You walk in and it doesn't smell like a Starbucks. There’s no cloying scent of burnt caramel or synthetic pumpkin spice hitting you at the door. Instead, it’s clean. It’s sharp. It’s the smell of chemistry. The Lab by Alchemy Coffee Richmond VA isn't just a place to grab a caffeine fix before a 9:00 AM lecture at VCU; it’s basically a high-end research facility where the test subjects are coffee beans and the results are consistently delicious.
Honestly, the name "The Lab" isn't just some edgy branding move.
Eric Spivack, the mastermind behind the operation, treats brewing like a literal science. We're talking refractometers to measure TDS (total dissolved solids), precise water temperatures, and mass-based measurements. It’s a far cry from the "scoop and hope" method most of us use in our kitchens.
What Actually Happens at 814 W Broad St?
Located right in the heart of the VCU District, specifically at 814 W Broad St, this spot serves as the brick-and-mortar evolution of a tiny wooden trailer. If you were in Richmond around 2012, you probably remember that teardrop-shaped cart. It was legendary. Now, the vibe is "industrial chic meets academic library."
The space is airy. Huge windows. Minimalist.
You’ll see students buried in MacBooks and locals arguing over the nuances of a light roast. It’s a "third place" in the truest sense. But unlike many cafes that prioritize "cozy" over "quality," The Lab by Alchemy Coffee Richmond VA keeps the focus squarely on the liquid in the cup.
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The No-Decaf Rule and Other "Controversies"
Here’s the thing: they don't serve decaf.
Yeah, you read that right.
To a lot of people, that sounds pretentious. To Spivack, it’s about integrity. If you can't serve a version of a product that meets your quality standards, why serve it at all? Most decaf processes strip away the very oils and compounds that make specialty coffee interesting. At The Lab, if it’s not excellent, it’s not on the menu.
They also have a "double standard" for espresso. Every milk-based drink—whether it’s a 4oz macchiato or an 8oz latte—starts with a double shot. This ensures the coffee profile doesn't get lost in a sea of steamed milk.
The Menu: No Fancy Names, Just Facts
If you’re looking for a "venti double-shot-half-caf-vanilla-whatever," you’re in the wrong place. The menu at The Lab by Alchemy Coffee Richmond VA is stripped down. It’s bare bones.
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- Batch Brew: The "quick" option. Usually a single-origin bean that rotates frequently.
- Pour-Over: This is where the magic happens. It takes about 3-4 minutes. They use a rotating selection of "reserve" coffees, often sourced from top-tier roasters like Blanchard’s or guest roasters from across the country.
- The Yama Tower: If you see a giant glass contraption that looks like it belongs in a Victorian mad scientist’s basement, that’s the cold drip. It takes about 12 hours for the water to pass through the grounds. The result is a cold brew that is remarkably clear and tea-like, without the muddy bitterness of standard immersion brews.
They do food, too. Real food. Not just pre-wrapped plastic muffins. Think fresh croissants, seasonal pastries, and breakfast burritos that actually have some weight to them.
Why the Science Matters
Most people think coffee is just bean + water.
In reality, coffee is 98.5% water. If your water has the wrong mineral content, your $20 bag of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is going to taste like dirt. The team at The Lab monitors everything. They understand that African beans, which are often sun-dried, require a different approach than washed-process beans from Latin America.
It’s about bringing out the "jam bomb" flavors—those hits of blueberry or raspberry—that you won't find in a dark roast from a grocery store.
How to Not Look Like a Noob
If you’re heading there for the first time, don't be intimidated. The baristas are actually super chill, even if they are weighing your coffee to the tenth of a gram.
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- Try the Flight: If they have a pour-over flight available, get it. It’s the best way to understand how different altitudes and processing methods change the flavor.
- WiFi Situation: If you’re planning to work, heads up—you usually have to sign in through the VCU guest network. It’s reliable, but it’s a process.
- The Cortado: It’s arguably the best in the city. Served with a side of bubbly water to cleanse your palate. It’s a pro move.
The Lab by Alchemy Coffee Richmond VA has successfully bridged the gap between the "coffee nerd" world and the "I just need to wake up" world. It’s a testament to what happens when someone values precision over convenience.
Practical Next Steps for Your Visit
If you want to experience the best of what Richmond's coffee scene has to offer, don't just walk in and order a "coffee."
Ask the barista what's on the reserve list today. They usually have four distinct options for pour-overs. Tell them what you usually like—maybe you prefer something "nutty" or "citrusy"—and let them guide you. If you've got ten minutes to spare, sit at the bar and watch the pour-over process. It’s hypnotic.
Also, check their hours before you go. While they are generally open 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, university holidays can sometimes shift things. Grab a bag of whole beans while you're there; they’ll even give you the "recipe" (the exact ratio of water to coffee) so you can try to recreate the "Lab" experience at home, even if you don't own a refractometer.
Head over to 814 W Broad St tomorrow morning. Skip the drive-thru. Get a pour-over. See if you can actually taste those blueberry notes everyone keeps talking about.