Adams Morgan

Located in nightlife-heavy Adams Morgan, the three-story saloon Jack Rose is usually as stocked as the shelves, which boast over 1,500 bottles, including over 100 rare Kentucky whiskey varieties and some pretty great Scotch (Bruichladdich and Glen Grant). There’s no shortage of well-crafted cocktails, like the eponymous blend of applejack and grenadine, which are best enjoyed on the fantastic and spacious rooftop in warmer months.

Pleasant Pops is crazy cheerful: It's bright, airy, and feels energetic without feeling too nuts. Their signature, photogenic popsicles come in a rainbow of flavors that rotate depending on what produce is in season (for fall, it's peach hibiscus, cinnamon vanilla peach, or cranberry apple). And the coffee is reliably great, too. The downtown location is probably the most convenient, but the original Adams Morgan flagship is home to their market, which showcases the best of local DC purveyors: The shelves are lined with maple syrup, honey, pickled vegetables, and more.

This bookshop/café hybrid first opened its doors in Adams Morgan in 1960, and it's become somewhat of an institution in the neighborhood. The space holds all types of community events, from traditional book signings to less traditional exercise classes and concerts, but there are also political events here, like a letter writing campaign for political prisoners, or a panel discussion about gender and race in film. The café's Southern-inspired menu and constant soundtrack of jazz music in the background makes it a perfect place for getting work done.

Tryst is the quintessential neighborhood coffee shop in every sense—the couches and tables are plentiful, none of the silverware matches, and there’s a stack of ancient board games in the corner. The menu includes cocktails as well as coffee, meaning it's equally well suited to studying or meeting up with a friend—and since they stay open until midnight on weekdays, you can stay awhile. The coffee drinks are all solid, and the chai latte is served with animal crackers.