Busboys and Poets

Busboys and Poets is a community gathering place. First established in 2005, Busboys and Poets was founded by owner Andy Shallal, an artist, activist and restaurateur. After opening the flagship location at 14th and V Streets, NW, the neighboring residents and progressive community embraced Busboys, particularly activists opposed to the Iraq War. Busboys and Poets is now located in seven distinctive neighborhoods in the Washington Metropolitan area and is a cultural hub for artists, activists, writers, thinkers and dreamers.

Why the name?
The name Busboys and Poets refers to American poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s, prior to gaining recognition as a poet.

Public Transit
Busboys @ 14th & V* Metro-rail: Take the Green Line to U St/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo, exit to 13th Street. Walk one block West and one block North to 14th and V. Welcome!* Driving: Street parking is free after 6:30 PM during the week and all day on the weekends. Parking is also available after 5 PM at the Reeves Government Center for $10 -- the entrance to the parking is on U Street between 14th and 15thBusboys @ 450K* Metro-rail: Red Line to Gallery Place/Chinatown or the Yellow and Green Lines to Mount Vernon Square/7th Street/Convention Center. Each is about 3-4 blocks away. * Driving: Street and metered parking is available on 450 K streets and in the surrounding area. There is also a public underground parking garage right below us, however we do not offer validation. The Marc Parc lot directly across from us is open Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 7 PM. Parking there is $10 during the day and $5 after 5 PM. Busboys @ Shirlington Village* Metro-rail: There are currently no nearby metro stops.* Driving: Limited metered parking is available. Public parking is available at the parking garage located on 2780 Campbell Avenue (formerly 28th Street). Customers may enter garage from Arlington Mill Road.Busboys @Hyattsville* Driving: FREE parking behind the restaurant and in the parking lot across the street on Jefferson. Busboys @ Brookland Metro-rail: Brookland-CUA (red line)Parking garage underneath the building Street parking available Busboys @ Takoma Metro-rail: Takoma (red line)Street parking available

General manager
Andy Shallal - Founder/CEO