Here at Swarthmore, there are plenty of options for enjoyers of the jitter liquid. Being a college campus, there is no shortage of students here who love coffee, so there are naturally plenty of places you can get your fix. Here is a (mostly) definitive list of them, along with my thoughts on each.
Science Center Cafe
The first of the on-campus cafes, the Science Center, also known as Sci, is fully stocked with the implements to make every type of coffee-containing beverage you could desire. From hot vanilla lattes to iced oat milk cold brew, Sci has everything your typical coffee shop has. However, the subject of much debate on campus is whether Sci or the next of the campus cafes, Kohlberg, has better coffee.
Kohlberg Cafe
The second of our two campus cafes, Kohlberg, is located in the social science division hub of Kohlberg hall. Also a fully stocked cafe, Kohlberg also has a large, living room-like space for you to sit down and enjoy your drink while you do some work or chat with friends. Now, in my opinion, Kohlberg is the winner of the “battle of the cafes,” as I believe their beverages just have some unnamable quality that sends them over the edge compared to the ones from Sci. Both cafes do, of course, serve excellent coffee, but Kohlberg will usually be my top choice when I go for either my morning coffee or a mid-day refueling.
Hobbs Coffee
Located right off campus in the town of Swarthmore, Hobbs is your typical small-town cafe with a lively environment full of members of the community. You can stop in here to grab coffee, get a quick breakfast, or sit down with some friends and either get some work done or just chat. Hobbs also takes Swat Points, which are a part of your meal plan here at Swarthmore, so you won’t even have to spend real money to get your fix here! Hobbs uses a special blend of coffee that they call the “Sinister Blend” that I think gives them a unique, unmatched taste, so if you’re ever in the mood for something a little different and interesting, swing by Hobbs.
Dunkin’
Also right in the town of Swarthmore, there is a classic Dunkin’ Donuts. If you find yourself craving a taste of the Dunkin’ you know and love from wherever you’re from, the Swarthmore Dunkin’ has you covered. You can go on a Dunkin’ run and get your classic order, and, just like Hobbs, they also take Swat Points, so you again will not have to pull out your wallet for your cup of joe here.
Now, this is a not-quite exhaustive list of places you can get some coffee here at Swarthmore. There is also coffee available in the Dining Center, in McCabe library in the evenings, and probably in some other locations that I have yet to discover (again, this is a college campus, so there’s coffee everywhere). No matter which one ends up being your go-to, you’ll always be able to get your first, second, or maybe even third cup.
