So Fresh and Inviting

   FntsyCptn - 07/02/2008

Definately stands out against the rest of the DC coffee shops. Beware the dangers of making a religion out of the caffeine & rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, Just hanging out there you will find inspiration in the coffeehouse as a way to both build community and escape a dead-end life.

LOVE IT!!!

   zoezion6 - 12/07/2007

If you live in or are visiting dc you have to come enjoy TRYST. It's the only coffee shop i want to be at!!! Great music, great drinks. The atmosphere is warm and inviting to ALL!!

Screw the caribou...

   bonninutt - 11/07/2006

If you honestly think that Caribou Coffee is better than Tryst's then please, please stay at Caribou Coffee. Everyone will thank you.

Quiet Days, Loud Nights

   s3thd - 11/17/2005

It is a great place to read during the day, but when it gets dark, the lights are dimmed and the music is turned up. Usually the live music is pretty good, but there's no ignoring it even if it isn't. Also, you can't stay for long without ordering another item from the menu. I once read so long after ordering a drink, that a menu was shoved in my face so hard it tipped my water over.

It seems that at Tryst, the staff like to play a game where they pretend they don't see you. I think there is a lot of turnover there; there is new staff all the time. Also, the staff is pretty seggregated: You order the food from someone who is young and hip, and it's brought to you by harried, older Hispanic.

There is free wireless, and a lot of people play on their laptops. You'll probably have to deal with someone else's power cord.

The furniture looks cool, but is actually quite beaten up. It can be hard to get a good seat (especially so if you're with friends), and doing so often means waiting nearby as someone is getting ready to leave. You can feel a bit like a vulture doing this.

The desserts are just ok. The Washington Carver is slightly different every time I order it. The drinks are served with misshapened animal cookies, which I think is a nice touch. It's a good alternative to the chain places, but it still comes off as image-conscious and arrogant.

With love comes annoyances.

   rmalloy20 - 08/21/2005

The coffee is an OK dark roast--Caribou a copule of blocks down is much better though. The food is better than you'd think (even a foodie might enjoy items like the smoked salmon sandwich with wasabi cream cheese). The mixed drinks are very good. Weird combo of coffeeshop/restaurant/bar.

Service...also weird. If you sit there, you have to wait for a waiter/waitress. He or she will show up immediately, or maybe 10 minutes later...who knows? There's some responsibility. But it's not like you're going to regularly get your glass filled. Tipping seems appropriate. But the service, though friendly, is not even close to up to par with a restaurant. This place needs more staff.

The atmosphere is extremely ecletic. From totally wasted trash to frat boys to intellectuals to geeky computer programmer types. The smoking is annoying. The music is cool. The couches are comfy and probably dirty as hell. Extremely crowded, extremely noisy. Always.

Still it's one of a kind.