You won't find any designer beverages here. In fact, St. Elmo's Coffee Pub is the antithesis of a corporate coffee chain and was welcomed with open arms by residents of Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood when its doors opened in 1996. While customers have the option of grabbing a latte and croissant before heading off to work, this isn't a get-in, get-out type of place.

Owners Scott Mitchell and Nora Partlow call their refreshingly unpretentious coffeehouse a "community gathering place." St. Elmo's is stocked with board games, a "take a book, leave a book" library and free wireless Internet available to all customers. Neighborhood artists flock to the kitschy spot where they often showcase and sell their work, and local musicians take to the stage Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Fido is even welcome to tag along to St. Elmo's: The coffeehouse provides a pup-friendly area complete with water and doggie treats.

Categories: Coffee Shops, Restaurants, Bars

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