Clay Cafe — Attraction in Chantilly

If you are charging a studio fee then you should have a wide variety of colors with bottles that have at least enough paint that your patrons aren’t shaking the bottles and then needing to ask other tables for paint. First and second time, my group gave this place the benefit of the doubt. This is the third time we’ve come and my family is done. Why did we continue to come, we kept thinking it was a weird fluke that they have no paint and no pieces…yes I realize we’re too forgiving.

Clay cafe: If your bottles are empty, refill please. Why does your staff spend their time making excuses when asked for a color instead of refilling the paint bottles? Not only that, they have a severe limit on pieces and styles and then overcharge. I wasn’t presented with a bill, I was asked for a tip first. Then told what my total was with NO sort of bill. I pay and then realize they didn’t look at their prices, the lady just put in an amount. The bottom of the piece says one thing then they charge another. This place is a pathetic scam and while their may not be a ton of pottery places around, LITERALLY EVERY OTHER PLACE WITHIN A FIFTY MILE RADIUS is better. I wanted a plate and the only plate there had paint spots on it. Then I get overcharged. Oh, and don’t forget they have the nerve to ask for a tip of all things before you’re charged and you won’t see your bill til after they run your credit card.

I’ve learned my lesson, just because you drive out to a cheap area doesn’t mean you’re going to get a good deal. Also, please do your due diligence and don’t let them charge you until you fully check their calculations - they’ll cheat you. I’ll be going to my local spot in Vienna...

This was our first time painting pottery at Clay Cafe and the day we went in was as expected. The prices are on par with other paint-your-own businesses that we have frequented. The shop was not overly crowded and everyone was wearing a mask. I did observe that some other patrons who came to paint were not given clear directions despite indicating that they had never painted before. I gave them a few tips but didn’t make a big deal. Today we returned to pick up our pieces and we are VERY disappointed with the results. The over glaze was applied too thick and allowed to pool creating white places on our projects. There were chips in the glaze, on the back of our items, from where the kiln stilts had been removed and scratches from sandpaper that had too rough a grit. I have an informed background with which I write this review, and the basic lack of care or knowledge with which our projects were handled is upsetting. Anyone who has painted pottery would be able to tell that the projects did not turn out as anticipated. I went back into the shop to explain my frustration. I was told by the employee that this has happened before and is due in part to poorly mixed glaze. Knowing that makes me even more upset because it shows a disregard for correcting a known problem. It was known the shop’s mistake could effect the art I took time to make, and pay for, but nothing was done about it. This coupled by the lack of attention from the employees when assistance was needed and unprofessional dress (I’m understanding but a belly shirt - chill but not safe in this environment) shows a poorly run business. We will...

We hosted a birthday party for my 10 year old and her friends today and it was absolutely perfect. The staff was incredibly friendly, we had someone dedicated to our party, Sophia, she was amazing and great with the kiddos. Our party package came with pizza which was delicious. We were able to bring a cake, snacks, and drinks too. We brought a few balloons as well but we didn’t really need many decorations, the places is warm and festive. I highly recommend Clay Cafe in Chantilly for your parties or special family time. Best part is the kids will have a special piece of ceramic that they painted and will always remind them of the absolute blast they had on their friends birthday. We highly recommend...