Sump Coffee

This place could have been straight out of a Portlandia episode. It’s very distinctive with its gothic beards-​and-​skulls motif to go along with the industrial feel. Personally I like my coffee houses a little more cozy, but this spot is undoubtedly cool. I lived in the coffee Mecca known as Seattle forever, and felt like it was on par with the hip places there. The very polite owner was indeed bearded and may have been classically trained in Craft Coffee if there is such a thing — or, he probably invented it. I’d believe either theory. The menu is bare bones and no-​BS. They guide you through it, so if you’re woefully searching for your usual sugary venti-​dirty-​whipped-​cream-​what-​have-​you you’re not going to get that and you will instead be led gently towards Really Good Coffee That Is The Real Thing (much more eloquently explained, of course). And you’ll end up with a «damn fine cup of coffee», in Special Agent Dale Cooper’s words. We’ll be back.

I am not a big coffee drinker, but my boyfriend (coffee lover) really wanted to try Sump Coffee after reading some good reviews. We dropped by on Sunday and had no idea how to interpret the menu, which looked like a map of subway lines. Luckily, Scott (owner/​guy with the majestic beard) explained each type of coffee offered and was able to make suggestions based on our preferences. My boyfriend went with the coffee from Nicaragua and an espresso. For me, he recommended the cascara tea, which is made from the dried skin of coffee cherries. You pay after you finish your coffee/​tea, so after we placed our orders we sat down and waited for our drinks (side note: I really liked the décor/​alternative vibe of the interior). My boyfriend enjoyed his coffee and I loved my cascara tea. There were hints of fruitiness and sweetness in the tea that I was not expecting at all. I even tried the coffee my boyfriend ordered and it was a lot more enjoyable than other unsweetened brewed coffees I’ve had. Thumbs up.

A solid 4plus stars. Coffee was tasty with various choices of single source. Barista was attentive and friendly. Good seating for getting work done or chatting. I enjoyed my chai. A good spice balance without being g overly sweet. Try the place!

This is one of those rare businesses that inside feels every bit as cool as its’ photographs would leave you to believe. Only had about half an hour here but in this short period Sump proved itself to be one of the best coffee shops that I’ve had the luxury of encountering. Go here.
Located in a neighborhood of seemingly abandoned, dilapidated buildings, Sump’s clean, dark exterior matches its interior to make it a real visual stand-​out. Dark, inviting, and rich, the design inside makes you think twice about typical coffee shops. Why do other places seem to relentlessly deploy either bright colors or earth tones? The irony: Sump specializes in light roast. As a light roast connoisseur, the dark motif makes sense. I want my coffee to kick me awake and, once achieved, I want to feel like I can relax and take things at my pace. The vibe here suits that perfectly.
Menu was very cleanly and cleverly designed, perhaps to best suit caffeine-​deprived minds. The barista on duty was extremely knowledgeable, suggesting a roast that was based on its flavor profiles (chocolate, etc.). Brilliant, appropriate move for a nation of coffee drinkers that seem to think darker roasts are the only means by which to appreciate the drink’s sometimes complex flavors.
I sipped this thing slowly. I did not want it to end. Particularly because we were about to leave St. Louis. One day we’ll be back, Sump. And I have no doubt that by then this business will be a neighborhood staple in a thriving area.

I heard awesome things about this coffee shop so I decided to check it out. I was not dissapointed! The barista who helped us was very knowledgeable and explained their menu. I ordered a latte and it was sooo good. They don’t do sweet drinks (which I am normally guilty of ordering) but don’t let that scare you off! I would recommend this shop to anyone who loves coffee!

Great cup of coffee and beards erry’where. Can be a bit intimidating at first but don’t be afraid to ask questions as the guys behind the counter are very knowledgable

A great coffee place on Jefferson. The owner is very knowledgeable about his craft, which is making good coffee. He explained all of the different types of coffee offered. He is very nice and I am surprised to hear people say that it is pretentious. Not at all! Everyone was friendly. It is a very zen place to be! If you like sweet coffee that is heavily laced with all kinds of artificial flavors, then don’t come here. Coffee is delicious on its own when it is made properly and you should really give it a try. Think of the calories you will save! If you are hesitant, then try the Dirty Chai. It is the perfect cup of coffee.

Ahhh… I guess I should have started here to find out the hours. I mean, why would I expect a coffee place to be open before 9am?
Who drinks coffee before 9am?
I now see your hours are conveniently 9 – 4, which is when most other humans are at work.
Makes sense.

2 words.
Legitimate Coffee…
Ok… Some more words.
This coffee got me feeling like
Disregard Starbucks and Obtain Sump coffee richness

Best coffee I’ve ever had. Period.
Best latte I’ve ever had. Period.
Best cortado I’ve ever had. Period.

This place definitely cares about their coffee. They really take the time and effort to ensure that your coffee is the best you’ve ever had. It feels so incredibly pretentious that it was almost ironic.
Regardless of the hipster aura and ‘pinky-​up’ attitude surrounding you, I got the best damn iced coffee I’ve ever had.
Finally, a place that doesn’t load your coffee down with a bunch of ridiculous syrups, sugars, and lies. I am by no means a coffee snob, but I hate how everyone is always trying to cover up the flavor of their coffee with sugar, syrups, whipped cream, drizzles, and anything else. I got an Iced Chai Latte with soy milk (you could also get whole milk if you aren’t lactose intolerant).
Seriously, the best coffee I’ve ever had. I never got the feeling that the baristas were pretentious hipsters talking down to me, but that is absolutely the atmosphere you get when you walk in. Push past the atmosphere and appreciate the dedication to your coffee and tea, and finally enjoy an actual coffee.

The most unbelievable coffee experience I have ever had. Ever. I read some of the other posts about Sump and thought they were probably overstating the experience. They were not. Nor am I. If you love and appreciate craft coffee come to Sump. Go out of your way to get here. You will be amazed.

Very very good coffee. Cool setting and nice setup. I get a little sick of the $ 5 cup of coffee but I suppose that is the price of quality. Its worth checking out several times but is probably a little too pricey to be a regular hangout spot.

If it was only open in the morning, it would be Grump Coffee.
If the coffee was really bad, it would be Dump Coffee.
If coffee gave me lots of energy, it would be Jump Coffee.
If I was allergic to coffee, it would be Bump Coffee.
But Sump Coffee it is. Why? I have not researched that. I do not care so much about the name, as I do about the theme.
The Beard. The Beard has more presence than Kanye West with his shirt off and $ 100 bills oozing from his armpits. Whatever. Anyways, it is the ultimate Beard. Its name is Scott and at the time I was there it was in the back roasting coffee. So I only got a few glimpses of it through the window as I climbed into the car. But there were Beards on the wall, Beard flags, Beards on the building, Beards on people, Beard birdhouses, Beards everywhere.
And oh ya, I guess they sell coffee too. Roasted in house. Brewed with their Slayer machine and their Faema E61 machine. I don’t know anything about espresso machines. I usually go for drip coffee. V60 is what I got. And I couldn’t help myself when I saw the price for the Yemenis offering. 8 bucks for 12 ounces. And with tax and tip it ended up costing around $ 9.50 making it easily the most I have ever spent for a cup of coffee. But, I would place it in the top five coffees I have ever consumed. Worth it. Plus Yemenis coffee is rare, so I probably won’t get the chance to try it again soon.
There’s a good mix of style in this place. Typical third wave style wood and other raw materials, but then, shiny modern chairs. Skulls with beards on the wall. Random classic metal tables. And on and on. Oh, and I can’t think of anything to complain about. Enough said.

Very friendly staff. Always willing to explain why/​how they make the drinks. Very open to giving suggestions on what beans to try while in the store or what beans to buy based on how you will brew your own cup at home.

Pros:
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Cons:
NO sugar
Snobby service
Random seating surfaces
One menu
Details:
After moving to Saint Louis, me and my partner were on a mission to try all the local coffee houses in the area. Sump was on our list and recommended by some friends and even our neighbor. We went to order and encountered a rather snobby barista who took our order but seemed to challenge our method of ordering. Nevertheless we ordered a cappuccino and a latte. We were prepared to pay but told we could pay later.
We go to find a seat and there’s a variety of seating surfaces, many looking as if they belong outdoors. Interior décor is kept at a minimal and it borders second hand store and somewhat pirate ship-​like. Our order arrives and it looks pretty, I sip my cappuccino and find I need a little sugar. My partner does the same to his latte and goes in search of a prep station. He comes back to our table and tells me, «There’s no sugar.» A bit puzzled, I go up to the bar and ask for sugar where I’m told; «We’re not trying to be pretentious or anything… but we don’t have sugar.» I was surprised. I’ve been to some pretty pretentious coffee shops and all of them had sugar. I stood there and another lady walked up to confirm this while adding, «We roast our beans lightly so you can enjoy the flavor.»
Ok…I get that but I felt like it needed some sugar so I explained that and the lady then remarks, «I feel as if you’re telling me how to do my craft.»
So first, this is coffee… and oh yeah, I’m a customer. I’m a guest. My palette isn’t yours. She then says, «You don’t have to pay for them in a rather snooty tone.» Well of course not, but that wasn’t the point. We made a trip to experience this place and we’ll never return… not so much for the lack of sugar but because of the terrible service.

Hubs had a dirty chai which he very much liked this morning and I had a nice cappuccino. I’m still begging them to open earlier in the am. I’d be here at least weekly if they would!

So it has only been like 3 years since I’ve written any review but I thought my experience at Sump warranted a visit back to share my experience.
After a long wait to go to Sump and tasting their coffee at other fine purveyors of the drink I was super excited to sit down and taste a little bit of everything they had to offer. As we walked in I scooped up their menu to see what they had and choose what I wanted.
First mistake. They only had one menu which I bogarted from the guy in front of us. Seriously. Who has one single menu. Not even chalk board paint or a dry erase board to display their wares. Fair enough and everyone wants to go green and all… So I understand… I suppose.
After that moment of awkwardness where the «baristas» have to wrassle the menu from my grasp I get to order. It is explained to me that I order and then they bring said order to me in their order of choosing. Like a restaurant, how novel. Well, it would be novel, if it were executed properly…
We order up a Columbian and Ethiopian drip coffee, two espressos and a cortado. Easy enough one would think. The problem is though, we only got the coffee. Which was delicious don’t get me wrong but after twenty minutes and none of other drinks I can only imagine that I am not getting the service from such a high end coffee establishment because I don’t fit their regular customer stereotype. I mean, what else is there to think? Here I am, trying to enjoy an easy, relaxing weekend and they want me to freaking beg for my order.
After a few more minutes of sitting awkwardly at the cast iron lawn furniture table by the crapper we say f it, pay for the coffee we drank on the way out (cause they serve it restaurant style and that’s what you do) and let them figure out their scribbles on their order list.
For the price and the hype, I truly expected more. I didn’t know they needed to keep that bearded dude around to keep order in that piece… Judging from their prices one would think they could maintain a quality staff. I had high hopes and was left pissed, sorely disappointed and doubt I’ll make the trip again. At least at Comet and other such places they can realize when a mistake is made and not keep jerking off their other more important hipster customers. I will enjoy Sump’s coffee there and wherever better service is received.

Sweet beard.
I’ve been to hundreds of shops all over the world and this one is near the top.
Great attention to detail and passion for excellence, all while being super friendly and approachable about it…
Yes.
Greatness.
Go. Here.

I really don’t like coffee. It’s not that I don’t like the taste, it’s just that I really don’t care for the whole coffee culture. Nothing is more eye-​roll-​inducing than a Starbucks packed to the gills, full of people drinking coffee-​flavored milk and pretending to be working on their computers, when in reality, all they are doing is organizing their mp3 collection.
So why do I like Sump? Because it’s everything that Starbucks is not. Because it’s like a coffee house you’ll find in places where coffee is respected, and not seen as an excuse for treating a café like your living room on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
I don’t understand half of the stuff in there, but the owner is unquestionably proud of the operation he has built, and is excited to share it with his customers, even ones like me who are not well-​versed in beans and brew.
I go to Sump not so much for the coffee, but to enjoy the experience of sampling something that comes from the wholehearted investment and impassioned craftsmanship of another, and to learn a little something in the process. And I have yet to walk away disappointed.
The coffee is very good, and even someone who isn’t a connoisseur can recognize the profound difference between what Sump offers and the stale stuff that’s sitting in your break room. For those of you who love coffee, Sump is sure to be nothing short of nirvana.
We need more places like Sump, where craft is king, and where the customer is expected to employ the same care and consideration for the product as those who are tasked to prepare it. A place where you are not just a consumer, but a willing and interested participant.
I can see your average Starbucks customer being turned off by the sheer geekiness and intensity of it all. They just want to order their venti iced mocha cinnamon skim latte to go and be out the door without a second thought. Sump is not that kind of place. And that’s exactly why I like it.