Potter’s House

Sometime last week, I went here with a friend. I had the cortado and it was good comparable to what they have at Tryst and Sweet Science Coffee.
I like the modern 60s vibe to it with the arty chairs.
This would be a good place to study if the closing times were later in the night.
Otherwise, this is a great coffee place just to chill and hang.

If you’re lucky enough to get a seat (weekends are risky), this is one of the best places in the area to catch up with a friend, read a book, or enjoy a really good cup of coffee. Definitely one of my favorite spots to work outside the office or just sit and people-​watch.
They have a selection of social justice /​world religion /​memoir type of books, which I love. The coffee is A+, but the food is just okay and pricey for what it is. They also have community events several times a week, which range from authors to social justice forums.

I used to go to this café a lot. I live close by, and it was very convenient for me. I stopped going because one of the staff was incredibly rude to me, and it put me off enough that I don’t know if I will go back.
I ordered a salad, and while eating it, I felt what seemed like a lot of grit in my mouth. I wondered if the lettuce was not washed well enough. I wasn’t annoyed – I worked in restaurants for years, and I know stuff happens. I approached the counter, and one of the staff came over to me. I explained the grit. He stared at me and said in the rudest possible voice, «What do you want me to do about it?» I explained again that I couldn’t eat the salad, expecting him to offer what the solutions are – get a new one, order something else, etc. Whatever – I wasn’t even making an official complaint. He repeated, in a slow voice, which was even ruder than before, «What do you expect ME to do about it?» He said it a few times. Then he proceeded to tell me that he is a barista and it’s not his job to take care of that, and he didn’t know why I was telling HIM. He spoke to me like I was an annoying and ignorant child. It was really not cool. If you’ve been to The Potters House, you know that it’s one long counter. I did not approach the coffee machine, by the way; I went to the part of the counter where customers pick up drinks AND food, and this guy came over to me. After our rude encounter, I asked him if he could bring someone over who could help me.
He got someone else, and this guy (a manager maybe?) explained that it was ground pepper, not grit. I’ve had crushed pepper in food before, and this did not seem like pepper, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt. The guy made me another salad, No biggie. Thanks!
To be clear, I am not a high maintenance customer. I spent many years working my way through college and paying my rent by working as a hostess, a server, and a bartender. I know what it is like dealing with difficult customers, and I always try to be a gracious, low maintenance customer. And it was because of that reason that I did not make a complaint at that time. Maybe that guy was having a bad day? But I decided to write this review, the only one I have ever posted on Unilocal,because being someone who worked in the food industry for so many years, I feel like this staff person was incredibly out of line. I used to go to the Potter’s House a few times/​week. But I have not been back in a few months because of the way I was spoken to. I do not expect staff to fall all over themselves to serve me, but I also do not expect to be spoken to like I am an idiot because I had the audacity to politely ask a staff person for help.
Overall, it’s a great bookstore, and a nice little hang out. It’s a shame that I feel like I can’t go back in there.

It’s hard to review Potter’s House, because it is trying to do so much. So, I will review the place, from best to worst.
Best (5 stars): Bookstore: Look, this isn’t a huge bookstore, or a place to pick up your favorite beach read. But those already exist in abundance. What doesn’t exist is a place with excellent political and contemporary philosophical books. Want the smartest collection of cutting edge books around? Potter’s house is for you.
Coffeeshop: (4 and a half stars). The coffee and other drinks are good, and decently priced. But also, this is usually a place where you can get work done. Not usually too busy, with a great atmosphere for chatting with friends, doing book groups, or working on your laptop.
Food: (3 and a half stars): I guess I would say it is fine. No complaints, but no reason I would stop in to eat if there wasn’t other stuff going in
Meeting space: (unused). So there is a community meeting space in the back. I’ve never used it, but it is something you should know about.

Pros:
1) Great place to hang out. Very chill.
2) Good for studying.
3) Use real tea, rather than powder for chai.
Cons:
1) Pricey to eat at. Also, coffee prices similar to Starbucks, really.
Summary: Cozy community coffee shop. Great actually if you come by to meet friends and chill out. Not so much if you wanna eat. Just coffee.

I can’t wait to make this place part of my regular rotation. Potter’s is equal parts coffee house, restaurant, community space, and alt bookstore (the book selection is just stellar, by the way). The cozy layout and laid back atmosphere instantly made me feel at home even though it was my first time ever visiting. There’s plenty of seating, a mix of 2 person and communal tables as well as a couch and armchair area, so its as good for groups as it is for coming solo. To be honest, the coffee I had was a bit cold (probably the end of the pot), but I didn’t even care because I liked the vibes so much. Looking forward to going back and trying some of the delicious food I saw on the menu and coming out of the kitchen. I’m sure a hotter cup of jo is in my future here and an opportunity to up this to 5 stars.

A great place to get some work done or to have a get together. Great atmosphere and very «green» which i liked.

I started reading «I am Malala» and ended up buying the book two hours later. It is an amazing library/​café where you can study & read in peace. Nice vanilla late.

Extremely disappointed in this café. After reading the great reviews I was expecting amazing decent priced drinks and a nice atmosphere. It’s a neat place, but our wifi didn’t work the whole time and the barista, who was very nice, couldn’t help us. He said he thought the problem was fixed.
Two stars because its over priced and their wifi is not reliable.

LOVE this coffee shop! It’s a hidden treasure in our neighborhood, and much more chill than Busboys & Poets and Tryst. While the menu is much more limited, it offers great coffee and a «pay what you can afford» soup. PH hosts events for the community, has friendly and welcoming staff, and maintains clean tables/​seats for patrons. Great place to read, work, or catch up with friends.

Perfect place to have a quiet conversation and catch up with a friend or to settle down and get some serious work done. The atmosphere here is tranquil and relaxing, especially compared to the madhouse that is Tryst down the street. Potter’s House nails the atmosphere that Starbucks tries to cultivate – smooth jazz, low conversation, lots of cool independent cards and books to browse.
We had the iced coffee and jasmine tea, both were really good. We had no problems grabbing a seat on a Sunday afternoon, although the place was pretty busy. Internet was a little spotty, but you can ask the barista to reset the router if needed!

I think this is my new favorite hangout place of the Adams Morgan area!
The barista let me try the hibiscus iced tea (not sweet enough for me) and the house made Thyme&Lime soda (just sweet enough). They process payment on an iPad so receipts are automatically emailed. Restrooms are humid but clean. But most of all… I LOVE the ambiance and vibe. The walls are lined with shelves and shelves of books, sections as follows:
Health and wellness
World religions
Christian spirituality
Biblical studies
Theology and ethics
Moments and activism
Social issues
History and global concerns
Ecology and food
Literature
Bio and memoir
Cultural studies
Poetry and the district
Needless to say, I think I could live here forever! Books and ample seating :) waahoooo!

I love coffee shops with character, plenty of space to work, and good food. Potter’s House checked all these boxes. The store is affiliated with a church with a strong bent on social justice, as evident in the unique selection of books one could peruse as a study/​work break. I was there on a Sunday afternoon and was able to find a spot to eat, work, and converse with a friend — next to impossible in such a central location in the city! I had the huevos rancheros, and did not feel guilty about putting unhealthy things into my body, a usual post-​brunch sentiment, nor did I feel dissatisfied with my purchase.
The only disappointment was the really spotty Internet — I understand that there are a lot of people on it, but it gets to be a pit of a pain when you’re expecting Internet and are not able to get a reasonable connection. Props for being one of the next to no spots that offer Internet on weekends, though. Please do not change that!

They did such a great job with the renovations here. It’s a comfy space to do work, meet with friends and browse an epic book collection. I love that it’s a Christian space enough that talking theology and praying wit friends here feels totally notmal, but it’s also not someplace that’s in you face or uncomfortable for people who aren’t religious. Plus the food and the coffee are delicious!

I was walking by on my way to another coffee shop, when I happened upon Potter’s House. It wasn’t on my radar and after reading some reviews, it looks like it’s been redone recently.
What made me stop was the book lined walls and couches and chairs with people on their laptops. So, as others have noted, it’s a bookstore and a coffee shop at least. They also sell greeting cards.
It’s a nice place and definitely seemed more mellow than Tryst, which was brimming with people at 10:30 am on a Monday.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see any books that really appealed to me and only stopped to take a look around.

Come here and expect: plenty of seating, no patio but lots of glass window, chill vibe, pour overs of Counter Culture coffee beans, and every purchase helps support this business that is «social justice for the poor» minded!
What I got from it: Introducing… the renewed Potter’s House!
This is the first coffee house in DC back 50(+) years ago! Just recently they remodeled the space for repairs, renewing their look, and making their bathrooms ADA compliant!
It’s both a book store and a coffee house and a church. The church services meet in the very back of the building, and they will have signs telling you about it when they occur (mainly Sundays). This place is operated by «The Church of the Savior» ministries, which are all over Adams Morgan, helping people in a variety of ways. They are non-​denominational and very friendly group of Christians!
As for the coffee shop, I love that they offer pour overs of Counter Culture. The «Tryst chain» offers Counter Culture, but unless you are visiting The Coup, you can’t get any of the variety of coffees offered by Counter Culture. Mike, the head barista of sorts, really knows his stuff and will make sure they offer some great coffees. Even the coffee on tap is pretty great: as of March 2015, they offered a blend that comes from East Timor. And your refill is free!
The bookstore aspect of it is pretty awesome, focusing on local writings, ecology, cultural studies, activism, and liberal Christianity. They are only slightly smaller than Busboys and Poets offerings. I love that they have this socially-​minded bent on their book offerings that includes theology/​religion, which Busboys does not.
As of Saturday March 28, they are hosting art events too!
I really like the chill vibe of Potter’s House. They are hoping you will too!

The House received a facelift in late 2014, from old DC activist/​local community support activities with a twing of West coast treehugger, albight unsuccessfully, to wannabe Brooklyn hipster. The place is now bustling.
This «new look» is happening all over the city. In a way I miss the old because there was a unique character but the place definitely needed some serious spring cleaning.
In the end the change is welcome and some of the old is maintained such as a similar collection of books and it looks like some community orientated activities. A friendly staff and nice selection of coffee, tea, and food, including some vegan options is also welcome.

GREAT coffee, courteous staff and great book selection make this coffee house one of my favorite places to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee and read. Two thumbs up!