Our Story

Andy Shallal

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bar, bookstore and community gathering place. First established in 2005, Busboys and Poets was founded by owner Andy Shallal (@andyshallal), an artist, activist, and restaurateur. After opening the flagship location at 14th and V Streets, NW DC, the neighboring residents, and the progressive community embraced Busboys and Poets, particularly activists opposed to the Iraq War.  Busboys and Poets is now located in nine distinctive neighborhoods in the Washington D.C Metropolitan and Baltimore areas.   Busboys and Poets 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.

Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted... a place to take
a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul...
a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally
collide... we believe that by creating such a space we
can inspire social change and begin to transform our
community and the world.

Meet Our Tribe


Andy Shallal

Robert Ventura / Chief of Front of House Operations

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Community Involvement


Busboys and Poets invests in our local community and works closely to support like-minded events happening at Busboys and Poets and occasionally at other spaces. We believe that building community around shared beliefs and dialogue over food and drinks creates connections that are meaningful and lasting.

Upcoming Events


Childhelp Awareness Backpack Drive

Aug 8, 2025 11:00 am

Childhelp Awareness Backpack Drive

Fundraiser | Takoma

Childhelp Awareness Backpack Drive

Childhelp Awareness Backpack Drive

Aug 8, 2025 11:00 am

Fundraiser | Takoma

Private Event: Family Dinner

Aug 8, 2025 1:30 pm

Private Event: Family Dinner

Private Event | Shirlington

Private Event: Family Dinner

Private Event: Family Dinner

Aug 8, 2025 1:30 pm

Private Event | Shirlington

9th Hour Poetry Slam hosted by Charity Blackwell

Aug 8, 2025 9:00 pm

9th Hour Poetry Slam hosted by Charity Blackwell

Poetry Reading/Open Mic | 14th & V

9th Hour Poetry Slam hosted by Charity Blackwell

9th Hour Poetry Slam hosted by Charity Blackwell

Aug 8, 2025 9:00 pm

Poetry Reading/Open Mic | 14th & V

ASL Open Mic Night hosted by Marcus J Smith

Aug 8, 2025 9:00 pm

ASL Open Mic Night hosted by Marcus J Smith

Poetry Reading/Open Mic | Columbia

ASL Open Mic Night hosted by Marcus J Smith

ASL Open Mic Night hosted by Marcus J Smith

Aug 8, 2025 9:00 pm

Poetry Reading/Open Mic | Columbia