless, and a bunch of tables and plugs, so it's an okay place to hang out and get some working or slacking done on the series of tubes, if that's your thing; or to loiter and read (gasp!) something on paper that you bought upstairs.
((((UPDATE
You know what? People who are working there now are waaay nice and friendly and talkative and work really hard and are not pretentious at all. I guess all the ubergrumpy people went away. Byebye!
END OF UPDATE))))
As for the bookstore itself, I have to admit it doesn't really blow me away, but maybe that's because I'm not a political junky? The foreign language section (my favorite) is just so-so; science is pretty good however. I once saw that string theory guy, Brian Greene, give a talk. I've also chanced upon a few other lectures, and they're usually worth the price of admission (free).
P&P is worth a visit or twelve.Listed in: Open Late
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Review from Zach M.
Washington, DC
2/28/2009
I come to the cafe almost every Saturday to caffeine up and catch up on work. They have been working to constantly improve the cafe, adding tables and benches to accommodate the increasingly number of people with laptops (always a good sign). Assuming that one can get a chair and that the internet works (not necessarily a given), hit up this cafe for really rich, big lattes, a good tea selection, and for great music playing out of the speakers (currently it is Radiohead, preceded by the Flaming Lips, Wilco, and Tom Waits's "Day After Tomorrow"). I tend to get a grilled cheese and/or the lentil soup and crunch behind my laptop, constantly putting-on or taking off my headphones depending on what music I want to listen to, all the while attempting not to ogle the cute, curt, and occasionally crass baristas that are pumping the hell out of the espresso machine behind the counter.
In any other city (or town, or hamlet, or place above 20 people...) this would probably a 3 stars rating: local and comfortable, not great. But without getting too vitriolic, the fact that DC has almost no decent goddamn coffee shops where a person can have a good cup of coffee and some weekend internet (Yes, I'm looking at you Tryst!), makes this place positively glow in comparison.
The fact that it is attached to a great book-store bumps it up another star to where we are now.
In other words, you keep making grilled cheese and playin' good tunes P&P Cafe, I will be back. -
Review from Matt B.
Washington, DC
9/4/2007
Perhaps the biggest detraction to this place is that its a slight hassle to get to on public tranportation if you live anywhere else in the city. If you live in Upper Northwest or in Bethesda and drive a car, not so much a problem (but there is often tight competition for parking spots).
I love this place however, and I usually metro to Van Ness and hop on a "upward" bound bus on Connecticut if one happens to be coming my way.
On the basement floor, outside of the cafe, you'll find sale books of all sorts -- not just the cheap, shallow coffee table things you'll find on the bargain racks at Barnes and Noble -- at cut rate prices.
Their speaking events are legendary, and lean towards the progressive and liberal (but are hardly exclusive to that). I've seen several good speakers and am impressed by the questions coming from my fellow customers. There are always a few sharp ones (and, as with anywhere, lots of fans offering up softballs) that try to challenge the speaker or the others in the room. -
Review from Gers A.
Washington, DC
11/19/2007
This is the best independent bookstore in DC. Not only do they have such a great selection of quality books for adults and children, but a down-to-earth staff which seeks to highlight books and authors (best sellers or not) that would normally be passed over by mass market bookstores. The speakers they have are all terrific--again for both young and old-- and this is one of the few bookstores in the area that can reliably secure the likes of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett on a regular basis when they are on tour. Ain't gonna find that a lot of times.
I have a fond memory of listening to a speaker. It was a hot evening after work. He made a joke about having some beers with folks afterwards while he signed. The staff then proceeded to grab beers prior to the end of his speaking engagement and passed out cans of beer (albeit cheap) for people who were interested. A freind and i were like "cool."
Oh, did I mention if you miss seeing a particulary well-known author speak you can always catch them on CSPAN later? -
Review from Erin W.
Washington, DC
7/31/2007
Best bookstore in DC, hands down. I first visited when Jeanette Winterson came to speak and sign books. I've since visited several times and have never left empty handed.
Tip 1: The pizza shop a few doors down is great.
Tip 2: The L2 bus runs right past the bookstore. Forget the metro, take the bus, already.
