Swing's Coffee — Restaurant in Washington

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...

I absolutely adore this coffee shop! It's pricey, about a dollar more than another competitor (which is already expensive mind you), but I don't mind because I think this particular coffee shop has the best coffee out of all of the places I've been both domestic and abroad.

So why did I take a star off if they're so good?

Simply put I never know if this place is going to be open or not! Nestled just a hop skip and a jump from the White House, I forgo Peet's, Starbucks, and all the other usuals, only to find a note posted on the door that they're not open!

Now, mind you, I've already got a bone to pick with how early coffee shops close in DC and the lack of good diners, but the fact that I keep running into a closed sign is frustrating. It already feels like they're behind the curve being open 7am-4pm, but dragging my feet so I get there after 7am only to find them closed is worse considering there aren't any other good options when I keep on my journey to my next destination.

This coffee shop really truly is the best, I recommend it to everyone, but if you work early hours make sure you've got a...

Are you ready for the cocaine of coffee? Go get a black coffee here and you probably wont sleep until 4am. I'm serious. This is some legit coffee. It also is some of the best tasting coffee in the city. I only get the straight black but its always worth every cent you pay for it, and that's another thing, this place isn't expensive! Also, their Chai Tea Latte is some of the spiciest and most elegant in the city. I have a completely new favorite coffee joint now until the day I leave DC.

Service is also very prompt! You'll never find yourself waiting long, but if you do, you'll be in the corner with all the other people who just stand in front of the important things. People who go here really don't understand that they're in the way of the lids/sugar/stirrers/anything and just get in everybody's way. Even the exit. That's only a little to do with the layout of the place, but more so by the inconsiderate people of downtown DC.

If you need to stay up for an extended period of time, order a Jumbo Black Coffee. Be...