Compass Coffee

We’re looking for creators who love Real Good Coffee and want to get paid for making amazing content for Compass Coffee. This is your chance to get creative, join an awesome team, and tell stories that make people's days better. Submit a 10-second video showing how you enjoy Real Good Coffee. No rules! No limits! We want to see your ideas shine. ? Paid contract work ? Ongoing collabs ? Open to beginners Think you’re a fit? Send your video + info to [email protected] We can't wait to see what you create!

For most, the National Mall is a must-see destination rich in history and full of iconic landmarks that draw visitors from across the country. But for locals, it’s part of daily life and a big part of what makes DC so unique. While visitors come to take in its history, those who call DC home experience it in their own way — morning jogs past the Washington Monument, sunset strolls at the Lincoln Memorial, and local spots that make the city feel like home. That’s why we’re sharing a new perspective. In our latest neighborhood guide, DC resident (and coffee enthusiast) Katie helps us uncover the Mall’s best-kept secrets from a local's point of view — where to capture the perfect photo, find hidden spots for a quiet escape, and, of course, fuel up with a cup of coffee along the way. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, there’s always more to discover. Read our latest guide: https://lnkd.in/edaSkmVg

Adams Morgan isn’t just another DC neighborhood — it’s a place where history, culture, and people collide in the best way possible. We knew when we opened our Adams Morgan cafe that we wanted to be a real part of the community, and no one embodies that better than our cafe manager, Lizzy — a fourth-generation Adams Morgan resident. Lizzy’s family has lived in Adams Morgan since the 1930s. She grew up here just like her great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents, and now she’s raising her own children in this iconic DC neighborhood. She’s seen the neighborhood change, but one thing has always stayed the same: its sense of community. "For me, Adams Morgan is home. Growing up here, you couldn’t walk down the street without running into someone you knew. That’s what made it special,” she says. “Now, I get to bring that same warm feeling into our cafe every day. It means a lot to be able to do that for my neighborhood.” To Lizzy, her role at Compass is about more than serving real good coffee. It's about continuing a legacy of connection, making sure that everyone who walks through our doors feels like they belong. Want to hear more about Lizzy’s story and our Adams Morgan cafe? Read our full blog here: https://lnkd.in/dTaipztR

From day one, when we opened our first cafe in Shaw, we had our sights set on Georgetown. It’s a neighborhood with history, charm, and deep community roots — exactly the kind of place we wanted to be a part of. So when we had the opportunity to restore the historic Georgetown Theater, we knew it was the perfect fit. Originally built in 1913 as the Dumbarton Theatre, this building has been a playhouse, a movie theater, and even a retail space. We saw an opportunity to not just open a cafe, but to bring new life to a local landmark. After careful restoration — reviving the original neon “Georgetown” sign, rebuilding the historic marquee, and even designing our espresso bar in the style of a classic ticket counter — we opened our doors in 2019, blending old and new to create a space that feels like home. Today, our Georgetown cafe is a place where the community gathers — whether it's to sip lattes by the fireplace, browse the community library, or just take in the history that surrounds them. Next time you're in Georgetown, stop by for a cup of coffee and a glimpse into the past. Learn more about how we restored this historic landmark on our blog: https://lnkd.in/ebdV2C5X

Now brewing in Clarendon, VA… ???? This weekend we officially opened the doors to our newest cafe at 3003 Washington Blvd! This not only marks the opening of our 23rd location, but also our 7th in Virginia. We’re thrilled to be part of this vibrant and growing neighborhood in Arlington, and we hope to be a place of connection for the community. Come by and embrace spring with a Cherry Blossom Latte or grab a classic Nitro Cold Brew. We can’t wait to see you in the cafe!

?? Spring has sprung at Compass Coffee! ?? Today, we’re celebrating the return of all your favorite spring sips at Compass—and for the first time, we’re kicking off the season in College Park! We're thrilled to keep building this amazing community and connecting with students and neighbors alike. A new menu, a new cafe, and a new community to share it with. We couldn’t be more excited! ??4210 Knox Rd

We know that small businesses thrive through community — whether it’s the coffee we serve, the teams we build, or the incredible entrepreneurs we support. That’s why we were so excited to welcome Bobbie, an organic infant formula company, into our cafe to connect with moms, share their feeding journeys, and celebrate the power of support systems — both in business and in motherhood. Bobbie’s founder, Laura Modi, took on an industry dominated by big corporations and carved out a space for something better. Her philosophy? “It’s not rocket science, unless it’s rocket science.” Her story is a reminder that making a change doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes, it’s about seeing a problem and taking action. Whether it’s launching a business, navigating motherhood, or just getting through the day, the right community makes all the difference. Here’s to building spaces — big and small — where we lift each other up.

Today we had the privilege of hosting DC Area Moms at our Georgetown cafe for a Galentine’s Day coffee and hot chocolate social, an event that perfectly embodied our shared commitment to community and connection. Moms and kids gathered to enjoy warm lattes, rich hot chocolate, and festive Valentine’s Day crafts, filling the space with conversation and laughter. The tables were decorated with tins of our Cherry Blossom Blend and fresh florals, adding the perfect seasonal touch. Local photographer Mariandree Paiz stopped by to capture the special moments, and a few of our team member joined in on the fun too, crafting Valentine’s cards alongside guests! At Compass Coffee, we believe in more than just serving great coffee. That’s an important part, of course, but we believe in being a part of something bigger, in making sure that wherever we are, we’re helping build our city. That’s why partnerships with groups like?DC Area Moms?feel so natural. Like us, their mission is rooted in community — bringing people together, supporting one another, and making this transient city feel just a little bit more like home. To highlight this mission, we sat down with DC Area Moms Founder Courtney Whittington to discuss the importance of community, her passion for bringing moms together, and the small ways we can all make a big impact in each other’s lives. A huge thank you to Courtney and DC Area Moms for making this event so special. We look forward to more moments like this — where coffee, conversation, and community come together to create something truly meaningful.

I recently sat down with Dog Tag Class 21 fellows—veterans, military spouses, and caregivers—who are taking the leap into entrepreneurship. The conversation was sharp, unfiltered, and full of the kind of hard-earned lessons you only get from experience. We talked about what it really takes to grow a business, how I went from leading a Marine infantry platoon to running Compass Coffee with 22 locations, and why work-life balance is mostly a myth for founders. We also got into the trade-offs of bootstrapping vs. taking on investors (spoiler: if you like getting texts at 10 PM, investors might be for you). But the biggest takeaway? Veterans are built for this. The same skills that make great leaders in the military—decisiveness, adaptability, resilience—are what separate successful founders from everyone else. If you’re a veteran thinking about starting a business, or an investor wondering why veteran-led companies punch above their weight, this one’s worth a read. https://lnkd.in/d2ti3sJB

Hi, I’m Sydney, and I run marketing at Compass Coffee! But when I first joined Compass just a short year ago, I didn’t walk straight into the marketing department — I started behind bar in our cafes. Every new team member at Compass does. Because to truly understand our coffee (and the people we serve), you have to experience it firsthand. So for my first few weeks, I was pulling shots, steaming milk, and making drinks alongside our baristas. And while I learned a lot, there was one thing I was excited to master from day one: a latte heart. At first, I thought it was just a fun challenge. (Spoiler: my first attempt looked more like a foamy blob than a heart.) But by the end of my shift, I was making big, fat, beautiful hearts. And the more I practiced, the more I realized something important — it was never just about learning how to make a good latte art. It was about something much more. Let me explain... throughout my training, we talked about three core values: speed, quality, and friendliness. Speed – Because no one wants to wait an eternity for coffee. Quality – Not just fresh ingredients, but real craftsmanship in every cup. Friendliness – A great coffee experience for everyone who walks through the door. And you might be as surprised as I was to learn what sits at the heart of it all... Yep, a latte heart. A heart in a latte is a small, quick, intentional detail that makes our customers smile. It isn’t about being fancy — it’s about the connection it gives. It's why we teach it to our baristas on day one. It's an easy way to turn a simple interaction into something more meaningful. A latte heart might seem like a small thing, but it represents something bigger. It’s a reflection of our approach — simple, thoughtful, and built on connection. Working with our team to bring that approach to life for our customers is a lesson I still carry with me every day in my current role at Compass. It taught me firsthand that we’re more than “just coffee.” Because at the end of the day, our job is to make people’s day better. And the heart in your latte is just one of the ways we do that.