Quantum sitcom physicists have long speculated that an alternate universe exists where the bar in Cheers serves coffee instead of beer and Cliff has been replaced by six young, attractive friends. They refer to that alternate universe as “Arlington,” and today’s Groupon takes you there with a $25 drink card for $10 at The Java Shack. Locally owned and operated, this friendly, socially conscious neighborhood coffee shop provides a cozy atmosphere with plenty of character. This Groupon is good for hot and cold beverages, but not lukewarm ones.

Beyond the warm, neighborhood atmosphere, Java Shack's many varieties of java, brewed from local Virginia roasts, have a much richer flavor than the corporate brews, as proven by favorite drinks like the Java Shack House Blend coffee ($1.90 for a medium) and classics like the creamy latte ($3.50, medium), rich espresso ($2.20, medium), cappuccino ($3.50, medium), and café mocha ($3.95, medium). You'll have no trouble learning your personable barista's name if you order a specialty Java Shack creation such as the Dale Special, an iced Americano with dashes of vanilla, caramel, and half-and-half. Java Shack’s many regulars also regularly gulp the Korinator, a latte with a bit of vanilla and caramel, and Java the Nut, a latte with hazelnut, vanilla, a drizzle of caramel, and several intergalactic bounty hunters in its employ. While the drink titles will help you learn their names, Java Shack employees rely solely upon their own social natures, and perhaps some light Facebook stalking, to learn yours. Baristas make the effort to remember not only customers’ names, but also favorite drinks and even backstories if you’re up for sharing without over-sharing.

Java Shack underscores its commitment to improving the community through partnerships with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and other groups. Java Shack’s caffeinated do-gooders are also committed to the larger, global community, selling only organic, fair-trade coffee approved by the Rainforest Alliance. About as green as a purveyor of the brown stuff can get, Java Shack uses almost all organic ingredients, recycled napkins, and reusable or biodegradable cups, and it heats its beans on 100% wind power, among other crunchy considerations. You can purchase one Groupon for yourself and one additional as a gift, so expand your coffee community to a place where everybody knows your name, but not the embarrassing one that Navajo tribe gave you.

Reviews

Java Shack earned four stars on Yelp, some great reviews on CityVoter, and a 95% positive rating on Urbanspoon:

• Best espresso I’ve had in DC/NoVA…Bravo! Exceptional! Good beans, too. A perfect pull by a talented barista. – John R., Yelp
• Very friendly and warm staff, cosy [sic], laid back atmosphere, best teas…You guys just rock! – Maren Springsteen, CityVoter
• Friendly people, excellent service, great coffee in comfortable surroundings without the cookie cutter mentality of the chains. – Paul Harless, CityVoter