Politics and Prose
Politics and Prose
4.5
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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Neighborhood: Upper Northwest
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
89 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
17
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Wendy S
Austin, TX748 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Always a fun place to browse and happen upon new books. Happened upon an interview by NPR's Ari Shapiro of an author; their book didn't interest me, but nonetheless it was fun to watch!
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChappyPants
Pullman, WA206 contributions
Apr 2019 • Business
So, I went in looking for a book. I left with five books. Not only did they have a great selection of books, they have a cool feature where they have book writers come and speak on a daily basis.
If you're just visiting D.C., I think this place is a little far out. But it really is a great place.
If you're just visiting D.C., I think this place is a little far out. But it really is a great place.
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pencowgirl1
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL283 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Food and drink were good. Quality barista made a good chai tea latte. I paired it with salmon and dill. My daughter had grilled cheese tomato pesto sandwich and a chocolate chip cookie
Written May 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabel F
Cape Coral, FL1,328 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
Whenever I come to Washington DC I ask my friend to bring me here. I always by several books from the sale section to cart back on the plane with me. There is also a coffee cafe which I would love to stop in one time but there's always someone in our group doesn't like book stores and doesn't want to stay. This is not one of those giant chain stores. We don't have a wonderful bookstore like this in our town or I would spend a lot of time drinking espressos and reading. It might be out of the way if you are staying downtown but it's worth a trip if you are in love with books and book stores!
Written December 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laser20814
Bethesda, MD390 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Politics and Prose have made two superb improvements since I last posted a review on the store. On street level they expanded into a vacant store next door. It is a very attractive space with a skylight providing nice light. The new space contains a sale section with great values on remainders in all categories. It also holds an interesting gift section and unique card offering. On the lower level they updated the coffee shop, redesigning the space and upgrading the menu significantly. A great bookshop has gotten even better.
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wuuut
Raleigh, NC12 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
I have been going to P & P since I was early 20s (early 50s now). I love this place like a second home. The cafe is great, with food items and coffee choices one would make at home; delicious. At times, arrogant customers in the cafe feel they can spread out and take too much space ('look how busy and important I am! lol), but other than that, and awesome place to spend a few hours relaxing.
Written September 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chinapjs
Washington DC, DC3,786 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
Have been coming for years. Used to be on their mailing list for events. If you want a book with meat on it. Politics, international affairs, serious literature..... this is your place. Friends have offered readings in the past and we've walked into signings and presentations. When my college professor comes to town, we go... Want to think about the election before going to vote, then come here and browse.
Written September 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QuickWhitTravel
Washington DC, DC4,071 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
The bookstore is cute and well-organized. It's so nice to find an independent bookstore somewhere. The food is good, too. Nothing is better than a meal and a book!
Written May 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ResidentePermanente
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico356 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
What a treat to find an old-fashioned neighborhood bookstore still alive and well and obviously profitable in a world of amazons and Barnes and Nobles. The branch I visited had an author giving a book talk to children from a neighborhood school and the bulletin board indicated an entire month's agenda of other happenings for readers of any age. It was alive and felt full of potential for learning and enjoyment through the printed word and the people who put their thoughts on paper. The inventory is more comprehensive and less commercial-feeling than the big box stores so perhaps the atmosphere is what hits the high notes. Even if you weren't thinking about buying a book, it would be almost impossible to leave without several. Having seen the small, independent bookstores gradually succumb over the years to the buying power of big business, it is such a pleasure to see something like P & P thriving.
Written July 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seriously I
Washington DC, DC95 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
It's a DC landmark . They do readings and signings . It's a real treasure . What all bookstores should be . If you love books and coffee , you could easy spend half a day there .
Written June 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’m a 45-year-old black man who stands 5’9 with a slim build weighting 175pds with a bald head and beard. Basically, I thought for the most part I didn’t look like a book thief.
I currently work with adults with disabilities and my client who likes to read books, so I thought Politics and Prose was a safe and welcoming environment, but I was wrong.
Shortly after entering Politics and Prose I started to be followed throughout several aisles of the store.
Initially when I noticed the young lady was in every aisle, I was on myself. First thought “I hope she does think I’m following her” then when I move to another aisle, and she follows me at that time I realizes what I was going on.
At that time, I stop and asked the women was she following me. She said no, as her mask cover her mouth and you could only see her eyes, her eyes told the truth, she looked a little shock that I ask her this question after catching her following a black man around a bookstore to make sure he does steal.
Should I be flattered because a white person thought a black man was going to steal a book, since the saying goes “if you want to hide something for a black man put it in a book”.
However, I’m not shocked this incident happened.
Even though this goes against Politics and Prose mission statement, who has been in business since 1984 not 1894, I guess things haven’t changed. For any critics you can pull the video it happens 8-21-23 between 6pm to 7pm at the Connecticut Ave location.
I'm interested in attending a book signing, but I'm wondering how these events are run. At other signings I've attended, the bookstore passed out numbers in the order you got there (and these were limited, so depending who the author was, you needed to get there early!). Since you can pre-buy online and request a ticket, I'm wondering if the tickets are numbered in any particular order? Trying to determine if it will be worthwhile for us to travel the 1.5 hours there (and not arriving until close to event time) or if more tickets get handed out than time available for signing.
chinesesun
Austin, TX348 contributions
I have attended several events over the years. I do not recall numbered tickets. Seating is first come first served. For very popular authors, the organizers have shifted the venue to an auditorium. Most authors stay to sign all books, but I lack the data or universal experience to know that all do. Very popular authors will have a stack of pre signed books, which you may buy but the autograph will not be personalized.
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