Deep within the walls of the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia, there exists a Starbucks unlike any other in the world. While it may look like your average coffee shop on the outside, this branch follows a strict set of rules that set it apart—starting with its most curious policy: baristas do not ask for names when taking customer orders.
This unusual protocol is in place for one simple reason—security. The Starbucks located inside the CIA Headquarters caters exclusively to agency employees and personnel with the highest security clearances.
To maintain discretion and confidentiality, even something as routine as calling out a customer’s name for a coffee order is considered a potential risk. Instead, drinks are served in the order they’re made, and customers patiently wait without hearing their names shouted across the counter.
This Starbucks is also unique in that its employees must undergo background checks and security screening. While they are not CIA agents themselves, baristas must respect the sensitive environment they operate in. There are no tips jars, no selfies, and absolutely no chit-chat about personal details. Even delivery drivers must be escorted in and out by CIA staff.
The presence of a Starbucks at the CIA Headquarters is a perfect example of how everyday comforts adapt to high-security environments. For many CIA employees, it’s a little taste of normalcy in a world filled with secrets and surveillance.
So next time you hear your name being called at a regular Starbucks, remember there’s one location in Langley where anonymity is the ultimate ingredient in every cup.
