A Place for the Neighborhood

Step inside Somewhere, a Washington D.C. destination with a vibrant community where specialty coffee meets fashion retail.

The Somewhere branded to-go cup

Dear coffee lovers,

I’ve been meaning to dive deeper into the specialty coffee scene of Washington D.C. and I finally found a free weekend to make it happen. In the midst of the hustle, tourism, and politics, there’s a growing scene for coffee lovers.

Today’s cafe is at the intersection of a tight-knit community and fashion. On the day I visited the Somewhere cafe, they were hosting a pop-up featuring a new collection from Mingo by Domingo, who are based in Maryland, USA. I wasn’t prepared for the incredible atmosphere I was about to step into. Somewhere is a beautifully designed, minimalist garment showroom, which also features its very own coffee bar. I’ve been searching for an experience like this one in the world of specialty coffee.

Let’s get a coffee

I weave my way through the streets of D.C.’s Navy Yard district surrounded by tall buildings in frigid weather. When I saw Somewhere’s bold, deep blue brand colors and a well-dressed crowd hanging outside knocking back coffees, I knew I was in the right place. Somewhere A-frame signs are on either end of the exterior and there’s a small to-go window (used during the COVID-19 pandemic) to the left of the storefront. As fun as it would be to try ordering from the to-go window, I was eager to scope out the shop.

At the bar area inside, I marveled at the bright, white tile backdrop where a large “Somewhere” logo is printed. The shop’s shiny La Marzocco espresso machine is front and center on the bar and the blue Somewhere branded to-go cups are stacked neatly on top of it. The cafe offers a standard, minimal espresso menu (love to see it) with beans from Vigilante Coffee Company, a local roaster. Somewhere also offers a wide-range of matcha-based menu items as well if that’s what you’re in the mood for.