There are a lot of rules when you visit Soho Tea and Coffee in Dupont. Customers must spend at least $5 to use the wireless Internet. No credit cards are taken. Non-customers are charged $3 to use the unisex bathroom, adorned with a helpful reminder than only one person is permitted in the single stall at a time. Two months ago, another rule went into effect: no cell phones at the front counter. Owner Helene... more ›

A little while ago, DCist posted briefly on a popular meme that was floating around the internet - discovering the Starbucks density of a city. We were vaguely disturbed to learn that near our particular spot, we had 72 Starbucks within a five-mile radius! Now, don't get us wrong; it's not that we don't like Starbucks - a venti latte can get our yuppie mind juices flowing any morning - but we were a tad sad that we couldn't find fun, independent coffee spots as easily, whereas finding a Starbucks merely requires walking out your front door. more ›