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Bauhaus Books & Coffee
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
301 E Pine St(between Melrose Ave & Bellevue Ave)
Seattle, WA 98122
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
(206) 625-1600
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 am - 1 am
Sat 7 am - 1 am
Sun 8 am - 1 am
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
323 reviews for Bauhaus Books & Coffee
Review Highlights
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"And a fantastic view of the Space Needle." In 25 reviews -
"Added bonus-ding dongs and lovely space." In 15 reviews -
"Excellent people watching." In 28 reviews
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323 reviews in English
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Review from Maylee L.
5/9/2012
I had one of those days where I wanted to hide myself from the world &trap myself in books.
the cafe is like a library in one. absolutely a d r e a m come true to me! that is really splendid. especially how the community is so squeezed tight, and everyone is so friendly. i absolutely love their art around the cafe, designs, and interesting people come here. you will see professional handsome fellas in suits to the optimistic sk8rs here.
good stuff here. -
Review from Jessica G.
San Pedro, CA
Bauhaus, you are kind of a snob and a half. I was really excited when my ex first moved in on the same street, because I was like, "Hey, this coffee shop is really close, looks hip and interesting, and is probably delicious!"
I was kind of sad the day my friend and I walked in and got major attitude about the Kool-Aid (which, by the way, PROPS to you for serving it!). Maybe it was just the barista that day...all my other visits have been pleasant. I was a little scared another time when a guy with very few teeth kept smiling at me and chatting me up...he looked like a neo-Nazi ex-con. I only kept conversing with him because I was afraid for my life.
You have an awesome space for lounging inside. And outside, the lawn chairs are perfect for people watching. But, and I say this with affection, normally I enjoy leaving a coffee shop smelling like the grinds, etc. But you smell funny, Bauhaus. Your scent lingers on my hair and clothes for hours after I've visited...and it's kind of nauseating after awhile. Your coffee and treats are tasty, so I'll keep coming back.
Plus, I do enjoy hostility, and the nastygram sign about using the cell phone at the counter (see photos) tickled my pickle. -
Review from Chris T.
Seattle, WA
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've passed by Bauhaus at least hundreds of time throughout my years in Seattle but never went in since I stuck to my favorite cafes in the U District. On one of my visits home from the midwest, though, I was stuck in downtown and needed a nice place to study so I thought I'd finally try this place out.
I got a quiche and a mocha and set up shop to study upstairs. The service wasn't as snobby hipster as I'd expected and the music was all right, although I eventually had to put in headphones since I couldn't study with loud, random alternative indie bands playing. The mocha was great and the quiche was all right (1 star) but oddly enough, they said they had absolutely no way to heat it up (seriously?) so it was lukecold. On a weekday afternoon, several tables were taken and only a couple had outlet access from what I could see but I managed to snag one of them.
I will give Bauhaus one thing, though: the atmosphere is fantastic and the place is beautiful. I love the huge staircases that span both levels and the large, quirky art that graces the walls and I love that the floor to ceiling windows give you a chance to people watch and peek out at the Space Needle no matter where you're sitting. And that in itself is worth two stars when you've been away from home for a while. -
Review from Celeste T.
Seattle, WA
4/22/2012
Bauhaus never fails to disappoint my people-watching urges. From the artist who takes up an entire table with his GIANT INK SKETCH to the guy reading a coffee-table book on art (did he find it there, or did he carry it over?) and all the crazy tattoos and hair...it's like a feast for the eyes.
The coffee is fine, and the atmosphere is a bit dark and cramped, but if you're into that it's definitely gonna hit the spot. I love that Bauhaus is easily the best place for late night barista coffee! After 6 pm all the other places close and Bauhaus stands alone. At least on the hill! -
Review from Lisa C.
Seattle, WA
5/1/2012
Man! Nothing beats paying $ to be treated like total shit.
Last night's barista might take the prize in the "Contemptuous and Startlingly Aggressive" category.
Good thing there aren't any other quality coffee shops in Seattle. -
Review from Joanne W.
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Tall bookshelves, amazing coffee, awesome music, oh my.
I'm from Toronto and my friend brought me here to grab an Americano, and we just sat there for about half an hour. Seriously, Seattle, we don't have any coffee shops like the ones that you have here!
I absolutely loved the feel of the place. i sincerely did not want to leave because the music was so good.
However, is it true? I heard the place may be closing down!? #RumourHasIt -
Review from Opal D.
5/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Too long of a line - about a 10 minute wait after I ordered until I got my coffee.
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Review from Leo I.
Oak Park, IL
4/22/2012
Nice place on Capitol Hill, with good coffee and nice surroundings. Munchies selection is a bit lame. Most tables on ground floor have no power outlets nearby. This place charges a fee for credit card transactions under $5. Open door means that cigarette smoke from outdoor patrons enters the establishment.
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Review from Eunice M.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2012
This is an awesome place for studying!
Good coffee, free wifi, plenty of seats, open from 6am to 1am M-F (I didn't know cafes in downtown close so early!), warm ambiance -- creates atmosphere condusive to studying!
Plus, it's in a safe neighborhood.
Just one tip -- If you are going to need to focus on whatev you're doing but need some background noise, then you should bring earplugs. -
Review from Morgan R.
3/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Oh, Bauhaus. If you're somebody with the perpetual desire to be up past midnight, you might really love a coffee shop that caters to your inner night owl. While I've never had a complaint about the coffee, the baristas can be surly, the place can be packed to the gills, and the music can be terribly loud. It does offer a fantastic arena for people watching, though, and with headphones and some concentration, you are able to get a lot of work done. I find myself here every time I need to study and it's already 9 or 10. Pulls me in every damn time, and I think I'm okay with that.
Oh, and they're starting to charge .25 for debit/credit transactions under $5. Just a tip. -
Review from Tagli B.
Philadelphia, PA
4/24/2012
Wow. Feels like a real coffee shop after getting away from the Starbucks! And what a view of the mountains.
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Review from Christina S.
Costa Mesa, CA
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bookmarked this place based upon it's name alone.. Yes, I am a fan of Gropius so I had to come. My friend did say that the coffee was good but he suggested another place to go to. So, with that said the coffee here is good, so good that I picked up some bags to bring back home. Which I am still enjoying and i am now asking my friends to send me bags when I run out. Also, try the juice here as well. They have a great ginger apple fresh juice here that is also AMAZING!
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Review from Joyce J.
4/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
I took my out-of-town friend here to showcase the different coffee options we have here in Seattle. She said she liked the coffee here the best (more than BioWilly's beans at Eltana). I really love the decors with all the old book on the shelves. This appears to be a great place to study as the entire top floor was filled with people with their books and laptops when we went on a Saturday morning. My friend and I had fun reading a picture history book from 1956 that talked about the big family we have in the U.S. of A. Reading the the story is like peeking into a leaf of history itself as you realize how the American story has changed since that era. Anyhow, great coffee and doughnuts here. Definitely a fun place to take your friends if they want to see what a local Seattle cafe (that is not Starbucks) is like.
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Review from Dana D.
Everything about this place screams Capital Hill from the decor to the service. This is a great place to post up with your laptop and cup of coffee. Situated on the corner, the only downside of this place is the lack of parking.
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Review from Matt N.
2/1/2012
Looks like the word hipster is the keyword for this place which I would agree with, but from a coffee standpoint, I really enjoyed the americano that I got. I felt the roast and the flavor of the beans was just right.
I didn't have any customer service issues or notice the eccentric customers they had. I must say the music was a tad bit loud to have a conversation, but I could imagine coming back another time to grab some more espresso and keeping it low key.
The parking situation isn't great which will probably prevent me from coming back soon, but if I'm in the area and craving some coffee, I'll be back. -
Review from Bekah M.
Los Angeles, CA
3/25/2012
Oh Bauhaus I miss you. We used to have an almost daily love affair. You were 2 minutes from my apartment and didn't care if I came in some mornings with my hair mussed and teeth unbrushed. I loved your musical taste, your hip friendly employees, vegan pastries...but most of all I loved your coffee. Yes, I freely admit my relationship with you was solely to get my caffeine fix. However I also enjoyed the art and library decor, people watching while reading and gazing over downtown. I still have your thermos that I fill with sub par coffee and remember fondly our past relationship. Don't ever change....cuz as BM sings, you're amazing just the way you are!
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Review from Michael U.
Dublin, OH
Go here if you want to pretend you are cool.
Go here to set your Mac Book on a table and your Iphone on a chair of its own while pretending to read Proust.
Go here to take up a seat while pulling out your oils and a small canvas to paint while looking forelorn out the windows.
Go here if you want "baristas" with skinny jeans and bad attitudes to give you shit about taking an extra packet or two of Splenda for later even if you are a paying customer.
Go here if you want to pay for parking by the hour while drinking sub-average coffee.
Go here for the dirty bathrooms, the dirty patrons, and the dirty looks.
Actually - don't go here unless you are hard up for wi-fi which is free, but which requires a passcode that the "better than you" hipster behind the counter will only give you after acting like you just asked him to run a marathon. -
Review from Nate F.
Orange, CA
4/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Perfect cup of coffee. Great environment. Free wifi
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Review from Kyle T.
Seattle, WA
4/2/2012
Bauhaus: the only nonpretentious coffee shop on Capitol Hill. It's grungy, open late, full of freaks and outdated encyclopediae, and everything wobbles. These are good things.
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Review from M L.
Seattle, WA
4/28/2012
I really want to love this place. It's super close to home, it's a great place to meet up with friends, but the hot chocolate here is so terrible that I just can't bring myself to come here.
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Review from Ginny M.
Edmonds, WA
3/17/2012
The coffee and snacks are very good but above all I'd go for the environment. It has the ultimate urban coffee house ambience. There is seating upstairs as well as downstairs, and upstairs you can find yourself staring right at the Space Needle or overlooking the downstairs, which is charming in appearance in a "big city vibe" sort of way. I realize some may think that my emphasis on the setting means the coffee is so-so, but I am a coffee fanatic and it passes muster with my standards in that department too.:) But you can get great coffee all over Seattle, whereas the environment, as an added bonus, sets it apart from many other places.
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Review from Damian T.
Seattle, WA
1/24/2012
Their drinks are okay and the space is packed. Fun for people watching and hanging out with people.
Sometimes they play the music a bit too loud.
Open late though, so if you want coffee late night, it's the place to go -
Review from Vina R.
Seattle, WA
3/5/2012 6 Check-ins Here
It's a coffee shop on Broadway... expect artists, creepos, hipsters, bums..there's no condom wrappers on the walls, rat poisoning by the creamers, and there's NEVER pee, blood, or brown stuff on the seat in the woman's bathroom, A+ in my book! They also showcase local artists' work on the walls each month.
Drinks are AAAAAAAIGHT, i've had better coffee at diners. The coffee tastes like its been sitting on a burner for hours, strong and bitter. I normally come at night to visit with friends (to catch up with homework cos we're A++ students like that!) and for food, the only thing left after 9PM are Hostess Ding Dongs or russian tea cookies (which you'd expect to be dusted with gold since they're so darn expensive!). Can they pull out some croissants from the back for us late night goers? C'mon, it's equivalent to going to a restaurant 4 hours before closing and the server says, "Sorry! Kitchen's closed...drinks and stale bread only!" boooo! If you leave at least a $1 tip, the barista won't have such a salty attitude *THUMBS WAY UP -
Review from Greta P.
Seattle, WA
11/23/2011
I really do love this place... but it's hard to find a place to sit sometimes at night. They're one of the only places open until 1am (please don't ever close earlier, I need you). The coffee is great, and I dunno what people are talking about the baristas being mean, because I always find them to be just fine. So they didn't ask you if the sun shines while your head is up your ass. Get over it. They work hard and don't feel like chit chatting with you at the end of the day, having the same dumb conversation about the rain with every customer. (geez.... can you tell I work in the service industry?)
This is still my favorite coffee place. It has a great location for looking downtown or people watching and I'm a total bibliophile, so the mere presence of books is very comforting.
It is also my #1 favorite place to study... I CANNOT concentrate in silence, and if I listen to music on my own, I just end up distracted. The acoustics of Bauhaus somehow mix the chatter of other patrons with the music played over the p.a. into the perfect intersection of white noise. It is fantastic.
I also like coming here with friends. It's intimate enough to be able to have a semi-private conversation. In the summer, it's nice to sit outside, assuming you're okay with second hand smoke (or are smoking). -
Review from Elibe E.
Seattle, WA
1/15/2012
Bauhaus is THE epitome of the Seattle hipster coffee scene. What's best is that the coffee is pretty damned good - the baristas (and baristos) know their stuff.
I prefer to enjoy my coffee while walking the city, but in the fall/winter...well sometimes you want to dry off a bit.
When I moved here, there were a group of artists that would sketch and draw things on Thursdays - I'm not sure if that still goes on? -
Review from Jenna D.
12/14/2011
Not the BEST coffee, but better than a lot of places. The late hours are nice. Sometimes it is hard to find a seat though. That's annoying. Especially when there is some stinky hipster person sprawled out taking up a ton of room.
But anyway, the coffee is strong enough for me to come back. And they sell ding dongs. I really don't like ding dongs, but that's cool.
Have fun finding parking. -
Review from Doug C.
11/9/2011
Bauhaus has a reputation for being pretentious, but I really don't think that's the case. If Bauhaus Books & Coffee were a band, it would be something friendly and upbeat like Smash Mouth. Actually, there's a band that fits the analogy better, but you probably haven't heard of them.
(Never mind that if Bauhaus Books & Coffee were a band, it would probably be Bauhaus.)
Anyways, I found the coffee ordering easy to comprehend and there really wasn't any difficulty or snark here. I found my vanilla latte good, which is to say that it was what you'd expect from the high Seattle standard.
The gimmick with most coffee places is the setting and location which works pretty well for Bauhaus. It's a reasonably convenient location with some people watching possibilities out towards the sidewalk plus wifi. Personally, I liked the seats on the upper level allowing you to gaze at the tragically unused books adorning the walls.Listed in: Coffee Crawl?
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Review from Dublin Fitzgerald K.
Seattle, WA
3/18/2012
Serving up the best coffee for years. All those other places are just playing around.
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Review from Erin F.
Port Orchard, WA
3/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I am pretty sure this is my favorite of all the coffee houses I've been to in Seattle. I am a sucker for hipsters, there are a ton of windows and outlets along the wall, and the coffee is good. I love that there is street parking, even though it's generally pretty busy. The people watching is unmatched, and aside from good coffee... there are Ding Dongs! Every time I have been there, the upstairs has been packed, but it's mostly people hanging out and talking anyhow. The baristas were NOT the most friendly, but the music was good and I got a lot done.
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Review from Jamie Y.
9/18/2011
The music rocked, the seating was comfortable, and the decor fits.
And they have Ding Dongs.Listed in: When on the Hill....
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Review from Jason R.
11/26/2011 2 photos
Ding dongs! The correct typeface! Wall-mounted pencil sharpeners! Efficient people!
Oh, and pretty good coffee. I've only been here during the day and didn't sit a spell, but I did quite like my short experiences here. -
Review from Lanne S.
Seattle, WA
11/4/2011
Bauhaus actually deserves 3.5+ stars in the daytime, and 1-2 at night (earned only because they are open). Since I'm usually in here at night, they get 2 stars from me overall.
I come here to do work in the evening quite frequently mainly due to the fact that they are open late and the coffee is pretty decent. (I order their americanos, not sure about their mochas or drip as I've never ordered them, and my occasional vanilla lattes are so-so).
If you are looking for a place to spend an afternoon soaking up some Seattle culture and conversing with friends, this is a really great spot. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Seattle. The location and views are stellar.
However, at night, if you're looking for a nice place to study or read a book, the only thing Bauhaus has going for it is that it's open. The noise level can get ridiculous, especially later in the evening when the baristas blast the music so loud that turning your own music up all the way will not overpower their hipster-tastic tunes. I really cannot understand why they do this. Sorry, Bauhaus, you are not a dance club, and nobody came here to listen to your stagnant playlist. Additionally, most of the baristas are extremely unfriendly, so don't come here expecting a smile with your order. Finding a seat in the evening, especially if you come with a friend, can often be extremely difficult, so be willing to hover and swoop in when a table opens up. -
Review from Matthias F.
Seattle, WA
4/13/2012
yes, it gets crowded. yes, it can be loud. but if you're looking for an inspiring, friendly place to have a good coffee and a delicious muffin and get some work done, it's a great choice (bring headphones if you're easily distracted).
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Review from Chris T.
11/4/2011
I lived on the same block for a year before I stepped into this place. Dear god I've been missing out.
This place offers a laid back inviting ambiance. Perfect for lounging around with a laptop. -
Review from Phil C.
Seattle, WA
11/15/2011
I met someone from the internet here once and played chess, the inviting and relaxed atmosphere plenty enough to enliven droll banter to pleasant conversation when awkward moments came up. This is oddly how I see Bauhaus, "A welcoming atmosphere" with the stately Walter Gropius peering down at you, judging your lack of refined post-modern artistic sensibilities.
But that's okay. They have the same shitty Chai everyone else seems to have. Their coffee is pretty good. I used to go often enough that I bought a metal coffee cup tin from them, which I didn't end up using enough to make it worth what I spent on it (though I still really want one of those shirts).
It's a usual stop if I'm going downtown from Capitol Hill, though now it's more out of the way so it's a rarity. But if I'm meeting anyone from the train or just got back in town, it's a great spot to relax after traveling before dumping bags at home.
Or, a fantastic welcoming sight for someone new to the area. A view of the Needle, some good coffee and maybe a chocolate Croissant as the sun sets, while a dozen people are reading around you. You pick up the Stranger and settle in for a bit as the line fills with an interesting mix of people. You sip your coffee and hear some laughter, then you go back upstairs where no one is saying A DAMN THING AND STARING AT SCREENS LIKE BROKEN ROBOTS ACHING TO UNDERSTAND THIS HUMAN LOVE WHY OH WHY CANNOT LOVE BEEP BOP BLOOP
Anyway it's a swell place and I like it. Pro tip: free newspapers + soaked seat = wasteful and/or non-wet-butt.
* Edit: When I first moved here I stayed away from Bauhaus for a year because it seemed terrifyingly hip. This may not be the case, but it seems less so once you go often enough. -
Review from Roy K.
Alpharetta, GA
10/3/2011
A must visit if you are non-local type. Why? Because it's a local spot.
Open very late, sells ding dongs, and i think you get a discount if you have body odor.
All adds to the feel of the place.
They do have good espresso.
Free WiFi
Cool setting -
Review from J N.
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cute place. Great coffee; not quite a five, tho. Huge seating area. I had heard lots of good things about this place, and I wasn't disappointed.
Bonus marks for the seating outside which is great for people watching. Really packed on a busy street/intersection. The inside was quaint if not eerie with the shelves upon shelves of ancient books. I could see how it could influence one to pick up a book instead of a laptop!
The pastries did not look like anything to write home about, but I'd love to see someone attempt to eat the vintage cereal on the shelves. Sadly, it was not for sale, but it was sure fun to look at. :)
Although there was only one b.r. per gender, bonus points for its cleanliness!
I would return! -
Review from Rommell M.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
A coffee spot that engenders what Seattle really is.
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Review from Rick S.
Great coffee, location and atmosphere. I love sitting on the 2nd floor overlooking the main level and street. I'm so glad you can't smoke in here anymore!!!
The employees are super friendly, too! -
Review from Ranny K.
Tacoma, WA
6/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is probably the closest I'll get to being Carrie Bradshaw in The City. Since I can't be in Manhattan, I'll settle for Seattle's Capital Hill. It's hard to find a place in Seattle/Tacoma/anywhere in the PNW that's open late and doesn't serve alcohol. So to find a place like this is like finding hidden treasure.
This place is generally busy throughout the day, but it's not hard to find a seat to sit and read/study/write. There are lots of hidden outlets. If you can't find one, like I couldn't, ask...there's one somewhere. It's a spot that you'd find in a college area except it's not crowded with college students.
I love the wall of books. People actually go in to read the books. I think that's pretty cool. Though, they play the music kind of loud--so if you're one of those people who need absolute silence, this is NOT the place for you.
I also love that they have mugs. I have thing for drinking my tea in a mug.
When I start dating again, I'll probably want to go here. I could see my date and I closing this place out.
