Nice quick service. A solid number of coffee and stack options, including a number of different pour over options. Fast access to the White House (or on the way from it). Moderate amount of seating with table and counter height options. All in all, a solid spot that'll get you what you're wanting and leave you with a smile! read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had a great experience at Swing. The staff were very nice they had a great selection including vegan pastries, including a very good vegan chocolate chip cookie. Iced coffee was great too. Loved that they were celebrating pride month in the store as well! read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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For me this is the grandfather of great coffee shops in DC. Though the building has been renovated around them, it still has the air of an old school coffee shop. There isn't a lot of sitting space, it's more geared towards people stopping in for a coffee and pastry to carry. The operation is very efficient, and they can cater to an impressive number of people in a timely manner. Espresso and drip coffees are all great, definitely worth stopping in if you're anywhere nearby. read more

The perfect work day escape! Love their unsweetened lattes and mochas! Service is quick but the seats get taken up quickly. It's a chill space for a quick coffee meeting. read more

I love this place! One of the best coffee places in the DMV. A lot of history and very knowledgeable. Even though it's a small place, it's great to meet colleagues for networking or catch up with friends. The place also has tables and chairs outside...and just because of how close it is from the White House, you never know who you going to see there ! read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Cappuccino - the perfect size! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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So excited to try out the coffee house (number one on my list), and this is the reason it didn't cut it: Service - I'm a tourist in a tourist city, and felt rushed and inconvenienced rather than helped. A new place is overwhelming when there's not enough signage around to help, and when asking for help, 2/3 of the staff seemed like I should already know what I'm doing. Felt their cell phones were a better piece of their time. Coffee - I don't call myself an expert at coffee, but I have a lot and I know what I like around my city. Go to is cold brew, and it was alright. They have (from what I've read) great types of coffee and especially at this location. There wasn't enough taste to the coffee (too little beans or too much water when brewing, I'm not sure), but I wasn't happy. Staff was in shock when asked to warm up the blueberry muffin... I didn't realize that was a problem. Vibe - beautiful building and history! They do an amazing way of promoting. All in all - I wanted to be happy, but I wasn't. There's plenty of coffee houses around the DC area... I would look elsewhere for a better cup of Joe and attitude with your order. Someone that seems like they want you to be there instead of like it's a burden. read more

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I needed an afternoon pick me up and had stumbled across this place . The flavors are limited and if you're looking for a variety of options . read more

I've heard good things about this coffee shop so I figured I had to check it out. This location was the closest one near me. The barista recommended espresso drinks, so I had to try the cortado (my usual espresso go-to), which was $3.65. The barista recommended it with oat milk (an up charge of $1), so it was $5.11 after tax. This is a bit more expensive than I normally pay for, but it's a double shot espresso so it could be worse. The cortado was a pretty good drink, and the oat milk balances the espresso - a nice medium roast that's full body and bright. The espresso flavor is noticeable and fruity, but I would prefer it to be stronger, as the after taste is a bit weak and I'm left with a stronger oat milk taste instead. Now, this isn't bad if this is what you prefer, but I'm all about a strong and fruity espresso in a cortado. Overall, this cortado was decent, but I will probably try a different espresso drink next time, or maybe one of the pour overs which my friend said he enjoyed. To note, it was only one barista working at the time we were there, but he was able to handle several drinks in a timely fashion with ease. We all got our drinks within a short period of time. Overall, the coffee shop was pretty neat. There's not a lot of room to do work or study since the seats had small round tables or it was bar styled. Good place to chat with others, thoug read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Double espresso shot cortado with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My observation about this location is the extremely large bar that goes seemingly un-used. Minimal indoor seating. Very simple menu, which I don't mind. I do wish that there was a sugar free flavor option for lattes. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I visited the Swing Coffee Roasters on G Street and 17th Street in downtown. The baristas were friendly. They served their espresso drinks fast and fresh. I order cortados wherever I go. I generally don't return to coffee shops unless their drinks are extraordinary good. I returned the next day. The bean used smelled fresh and not burnt or overpowering. The milk to espresso ration was great. The shop itself was really interesting. It felt monumental and yet modern at the same time. I ended up looking up their website and it turns out their bean bar is historic and the shop has been around for over 100 years. Great shop. Great location. It's definitely worth checking out. read more

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If you've ever wondered why Starbucks has done as well in the DC area as it has, just stop by Swing's. The coffee is bland and without depth or complexity. It's the kind of bad coffee that dominated here before the 1990s. Somehow it remains popular. Even though I was working nearby and it was the most convenient coffee place, it didn't take me long to figure out that even on a rainy day, I needed to think about going elsewhere. read more

Beverage was delish! But the customer service was super sad. I had high hopes. No pastries or anything to munch on left. It's about 2:00 pm- but an afternoon snack would have been nice. No smiles, no engagement, the staff look like they hate working here. I heard my drink so I came up and just confirmed and the guy didn't even look at my just a slight nod and I said okay thank you so much and nothing. Just a depressing vibe! The little coffee shop is cute and modern but I was just so put off by the service. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A great spot to catch up with a friend, or chill while your car is being serviced. Comfortable enough sitting area with large sitting area with views of the street & coffee roasting equipment in the back which is cool. Seemed to have a constant flow of return customers and had table with bags of coffee for pick-up. The coffee was delicious, the staff was friendly (even loaned me a pen) so we could work on cross-word puzzle. I also ordered a Chai tea latte, it was kind of luke warm, & not quite what I expected. Just to be fair, only drank Chai from Green Bean overseas. Our bakery items were the blueberry scone and cinnamon roll. We both loved the scone, enough dryness cut by the icing to make it close to perfect. We kind of picked at the cinnamon roll, left most of it which says a lot, because me passing on a roll is like an elephant passing on a peanut. Overall, definitely worth checking out !!! read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Scone disappeared, Cinnamon roll not so much - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Pretty great coffee, came to know they opened up in 1916! It's pretty near to the White House, so if you are visiting this is one of the coffee places that's walkable. read more

Great coffee this morning. Staff is attentive and inviting. Even during the busy morning hours, they get you drink ready in a hurry.

Swing Coffee Roasters is a roastery outside of DC in Alexandria, Virginia and this was their first DC coffee shop in the city. It's one of the closest coffee shops near the White House and Renwick Gallery and recently reopened from renovations. It's a small shop, but they do a good job of squeezing in enough seating for everyone. They have window seats and small high tables that can sit two people. It's a simply, classy atmosphere with tiles, lights, and a wooden ladder emerging from the seating area into...well...no where. It seems random, but then you realize it hits their overall vibe. The coffee itself is good, rich, and smooth. Their latte is one of the best in downtown DC. read more

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Not really what I expected, drink came out okay. Customer service was good and the guys there were cool people. Just didn't like my drink overall I took a few sips and threw it away. I ordered a simple Carmel drink and tasted straight like black coffee. read more

Cute place near the White House. They had some i door seating and two tables outside in the shade. Those were obviously full though. There is some other outdoor areas to sit so that was fine though. Lots of quiet conversations going on in this place which was it seem secretive perhaps based on location. I didn't get anything fancy, just a black cold brew to go. I did order a large and got the 12oz, not 16 but I should have paid more attention during the pouring I guess. read more

Service isn't good. They don't listen carefully what customers want. Also the Latte Arts skill is poor that mismatches such professional coffee shop standard. read more

Super cute coffee shop! I got the flat white and it was very good- also the latte art was one of the best I've ever seen. Not busy at all on a Wednesday at 2pm. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Flat white - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My boss first introduced me to this place. Every time we go on coffee chats we walk over to this shop and chat for an hour or so. My first time going I ordered the same as him which was a chai latte and it was delicious but soooo strong. If you are tired I highly recommend their coffee. Ever since then I started getting ice tea because I am cutting back on coffee. The coffee shop itself is adorable though!!! The decor fits its style, it's been open since the 80s or even earlier if I'm not mistaken. There is a decent amount of seating in and outside but it gets packed. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had to go make a pit stop up near the GWU campus but wanted to get some work done while in the area, and my favorite fashion adviser came through with a tweet about a great local coffee shop. So there I went, traipsing across half of NW DC - from 21st and L to 17th and G. This better be some awesome coffee... I have to admit that I wasn't immediately sold on the place when I walked past. There's a huge scaffolding outside right now that obscures the sign - you have to know that it's here if you're going to find it. There's a Cosi across the street for the soulless among you. I'm not sure what it is about the cashier and the barista, but the staff here seems to be what some would consider lethargic, and what others would consider laid back. I'm glad I wasn't in a hurry. Upon getting rung up for my iced coffee, I'm not even sure I was verbally spoken my tab... yeah, I can read the display. Good thing I'm not blind. Laura H is right on with the smooth taste of the iced coffee. It's definitely a step up from Sbux iced coffee, for sure! The old school diner stools and tiny high tops for two are kind of cute, but don't make for particularly comfortable working conditions. Good to know this place is around the corner if I'm ever in the Farragut West neighborhood and jonesing for a great refreshingly cold cup o' joe. I don't see going out of my way to spend a day utilizing Swing's as my mobile office, though. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My body does not react well to coffee so I opted for a chai tea latte. I have to give props for roasting their own beans -- by the smell of it, this place was legit! I could almost taste the air it smelled so delicious. The service was prompt and I was served almost immediately. No awkward hovering was needed like at the other coffee shops I frequent. I was charmed by the vintage signage that decorated the place: apparently the ME Swings brand has been around since the early 1900's. I hypothesize that this is not the type of place where you sit around and do crossword puzzles with your friends. My point was proven by their abundance of uncomfortable chairs and lack of wifi. This did not fit my needs as a mobile worker but I'm sure the many federal workers who are in this area would beg to differ. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very different vibe: World Bankers populate this café to discuss a tonne of acronyms, rather than young people with their laptops--so the ambience is quite different from your usual coffee shop. The decaf cappuccino was petite but fine. The staff friendly but unintrusive. They also have some outside seating, which also has the advantage of being covered so that rain does not prevent one from using that space. I have no objections to this place. read more

Found myself in Washington D.C a few months ago for a conference that I didn't really want to attend, but I digress. I'm a huge fan of trying new restaurants and other venues, especially ones that we don't have in New Orleans or are not part of a national chain. So on my way to the conference (on foot so I could take in the scenery), I Yelped coffee shops and saw a name I never heard before......M. E. Swing Coffee Roasters. It was only a 4 block walk, I had left extra early to allow some early morning exploring, so I opted to try it out. As soon as the storefront came into view, I knew this place wasn't your average Starbucks type mega coffe mart. The place was actually quite small (but quaint). I wished I had snapped a picture of the sign on the front door but I'll paraphrase it from memory. Basically it stated that there was no wi-fi, this was a coffee shop meant for drinking coffee and having conversations, so leave your laptop behind. What a retro concept. I ordered the house brew and a pastry from a very friendly barista and sat at the small counter facing the street so I could enjoy the sights and do a little people watching in this city which was new to me. The pastry was awesome, the coffee was hot and smooth and I'm told that the coffee is roasted in the nearby town of Alexandria; so you get that local vibe as well. Overall this was a great experience, even if it was "only a cup of coffe". If you find yourseld in Washington D.C., and you have to have your morning brew, give this place a try. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - What a cool "non-chain" coffee shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Decent coffee, and a decent amount of options. I love the interior, very cute and unique! Wishing there were more food items, and it wasn't 4 dollars for a small, but I wouldn't mind coming back either. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I stopped in here on 2-3-2023 and again on 3-2-2023. I've walked by here for almost 20 years and have stopped in fewer than five times prior to these two visits. It's in a great location to catch up with fellow DC folks. It's kind of small and not much seating, but the service is quick and the muffins are fresh. I ordered the blueberry muffin. Fresh and made with real blueberries. Warm!! The tea was sweet just like I asked it to be made. Now back to the seating. More stools and some waiting area. Not ideal for anyone who is looking to actually have a seat. I'm hoping that the tables nearby and outside will improve my experiences during the warmer weather. read more

My friendly coworker ordered a coffee, and the employee behind the counter was courteous, attentive, and overall in good cheer. My coworker also bought me a cinnamon roll with frosting from Swing Coffee Roasters. It was moderately priced, tasted fresh and excellent even though our visit was in the afternoon, and something I would return to buy if I was hankering for something sweet after lunch. The location is on a quieter street in downtown DC (G St NW between 17th St NW and 18th St NW). read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Delicious cinnamon roll with frosting!!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The people here are super chill and nice! It's a regular stop for me before work. Inexpensive, yet delicious coffee. Not that watered down stuff you get at other places we won't mention. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Swing's: simple and delicious coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm a frequent visitor to the M.E. Swings in Alexandria but every now and then when I'm in DC, I will make a pit stop at this location too. This is literally the closest coffee shop to the White House, and if you sit by the windows you can see the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. And yet it's so clandestinely present, no frills and thrills on the exterior to suggest the awesome sauce that is M.E. Swings inside. To any tourist passersby, they would much rather go to the Peet's a block away on Pennsylvania than to this historic coffee shop that's been here since at least the 1920s. What they don't know is that as soon as you step inside, you're greeted by friendly baristas and a vintage coffee bar filled with coffee contraptions and paraphernalia like Chemex, pour over vessels, and coffee beans. Great selection of coffees. Whether you like it black, lattes, espressos, or anything in between, M.E. Swings can do it and do it well. Even their hot chocolate is something to be reckoned with. I always recommend this coffee shop to those who are in the area and need a pick-me-up. Great coffee, convenient location, and friendly and quick service. read more

Best coffee in Washington, DC. It is a treat coming here. Really, really good. Look at the location / where it is. Of course the coffee is going to be good. read more

Wow, this is the best wakeup coffee I've ever had. It's really strong without being too strong or bitter, and the fresh-roasted taste is amazing. This is not the kind of coffee you'd want to have with dessert, it's the kind you want when you're tired. I tried the hazelnut and french vanilla, and the flavor was wonderfully yet subtle, not making the coffee taste artificial like many places do. I also like the fact that their "small" size is smaller than the Starbucks small, so it's perfect for my walk to work. They have cute cups, which I normally wouldn't mention, but they're reeeally cute. I enjoy the feeling of walking to work with a fresh cup of perfect Swing's coffee while secretly judging the people walking by with Starbucks in their hands. The baked goods looked OK, but I'm not sure if they're freshly baked or bought from elsewhere. If anyone else has info on this, please do share! read more

I finally had the opportunity to check out this place today and really enjoyed it. The coffee (I had a latte) was so smooth I could barely distinguish it from the frothed milk. The baked goods were even more impressive. Just thinking about the muffins and scones is making me hungry now! This is a serious coffee shop and is focused on coffee, only. As far as I could tell, there is no wifi. There is no place to work on computers. There are only small bar-like tables, bars, and bar stools that are anchored in place. It's actually a very cool retro setting. On the down side, the workers are somewhat apathetic. I asked for a "for here" mug and they made my coffee to go. I'm not going to dock a star in my review for something so trivial, but it was annoying. They also have some cool merchandise, including some really nice silver coffee holders from Klean Kanteen. I asked one employee if I could purchase one, and instead of selling it to me, she told me it was $29 and leaked if you turned if upside down. I didn't want to deal with her so I left. I should add that the store also sells coffee by the pound. They will grind it for you, if you like. I posted some photos of the blend names. I should add that the prices are extremely reasonable. A large latte and giant muffin cost me $5. You can't beat that! read more

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Established in 1919, M E Swing Coffee Roasters knows coffee. Yet again, DC surprised me with a treasure hidden behind and unsuspecting sign. Located just around the corner from the White House, this coffee joint takes you back in time with their retro coffee roasters and old school signage that must have been kept from their beginning days. What I loved most was the hustle and bustle - I stopped here twice, once early in the AM and once a little later, and the line moves quite quickly. You could call the staff baristas, but something tells me the four dudes working behind the counter would find that label quite offensive. It was just coffee, and they do it well. I purchased a t-shirt to bring back to my boyfriend and a bag of whole coffee beans that I am about to tear into. Why five stars? Maybe it's just me, but the mix of nostalgia and damn good iced coffee (with no coffee grounds floating at the bottom) was exactly what I needed away from home, on a hot day, in our nation's capital. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - In DC, unsuspecting signs like this can be the gateway to the best food treasures. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I adore this coffee shop for its location, ambiance and of course, great coffee. I stumbled upon this spot when I first moved to DC and was on my token tourist White House stroll. Funny thing is, is that I still have this same routine - White House & M E Swing or vice versa. If you love coffee you are probably with me in that the smell alone creates good feelings. M E Swing is the perfect place for this. Not only does it smell amazing (yes, because it is a coffee roaster) but I believe the history that comes with it also gives it this comforting, homey extra touch. So comforting that I actually don't get my coffee to go and I love just taking a break here. If you do decided to stay and enjoy a large latte here, you will be greeted by a cup that is literally the size of half your head (seriously I held it up to my face). I haven't indulged and any of their pastries but they all look mighty tasty. M E Swing has definitely become one of my coffee stables here in DC and I look forward to many a more trips there. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Love the atmosphere in M E Swing - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very good coffee, I love the atmosphere and lighting, but it is a bit cramped, so I would suggest finding a place to sit closer to the window so you don't have people squeezing by you... I went right around rush hour so this makes sense. I ordered tea and a flat white; both were great! Overall a great experience and I'll be making my way back! 4 stars is just for the cramped area... I sat by this really pretty, aesthetic ladder that got in the way. read more

I hate to be contrarian, but Swing's coffee, good as it is, is no longer the best around. Second to none, maybe, but Starbucks does just as well if making the trek downtown is out of your way. 20 years ago, things were different. Swing's original location, on E Street between 10th and 11th 'round the corner from the gross, smoky original Whitlow's Cafe, was just about the only place in the No. Va. region that roasted good dark arabica beans onsite. Thay had a massive roaster facility that delivered coffee to restaurants near and far. Too bad they didn't go national back then. BTW, if you'd like to see their original sign from the "Mesco Building" (shown in the picture up there on the right), it's part of the decor at Whitlow's on Wilson, in Clarendon. read more

Tasty coffee! Had a small cup of their "High Mountain" coffee. The seating area is a bit on the small side, and feels run down - concrete and worn wooden tables. I found the inside of the place to be overly warm today. read more

I came in a little after 9:00 and it wasn't crowded at all. Seating is mostly bar stools, which can be a little uncomfortable sitting for a long time. I just ordered a regular latte; the price is good for the quality and it was very yummy! I like that they print you out an order number to save confusion. I got my drink quickly and the baristas were friendly. The atmosphere of the place is very nice; the chalkboard menus and high ceiling are a nice touch. This is close to where I work so I'll definitely be back! read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - my morning latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is one of the only locally owned and operated coffee roasting places I know of in all of Washington. It's certainly the only one in the area, and they're obviously doing something right having been around since 1916 and having kept their original location; that being within a block of the White House. The coffee is excellent. They put Starbucks, Carribou and any other franchise company's coffee to shame and at a fraction of the cost. For some reason they are no longer allowed to grind coffee in the District so they opened another location outside of the city in Alexandria, or at least that's what someone told me. Regardless, I highly suggest you check this place out for a cup of Jo if you're anywhere near it. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia