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33 Revolutions Record Shop & Cafe - CLOSED
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Coffee & Tea, Music & DVDs, Music Venues [Edit]
10086 San Pablo AveEl Cerrito, CA 94530
(510) 898-1836
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Julianne r. said: "Not only is their coffee really good, their service is outstanding. It really stands out that everyone who works there is friendly and fast. Without exception. Not sure what they are doing behind the counter to keep things running so…" read more »
92 reviews for 33 Revolutions Record Shop & Cafe
- A Yelpy Insight: 40-somethings think this is a nifty spot. See more places they like.
92 reviews in English
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Review from Joe J.
Richmond, CA
12/1/2009
APPEARS TO BE CLOSED
I am sorry to say that the rain damage, and insurance wrangling, caught up, 33 Revs has closed.
Excellent cheese and egg sandwiches and coffee, pleasant background music of various genres, some times an open mic, art on the walls, reasonable wi-fi, and comfy seating in sunny environs. A good place for meet and greet too. :-)) -
Review from Grace L.
7/23/2009
I heard about this place through Joe G's review about a month ago. So I decided to stop in today when I had some time to kill between my classes.
I think I had high hopes of this place. I was imagining the place to be a coffee shop within a Rasputin or Amoeba. But it definitely is more coffee shop than record store. Despite this minor let down, I saw a bunch of things I liked:
1. Lots and lots and lots of couches, tables, and booths. Perfect for studying or catching up with friends.
2. The instruments. Saw a couple of guitars for sale, but that's about it. I was salivating over the piano and the amp system that apparently they use for live music at nights. I was DYING to play it.
3. A decent amount of records that are dirt cheap. They make great presents for people who still rock the LPs.
Just remember....more coffee shop than record store. I'll definitely have to go back.Listed in: Coffee Coffee Everywhere
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Review from Devora L.
9/7/2008
Funny thing, a few months ago, I had a dream that there was an awesome, spacious 24 hour cafe within walking distance of my condo that I would lug my laptop to in the middle of the night to study in all my night owl-ness, and that they served coffee and pastries among other awesome food and that it had a great ambiance and that there was Wi-Fi. Among many other awesome imaginary things (hey, it's my dream!)...
I woke up thinking, "Goddamn, I wish that were real. That'd be totally rad". Well, when my friend invited me to 33 Revolutions for lunch today, my dreams came true. Except for the being open for 24 hours part, of course (I can only wish).
I've been by this place plenty of times. It's just a couple of blocks from BART. I watch movies at the El Cerrito Theater next door and I do Bikram yoga a couple stores down. Yet, I had never been inside of 33 Revolutions before, not even when it was Central Perk, so I'm pretty stoked that my friend invited me here today.
My friend ordered a roast beef sandwich, which he said was delicious, and I ordered a grilled cheese, which was just heavenly. It was kind of a cross between a grilled cheese and a panini because it looked like it had been pressed in between a grill, what with its grill marks and all. It contained three cheese, including gruyere and cheddar, and was grilled with diced chives. That added flavor just put it over the top! The sandwiches also came with a side of shredded carrots and a pickle. Yum!
They also have some good looking salads, fresh fruit, and drinks that I'll have to be back to try. The place was hip and happening, yet not too loud or crowded since they're so spacious. And just as we were leaving this afternoon, some equipment was being setting up for live music, which is pretty cool. And I'd like to add that the people who work here are INCREDIBLY nice and oh-so accommodating. They're seriously awesome.
Oh yeah, remember to bring your MacBook because no other laptops are gonna fly here. Seriously, of the like, ten people who had laptops there this afternoon, EVERYONE had a MacBook and I would've felt silly busting out my Dell. Sorry Dells, Sonys, ASUSs, HPs and any other laptop brand out there; you're just not gonna fit in! I should take the Apple decal that came with my iPod and stick it over the Dell logo... Sneak sneak sneak!
:) -
Review from reina g.
New York, NY
1/22/2009 ROTD 5/3/2009
This place is way too cool for El Cerrito. I say this as one who grew up in what used to be a geriatric ward. You've come a long way little hill...a long way.
They got Ritual coffee, turn tables, Wi-Fi (free w/ 5 dolla purchase. ugh), booze, free live music, comfy couches. It's pretty much hipster heaven.
Last week I came in and had a delightful sweet pea soup. It was rich, creamy and hearty; with big chunks of a suspicious green vegetable floating around. Tasted more like a cream of asparagus soup. It was fabulous, as was the live music.
That night there was a New Orleans style jazz group that I believe featured a Golden Girls look-alike as the lead singer. Was it Rose? Or maybe Estelle Getty (oh sad...she's dead now). Either way, she was awesome... and I want her hat. -
Review from Berna T.
5/9/2008
*cell phone rings*
Me, on the phone: "Hey! Where are you?"
M: "I'm in El Cerrito."
Me: "What? What the hell is in El Cerrito?"
M: "A cafe. It's really awesome. There's cute guys."
Me: "Hmm...really? In El Cerrito?"
A few hours later, I'm sitting here in 33 Revolutions, enjoying a giant mug of Ritual Roasters coffee and free WiFi. This space is absolutely enormous, has a coffee shop on one side, and a record shop on the other! They specialize in jazz and blues. You can choose records for them to play over the speakers too (the music on right now is pretty freakin' dope). I am loving how this place has big work tables, small cafe tables, couches, and Inn-N-Out Burger style booths for people to chill in. Big bonus: the ladies' loo is lovely, they use lavender scented hand soap and even have a dispenser for lavender scented hand lotion.
I'm hardly ever in the area, but if I ever find myself out here again, I'll at least know ONE spot in El Cerrito besides, well, Target. -
Review from Anna G.
San Francisco, CA
9/17/2009
The perfect coffee shop.
Excellent coffee (Ritual) is served, along with beer, wine, various foods and other tasty things to imbibe. It's big, bright, and full of comfy seating.
And that's just the beginning.
33 Revolutions is also a RECORD STORE. Seriously. They sell and buy vinyl. As in vinyl records for your turntable. If that's not rad, then I don't know what is.
But wait!
33 Revolutions also hosts live music. It's a wonderful hybrid paradise for lovers of both coffee and music.
The really sad part? I used to go here before seeing a movie at the now-defunct El Cerrito Parkway. And yet another reason to cry over the demise of the allmighty Parkway Theater.
Must make more excuses to go to El Cerrito . . .Listed in: Only in Oakland (and other…
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Review from Lisa T.
Updated - 9/13/2009
(60's pop BLARING so loud out of cheap speakers that none of us in the cafe can have a civilized conversation)
Me: Excuse me, is it possible to turn it down a little?
Clerk, smirking: It's possible for me to turn it up, too.
WTF.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/26/2008
Pluses: warm and friendly service, cool music, robust wi-fi signal and truly tasty hot chocolate… Read more »
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Review from Ricky S.
Oakland, CA
11/16/2009
4 star average for this place? I'm skeptical...they must be paying yelp to boost their ratings. This place had so much promise and I really wanted to like it but man it fails on so many levels. First, they are laptop plug nazis - there's one table with access to outlets and usu it's fully occupied. My gf asked for the wi fi code as we spent around $7 for coffee (they have a $5 min purchase to use wifi) and the owner told us it's $5 EACH to use the wi fi. That definitely left a bad taste in our mouth so we said screw it and walked down the street to Starbucks where the wi fi is fast and free!
The owner or whoever was behind the counter is a total doucher. -
Review from Denis P.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2009
As a huge supporter of locally owned businesses who would love nothing more than to see huge predatory corporations cease to exist, I want to love this place. I really do. I keep trying, but it just doesn't seem to happen. As much as I want to be a regular customer of this huge place three blocks from home, I can't get myself there more than once a month or so, despite the fact that I think it's a great idea, a fairly cool space, and the coffee is good.
Two weeks ago I went in on a freezing Saturday for a "quick" cuppa joe to go. Five people were in line. The signs outside still said "closed" and both doors were open...wide open. Everyone in the place was wearing a scarf and gloves. Folks ahead of me in line complained about the wind howling through the warehouse-like space, asking if the doors could be closed. The blase response was always "it's not that cold."
Twenty minutes on, when I finally ordered and paid for my coffee, I said with a friendly tone, "you know, it really is freezing in here. Everyone is wearing scarves and gloves." The young woman behind the counter growled, "well, I can't close the doors if we're open!" She glared at me when she handed me a tepid coffee five minutes later.
Somehow, I just can't imagine going back.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Dave B.
Berkeley, CA
8/30/2009
I used to like this place very much until I asked the owner if he wouldn't mind turning down the music just a tiny bit because I was trying to help my 14 year old granddaughter do her biology homework. He indicated to me that this was HIS SHOP and HIS ENVIRONMENT and how dare I ask him to do anything different from what HE wants. He said this place isn't a place for people who want to think, use their computers, study, etc. It is a place for people who want to listen to his choice of fine old fashioned music. I pointed out to him that 80% of his customers at that moment had their heads into their laptops but this had no effect upon him. "hey, man" he seemed to be saying, "this is my private living room and if you don't like it you can take a hike."
Hey, if you hang out here to study, use your computer, or think just remember the guy who owns the joint hates you! You are just a necessary distraction. -
Review from kristi l.
CA
5/18/2008
Where the hell have I been??
Bikram Yoga is moving - goodbye free, 1 minute belly dancing shows while the light at Central and San Pablo is red - Central Perk packed up it's crap and hit the road - my god what a task that probably was - and now 33 Revolutions has moved into the neighborhood all so suddenly.
It's like it popped out of thin air...
I must admit: I can study a little easier knowing that Sully isn't breathing down my neck. As reminiscent as Central Perk was, there was just so much *STUFF* in there! 33 Revolutions is a lot more airy, breathable, and not as intimidating as Central Perk was.
I walked in and it was Apple Laptop central. What can I say... I fit right in with the rest of 'em (: The cord for my macbook actually reached from one of the walls to the middle tables so I wasn't really too concerned about not having an outlet directly next to me. I put my things down next to a big ol gray chair that was as comfortable as it looked and spread my stuff out on a huge table top. Before I knew it, 3+ hours had gone by.
This place kicks Barnes and Nobles' ass. I mean come on...how can you study on a table top the size and shape of a dime?!
I didn't have much to eat at 33 but I treated the boyfriend to an iced coffee and a huge Semifreddi's chocolate chip cookie for $4.05...not too bad! Well, except for the fact that he wanted an iced Mocha and not an iced coffee but that's another story in itself...
The free wireless is super fast here too. I was able to take three online quizzes without any trouble - I'm always concerned about the speed and the reliability of the internet when I'm doing stuff like this but it didn't hiccup once. Nice!
Towards the end of my study session, a live sax player was jammin to some pretty cool bluesy stuff too - I definitely appreciated it but I could see the disdain on some customers faces. It was a little on the loud side and I could tell that the patrons were having a hard time concentrating and/or talking on their cell phones. But who cares...I liked it (:
I'll definitely be back to 33 Revolutions to study and utilize this great space and convenient cafe! The staff seemed happy to be there and kindly answered all the "what happened to central perk" questions without losing their hair (: Now that's classy.
Oh and to the guy studying Calculus right next to me this afternoon: good luck on your test! You're going to need it because the answers to your practice test were all wrong...
Anyway: Welcome to the Neighborhood, 33 Revolutions! I hope you stick around a little longer than CP did (: -
Review from Allison L.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 1/26/2009
Sorry, guys. I've got to drop you based on my experience this afternoon.
Like others, I think $5 for wifi is far too stringent a requirement. Put a time limit on? Maybe. Charge a nominal amount? Sure. But $5 is not only cheesy, but bad business in a part of the world where free wifi has quickly become the norm.
Moreover, if you're going to charge for wifi, said wifi should work.
It didn't. A friendly owner showed me how to set it up -- a bit of a cumbersome process, but if it worked, great. It didn't. I asked another of the owners. Without a word, he walked over to my computer and went through the same motions. Then he got up and -- again, without a word -- walked away. It didn't work, and there was no indication as to whether he planned to come back and check. He didn't.
I should mention that I had a tofu and avocado sandwich and it was good, but overpriced. You shouldn't pay $7 for a smallish sandwich, in my opinion.
I wound up leaving and going to Cafe Saint Honore. 33 Revolutions, you're targeting the too-cool-for-school types. Keep in mind that wifi is super important to them ... particularly if they're being asked to pay for it. Good customer service, too, is always a plus.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/13/2008
I think I was the one who dropped the cup when Ruth S. was there! I won't dance on Central Perk's… Read more »
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Review from Kevin O.
San Pablo, CA
7/2/2008
This review is to compensate for the frivolous 1 star reviews out there. I can't stand all the comments from people saying, "I won't come back here," after one, ONE visit!!! And this visit having taken place within the first few months of them being open.
None of you one star yelpers have the guts it took these guys to open 33 Revolutions when and where they did. They're putting a lot on the line to bring you high quality organic food and drinks, not to mention the promise of a budding music scene to the neighborhood. Already, they've partnered Corey Mason and the World One Festival (http://www.worldonerad...) in El Cerrito to bring a DJ there the night of July 3rd (http://www.33revolutio...).
Soon, they'll have a liquor license, and we'll finally have a place to see live music and have a beer in El Cerrito! I can't wait!
So, I hope you come back and give them another try. But if you don't, then good riddance. You'll be missing out. -
Review from Christine M.
Updated - 11/1/2009
Ok. I give up. I have tried and tried and TRIED to be a loyal customer. I've been here more than a dozen plus times in the past year. I love the space. I love the coffee. The food rocks. But I will never go back again. I'd rather give my money to starbucks... you heard me - STARBUCKS.
The owner, as much as I have tried to embrace his 'quirkiness', is a first rate jerk. He seems to think this is his hobby, not his livelihood. I've fought with him about giving me the wifi code when I only ordered a 4 dollar drink because I wasn't hungry yet. I've tried to bring in a group of 15 for a brainstorming session and he wouldn't stay open an extra hour. I've witnessed his rudeness to others... I could go on and on.
But the last straw: I went today and low and behold, they changed the hours AGAIN. Now they close at 5 pm. So by the time I drove there, found a place to park and then changed gameplans, I was an hour behind schedule.
FRIENDLY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: if you open your own business, realize that a business takes hard work to be successful. You are not entitled to sales and customers just because you exist.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/2/2008
FINALLY... How can Berkeley not have a decent coffee shop? It has completely blown my mind - but I… Read more »
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Review from Thinman M.
Berkeley, CA
5/11/2008
Anemic portions and incredibly overpriced food ($1.89 for a tiny bag of potato chips?). My total for a basic sandwich (and I mean basic) and a can of soda: $11. Hard to tell how the sandwich tasted really, there was so little of it. I've never actually seen one that thin in the wild. It resembled more a pancake or quesadilla than real lunch fare.
The place is also pretty computer UN-friendly. Gone are all the convenient large-sized power strips Central Perk used, which had given folks easy plug-in access. Now people are relegated to scrunching up against the walls to use the skimpy few outlets inside. If somebody's already there, you're crap out of luck.
Boy, do I miss Central Perk. Pity they closed. Definitely wish they'd open somewhere else if this is what passes for a replacement.
Given the food, prices, and inconvenience, unless Revolutions has some huge Hillary-like cash reserves, I'd give the place two or three months tops before they're belly up.
In the meantime, I'll be looking forward to the next place that opens there.
Stay away! -
Review from Kendra L.
CA
6/16/2008
I read a bunch of the other reviews about this relatively new cafe/record shop and I can see almost everyone's point, expect the lighting which other than being bright due the full wall of windows is great, the wood beam ceiling with sky lights make this huge space seem even larger yet warm. And yes the furnishings are rather random they are comfortable and unpretentious.
Let's get real, they're a business starting up in a crappy economy and while I do think they are a bit expensive, considering that I'll go in there and sit for 2-3 hours working on my computer, reading, chatting with friends etc I'm willing to pay a little more for the good vibe, great coffee, kind people who work there and to support an independent small business in my community. It's one of those bigger picture choices that is well worth it.
I also love the diversity of clients, 33 Rev has a relaxed overall feeling and all ages feel welcome, none of this hipper the better pressure like at the mother ship of their coffee Ritual Coffee in SF but that is another story.
Rumor has it they're working on getting their beer and wine license which would be cool. -
Review from Weide Z.
San Jose, CA
3/1/2009
Woot! Another 5 Star for this place. Thanks to my brother-in-law for leading me in here. Nothing quite like this place in the South Bay. I mean, coffee, meals, pool, Internet access, LP records, odd sofas, good books scattered around for customers perusal, lots of space, kid friendly atmosphere, AND good, varied, live music at reasonable volume all under one roof? Somethin' this eclectic is more East Bay, I guess.
Brother-in-law says that at one time in its not to distant past.. the space wherein this place was located was a furniture store.. hence the spaciousness. Don't know what the owners are paying in rent.. but seems pretty amazing to me that they can run something like this and make a go of it. Complaints about the cost of Internet access and the meals notwithstanding.. I don't see any other way this place could pay for itself.. And really, the prices like these are nuthin' in SanJo-land where I come from.. Either you think the space and the place to park yourself and being in the middle of all that stuff going on around you is worth it.. or you don't.
I vote for.. it's worth it! (and it doesn't not *really* cost that much, anyway)Listed in: Hangouts of the…
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Review from Jeremy B.
Richmond, CA
5/15/2008 7 photos
Awesome. Great coffee brewed correctly (Ritual Roasters), great people, and great atmosphere. If you were turned off by the creepy clutter of that nasty Central Perk place, you've got to see the new place. It's very comfortable, and very welcoming.
This is exactly what the area has been missing. Stop by and groove to some great tunes played on a real live turntable and enjoy a killer cup of coffee. -
Review from Don G.
Oakland, CA
4/27/2008
Finally! That gnarly old junk shop that was Central Perk has closed and the great building has been given a much-needed deep cleaning. The result is a huge, open, airy, and CLEAN music-themed cafe! Sweet! The new owners are just now bringing the place to life -- hanging an amazing collection of rare B&W photos of the Beatles from their last shows at Candlestick and the Cow Palace, racking a fat collection of vintage (mostly jazz and soul) vinyl LPs that will soon go on sale, setting up a nice sound system, and offering a great selection of organic, fair-trade teas and coffees and foods. This is JUST what El Cerrito needed, and it's on the same block as the Speakeasy theater and Pastime Hardware, the two institutions that most often bring me to the area. Nicely done, fellas!
Viva la Revolucion!
(Pt II, a few weeks later)
So I've gone back a few times now, and it just keeps getting better. I even saw a hat rack yesterday with a dozen or so funky styles on offer (in hemp, no less ... even the hats are all-natural!). Each time they've done something new with the space, filling it out and making it more interesting/comfortable. I wish them all the best, because I really see the effort they're putting into making it the best it can be. When you compare a place like this to the cookie-cutter cafes that have taken over -- Starbucks, Peets, et al -- it's so nice to be able to support a small, independent business that really gets what it's all about. -
Review from Ruth S.
Oakland, CA
5/8/2008
Wow!! The difference between Revolutions and Central Perk is like the difference between Mac and IBM (except my IBM because mine is super cool) Central perk was the IBM...you want to like it, it's accessible but really is clunky and not functional. Revolutions/Mac is sleek, hip, slightly granola (in a good way) and comfy.
I had a REALLY good experience and I have a lot to say so hold on.
First of all, they kept my favorite chair!
http://www.flickr.com/...
Secondly, the coffee is AMAZING. Seriously it was smooth as Barak Obama. I placed my order and then the woman had me taste it to see if I wanted more chocolate. She was super nice.
http://www.flickr.com/...
Thirdly, I had a WONDERFUL sandwich. It was a tofu and avocado sandwich on yummy bread AND (if that wasn't enough) it was organic!!!
http://www.flickr.com/...
Lastly, they have lots of chill, nice staff. While I was there someone dropped a cup. 2 people came out and the first thing they said was "Is everyone ok??" It made me feel really good. This is my new favorite place and I will definitely be back for more -
Review from Danthemilliondollarma n.
El Cerrito, CA
12/22/2008
This is MY FAVORITE CAFE IN THE BAY AREA!
They have off the hook coffee, teas, chocolates and top quality live music. I've been blown away a couple times by the calibre of people that play here.
I've since become friends with the owners and they are super nice people.
As far as a five dollar minimum purchase for wifi, I don't get what the big deal is? Get a drink & snack and enjoy yourself. Unless you're a total cheapskate to begin with and were planning on surfing the net all day drinking tap water, it really doesn't seem like a big deal. If you want free Internet go to the LIBRARY. They're providing us with an awesome local space to hang out in, and to listen to free, live, local music. It's a BIG space and I'm sure their rent isn't free. Give 'em a break.
I love hanging out there and will continue to support my independent, neighborhood cafe. -
Review from Jerry C.
Albany, CA
11/25/2009
This isn't really a review, but more of an obituary.
After abruptly losing my favorite cafe (Cafe Saint Honore) without any warning, I felt lost and decaffeinated. Luckily, I heard about 33 Revolutions and came to check it out.
The food's pricy, but delicious. The drip coffee tastes almost like french press and packs a potent punch. There's cool music, and there's wifi if you buy more than $5 of stuff. It was all looking pretty dandy to me.
I come back 3 days later and there's a "For lease: 5000 sq feet" sign hung on the windows. I guess 33 Revolutions and I were just not meant to be :(Listed in: Coffee
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Review from mara l.
Lafayette, CA
1/12/2009
I've been to this cafe a few times already and I appreciate their emphasis on serving organic products. I had an iced mint green tea, which was alright, along with a quesadilla with avocado, which I enjoyed! My friend had an orange juice and their chicken pesto sandwich that he didn't enjoy too much.
The atmosphere is a bit hodgepodge-ish with random furniture (including two big ol' dining/conference tables. kinda weird in a cafe?) - that normally wouldn't bother me but the place is so big it doesn't have that cozy vibe that I appreciate in other cafes. Although, the fact that they have a pretty good selection of vinyl and live music helps to counter the drafty and overly-spacious seating area. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Oakland, CA
7/18/2009
They start with a great concept of record store/coffee shop, but what gets me about this place are the details. Such as:
-Stratego in the library
-Several varieties of Kombucha
-Out of place but very functional formica booths amidst more comfy couches and mismatched tables and chairs
-Lots of open space, including a vaulted ceiling and table configuration that defies eavesdropping
-ritual coffee
-yummy-looking food (I have yet to try) and lots of vegetarian options
I have evaluated and deem this worthy of an after work writing spot. Others may find it a fun place to stop by after a movie at the Cerrito or a nice alternative to Peets/Starbucks nearby.Listed in: But what about the internet?, Coffee is my Biodiesel
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Review from Tara S.
Seattle, WA
6/13/2008
I think it's kind of sad that, so far, most of the compliments (and a few of the insults) are coming out of comparisons to Central Perk. Here's a review based on what is actually there now, completely taking CP out of the equation.
Food: the smallish BLT with avocado would have been lovely, if the bacon were remotely warm after the 20 minutes it took to prepare (with no one in line before me) and it weren't hastily thrown into my to-go bag in such a way that I got handful of avocado and mayo upon trying to remove it. And here, dear reader, "thrown" means "loosely covered in brown paper and dropped in a bag".
And I *might* have managed to convince myself that the $8 price tag was worth it, if the salad that came with was more substantial than two forkfuls of greens with a splash of olive oil tossed over the top. I coulda hada V8.
Service: the cashier guy was nice enough, when he finally arrived to take my order after fiddling with the current music selection on the turntable.
Atmosphere: The lack of wall jacks doesn't stop the hordes of laptop users who take up entire tables on their own and hunch over their screens like gargoyles waiting for it to rain.
Most of the space that's not taken up with laptops is covered with expensive teas, trendy magazines, and a little display for hipster hats (need a fedora? we got yer fedora right here, just add it to yer coffee tab!). Oh, and there's a nice wide selection of energy bars too. Wait, wasn't there supposed to be music in here somewhere??
I like the fact that they offer non-processed organic food without corn syrup (more places should), but sorry guys, just "doing it better than the last place" isn't going to be enough for me.
Best of luck, I know owning a business is tough. I really wanted to be able to write a better review. -
Review from Will T.
Oakland, CA
2/11/2009
1. Coffee, food etc = delicious. 80cent refills all fucking day - your neurons thank you.
2. Homey coffeeshops often cultivate a stable of well-worn sketchbooks cluttered with doodles, sketches and generally bad coffee poetry, but I have yet to see a coffeeshop besides 33rev that provides a box full of unused sketching charcoal, a decent watercolor set (in tubes, no less!) and a stack of various papers for their clientele.
3. Ok, so the space is a little big and can fall prey to the eyes-ahead-laptop-glued cancer, but it's nice to be able to camp out with 4 of your friends all day and not feel like you're taking up someone else's monetized space.
4. Location -
Review from David M.
El Cerrito, CA
7/9/2008
I am an internet cafe aficionado. I'm an independent programmer, and most days I work in some cafe. I must have worked in at least fifty cafes, mostly in Berkeley and Oakland, but also in areas near there, and in Pacifica, in Mountain View and other places on the peninsula, not to mention places in D.C., Maryland, and Kansas.
I like 33 revolutions the best. I really, really like it.
What I like: excellent, eclectic music; great french-pressed coffee; good vegetarian food; a sense of light and spaciousness; the friendly staff. Also easy parking.
I couldn't be happier that it is in El Cerrito, where I live (and where there is absolutely nothing comparable). I actually had a dream last night that the owners had to close, and it made me cry. :-)
Before I started coming here I was mostly going to World Grounds in Oakland, with ocassional forays to Cafe Leila, Bel Forno, and Spasso Coffehouse. So perhaps if you like those, you'll also like 33 Revolutions. -
Review from Fenny g.
7/28/2008
Pssstttt.... I'm actually inside this cafe!
I come here for the purpose to use their Free WIFI and hang out a little bit because I just move to this area and my house doesn't have DSL, and I don't think I can life without internet for more than 3 days.
Anyway... On the register table have a big sign say something like this "Minimum $5 purchase to use free WIFI" then I thought "shoot...! What should I order to have exactly $5" and I don't want to ask how much this and that so I can get $5 exactly hehehehe... not cool!
This is what I ordered, a large hot chocolate and chocolate cookies! (yeah chocolate is my favorite!) Then after the staff ring my ordered, he said "five dollars and 10 cents" YAYYY!!! I passed!!
Ok ! Don't forget! You need to ask them the KEY in order to use their network.
The place is nice, clean and a lot of sofas you can choose.
Today is Monday, 3:04PM so is not that crowded inside, I don't know when is their busy hours.
You need to find parking on the street, but if you want to spend time more than 1 hour, then you need to park on the back of this cafe because on the back, you can park for 4 hours M-F until 6PM (i think)
Well I still wish central perk still here tho... I don't think they have minimum order to use the wifi and they have pretty cool and interesting stuff to look at and to play with.
it's funny, I don't think i have problem with this place but i don't think I will come back to hang out here! -
Review from April A.
Berkeley, CA
4/30/2008
I am so pleased to have found 33 Revolutions. This new cafe is just launching but already a vast improvement to the neighborhood. I am thrilled they are offering top quality organic coffee and organic milk, which is a surprising rarity at bay area cafes. These guys get it: why ruin a gorgeous cup of organic coffee with pesticides and hormones? I haven't tried the food yet but it looks to be mainly organic as well. So refreshing! I bought Ritual beans, which are not so common in the east bay. I was so happy to find them I bought some for friends too.
Browsing the record store I can tell this is a real vinyl lovers place. They were paying great music and I already met a fellow vinyl enthusiast there that has vowed to be a regular. They are as knowledgeable about music as they are about coffee. I am looking forward to watching this place grow and evolve. I am told live music is in their future. Yeah! -
Review from priscilla h.
Oakland, CA
10/14/2008
I haven't been to El Cerrito since the Target closed. I was going to have an "Explore El Cerrito" day that involved checking out this cafe, going to the Speakeasy Theater....and....uh, what else is in El Cerrito? But I actually didn't make it past 33 Revolutions. I ended up spending 4 comfy hours here on a Saturday afternoon. Using the free wifi, sitting on a big couch, listening to jazz, and enjoying a chocolate chip banana cookie.
The food is overpriced (like $9 for a mediocre sandwich), but the drinks and snacks seemed okay. The staff were nice and the vibe was good. Pretty diverse crowd. I'd gladly come to a place like this all the time...if it wasn't in El Cerrito. -
Review from Vincent p.
El Cerrito, CA
10/27/2008
33 Revolutions is one of the coolest spots in El Cerrito. Part record store part cafe, It's the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee and listen to records. The owner is a real vinyl junkie and he definitely knows his music. Unfortunately it's also priced that way but there is definitely gold for the finding. The selection isn't huge as the record bins probably use only about 10% of the square footage of the space, but quality makes up for quantity. You can sit in the spacious cafe and the owner will play records for you. So you can relax and surf the web on your laptop, Listen to some rare grooves with a cup of mocha. I wish I had this idea!
Theres is also a great collection of instruments like guitars, drums turntables etc... and I believe that bands play in the shop during evening hours which I need to catch one time. The cafe is only minutes from my place and its a real blessing to have such a great spot to dig for samples in the hood.I mos def like:) -
Review from Mike T.
Berkeley, CA
8/14/2009
High five, seriously....BUT why in El Cerrito? I would have expected such a place in San Francisco, New York, Frankfurt, Paris or what have you...but not really El Cerrito. Bright, open, clean, friendly, own stylish...
I ordered a Latte and then I ordered more and stayed the rest of the day...COZIEST. The word is out...now it's up to you - if you want to drive all the way to El Cerrito for the best Cafe shop (on earth ;0)))). -
Review from Nancy R.
Berkeley, CA
5/16/2008
c'mon you 1-star spoilers, this is a brand new joint, give them a break while they get their NEW place off & running. This place is way cool, just the kind of combination many of us fantasize about opening or hanging out in, and now we can! The food is great~ fresh, organic and well-priced. The decor is spacious and light-filled, since when is that a detriment? As they evolve, I hear that more will be added--beer & wine, live music. It's unrealistic to think a new business will open their doors & have perfect service and every inch of space filled. They are adding new offerings every week I stop by: cool artwork, an awesome magazine selection, and the food rocks. Totally cool,
great addition to the neighborhood. -
Review from tal n.
6/29/2009
Great place to work at.
Nice ambiance. Can't report anything about the food, although I did spot a few good looking sandwiches while staring at other people's plates.
I am more of a blue bottle fan but my ritual espresso wasn't half bad and my semifreddi biscotto went along with it quite nicely.
Nowadays, the 5 dollar they charge for wifi use is not really much of a hurdle - two cups of coffee will get you there easy, but I do admit that this is what prevented me from getting there sooner. It's just that when other places don't have the parallel condition it just seems to suggest a stingy quality in the way the place is managed. So, after today I'm not going to let it bother me. I am going to return.
I am trying to figure out what's preventing me from giving this pleasant place a full 5 star rating. At the moment I tend to think that the answer lies in the couches. Yes, I don't like those shabby couches you tend to see practically every place you go to. Also, I should try the food before I can claim I encountered perfection. -
Review from Gail N.
10/28/2009
I'm sitting on the couch now with a combo plate consisting of a tuna sandwich + mushroom tarragon soup for $7. This meal is organic, deliciously homey, and includes wi-fi all day! (You have to spend atleast $5 to get the code, but it's all good to me if you're gonna eat/drink anyway).
Here's the kicker -- Soft Serve and I were discussing how cool it would be to find a cafe that served beer and wine, but thought it was near impossible since the idea seemed so contradictory...but ALAS! -- They serve beer and wine here! And have a happy hour from 4-6pm! What?!
They serve two of my personal fav's -- Blue Moon and Wydmer Hef (the hef is on tap!) for $3 during happy hour! How exciting!!!!!
What else..this place is huge! Plenty of seating to go around and a variety of seating -- you've got diner-esque seating + couches + individual chairs. It's like..a hybrid of old school restaurant + modern cafe.
Finally, the music -- right now I'm hearing a nice jazzy mix -- there's even a random person (who also takes your order) spinning records -- DJish. Very cool.
Oh, and they have a bathroom. So, you never really have to leave! Until they close of course...wish they were open later. They close at 6pm.
Minus the time limit, it's like I'm at home...but at a cafe =). -
Review from Ian K.
Williamsburg, VA
2/27/2009
It's a bit overpriced for what it is, but they do have a good chai tea latte which keeps me coming back from time to time. Unlike the weak and/or syrupy ersatz masala chai drinks many other places have, the ones here are actually really strong and spicy, and only lightly sweetened.
Had a really good lemon bar here once, every subsequent lemon bar has been blah. Go figure.
Haven't tried their food, some of which looks and sounds good, but the prices scare me away.
Service is so-so. At least it isn't full of shit-eating "I work at an independent coffee shop and I'm better than you" smugness, but sometimes they could be a little more attentive to customers standing there waiting to place an order, and acting a little more upbeat and engaging the customer (well, this customer anyway) would bring me back more often. As it is I've felt... not exactly that I was bothering them by trying to give them my money, but maybe that serving customers was a bit of a distraction from fiddling with the collection of antique phonographs that they have set up there.
Also, as another reviewer noted, they want a minimum $5 purchase to use their "free" WiFi, which rubs me the wrong way a little bit, and the way you have to set it up is bizarre. I'm an IT guy and I was scratching my head as to why I had to configure it in the odd manner that I did.
It actually feels like they should add some more tables or comfy chairs, as the space itself is huge, but still seems rather spartan and empty.
Still overall it's a reasonably likable, if a bit funky, place and nice to have an alternative to chain cafes. -
Review from N C.
Millersville, MD
11/25/2009
I guess this is pointless now that they are closing, but I'm really surprised by the negative reviews -- especially the comments about the attitudes of the people who work there. I have been going in there in there 1-2x/wk for the past year and have never seen or heard any employee being negative or rude. I usually spend about 2 hours there with just a drink, and they have never commented on that. Sadly, I never qualify for the wi-fi code -- I think a $5 purchase is reasonable, but I am always there between work and dinner and don't want anything to eat.
I think 33 Revolutions brought a hip, laid-back business to El Cerrito, and I am sorry to see them go. -
Review from Luis C.
Albany, CA
8/14/2008
Okay. I love unique cafes. And this is certainly one. And it's BIG!
It did take me a while to get a "feel" for the place. There is stuff for sale and a section where a turntable dominates and they have records. There was a large table where it seemed a class was being conducted and another couch area had some kind of non-profit meeting run by older women. Interesting.
Guess I have to carve out my own niche here next time I come.
Oh- the cashier was friendly. My yerba mate was done quite well.
Just a couple of cons...
- It took me like 20 minutes to figure out how to to connect to the wi-fi network (and why the hell are there TWO?)
- ants were creeping in through the window, luckily tables were available to move to
Not bad. I never knew Central Perk as I just moved here, but I'll be coming back to this place for sure, especially since evil B & N has NO free wifi AND you have to purchase something anyway! -
Review from The D.
Stockton, CA
11/6/2008
I love to hop on bart and walk to this cafe.
Free wifi with a purchase,great desserts, vegan pastries and fresh fruit.
They serve my latte in a cool mug and I sit on the couch and relax.
Cool characters come in.
The place is immaculate
Best part is it is also a rare record store. Yo can pick records to listen to as well....good as it gets people.
I hear they started having live music and also can host private events. The place is a great size!
My favorite cafe in east bay for sure. -
Review from kriz b.
Richmond, CA
11/9/2008
Isley Brothers and Millie Jackson on vinyl. Live music, my favorite coffee and really good food made by people who value value.
cool stuff, cool folks, cool vibe- but not too cool for school. definitely the coolest cafe in the east bay. come here and eat and drink and be cool.
