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Atlas Café
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Coffee & Tea, Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
116 Havemeyer St(between Hope St & Grand St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Neighborhoods: Williamsburg - South Side, Williamsburg - North Side
(718) 782-7470
- Nearest Transit:
-
Metropolitan Av (G)
Marcy Av (J, M, Z)
Bedford Av (L)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Jane K. said: "Like entering a wine cellar in the South of France, Burgundy Wine Company is serious about their grapes. Designed to show off the collections and vineyards, I found the layout and display impressively simple. The fact that almost every…" read more »
82 reviews for Atlas Café
Review Highlights
"Free wi-fi which is sometimes difficult to find in this..."
(in 9 reviews)
"...would come here at least once a week to work on my laptop."
(in 25 reviews)
"Atlas is great for getting work done."
(in 9 reviews)
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82 reviews in English
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Review from Carolyn E.
Brooklyn, NY
1/21/2012
love this place - free wifi that works most of the time - pretty friendly staff, decent food and coffee selection.
And I've always found the clientele to be really nice - if it's packed people are still down to share tables to watch for open seats for you, watch your computer while you order, etc. Pretty good mix of young professionals, artists and students, very international. So glad I found it! -
Review from Tiffany F.
Manhattan, NY
1/3/2012
Cash ONLY, folks.
This is a quiet little cafe that is great for catching up with friends and/or lovers. I really love how they have an excess of outdoor space for you to enjoy the passers by. It goes without saying that this is especially pleasant when the weather is nice.
Atlas, however, is a bit removed from the core hustle and bustle of Williamsburg. Some may find this appealing, others may prefer a more centrally located place to slurp down some caffeine. -
Review from Lisa C.
Brooklyn, NY
12/7/2011
If you need a spot to search the net (wifi available here) or get some work done, this is it. Super friendly counter staff and environment all-around. Ambiance is friendly too...nothing fancy or kitschy. You're bound to see regulars at this laid-back, communal cafe. Oh-and there is outdoor seating, which is great during the nice weather or for smokers.
I recommend a lox bagel with the works and the chai latte. -
Review from Laura D.
New York, NY
2/7/2012
Atmosphere is great, but the wait (which was only 2 people in front of me) was excrutiatingly long. Coffee was fantastic, I'd come back but I would expect better CS.
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Review from Nathan B.
Brooklyn, NY
12/12/2011
The good: free wifi, free wifi, free wifi. I love how bright it is in there too, with its big windows
The bad: always crowded on weekdays, as pretty much everyone there is freelancers using it as an office, wifi doesn't always work, in which case I just have to turn right around and go home. I'm not exactly there to sit by myself in silence, I'm there to work. As one would expect from such a spartan business model, there are few luxuries. It's pretty utilitarian. But great to have in the neighborhood, so close by. -
Review from Jesse M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/10/2012
I like this place a lot, but I do have one complaint. They play piano music constantly, often this high pitched stuff. I can only handle so long befor my head starts to hurt. I would recomend working here, but beware the jazz.
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Review from Laura H.
Brooklyn, NY
9/10/2011
Atlas is great for getting work done! The tea pots are great and the sandwiches are also really tasty.
The only issue is that it's sometimes hard to find a seat...there's really no "good" time to go, you just have to hope to get lucky. -
Review from Amanda C.
New York, NY
5/9/2011
Oh, Atlas!
I love your loose leaf teas and your cold brewed coffees. Your weak chai, not so much. But really, that is my only complaint. Your wifi is fast and free. Your laptop-friendliness is appreciated. (Extension cords/surge protectors? Right on!) Your servers are easy going. Your sandwiches are tasty.
I like you. Yes, I think I'll see you again. -
Review from Mallory B.
Jamaica, NY
5/24/2011
I love Atlas Cafe! I don't even live in the area but I take the train to go and do some work on my laptop from time to time. The service is great. The baristas are friendly and I've seen the owner chatting up the regulars like old friends. I've never had the coffee, but the iced green tea is to die for on a hot summer day. I usually grab a bagel to munch on while I'm there and those are always good. My favorite thing is the atmosphere. I love the giant windowed walls and they're always playing good music.
I haven't experienced the spotty internet like everyone else is talking about, and the "hipsters" everyone is referring to aren't a bother. (What are you doing in Williamsburg if you're bothered by hipsters?)
The only thing that gets me about Atlas is that it is sometimes too crowded to find a seat. -
Review from Malka A.
Brooklyn, NY
11/6/2011
It's basically all been said. The Prosciutto sandwhich is pretty badass and their coffee isn't half bad. I come here to get some work done every once in a while since I don't have a desk at home. Everyone is pretty respectful of each others space and the noise level is also fairly low (as low as you can get for a coffee shop) which I appreciate.
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Review from Jeffrey D.
New York, NY
10/24/2011
A nice little cafe, with friendly staff. Lots and lots of 2-top tables and free wifi make this a seemingly good cafe for laptop-ing, however in my experience the wifi was a bit unreliable. Good for a quick stop.
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Review from Marc B.
Sunnyside, NY
2/9/2011
I love this place, I make it a point to make the quick bike ride from Sunnyside to this place once or twice a week. It is the perfect environment in which to study or work, being nicely lit, quiet, and with excellent coffee and bagels to boot.
The pricing on the bagels is a bit high, but its not everywhere you can find a pesto bagel with fresh tomatoes on it. And a well-made one to boot.
The fact that it is one of the few cafe's with WiFi in Williamsburg (like my alliteration?) means that of course it's filled to the brim at all times with many many Macs (i'm on a roll) But even before I had my own Mac (sorry, I had to) I would come here to relax and work without one.
I'd also like to point out that this place DOES accept credit card. Yes, that's right. In Williamsburg. Although theres a minimum, a coffee and a bagel should break that minimum. Thanks for not being douchebags guys!!! I don't know what came over the people here, maybe its too mainstream to have a bank in your neighborhood, or too uncool to accept credit. But it's nice to see one place at least that doesn't fall victim to the cash-only crisis (three for three!)
I'll be sure to keep coming back, and if you're in the area, I suggest you do as well. -
Review from Mark B.
New York, NY
2/16/2011
Pro: GREAT coffee, free wifi, excellent music.
Con: Terrible bagels and they don't stop whistling until your ears bleed. -
Review from Jeff N.
Santa Fe, NM
9/8/2010
Someone wrote this is the best place to write in New York. What a joke! It is the worst coffee shop and the worst place to even think about writing that I have ever been in.
First, some say they have cozy tables. Cozy if you think airline seats are nice.
It's dirty, the service is clumsy and it is simply terrible. I don't plan to even walk by this place on the sidewalk again. -
Review from dan c.
New York, NY
6/30/2011
mount up brotha let's ride
i have a chromebook in my manpurse and three days of stubble, an expensive pair of square rimmed glasses, rolled tight jeans, a $5 coffee and im headed to the korean taco joint, about to checkin on 4square -
Review from Michelle L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/6/2011
I would say four stars even, but the day I went it was freezing inside! I know it's winter, but by the end I couldn't wait to huddle next to my space heater, or feel my fingers.
However! Internet is pretty good, but not so good you won't be able to focus on the task at hand. The tuna sandwich was amazing, and the bean salad was excellent too. People are nice, and it's not too expensive. Everyone seems to be on their computer, so it was a little weird to be one of the few chatting it up with a friend. Good for getting work done though and if you plan on being here in the winter, bring gloves, unless the cold helps you concentrate! -
Review from Tina C.
7/10/2010 2 photos
With ample time prior to attending a wedding reception, who a good friend (prehaps more maybe...) graciously invited me as his date at a nearby in the Williamsburg Brooklyn area we cooled off the heatwave at Atlas Café.
Upon entering this cafe nearly all its clientle are young professionals in the electronic internet age as they were all engrossed in their laptops without disruption. Thus, Atlas Cafe is fully WiFi equipped. There are ample tables and chairs and the door is open which escapes the coolness of the air conditioning to burn at Atlas Cafe's expense.
My good friend and I sought a medium iced green tea at $2.50 each which the server misunderstood for regular tea. Personally, I prefer lighter teas which are less heavy as oppose to English Breakfast, Earl Grey, et al. Their teas are thankfully served with plenty of ice which during summer's stifling heatwave ice is a necessity. The awning or outdoor signage does not visibily state Atlas Cafe. Price for coffee or tea is moderate and atmosphere is very relaxing in a non-fast pace typical New York lifestyle. -
Review from Pat C.
Manhattan, NY
8/21/2011
The ambiance of a morgue. Everyone's typing away on their Macbooks and actually start stink-eyeing you if you and your friends are actually, I dunno, chatting. This is a cafe, not a fucking study hall. Ugh.
Get the coffee to-go, or better yet get it from Oslo or Gimme -
Review from Lakshmi R.
Chicago, IL
7/5/2010
Stumbled in with some friends one morning after a late night out and a pressing need to get to the TV at a friend's place to watch the Argentina/Germany World Cup game.
Atlas is quite reasonably priced and have a nice range of bagels topped with such things as pesto and tomatoes, paninis, and all manner of drinks. My everything bagel with cream cheese was good, as was my Greek yogurt with granola and fresh berries. The guys behind the counter are soooo nice.
Without any ac, I probably won't stop in to hang out for long periods of time, but its sunshine-filled interior with gigantic world maps on the wall and many tables clearly would make for a great study space. -
Review from Michael G.
Rockville, MD
11/12/2008
An island of sanity in the world's most pretentious neighborhood. Mostly because the hipsters are too busy typing away on their laptops to name drop bands or talk "deep" philosophy. Though at the table next to me two girls did spend the entire two hours I was there shopping for pricey boots online and updating their Facebook profiles (not that I looked, they made public knowledge of it).
I went there to join in an evening NaNoWriMo write-in with the New York City region and they welcomed my Chicago behind with politeness. National Novel Writing Month write-ins can go on for hours. This is especially the case if the host place has power cords at every possible table (and Atlas Cafe does). Yet the one worker, a heavily tattooed little woman, never even batted an eye at a bunch of people who ordered one drink a piece and screamed about "word sprints."
Though it's perhaps a little too laid back about computer usage since someone was watching You Tube clips with the sound on.
The coffee menu isn't exactly extensive, though they do have a wide variety of tea (which made me happy) as well as significantly sized apple cider (perfect for November). They also serve (Brookyln) beer and wine. Were this place open later than 10:00 p.m. (pretty late for a coffee shop), it could serve as a pinch of late night hangout for internet geeks (I did see someone playing The Sims).
The WiFi is free and fast, unlike most internet cafes, and there are giant windows providing views of the street (again, unlike most internet cafes) and the hipster zoo outside. All the while safely ensconsed in a world apart from it.Listed in: The Bigger City, Ironically, I Don't Drink…
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Review from Bobby T.
Griffith Park/Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA
1/19/2009
I could have loved you, Atlas Cafe.
GOD, I could have loved you.
So.
So.
Much.
But, you wouldn't let me in. Nope. You had to put up your walls. But, maybe that's why I'm so crazy about you.
I just moved to Williamsburg and one day I decided to find a nice writing spot to drink tea and finish a screenplay. (I'm so predictable!) I had read some reviews on here, more particularly Hilary W.'s review and thought, "GOLLY, a bunch of people writing...that's RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!"
So, I decided to stop in.
And there it was. A beautiful table facing the window. Dear Lord, was it a sight to be hold. I think. Maybe. I had a little bit of an orgasm when I saw it. "Bobby", I thought. "Bobby, lad. You really struck GOLD!"
But, alas.
That shit was FOOL'S GOLD!
As I ordered a cup, no fuck that, a POT of glorious loose leaf tea. I began to eye up the table.
"TABLE IS FOR EATING ONLY, NOT WORKING."
"Fuck me!" I proclaimed inside myself. I looked around the Atlas Cafe. And this is when I entered the Twilight Zone. It was packed. Over the top packed. So, packed that Rod Serling would have been like, "Fuck this. I'm out." I turned to the man working the counter...
"Gee, you guys seem full. Can I sit by this bar area and read till it frees up."
"If I let you sit there, I gotta let everyone sit there."
"Oh. Okay."
"Should I go through with the tea?" he said.
I looked around at the crowd of people and told him sadly, "No, that's okay. I'll just come back another time."
He replied, "It's not that I don't want you to be here."
(I'm thinking...BRO. I know. I know you have no choice.)
I said, "it's okay. Everything. Will be. OKAY."
And I left.
I tried to find another cafe in a sea of cafes. And I got frustrated. I decided that I would just make my own damn tea and write at home.
But, one day. One day when I have the courage and strength. I will return to you, Atlas Cafe.
One day, I will hold you in my arms.
And I'll have a lot of sex with you.
BONUS FUN GAME: Try getting a fucking seat in this joint. Heyo! -
Review from Christopher C.
Seattle, WA
1/2/2011
Atlas is basically like a Mac-lab. Go there if you want to see lots of silver and white macbooks with stylish owners.
Not to be missed are their wonderful sandwiches. The bean salad with the tuna sandwich is amazing!
Coffee is good. Internet is spotty, but free so don't complain! Owner and staff are crazy in a good way. Recommend for freelancers, lunch-goers, and Macbook owners. -
Review from Hilary W.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2009
If you are a freelance writer with a mac book GO, go right now, what are you doing? Your compatriots are there... ALL of them just tip-typing away without you.
Now if you are like me and are not bearing a laptop under your arm, get your coffee to go and skip the ham and cheese croissant. -
Review from Ali M.
Astoria, NY
8/23/2010
I had jogged past this place a few times and seen lots of people camped out at cozy tables with laptops and coffee, so I thought I would bring my own laptop over one morning and get some work done while drinking a cup of tea.
The menu is reasonably-priced, my green tea tasted quite good, and I liked the atmosphere - but the wireless connection was absurdly slow (I know it wasn't just my computer, because I heard other people commenting on it as well - one girl sitting near me had resorted to emailing from her blackberry instead of her laptop). I don't understand why so many people come here to do work, unless they are all working off-line. It was like the spotty wireless on one of the cheap buses between NYC and DC.
I spent an hour enjoying my tea and editing some photos, but after that I had to relocate to a place with a decent internet connection. A pity, because the café is really cute and the food menu looked inviting too. -
Review from Chad B.
New York, NY
4/3/2007
Pretentious poops on a stick. I hate lap top loving trust fund babies and I hate Atlas Cafe too. Whaah.
Go to Gimme Coffee. -
Review from Pamela S.
Brooklyn, NY
8/31/2009
Atlas Caffe (the spelling for this heading is incorrect) is a nice little place. What sucks is they are cash only (they lost a star for that one.)
The food is delicious, the bread is baked on premise and is delightfully chewy and crusty all at the same time. I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Danielle S.
New Orleans, LA
10/26/2007
I wouldn't call myself a coffee connoisseur. I like deli coffee as much as some fancy coffee places coffee but this place is a great place for those of us that work from home a lot to get out of the house and still do work... Free wi-fi which is sometimes difficult to find in this neighborhood. Staff is pretty nice. The place has lots of room, is set up well and is all windows, lots of light.
Note to fellow reviewer below--doesn't make us all trust fund babies because we do work on a laptop in a coffee shop...Man! I wish I were a trust fund baby. Life would be la dee da!Listed in: Hangin' in Brooklyn, yo., Gotta get my caffeine fix...
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Review from trinh m.
Astoria, NY
11/25/2008
Food not so good for price, but FREE WI FI! I came here all the time for internet convenience because I only lived 2 blocks away.
***TIME: Lunch time (crowded); Afternoon - Evening (dies down slowly) for Wi Fi.
***FOOD (3/5 stars): I only ate here because I was working on my laptop and I didn't want to lose my spot, so I bought food here. The next time I prepared myself with my own lunch, they didn't say anything when I was pigging out. Their bagels (about $4) are expensive to me for what it is. If you want gooood bagels, go to The Bagel Store on the corner of Bedford and N 3rd a couple blocks away from here.
***SERVICE (4/5 stars): Very pretty, hot girls with great personalities. The long dark blond hair girl was really nice.
***CUSTOMERS: People who need to use the internet and drink coffee come here alll the time. I saw the same people a lot. A lot of typical Bedford L, Williamsburg people come here like those of fixed gear bikes, hipsters. Don't judge. People here are super nice-very friendly.
***ENVIRONMENT/SPACE: Crowded during lunch because of course it's lunch and also because people come here for the free Wi Fi. About 20-35 seats 10-13 tables, which easily gets filled. Good music, at an appropriate volume to do you work, resume, you tube. Two benches outside where you can still use your wireless, I believe, but no outlet outside.
***WILL I COME BACK?: Yes. If i need free internet and a place to do my work if I'm in the city. No for food. -
Review from Baris G.
Brooklyn, NY
9/12/2007
If it means having another big bang to give you a k-zillion more stars on top of the five I gave this cafe, let it happen, let it bang. Atlas Cafe is the shit, the reason why W'burg will always be admired, mentioned, bashed, secretly admired and re-bashed again.
Yes, it's because it has free wi-fi for all, but no it's not only because of that. It's because it's the only place I have seen so far that is designed and maintained just for people who are working with their laptops. Being one such person, who can not work at home because it's too comfy and cozy, and can not work in a cafe because it has a lot of people talking/socializing, and can not work in library because it has no bagel and ice chai latte service, Atlas cafe is singled out for me and for the benefit of all those who are in a similar situation. that is the reason why you see this place completely full during the week and the work hours and a bit more relaxed during the weekend.
So Alicia Z. (and similar people), before you lament the death of human interaction and sing your heart-crushing ballad about things that fall apart, try to observe what the majority of people are doing here: are they socializing with their laptops or busy studying/working their asses off?
That being said, I think the service and the food is a bit irrelevant when you consider how unique this place is as opposed to how it feels. Though it's a bit of hyperbole, I think it's not unlike complaining about sucking on pastes when you're on a trip to outer space. The purpose beats out the comfort, and on a second thought, I think the service or the food is not really bad at all.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Chelsea J.
New York, NY
6/9/2008
This place was sad. They had tables filled with people on their laptops, not making a sound (other than two people mumbling to each other about apartment listings on Craigslist), and then a large communal table labeled "Chat Area". Unless I'm completely wrong (a lot of why I didn't sit here), this is for going and meeting strangers and talking. And while every other single table is filled with people who aren't talking to anyone? There was one, lonely guy in the Chat Area. No laptop, just sitting and waiting to talk to someone (again, presumably- I couldn't be sure, so I sat outside).
Other than that, nice coffee, nice atmosphere. Just obviously not a place to make friends- unless their wifi goes out. -
Review from kellan e.
Brooklyn, NY
7/13/2008
Been dropping in for 3 years, and watched it transform from a coffee shop to a defacto laptop cafe. Accept it for what it is, and appreciate its perks: lots of power, fast internet, an enabling culture, decent sound track, very acceptable coffee.
As a work space my only critique is the dark tables tend to be too high for really comfortable typing for hours and hours.
And now that I'm living on this coast, it doesn't hurt that its just around the corner. -
Review from Nate B.
Brooklyn, NY
6/28/2010
A great place to have coffee, eat a crazy pesto/caprese bagel sammich and get some work done, if you can find a place to sit.
It'll always have a place in my heart because of that one weekend in October where I slept on some friend-of-a-friend's floor on Havemeyer following one ridiculous gig. After a night of laying down beats for an erotically-charged, mind-warping ballet, stumbling out into the cool morning sun to find free Wi-Fi, caffeine and food across the street was a respite and blessing. I sat alone until about 11am.
Afterwards the place was crawling with freelancers ignoring each other except for those moments of begging for an outlet connection. It's pretty intense.
I'm glad they play classical music. -
Review from Antonio S.
Ozone Park, NY
9/18/2010
One day while roaming around Williamsburg my eyes were caught by those sitting in Atlas Cafe. Mainly a younger crowd, laptops in tow, and a good proportion of them were of the species known as hipsters who reside in Williamsburg. I decided to venture in, grab a cup of chai tea, and head outside to sit down as outdoor seating was available. I made one mistake however, unbeknownst to me, using a laptop while sitting outdoors was not allowed. I found this strange when I was informed of this. No problem, not one to rebel against the man, I promptly sat inside trying to get some work done.
Atlas Cafe has a certain charm, it is in a beautiful neighborhood. It is also tastefully decorated, there is a world map of epic size located along one of the walls inside the cafe. After visiting several times, I did note a strong correlation between the quality of the WiFi connection and the amount of people inside. This can be an annoyance if a speedy connection is a must. The selection of items on their menu include most of the standard fare you expect from a coffee shop along with some reasonably priced food items.
Atlas Cafe has a certain charm, don't expect to be wowed, but expect a quiet place to get some work done, while enjoying a neighborhood with lots to offer. -
Review from Jeff L.
Brooklyn/East Williamsburg, New York, NY
12/11/2007
Living a block away from here doesn't hurt, and Atlas is a great respite from the usual sleeping in late and curling up in bed, or the post-work trip to Think Coffee (which has been absolutely stupid-packed lately).
Towards closing there's a ton of space, usually some cute guys and gals occupying the space and well prepared espresso. Otherwise, weekend days are packed and cramped... but then why would you want to come in and chill just to try to hit on a nerd that's too occupied on his computer (like myself... though I do enjoy being hit on when on the lappy).
The perfect departure from pertentious noisebins and comfort of my mattress!Listed in: Brooklyn's Brow
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Review from Amanda L.
Queens, NY
5/8/2010
I get it, people like to take their laptops to places with free wifi and eat and drink at the same time.
But I just couldn't help but feel like I was in a library when I came here for lunch with a friend. I just wanted to talk over lunch on a Saturday afternoon. With laptop users on both sides of me, I just felt like I'd end up pissing someone off.
My panini was good though. -
Review from Lauren B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/5/2007
Props for hiring some counter help with customer service skills. I stopped in last week and for the first time actually felt like my business was appreciated by the new guy behind the counter.
They have good coffee and I would get the tomato pesto cream cheese bagels every day if only they could use tomatoes that didn't taste like they were sliced the day before. -
Review from Jess R.
Plymouth, MI
12/28/2009
What looks like just another Internet cafe on the outside (almost every square inch is covered by someone on a laptop) was surprisingly a whole lot more. We stopped in for coffee and a quick bite to eat for breakfast and were fairly impressed. Croissants and bread are baked fresh daily here. While the menu is limited, it is all good. We tried the bagel with cream cheese and lox and yogurt with granola and fresh fruit.
The inside of the cafe small and rustic -- think 1990s style coffee house. Most of the seating is church pews which I thought was cute and unique. Plenty of plugs for laptops, but not really enough room to move around to plug them in. Aside from that, all in all a good experience. -
Review from Tiffany W.
Fremont, CA
11/14/2010 1 photo
currently at Atlas Cafe getting some work done. the internet wasn't working for a good hour, which was causing a semi public catastrophe. but after resetting the router and waiting patiently, the internet is working almost scarily fast.
anyways, moving on. while here, i ordered a small coffee and their pesto, cream cheese, and tomato on an everything bagel. as far as quality of food and beverage, my bagel sandwich and coffee were both delish, and $6 for both isn't bad at all.
solid 4 stars. as long as the internet is working, i totally wouldn't mind spending my time getting stuff done. service is also decent here. -
Review from Justin L.
Brooklyn, NY
12/24/2009
The
Wi-Fi
Brings me back
But its not love
Only an Italian fling as we wait. -
Review from Scottie S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/9/2011
As a writer, I have little space in my apartment and find I'm more productive in a setting that isn't the four walls I look at day in and day out. Atlas is a great atmosphere to write. It's perfectly fine to point out the number of laptop users (especially if you come in to talk and feel "weird"...although you shouldn't. I don't expect silence in a public place.) I take issue, however, with the unnecessary commentary on "hipsters" and "stylish" users attempting to be seen. Look up the word "irony" sometime and then reread your reviews.
What matters here, is a review of the shop and its product. Everything else is blatant showboating.
As for Atlas: It's a comfortable space (yes, even for laptop users) and the staff is friendly. I tend to stick with good ol' faithful black coffee and, alas, this is not great. It had a burnt flavor (the kind of thing I expect from horrible chains or amateur establishments.) I can't comment on their food but they do have a nice menu.
