Great coffee shop in DC. Even though the line is long, the staff get the drinks made and everyone moving forward in line. I recommend this place if you are in Washington DC checking out the sites. read more

The almond milk latte is NEXT LEVEL. No idea how it's so creamy and sweet without full fat milk and sweetener but it is BOTH. Literally addicted. Also really love their muffins-- they always taste homemade and are not overly sweet. The only downside is limited seating. But the coffee is so great I'm still giving 5 stars. read more

I actually found M. E. Swing Coffee Roasters by using my Yelp phone app to find a good DC coffee/bakery place nearby early one morning. It totally deserves its high rating! I came in around 8am on a weekday, and was intimidated by the line well out the door. However, the baristas are incredibly efficient at getting orders of everyone aaaall down the long line, and having the drinks/pastries prepared by the time the customers pay. I only waited for 10 minutes! And the whole staff is super friendly too! I ordered a large iced chai (I'm not much of a coffee drinker...) with a blueberry bagel with cream cheese. It was excellent, and actually tasted more like Indian chai than most others I've tried in the USA. The blueberry bagel was plain. I couldn't really taste the blueberry at all, but the bagel was a decent, filling bagel. I had time to kill, so I ended up sitting inside and people watching for a bit on one of their cool barstools, though this definitely isn't the place to come and study / work on your laptop. I love the retro vibe of M. E. Swing Coffee Roasters, and I recommend it for its excellent drinks--that go beyond the acclaimed coffee! read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - Blueberry Bagel with Cream Cheese and Iced Chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Solid coffee Great atmosphere AMAZING staff I absolutely love it when the staff KNOWS their coffee. The origin, the flavor profiles, the different ways of brewing, the thought that goes into every single cup that comes out of the shop. I wish I remembered the name of the lovely staff who helped me out (I am terrible with remembering names but her family owns a coffee roaster in Ohio!!) Anyways, she suggested that I try the Columbian pour over. As we were having a full on conversation about coffee, boys, and life, she was making my coffee. I really appreciated that she let me smell the aroma of the freshly ground beans that she was going to brew, told me the steps she used to making a pour over, and explained to me why it was her personal favorite. OMG. New girl crush?! I knew the coffee itself was going to be good as I saw how the grounds were blooming. It took about 5 minutes to make the coffee and as I said, I love how much time and thought went into brewing a single cup of coffee. She was right. The Columbian tasted like a Neapolitan. Nutty chocolaty flavors, tart strawberries, warm vanilla....MMmmm Okay, I'm super sad now. I'll be leaving D.C. to go back to California soon and I JUST found out about Swing's? Sad day, indeed..... read more

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

Thursday, 1:45 PM. Quickie: + strong, flavorful coffee - cleaning frequency - customer service And then...? Most of the staff was chill; one in particular soured the mood with poor attitude towards a customer because of a confusion in the order. My drink was decent though, so I'll give MESCR another shot. ********** Get your drank on: 1. Iced latte Constructive comment: *Option for compost read more

Always a good spot to grab coffee. Never had a bad experience. The pastries in the showcase are always fresh and delicious.

I have been going to M E Swings for about 27 years, way back when it was over on E Street and they roasted their own beans on site. It was a throwback to the turn of the 20th century then, and thankfully they preserved the decor almost intact from the original store and brought it to its new location. What they also brought was a long tradition of roasting and brewing coffee that you won't find at any Starbucks. Before Starbucks invaded DC there was Swings and then for a while, all these wonderful little espresso bars, like Rockits, where you could pop in and get a great cup of fresh espresso that almost approached what you get in Naples, Italy. Then Starbucks put them all out of business and now we have those smelly places that basically are the McDonalds of the coffee world: pushing overly sweetened and unhealthy foodstuffs that make Americans fat--and by the way, taste nothing like coffee. I just came from Swings this morning (1/5/12) where I had a perfectly brewed cup of Sumatra drip. Black! No milk. No froth. No sugar. No cinnamon. No Half and Half. The flavor was incredible. It was like drinking a fine wine with colors and overtones and notes and you could taste the ripeness of the berries. How anyone could ask for anything else is beyond me. Staff are so nice and friendly and they always are playing wonderful ROCK music, not some Norah Jones bull. AND THERE'S NO WI-FI so no one is doing business on their laptop. They're here to talk and drink coffee, which is what you're supposed to do in a coffee shop. read more

This review and score is just for the amazing coffee, since the coffee shop itself is rather average. You really can't go wrong with any of their coffees, whether it's one of their blends or single origin beans. Their Ethiopian and Peruvian(organic) coffees are my favorite and the Diplomat Blend is perfect for that first cup of the day. I really am not that big of a coffee drinker, but one can always tell when something is great. They must be doing something right, if they have been around since 1916. read more

Swing's, oh mighty Swing's. The best locale on earth for the late afternoon coffee run. My office has lost so much productivity to you (yes, I'm writing this at work). I don't even drink coffee, but I relish the time I am able to spend in your environs. I've heard great things about your coffee. But I also know that, should I be adverse to the bean, I can get a hot chocolate, or an ice cream cone, or a pastry, or an italian soda. My local soda fountain, my haunt of nostalgia that brings me back twenty years before my birth. It's the perfect jaunt from 17th and H: down 17th street, past the secret service cars pumping unnecessary greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, past the Starbucks and the Caribou Coffee, past the place where I saw Gerald Ford's body pass me by, past the Potbelly's and Cosi brimming with visitors flush from their White House tour. Grabbing the refreshment of my choice, and then looping back, down G street, up 18th street past the fortified World Bank, and back again to the office that's too cold in the summer and too warm in the winter. Swing's, my refuge. My rock. Side note: Since you're in the area, head over in front of the World Bank and listen to the birds. Not the real birds, but the recorded bird calls that play 24/7 to stop real flying creatures from slamming into the building's glass. Rumor has it that the night guards in this location get paid $2 more per hour than other building guards that work for the same contractor in exchange for putting up with the racket. Only drawback to Swing's: there is a counter with a couple of seats, but not much else. Luckily, in good weather you can stop at the outside tables next door. read more

Got a Cappucino and a drip coffee here -$2.55 for a double and $1.35 for the drip was cheaper than S'bucks -Taste was great BUT should have been hotter. One star off. -The seating outside in the plaza area was a + I'll be back to try to espresso read more

The original DC indy coffee joint (Since 1916!), M.E. Swing roasts its own beans, brews a fine cup, and makes great espresso beverages, complete with barista art. But this place is strictly business; not a place for lingering. Once located at 11th and F, near Ford's theater, redevelopment pushed them out (the sign is still there, next to the E Street theaters). They continue to sell their whole beans from this new location (now roasted in Alexandria and including single origin Jamaican Blue Mountain.) Its proximity to the White House means that it's constantly packed. Biggest drawback? They are only open Monday-Friday. read more

I've never been a big coffee person. In college, if I was tired but needed to study, I'd pick up a Caramel Sugar Sweet Mocha Happy Frappy from SBux and resign myself again to my fate of never ordering, understanding or appreciating simpler, less complicated caffeinated beverages like real coffee, or even lattes. I actually kind of prided myself on not needing that jolt of caffeine to get my day started. But now, as I walk past M. E. Swing Co. three days a week, I find myself stopping in there at least once a day, honestly sometimes twice - hey, I need something to fight the post-lunch food coma! I actually still haven't quite made the jump and ordered real, grown-up coffee yet, but the lattes and mochas at Swing are delicious. I do usually still get a squirt of hazelnut or caramel, but these warm beverages are deliciously made, not sickeningly sweet. And the "single" cup is usually the perfect size - smaller than a "tall" at Starbucks but definitely enough to wake you up... and it helps that the little cup is seriously adorable. Plus they always think to use two of them, since there isn't an insulator slide-y thing small enough for it. A local coffee shop since 1916 (though this isn't its original spot), M.E. Swing Co. has everything you could want - great coffee, a friendly staff, a few stools at a window counter, and the City Paper - which actually just wrote them up this week (the critic was won over, and even said that his Mesco was better once it had cooled - apparently the mark of a fantastic cup of coffee). They sell their coffees for you to brew at home and also offer readymade sandwiches, bagels and sweets to nibble on, as well as the locally-made Great Falls Ice Cream that I'll be trying the second the temperature sneaks over 65. Although there's almost always a line, it moves quickly, so definitely check it out. I'll probably be in line too, and I think soon enough you'll even see me ready to order a real, big girl coffee - in that adorably tiny cup, of course. Update 03/25/2008: Swing's Pacific Chai is wondrous and dreamy. After my first sip, I never looked back. read more

M E Swing is a cute little coffee shop located in a somewhat industrial area near Del Rey and accessible to other parts of Alexandria. I don't even like coffee and I could tell this place is the real deal. There's plenty of street parking and they're open at 7am. I stopped by to surprise my fiancé with coffee and a pastry before he woke up. I got him an iced coffee and both of us blueberry muffins. Not the freshest muffin I've had, but it served as a decent breakfast. My fiancé loved his coffee and appreciated that it was a dark roast, which he prefers. This place has absolutely no frills and is a great little coffee shop for locals. Service was friendly and quick and I was in and out of there in less than 5 minutes. They also have some seating for those who want to sit and enjoy their coffee there. The only downside is that they aren't open on Sundays! read more

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

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This is the best coffee I've ever had. I am a fan of medium-roasted coffees, and their Colombian arabica will make you cry tears of joy because it is just perfect. Really. The actual coffee shop is also nice, with friendly and knowledgeable baristas. If all you have tried is Char$ucks, you have to try this coffee... you'll soon realize that you've been drinking hot rat poison all these years. Other than the Colombian coffee, you should try the High Mountain and Italian espresso (also medium-roasts), which are great blends of arabica beans. read more

I literally have dreams about this place. This is probably some of the best coffee I have had in the States. I usually stick to black coffee, as I have worked at numerous cafes and most people just don't know how to make lattes or cappuccinos (airy foam=blasphemy). I was so pleased when a friend recommended ME Swings and told me to specifically try their latte. SO creamy and rich. I also really love their portion sizes. So much more realistic than most places. ME Swings has been around since 1916, so they remember when a large used to be 8 ounces. If you are feeling indulgent, their blended mocha is also rather amazing. It is probably the only place I have ever enjoyed a blended drink, as the ratio of coffee and chocolate is almost scientifically precise in its perfection. The whole time I lived in DC, I walked out of my way to work just to stop by ME Swings for a treat and highly recommend for you to do the same. read more

One of the oldest (if not THE oldest, established in 1916) DC coffee shop / roasters that still make a good ole' cup of joe. And they haven't done much to their interior either, which makes you feel like you just walked into a coffee shop of the roaring 20's. There's a vintage feel to it, yet you can still order yourself an iced vanilla latte as you bask in the history of where you're at. You can buy your own bag of Swing's beans at another counter further into the store, but only after you try their pastries (apple fritters are my artery-clogging go-to). During busy times, expect a line, but it moves relatively fast. Inside can get pretty busy / cramped, so you can take a seat outside in the covered area next door. This place is more of a grab-and-go coffee shop though, so don't expect a peaceful study / work session with classical music in the background. Great place to check out, and if anything at least for the historical experience of it. read more

I was pretty happy to find M.E. Swing coffee. it was hard to find because often there was a loading truck or UPS truck standing in front of the cafe, so I kept missing it when I passed by. MES does make good chai latte because they use pacific chai powder. Most places make chai latte with powder gives you much richer and deep flavor chai latte. Price is better (slightly) than most coffee shops around. Good espresso drinks too. I wish MES has outdoor seatings but at least there is big window:) For people with cars..., parking is problem.. and closed on the weekend. read more

Best coffee you will ever have. And the history behind it is so fascinating!! Everyone that works there is always so nice. I usually go to the one in DC. read more

I feel like writing an ode to Swings, partly because it's a historical institution (roasting and brewing since 1916), and partly because I'm jealous of my OMB/UST/CFPB/World Bank friends who can visit this place regularly(someone might have just gchatted me that they're going on coffee break, so much envy!). Whereas I am stuck and the Starbucks wasteland that is L'enfant, they get to be close to the White House AND get a damn good cup of coffee. I cannot claim any special knowledge about what goes in to a good cup of coffee, but I do know when a place serves an excellent brew consistently at a normal price. Barista art aside, they make lovely espresso drinks and have great customer service and take credit card. Also, I love their chocolate covered espresso beans. Will report back on the pastries! When it gets busy, it takes forever in here to get a cup since they won't be rushing the process and there's a line out the door. I also appreciate that they have more than just milk and sugar accoutrements for your coffee and tea. If you're not wearing a suit, you'll definitely feel out of place at Swings. This is not your typical laptop lingering coffee shop with students and the self employed and the delinquent teleworker. In and out, there you go. They're also not open on weekends. However, there is plenty of seating (mostly outside), and plenty of politicos hang out here to take a meeting (I think I've spotted my old boss here a few times). Also, make sure to see the cool photo in the restroom taken from the original location of ME Swings. 1920s DC! read more

ME Swing, it is NOT your fault that America doesn't know how to brew or froth good coffee. While your coffee is far from great by any means, your adorable and historic shop site is enough to give you four stars and make you a "must stop spot" in the heart of D.C. read more

Hot weather? Time for iced coffee! No, I don't drink those frou frou coffee milkshakes. I want my beverage straight up on the rocks. Yes, there are several chains within spitting distance of swing coffee, but I like to patronize this store for the smooth flavor (i.e. no burnt aftertaste) and vintage vibe. Also, I'm pretty sure I save a couple of pennies on said iced coffee. A chain that will go unnamed across the street actually charges a dollar more to throw ice in the cup. What? Am I back in France? Bonus points: loads of foreign embassy types come here for a shot of espresso. If that's not an endorsement, I don't know what is. read more

Finally I came to M.E. Swings on a day when the line wasn't practically out the door. Not being a coffee drinker, I figured the effort wasn't worth it for me, but I decided to give it a go today. This downtown spot for coffee is hipper and more luxurious than Starbucks, that's for sure. I like the almost European vibe, and the fact that drink options are displayed on black chalkboards. I got the chai latte, which was about a dollar less than its Starbucks counterpart. The taste: not a great improvement over the Starbucks variety, but tea probably isn't their strong suit in comparison to various coffee concoctions. Still, I'd go here to save a buck any day. The staff was friendly, minus this one lady who was weighing coffee beans-she looked intense! I do appreciate how genuine and relaxed everyone seems; they don't feel like they received training to all sound and act the same. They also don't have to wear any particular uniform. And by the way, the dish-washing happens in full view of the register, and from what I saw, the associate responsible does a pretty good job of it, no gross mugs here. I grabbed a sample bag of beans for mister. Will let you know what he thinks. read more

I walked here with my office intern and ordered a small cup of mocha......that was out of this world. I thought it would only be good on the first try, but got the same feeling the second time around when I returned approx. 2 weeks later. The place is a little cramped, but the mocha was hot and truly satisfying. Believe it or not, I was pumped for the remainder of my day and working in downtown Washington you always need some type of extra energy to deal with ongoing BS. read more

Skipped over this place a few times despite its reviews because it looked like an anachronistic diner-style coffee joint kept alive by nostalgic federal workers. Nope, it is legit. Beans are quality and the baristas are skilled. An oasis in an otherwise desolate wasteland of chain coffee. read more

Swing's is right by my office. I hate to admit this but I've been going there practically every day for coffee for last two years (note to self: must not think about how much $$ I'm spending on coffee). I exclusively drink espresso drinks; either cappuccino or latte with skim milk. I believe their pastries are delivered daily from Firehook Bakery. My favorite baristas are usually working in the morning shifts and especially Raj. He consistently delivers the espresso drinks. In fact, my coworkers and I usually say to each other "Let's go get a cup of Rajava". Speaking of..... read more

My go to is normally Starbucks, mostly because I know what I'm going to get every single time. But this place is too good to deny. They know how to today, be, and drip their coffee! I also love the industrial vibe / decor. If you're in the area, be sure to stop in and grab a delicious cup! read more

Love the coffee & staff here. The decor on the inside is very vintage and old school coffee house. This place makes me look forward to coming to work during the week (as it's only open during the work week) since I know I'll be getting a great cup of Joe. I've even bought their grounded coffee just so I can have Swings on the weekends when I'm not in the city! It wouldn't matter if I came into the city on the weekends anyway though since they're closed on the weekends. If you're ever near 17th & G St. NW, make a stop here. You might miss it the first time you walk by it though, there isn't a huge sign for it, nor is it a colorful sign. Just says "Coffee Roasters" on it. However, if you're looking for it, you won't miss it & I'm sure you'll see all the people carrying their Swings coffee cups so you can always ask :) read more

There is little question, this is the only place in DC that knows how to make a decent cup of coffee. The caveat is that this is by DC standards. In Seattle or San Fran, this place would be 4 stars. The trick is that they use freshly ground beans and serve it at a reasonable drinking temperature. That's it! I am not a coffee snob, but it really does make a difference. Of course the dolts who think Starbucks and Caribou are great because they serve their coffee at 2x concentration will not get it. There is little hope for these people. This city and NoVa are jam packed full of people who would think nothing of peeing it their own pool. But to you, the open minded, try this place, sit outside in the shade of the building and think to yourself, "That Squid is right, like all the time." You are welcome. read more

Subpar cafe. Service was pretty bad, got a lot of attitude from workers when I asked for wifi (they don't have a public one). Their soymilk cappuccino burned my tongue, and the foam was horribly done so I asked for another one. Another rude exchange where the barista questioned whether I burned bmy tongue. Made me another one without soymilk. I know DC isnt known for good cafes, but this was certainly below expectations. read more

Quality coffee for this cheap seems like it should be an urban legend. But surprisingly, the prices at Swing's are as cheap, if not cheaper, than Starbucks and definitely leaps and bounds better. Their espresso drinks are well made. The chai tea is also delicious for the non-coffee drinkers. Cozy throwback interior with fairly limited seating. Friendly staff. The line gets long at times but it moves fairly quickly. They roast their coffee in Alexandria so it's about as local of a coffee shop as you can get. read more

This place serves up the best coffee in DC in my opinion. I work nearby, and it's always a treat for me to get some java from Swing's. If you want a place to sit and socialize, though, opt for elsewhere. It's crowded, and loud, and there are very few seats. There are absolutely no cushy chairs, which I consider a must for a coffee shop lounging session. But if you want good coffee, Swing's is the place. You can also buy beans to go so you can brew Swing's at home. Yummalicious! read more

Just a heads up, I don't drink coffee because I am allergic to caffeine. Just kidding, but I am very sensitive to caffeine so I can't drink a lot of it. However, I am writing this on behalf of my mother who is an avid coffee drinker and lo and behold, she loved this place. We stopped by cause it was close to our hotel and she needed her daily dose of coffee. There were a couple tables outside, so we sat outside and she drank her cup of Joe. 5 minutes later, I had to go back in to order some more. The baristas are super friendly and funny, despite how busy it is. The decor of the coffee shop is so vintage D.C. There's chalkboard menus and a juke box on one side with stools on the other. And the coffee, well, Starbucks don't got sh*t on them. read more

The best iced cappucino possible.. have it with honey.. The deserts are though not too great, wish they had just a few small tasty bits! read more

Dig this groovy little cafe! I always appreciate small, family run businesses, especially when it comes to Coffee Roasters. The more fresh the roast the better! And they sell Numi Tea which is always a plus and reflects well on a business for me. I'd make it my coffee spot if I lived or worked in the area for sure. Enjoy DCites! read more

ME Swing = *THE* coffee spot in DC to get your roasted beans. Period. Peru, Brazil, Ethiopia, Honduras, Costa Rica, Papa New Guinea, Colombia... they have it all. They also have tons of blends ready to go: Diplomat, Embassy Row, Mesco, and High Mountain tend to be the more popular ones, but I've never tried them. I like to stick to the non-blended variety. Prices range from $13-15 per lb (which equates to roughly 50c for each cup you make at home, assuming you use 17-18g/cup). Incredibly affordable for freshly roasted beans. They also have a rewards program: buy 12 lbs of coffee, get your 13th lb for free! Easy location in downtown DC. Fresh beans. Fast and friendly service. And incredibly knowledgeable coffee geeks. They've got it all right. read more

While most coffee shops in DC are either of recent vintage or chains, ME Swing has been around since the early 1900s. The cozy spot near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building doesn't advertise a lot, it just has a plain sign, but it's a great find. There are tables and bar seats inside and a little patio outside, but more importantly they have a lot of good coffee, both regular and espresso. They roast their own beans the staff are friendly and knowledgable. I like the old photos of the business and the area -- it kind of reminds you that coffee isn't a new phenomenon. The pastries I've had are nothing amazing but are solid and tasty, and the spot has a nice vibe. I like going there for coffee meetings with folks or just to get out of the office for a bit. Why not support a tasty local institution rather than some chain? read more

I may be partial to this place because it's close to work for me, but of the coffee shop options that aren't chains in the downtown area, this one is so far the best. Drip coffee is delicious and I'm a huge mocha fan. The mocha here is just sweet enough. I never like when the chocolate over powers the coffee. Thumbs up, Swing. read more

I've been taking my coffee from Swing's for 20+ years. It's got great coffee, great beans, and a long and rich history as a DC institution. Head and shoulders above the soulless chains that dominate the industry. read more

Swing Coffee Roasters - M.E. Swing Co. coffee, Washington, DC - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Excellent Roasted Beans, Hot Chocolate, Location, Decor...wow.

I have been working around Farragut since October and just discovered this place a month or so ago. I am hooked! It's pretty difficult to find a coffee place that isn't a chain in the area and this has been a gem of a find. Between me and my coworkers, we've tried quite an array of drinks and are always pleasantly surprised. For the same price, this is definitely a better treat if you're heading out for coffee. I have tried hot, iced, espresso based, regular coffee, and I couldn't be happier. Haven't gotten through their selection of pastries/doughnuts, yet. There are lots of tables and chairs outside close by, and lots of seating inside as well. Haven't spent much time in the place, but it has a pretty serene feel. read more