🎶 Now Playing: Laughter – Astrocolor, Wendy Rene
If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I cannot work from home. Too many distractions too much noise, and my brain is permanently scarred from every failed attempt. So naturally, I’ve become a coffee shop regular. Enter Four Five Roasters in downtown D.C. (2000 L St NW Washington, DC 20036) a spot I hoped would be the perfect blend of caffeine and productivity.
My First Impressions:
I walk in and immediately clock that it’s packed. Every seat is filled, and I already know my chances of getting an outlet are slim. I set my bag down and head to the counter. No greeting at first—the barista is too busy laughing and texting. (I used to work in a coffee shop, so I get it. One second it’s slow, and the next, a flood of customers appears.) I pretend to study the pastry case until I finally make eye contact, and boom, we’re in business.
The Setup:
I grab a seat near the glass doors, catching the occasional gust of wind every time someone walks in. The place is buzzing, almost everyone is wearing headphones, locked into their screens. It’s a Saturday at 3:45 PM, which also happens to be the first day of March, so I expected the weekend crowd.
No outlet in sight, but I make do. Across from me, another solo worker is knee-deep in her laptop. The energy here is focused, productive, but not stiff.
The Order:
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Croissant Sandwich 🥪
Seasonal Drink: Vanilla Pistachio Matcha 🍵 (** this was a drink I wanted to try but the pistachio threw me for a loop)
24oz Iced Latte (Almond Milk, Vanilla & Caramel) ☕
When my order is ready, I hear: “Ada, number 18.” That’s me. (Ada is my go-to alias to avoid the butchering of my real name, Amaogechi.) I opted for a takeout box, though normally they serve it on a plate.
First bite of the sandwich? Torch. Fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, buttery croissant. Top two, and it’s not two! I don’t even reach for my drink until I’m halfway through. The side salad with avocado lime ranch is a nice touch, but let’s be real, I’m here for the sandwich.
Productivity Check:
By 5:00 PM, the crowd starts thinning. The WiFi is solid, music a bit louder than I’d like, but not unbearable. I manage to:
✅ Start two summer internship applications
✅ Submit one to two assignments
✅ Plan my upcoming week
The only downside? My headphones died (rookie mistake), which I took as my cue to leave.
Final Thoughts:
This place is a bit pricey, I dropped $31.81 on my coffee and sandwich ($17.95 for the sandwich alone). If you’ve got FU money, it’s worth it. If not, maybe stick to a small coffee and pastry. But overall? A solid spot for getting work done.
Would I come back? Absolutely. Would I make sure my headphones are charged first? 1000%. Would I buy that sandwich again… maybe 🤭🤷🏾♀️