America's Coolest Coffeehouses

Coffee Slingers: Oklahoma City

Barefoot Coffee, which works directly with farmers in Latin America and Ethiopia, supplies all the single-origin beans for Coffee Slingers (slang for baristas). You can have your drink prepared with the Synesso espresso machine or French press, or cold-brewed over 18 hours. Formerly a car dealership, the downtown space used re-claimed lumber from the old floor for the front bar, tables, and roasting space. It feels open and airy, with streaming sunlight that provides a natural pick-me-up.

Local Knowledge: Learn to evaluate coffee beans and brews like the pros at cuppings (akin to wine tastings) held the third Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. And look for home-brewing classes in 2012. —Kate Appleton