I'd stop this 'Beat'

When most people think of Las Vegas, they may think of flashy lights, parties and entertainment. There’s a reason why the city's not known for their coffee shops. 

Case in point: The Beat Coffeehouse and Records.

Advertised as a record store and a coffee shop all-in-one, it seemed promising. 

We already felt uncomfortable and out of place: two innocent girls, passing through the city of sin, simply in search of good coffee. Apparently, it was too much to ask.

Walking into the shop, we stood out like two decaf beans in a sea of espresso.

Everyone who was sitting and using their laptops, or having a conversation, turned around and looked at us. Clearly, we did not fit in with the Vegas crowd. 

After surveying the records, we walked up to the counter and ordered our drinks. Admittedly, the chalkboard menu (yes, another one) intrigued us. 

Clearly overestimating the products, Ashley ordered an iced raspberry latte and I decided on an iced white mocha.

They were awful.

It was a wonder how they messed them up so terribly, but the espresso was bitter and disgusting and the syrups tasted artificial and overly sweet. They didn’t ruin the ice or milk - which they simply have to pour into the cup. Kudos, “coffee shop.” 

Ashley could not even drink her latte because it was so atrocious. I was able to power through most of mine, mainly because I needed the caffeine.

It was the last coffee shop of our road trip, and it was - by far - the worst. It did not end with a bang, unfortunately. 

The only bang would have arose from us taking a gun to the iced cups of disaster. 

The worst part is that it had so much potential. Combining a record store and a coffee shop seemed like an awesome idea. 

Too bad the coffee side of the shop did not pull its weight. 

After this awful experience, we did not hang around but simply hopped back in the car. 

This was not the most ideal end to our amazing coffee-filled road trip. However, we were able to reflect upon the shops that were - in fact - delightful. Lest us forget Coffea Roasterie, Paramount Cafe and Yeti’s Grind. 

Now that we are back in Los Angeles, we are continuing our coffee shop tour by visiting shops in the expansive metropolis. Stay tuned for reviews on cafes in Santa Monica, Pasadena and Newport Beach. 

We are hopeful future shops will not be as awful as The Beat. 

-Allison