Swing's Coffee

I got the nitro latte and I was not expecting such a smooth, impactful flavor profile. There is just enough sweetness to complement the rich chocolatey espresso notes paired with a bit of vanilla. This drink is a must! Vibes are high, workers are friendly, service is quick, and the coffee is great.

The space is great! Lots of seating and free WiFi as well. They still had their winter specialty drinks out so I tried the iced gingerbread latte. It was delicious and perfectly sweet! The staff was super friendly and my drink was made quickly. I had my drink to go but I hope to come back and spend some time here, and to also try other seasonal specials.

I was about to leave DC disappointed in our coffee experiences and gave Swing’s a try in our last day…. I am so glad I did. Excellent quality coffee and matcha prepared with care and knowledge. This historic roaster knows what it is doing. If you are in the area skip the others and swing over to Swing’s for the best cup of coffee we had in the DC area.

I came to this coffee shop for two main reasons: to catch up with a friend over coffee and to get some studying done. I’m happy to say both goals were met. The shop offered easy parking, plenty of seating, free Wi-Fi, and a nice selection of coffee and pastries. I went with a matcha latte, which came out to $8 for a large with a milk substitute. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as enjoyable as I had hoped, especially considering the price. That said, the place was busy with a steady flow of people ordering various lattes and coffee drinks. While matcha may not be their specialty, my friend really enjoyed her butter croissant, and her tuxedo mocha was excellent.

Good coffee shop, met up with my friend there and it had a nice ambiance. Ordered hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin it was really good. Would return.

UPDATE to previous review: While I stand by the experience I had in my previous review below, I feel that it's important and fair that I mention that my past few visits have been fantastic! 6/23/25 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I can't quite figure out what it is about this spot. I love their coffee, with 4 Mile Espresso and Mesco beans being on my all-time favorites list. The 4 Mile Espresso beans are perfect for my grind and brew machine, which doesn't handle dark oily beans very well. It's a great full-bodied, but not heavy medium roast. It's perfect for both morning and afternoon cups. Equally satisfying, especially in the morning, are the Mesco beans. As their signature blend, it makes sense that it's been around from the beginning. It's bright, balanced, and smooth. Their claim that it's “the coffee that improves in quality as it cools in the cup” is true in my experience. From time to time, I also enjoy trying something new. Today I bought and am looking forward to trying one of their featured coffees, Guatemala Regalito. As for the service, and this is just my perspective, I've never really had a great experience in the store. Most of the team members are somewhat polite, but not necessarily friendly. My visit today motivated me to write this particular review. As I was checking out, I asked if I was part of the rewards program, and if not, how to sign up. The person waiting on me kind of explained it by pointing to a sign next to the register, prompting me to put my phone number in. I said to her that the screen was still asking how I wanted my receipt, but she just kind of stared at me. I then noticed and pressed the next button which took me to the prompt to put my phone number in. Apparently, I was already a member of the program and had five points. Excitedly, I said to her, "oh, it looks as if I already have five points!" She kind of smirk-smiled, gestured toward the screen and said "well if it says you have five points, then I guess you have five points." Frankly, it wasn't what she said, but rather how she said it. Dismissive, and pretentiously condescending is how it came across to me. I smiled and thanked her, but I didn't like the way I was feeling as I left. It was as if I had been a nuisance or was taking too much of her time. And unfortunately, this wasn't the first time I felt this way as a customer here. Great coffee in a cool space, but not the best customer service in my experience over the past several months. I discovered Swing's earlier this year after deciding to buy coffee exclusively from local roasters. To that end, I'll probably keep buying from them. And even though I enjoy getting out and going into the store, I may feel better about my experience and purchasing from them by shopping online.

Good coffee and scone is excellent. However, the fan is a little loud.

I know the coffee from when I lived in the area. I don't live in the area now. I ordered some coffee on line, I was waiting for it to get shipped, I emailed them asking when it would be shipped. They said it's waiting for me to pick it up. I told them I don't live in the area. They said I needed to do something to get it shipped, and it is not that clear. They shipped my coffee that day. The coffee is great. Next time I will do it correctly.

My favorite coffee roaster in the area. Excellent single origins roasted to perfection. They have a good rotation of producers and regions. I hope they bring back the Tanzania Peaberry soon!

Cute spot to either get some work done or have a quick chat with friends :) their coffee is really delicious. Definitely can taste the beans flavors- got the pour over and you can distinctly taste the berries after taste. Haven't tried their pastries but would definitely come back! Street parking only.

Went to find solar roasted arabica bean found in Puerto Rico and spoke to manager who was very helpful and even offered product from back stock. While the deepness of flavor was lacking from the Caribbean variety found in Puerto Rico the product was fresh and quite good for those with a North American palate. I highly recommend this establishment

Rustic warehouse turned coffee shop with delicious coffee and espresso! I got a "nitro latte" and it was delicious! They don't have a ton of food options, but they do have a few pastries. I tried one of their cinnamon rolls and it was solid. They have a few tables both inside and out, and there were a few people there doing work

This review is mostly for the ambiance as I ordered tea. The place gives me a rustic feel and is a great spot for a conversation with a friend or for working on your laptop. The service was quick and the tea was HOT. My friend ordered a breakfast sandwich and said it tasted pretty good. Would recommend!

Visited years ago. Returned with family today. Oat milk cortado was wonderful. Wife's latte was also delicious. Both the staff were friendly and made the experience. Will revisit when in town. Highly recommend.

Awesome coffee shop recommended by some locals. The nitro latte was SO GOOD! Got a small then grabbed a large to go. Probably the best nitro latte I've ever had. We also tried the pumpkin roll which was quite tasty. Pro tip: get the nitro latte with oat milk, and thank me later. Big spacious place, great for studying, meetings, coffee dates, meditation, etc. Will be coming back for sure!

I stopped by Swings on the way to the airport and was sad I couldn't spend more time there! A solid/cool coffee shop with a "neighborhood" feel. I love a good latte and theirs was exceptional. A latte is rather simple yet not everyone can do it well. SWINGS CAN. Perfect flavor and delicious oat milk. I was one happy girl. There was seating both inside and outside, so you could work there or visit with a friend. But we were on the go and only had time to grab our drinks and pastries on the move. However we were very pleased and really appreciated our kind baristas.

Delicious Nitro latte!! Swung by Alexandria on a weekend and decided to stop by this coffee shop to get some work done. I really enjoyed the Nitro latte! It had a good balance between milk and coffee. The coffee and the subtle tangy flavors were prominent but did not overshadow the sweet creaminess. Loved how the drink was iced but by default did not come with ice cubes. The staff were nice and friendly - loved their enthusiasm when calling out names/orders. Aesthetics were also cute! Old factory vibes with wooden furniture and black metal accents. There was a good amount of seating and even more outside. It's right outside several parks so lots of parking options! Would come back if I was in the area again!!

Swings is probably one of my favorite local coffee shops. The vibe is industrial, airy and open. The coffee is what puts this cafe above alot of the others. Dark roasts are actually dark, strong and smooth. The nitro cold brew are silky and honestly almost taste like a stout! 10/10 would recommend to any coffee lover. Parking is fairly easy street parking right next to a dog park.

I loved this place. It was hands down the best nitro I ever tasted. It looks almost identical to a Guinness. Delicious coffee cake too. The vibe was friendly and communal. Super nice staff, and when there weren't enough spots for me to sit, another patron welcomed me to sit with her. We actually ended up chatting a bit and having a nice conversation. This is a great place to do work and just hang out a while. I love the cook neighborhood it's in, and I took the nearby bike path to get there. It's not too far from Del Ray, but it has a totally different, unique feel. The coffee shop/roastery is in a repurposed old industrial building, which really adds some personality.

Good coffee roaster & morning cafe. Had two coffees & a cinnamon roll, $18. I got Columbian pour over with the "fall spice" flavoring, but that flavoring add should have been a HARD PASS. The clove in it was overpowering and made my coffee taste like weak tea. Wife's skim latte was good. And the cinnamon roll was very good. Thought it would be too heavy with frosting, was actually very complimentary and not heavy at all. Want to go back & try it again. Could also enjoy working remotely here, very good vibe. (Note: No one was wearing a mask while dining in.)

First impression is that it smells incredible! The menu has something for everyone and a special laminated menu is specialty roasts is available at the counter. The coffee is reasonably priced ($4.44 for a cappuccino) and the presentation is adorable. A bonus - you're right across from the dog park and can watch the floods walking to and from or walk across the street and get your doggy fix :)

The coffee is okay, not great, not terrible. The interior is cool. But the customer service is awful, with some of the most unfriendly employees I've ever seen. I don't need you to be warm and bubbly, but at least don't act with disdain just because I need a few seconds to decide what I want. And then screw up the order anyway.

About a 2-2.5: A dear friend and I came to Swing's Coffee Roasters for a coffee date; when we came, they still weren't open inside for sitting, but many came to get their drinks to go and to pickup roasted beans that were ordered in advance. The menu offers espresso and coffee beverages, as well as seasonal specials. I tried their Rupert, which was a mix of pineapple juice, coconut milk, and 4-Mile espresso, topped with ice and garnished with a gummy bear skewer. This was a cute drink, but I wasn't feeling the flavors at all. I should have stuck with their regular coffee? There were some seats outside, and it's nice when it's beautiful weather and you can just chit-chat, enjoy, and people watch. Street parking is available along the block. +patio seating +street parking available

Came here to telework, it's pretty spacious and it was a nice amount of customers. The menu is very small, IMO; not a lot of options compared to other coffee shops in the area. I would still recommend this establishment.

I think the construction was a hinderance in my experience but truthfully my barista wasn't very nice either. I'm hoping it was just a bad day for them. My tea was good though.

Quick Service. Nitro Latte was really tasty as others have suggested. Would definitely go back.

Swing's is an A-OK coffee shop! The coffee bean notes are not that robust or fragrant here but staff is nice and it's conveniently located off E Monroe Ave. The coffee scene is quite competitive in the area but this place lucked out on location for the Del Ray community.

Wow. Incredibly sullen employees. We won't return. Lovely pastries but no labels so hard to figure out what to get. And gluten free goods shouldn't be stored next to items with gluten. They do have water easily accessible.

Solid 5/5 experience. Everything I look for in a quality coffee shop was here. They roast their own beans (within eyesight at this location), their menu is concise but has seasonal items, the drink is always the true determining factor though. Here, visually right off the bat they create velvety rich foam, poured in pleasing patterns, the flavor of the espresso really shines through, and the fall spice was complex and well balanced. They add a star anise to the finished drink which was pretty neat looking and added a little sweetness to balance out the spice if you let it sit longer as my wife did. I also bought a pound of their coffee to try at home and will update this review once I try it out!

The coffee is great but if you're ever trying to get coffee and the scrawny white dude is making it you'll be there all morning waiting. Kid spends most of his time talking to other people or other baristas which normally would be fine but hes slower than molasses in winter. If I wanted to wait 10+ min for a cappuccino I'd figure out how to make one at home.

Good coffee and unfriendly staff. I still come here for coffee on occasion, but the staff is about as unfriendly as you can get. It feels like it's a struggle for them to even say good morning or afternoon.

A: black nitro coffee - probably best nitro coffee I've ever purchased - tons of outside parking - really great feel inside w plenty of seating -- excited to try other things on the menu -- will def be my go-to place when friends visit M: latte - pretty design on top

Visited Swing's for the second time this morning. I love that the location has plenty of street parking. There were a good number of people inside around 9:30am on a Friday morning. My partner and I ordered a vanilla latte with almond milk & an americano and sat outside. The drinks were smooth and strong and outside seating was in the shade which is a '+' in these summer months

I loved their specialty lavender latte--an attractive location with a lovely ambiance to read and people-watching around Del Ray.

Was super excited to try this place but the service was less than warm. I Ordered two lattes and two muffins. I ordered the lattes extra hot and they were barely warm and the muffins didn't taste fresh. The vibe was cold and uninviting. Wouldn't recommend.

Why would I go to a coffee shop if I don't drink coffee? Because I want hot chocolate and the reviews of the coffee were so good I knew the quality would bleed into hot chocolate. Beautiful industrial looking space with hard-working employees so remember to tip well. And yes... The hot chocolate does deliver! Cookies (which I don't need but I wanted!) and lots of beans to go!

The people who work here are so friendly. They gave me a recc on beans to buy for home that I'm looking forward to trying. They're also able to grind them up for you! I enjoyed my latte, though the espresso could've been a bit stronger. The space is big, has a nice asthetic and street parking is easy to find nearby.

After having Swing's coffee several times at Ted's Bulletin, I had to come to the source and check it out. Totally coffee vibes when you walk into the warehouse like shop with high ceilings, open seating area and the aroma of coffee swirling in the air. Looking for the menu, look to the right of the counter and it is hanging in the right hand corner. Cute touch with the white lettering on the board to make it stand out. So many options to choose from, hot or cold, you name it its probably on the menu!! they have baked goods too courtesy of their partnership its Junction Bakery, which looked delicious but hate was a straight espresso mission. If you take a peak thru the windows after you order you can see where they actually roast their own coffee. Super impressive. I decide to get a macchiato to go and let me ell you it was the cutest thing every n the cutest tiniest to go cup. I do not know hat i liked more the actually macchiato or the to go cup itself. I loved that the macchiato was marked to perfection as the design was soooo cute!! You could tell they took their time to make it! I do like that they offer pour overs too which most places do not offer currently. My macchiato was fantastic!!!! Strong, not too bitter and straight to the point, jus how I like it!! There is plenty of seating too. Whether you are on a solo trip, with your crew or you and you boo, you can definitely hit up Swings for your coffee fix! Street parking rotates out pretty well since it is a 2 hour limit but its all street parking. I did see quote a few folks working but the noise level is kinda high, well actively engaging so keep that in mind if you you plan on coming here to do some work. The added plus is they do have free wifi ( look for the passcode on the small chalkboard on the bar). Just based on todays visit, I will have to swing by more often :)

I love the industrial vibe and atmosphere of this coffee shop! It suits Alexandria and even had a scale from the Torpedo family. I recently came here and ordered a drip coffee which was pretty good. Unfortunately, there is no wifi but there are a couple of power plugs so with a good hotspot, you're good to to! The coffee shop also had an earlier closing time (4PM) when we went, so best to check the hours before heading over.

Ok. I'm new to coffee, as far as suddenly having a daily desire as well as need for it. It started at Hardee's, then went to Wendy's, Dunkin, Panera, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A and finally Starbucks (in that order) before I decided to start exploring more local/smaller/less corporate whatever options. M.E. Swing's was first in line, and they apparently have a DC metro origin story to boot, so I felt great about this next step. I won't go into great detail about the space itself because I don't drink coffee in shops, just in my car or at home, so I could care less about decor or atmosphere, but the space at Swings was what I call Hipster Industrial. The staff are nice and welcoming and got to work on my order each visit without goofing around. I like my coffee hot and black with zero additions except for my mouth on the cup. First visit I got drip coffee, which was only available in dark roast, which I generally don't like. I prefer a light to medium roast. I wish they had a light to medium roast drip coffee available but oh well - I can go to Panera and Starbucks for that. Second visit I bought a single origin Ethiopian pour-over, which was a light roast and had much more complex aromas and flavors, none of which I liked, but hey - now I know my palate is capable of detecting nuance. My third and final visit had me trying the single origin Costa Rican pour-over, which was my favorite of the three, but still not enjoyable enough to bring me back a fourth time. I'd rather have Hardee's to be honest, and not as an insult to the coffee at Swings - my palate just preferred Hardee's, Panera and Starbucks over this. The good news is I tried something new, gave some of my money to a smaller local business, and had pour-over for the first time, all while furthering the expansion of my coffee palate and consumer experience insights. It turns out that chains (decent ones, that is) can and do in fact provide a couple important advantages - convenience (locations) and consistency (quality control/flavor).

I came here today and ordered a pour over. The woman who took my order was super friendly. After staying awhile, I went to go buy a bag of beans and couldn't decide between two bags so I took them both to the counter and started off by saying, 'I'm having trouble deciding between these two--' and before I could finish she responded with 'so what's your question.' A bit off putting but I still bought a bag because I'm from out of state and wanted to bring something home.

Swing's Coffee Roaster has several locations across the DMV area, but this location is where they roast their coffee. Because of that, it has more of a warehouse vibe with high ceilings, open pipes, and exposed bricks. It's beautifully industrial. With the warehouse vibe comes plenty of seating from tables (small and long), window seating, and individual tables. Their coffee is good and their pastries are to match. If you like a latte, they make a great one and have every type of sweetener to liven it up a bit if that's your fancy. They have strong, free wifi (password: goodcoffee), but the one reason why I'd be hesitant to come back is the lack of plugs. Only a few exist in the back by the two group tables. They are always taken so make sure you have full battery life if you plan to work here. Once your computer dies, head to Buzz Bakery down the road where outlets are more plenty.

It's great having a local roastery. Coffee is good but wait can be a bit. We usually buy bags to take home as well. Pastries are really good if you arrive early enough before they sell out.

Loved this coffee shop. Plenty of seating (although not many outlet so plan accordingly). The nitro latte with oat milk is delicious and I was also impressed with the almond croissant- it tasted fresh. Tons of free street parking. Nice ppl. Chill vibe. Cool industrial space with tall ceilings and a garage door. The other pastries looked tasty as well.

Yes, I am a fan of Swing's coffee. I actually found this place on, yep, you guessed it Yelp and I am glad I did. I would say that it is average size for coffee shops with different types of seating. From bar type seating to a few tables for 2, a couple of tables for 4 or more, and a few benches. I went on a Saturday morning so, of course, it was pretty busy. But don't be intimidated, the line moves quickly. I have been a couple of times and once I had a cortado and another time I had a flat white. Both drinks, absolutely delicious! No complaints from me. I was able to peek at the drinks of others and I must say, they all looked good as well. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other beverages. Customer service is cool. You can tell that they definitely know what they are talking about. So, if you are in the area, give them a try. The coffee lover in you will thank you!

Super cute local coffee shop. Quickly through the line and descent selection of baked goods to accompany your coffee. It's cool to see the roasting equipment being the barista bar. Not over priced either which is greatly appreciated as it's great coffee.

I love how the place looks! It has a huge space, space to study, have a group of friends come along. The cafe is like in a "garage" setting, where there is a lot of windows. We ordered the Kenya and Colombian Pour Overs. Nothing too distinct about their coffee, but it was a pleasant drink. I love how there are a lot of windows so you can wander off, think of things and enjoy the nice weather. I highly recommend this place! If I were still in school, this would deff be my study spot.

The vibe of the swings is as if you're walking into an industry. I love the simple decorations. This place is cuts straight to the point, or coffee as I should say. I ordered an iced vanilla latte and the fall spice latte both with oatmilk. I could say that both were exceptional. I love the flavor of the coffee itself while the flavors of the syrup doesn't over power. Being it's my first time here I would definitely come back. I just wished my cup of coffee was a little bigger in oz. There's a saying you get what you pay for. I certainly got what I paid for. I great cup of coffee. I just wished it was bigger for the price as well.

I have such a weakness for renovated hipster coffee shops that brew local coffee, and have rustic decor, huge windows, and a garage door that appears to open in the summer time. I will travel far and wide to discover such vibrant atmospheres. This coffee shop is family friend as the open space is filled with young adults with children and people on study dates. It's located in a family oriented neighborhood and it's a cool joint to grab some latte art and flaky pastries. I discovered a croissant that tastes just like an everything bagel, but a lot buttery, flakier, and lighter. It was paired with my cappuccino to make the perfect morning!

My favorite coffee brand, proudly made in Alexandria, VA.where I live. Tan Zhang, 09/27/19

Tried the nitro cold brew (black), absolutely outstanding. Looking forward to coming back to enjoy different selections, both cold and hot.

So I've tried this place a handful of times since my initial review--and man, idk guys, I just don't understand the hype. I've had their halcyon latte (a seasonal latte with lavender and honey) and it was so watered down there was no flavor. I recently tried their bourbon nitro brew latte and it's just...blech. It tastes SO strongly of whiskey. I thought it'd be a subtle note, but it tastes like there's literally alcohol in it. Maybe this place just isn't my jam, and that's okay. Sometimes a place just isn't your thing.

Swings Coffee Rosters located in Alexandria, VA near HWY-1 is an upscale coffee house dripping with pretension. Concerning the coffee, cookie, and pastries they are average and predictably over-priced. The coffee was a bit bitter and had a lingering after taste and the chocolate chip cookie and sticky bun were too sugary. My review might be jaded because we were on tour of coffee houses (artisan/local coffee places) and I was quite finished with the attitude, but there was something about this place that made me really uncomfortable. My son, who is something of an artisan coffee aficionado, was beside himself in happiness when we got to this place and raved on about how fantastic the coffee tasted. The place was crowded (in a good way) and all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Even though I thought the Swings projected a pompous vibe I will still give it a three star rating. There is a dog park across the street which is convenient...but I'm a cat person. Please don't let this review keep you from visiting Swings, it's a hipster haven and they do have good coffee.

Swings have been a go to for coffee since I moved into the area 10 years ago. Covid regulations has closed the indoor seating but you can still get a great cup of coffee to go. Im a huge fan of the Americano and the blueberry lemon scone.

Love the flavor of there coffee. Atmosphere was great. Only didn't give them 5 stars because they didn't have many latte options which is my preference for drinks

Swings is a great Coffee Shop! The garage feeling, with the cement floors and small and group table seatings make a great environment. What I love about Swings is that they also roast their coffee beans right on site! You can watch them in action and it reallj makes the coffee experience that much more unique. The staff was helpful and worked quickly. The floor to ceiling windows make it bright and airy feeling. There is a lot of seating, however only a few plugs so if the two group tables are full then you are out of luck. It's a great place to work and I had no problem with the background noise. I would put this place in my regular work rotation and I would definitely suggest it to others. Yes it's in Arlington, but it's a little off the main cutesy road in the area so that makes parking a little easier. There's a park across the way in case you have the kiddos with you. There was also a container of dog treats by the door which I thought was a nice little touch. And as a side note I didn't think the pricing was insane either compared to most local type coffee shops. I had the Bergamot Latte and the chocolate croissant and they were both heavenly!

Hey, tourist guy #36 here. Was looking for a local spot with locally roasted beans before my flight back home. This did not disappoint. I got two cortados (2oz espresso, 2oz steamed milk). Both had incredible latte art, both were generally tasty. The single origin Ethiopian being offered currently had a bright, berry sharpness (raspberries would be close) with milk chocolate controlling the acidity ever so slightly. The three mile espresso blend was balanced, and Thanos would be pleased. Only thing I couldn't shake was that both espressos had an earthy, dirty taste to it. Not too much of a fan there. On the other hand, it did not taste burnt, and it's really easy to mess up a cortado with a burnt taste. Also, my mom got a mocha and it was divine. Staff was friendly, but to to the point. Makes sense, it was busy. When I ordered another cortado, they asked how the first one was. Thanks for being good people. Great design choices within the cafe, but it was a busy spot on December 26th. Wasn't too hard to find a spot for a person or two. Glad I gave this place a shot, in return for a few shots of espresso. Keep it up.