Please read entire Room Rental section to understand which charges or discounts might apply.
All events are booked with a two hour minimum required. We do not permit our guests to bring in outside food or drinks. If we make exceptions (i.e. a specialty wine, birthday cakes) the cork fee is $12/bottle and the cake plate fee is $1.50/per person. Additionally, there is a $150 service charge assessed on all events held in the Langston Room.
Room use fees are as follows:
| Day/Time | Hourly Fee | Fee waived w/ min food & beverage purchase |
| Sun-Thurs - 9am-6pm | $100 | $1,000 |
| Sun-Thurs - after 6pm | $200 | $1,800 |
| Fri-Sat - 9am to 6pm | $200 | $1,800 |
| Fri-Sat - after 6pm | $400 | $2,500 |
There is a $150 service fee for all events held in the Langston Room.
Technical Fee for Langston Room---$50 per hour / 2 hour minimum.
Includes stage lights, microphones, CD player, DVD player, VHS, Cable TV, Computer slideshow or Internet projection
There is no charge for use of the Poets Cafe. However, reservations are only accepted for parties over 10. Dates are held with a credit card covering an agreed upon per guest minimum (currently $15 per person)
The Gallery dining room may be rented for $2,500 for a 2-hour block only on Mondays or Wednesdays.
The entire space may be rented only on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 1am for a total price of $18,750. Fee includes mix of high-end buffet and passed food, soft drinks and open bar.
The above prices do not include TAX (10%) or GRATUITY (18%)
Busboys and Poets regularly hosts authors for readings and signings in private rooms as well as the bookstore. Depending on subject matter, availability, prospects for sales and distribution of the title, we may invite an author to speak about and sign their books as a service to the community. Additionally, many authors have rented space here to host their own events, such as book release parties or private readings. Unlike most other events at Busboys and Poets, author events are decided on in collaboration with the management staff of Busboys and Poets Books. If you are interested in scheduling a book-related event, please provide an advance copy of your book for the bookstore staff's review. All titles should be sent to: Don Allen, Manager, Busboys and Poets Books, 2021 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009.
If you reserve space for an event and must cancel your booking, a cancellation fee may be applied. Cancellation of your event anytime after the booking will result in a fee of 10% of the total planned charge. If the cancellation takes place within 14 -21 days of the scheduled event, 25% of the total planned fee is owed. If the cancellation takes place within 7 days of the scheduled event, 50% of the total planned fee is owed.
We must receive the cancellation in writing. The notice can be faxed to us at 202 387-6138 (DC) or 703 379-9758 (Shirlington) or emailed to busboysdc@gmail.com (DC) or busboysarlington@gmail.com (Shirlington)
If rehearsal, set-up time or equipment checks are needed, please take this into consideration when scheduling your event. Busboys and Poets will allow approximately 30 minutes prior to the beginning of your event for set-up. Sound checks and other equipment checks will be scheduled by appointment at least 24 hours before the start of your event. Rehearsals should be scheduled in advance and will require the normal room use fees.
Busboys and Poets is not equipped with sufficient storage space for outside events. All deliveries should be made the day of the event and any equipment, props or other materials removed immediately after the event.
If a for-profit organization will have an entrance charge or ticket price for the event, Busboys and Poets will take an additional 40% of any funds collected at the door. If the whole amount of the entrance charge or ticket price will be donated to a charitable, non-profit and/or not-for-profit organization, Busboys will take 20% of any funds collected at the door. If there is a suggested donation, meaning there is no firm admittance charge, and no one can be denied entry to the event for non-payment, and no collection of cash at the door upon entry OR if tickets for charitable events are purchased in advance so that there is no cash exchanged at any reception, welcome or literature table, and no money changes hands for admittance to an event at Busboys and Poets, then Busboys will not take any part of the collection.
If your organization is a non-profit/not-for-profit/charitable organization, Busboys and Poets offers a substantial discount on the room use and technical use fees. Please contact a member of our events team for more information.