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Bedlam Coffee
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
2231 2nd Ave(between Blanchard St & Bell St)
Seattle, WA 98121
Neighborhood: Belltown
(206) 910-2300
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 am - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 7 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
117 reviews for Bedlam Coffee
Review Highlights
"Decided to try the lavender mocha ($3.95 taller."
(in 13 reviews)
"The kicker is, though, the Mighty O doughnuts."
(in 4 reviews)
"Their own chai is pretty darn good."
(in 11 reviews)
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117 reviews in English
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Review from melissa f.
South San Francisco, CA
9/28/2011
hello nutella mocha with CHOCOLATE whipped cream! I'm in love...
delicious! and strong!
Super friendly staff.
Good music.
Free wifi
Games to pass the time.
Plenty of comfortable seats. -
Review from Erik M.
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I wandered down Second Ave in need of coffee after an appointment last week, assuming I'd wind up at my usual Belltown destination a little further south. As I ambled by Bedlam, I glanced in the window and thought "Hmm, I've heard of that place." The next thing I knew, I was standing at the counter ordering my coffee. I don't actually recall walking into the place, but I'm glad I did.
Bedlam feels like an old school Seattle coffeeshop: Funky and casual, with a personality that feels simultaneously spontaneous and carefully crafted. The biggest surprise was that the baristas were really friendly and pleasant rather than throwing off the aloof demeanor that can go along with a specialty coffeeshop, or any specialty shop or service for that matter. The place just has a great vibe to it.
And the coffee was damn tasty too.
Suffice to say, I'm pretty sure I've found my new coffeeshop for those rare occasions that I find myself there during my usual coffee consuming hours. -
Review from Greta P.
Seattle, WA
11/23/2011
The coffee is good. There's a lot of crappy coffee in Seattle (and also a lot of great coffee in Seattle). Bedlam falls on the better side, most definitely.
The atmosphere is fantastic. The front room looks kinda half den/half kitchen-y, which I dig. I like to come here to play board games. There's also a public meeting room in the back that you can reserve.
Their baked goods look yums, but I have not yet indulged.
The drug dealers outside are a nuisance. BUT the owners/employees here are avidly working against them! (Seriously.... there are some sweet news clips of some of their tactics.) Awesome people with a great place and they're positively influencing their community. Kudos, Bedlam. -
Review from Cindy T.
11/20/2011
Lavender, I dislike you in lotion form, but you are growing on me in many other ways.
Lavender ice cream.
Lavender dry soda.
And now, lavender mocha?
Another winning point for lavender! -
Review from Kelly B.
Seattle, WA
1/31/2012
Have you ever been to a place that never makes a bad latte? Yeah me neither until Bedlam. Best coffee in town and delightful sweet things. Very very friendly staff, open mike nights and play with strangers Saturday nights. Check 'em out, you'll thank me.
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Review from deletedaccount d.
Seattle, WA
1/22/2012
Wireless doesn't work. Staff unable to help.
There are a lot of things to like about this place, unfortunately a coffee shop needs wireless to be useful for me. I am technically able to solve most wireless problems, heck I used to write software that would communicate directly to wireless network cards. But I couldn't get my computer, with a fairly standard wireless connection, to connect to their network. I asked the staff to try rebooting their wireless access point, and they indicated there is nothing they can do.
If you don't need wireless, Bedlam coffee is a nice place. Myself, I'll either be down the street at Cherry St Cave or the other direction at Uptown coffee.Comment from Ben B. of Bedlam Coffee 1/22/2012
If you do ever come back, to use our wifi...try switching to… More » -
Review from Han O.
11/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Their foam truly keeps the heat in. After an hour, my drink was still warm.
I had some caramel concoction since I am not yet a baron of coffee drinkdom quite yet. They spared me the gentrified patronization of making it sweet. The espresso flavor was the star, the caramel but a bit player and barely noticeable.
Thank you for maintaining my sanity. -
Review from Inna B.
Seattle, WA
8/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I needed to find a place with wi-fi to finish up some work after a pedicure, and a Stylus employee pointed me in the direction of Bedlam.
I didn't have any coffee, but I did enjoy a donut (doughnut?) while I worked on my laptop at the big table in the room toward the back. Pretty comfortable spot.
The barista was busy when I came back to ask him for the wi-fi password, but another customer helped me out. While working I met one more friendly customer who was there for their open mic night, and we ended up chatting for 5-10 minutes. So nice to actually find a place (that's not a bar) where customers are down to meet the person they're sitting next to. I also remember hearing one amazing singer perform...
What a fun, quirky spot. I look forward to visiting them again.Listed in: Belltown, Free wi-fi? Yes, please.
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Review from Ryan J.
San Diego, CA
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
As far as the Seattle coffee scene goes it's hard to stand out but they manage.
My girlfriend ordered the lavender latte on the recommendation of one of the employees and I got a drip (I try to keep it simple so I can compare).
The lavender latte was quite tasty but may be a little of an acquired taste. Give it a shot bc it's definitely unique. The drip was great. I like my coffee strong an this was right up there. For most, the drip would be great with a little cream and sugar to soften it a bit. Delicious! -
Review from Jess C.
10/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was concerned this place got rave reviews because of it's decor and personality (A+ by the way - I feel like I'm back in my hipster neighborhood, aka the mission in SF). I also thought the rave reviews came from sort of cheating people into liking coffee by adding tons of sugar to it (isn't this contrary to beliefs of true coffee-holics?).
What really stands out here besides the quirky personality of the coffee shop, great amenities (wifi, tons of tables, couches), and interesting menu (lavender mocha.. what!), is the fact that despite adding nutella to my latte, the espresso's strength balanced out the sweetness. I loved that their whipped cream is heavy and thick (maybe they use full cream to make it?). And they also offer both chocolate and regular whip.
I want to point out that even though they are hipster, they were still super nice. Beware, the nutella latte is still sweet, so if you're looking for something simple you may want to stick with the coffee or espresso. Can't wait to come back! -
Review from Daren D.
8/7/2011
Their own chai is pretty darn good. Now, if you ask me, Daren, what kind of chai do you like or enjoy the most? Answer: It all depends on my mood; I've had many. Sometimes I don't care, sometimes I want 1-2-3, sometimes I want A-B-C... They said it was spicy (which, to certain palettes, I'm sure it is), but it was just subtle enough for me and still great flavor. Thumbs up for the chai! Also good donut(s).
What's hot: *TMI* There's a hot piece of artwork with a nice pu$$y spread.
What's cool: The funky and whimsical art & decor and games---wooden labyrinth ball game classic mind asplotion! + the Staff.
Chai, vagina, board games, awesome space, cool staff... what's not to like? -
Review from Beth G.
Seattle, WA
1/16/2012
try a lavender latte! the crowd here is funky but take that as you will! i love the board games and variety of seating. a great place to work and have fun!
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Review from Maria K.
11/24/2011
I stopped into Bedlam to get caught up on some studying and was fairly delighted when I tried their lavender latte. The drink had just enough flavoring and was a good choice for an overcast lazy Sunday afternoon. The place provides a great laid back atmosphere with the couches, and tables large and small for catching up on work. There was nothing that stood out to me as amazing at this place, but I would go back if I was in the area and looking for a place to grab a cup of coffee.
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Review from Shalin D.
7/14/2011
I think I would feel differently if I were a local? But, sadly, my exposure to this admittedly cute-as-hell cafe is limited: only one visit during my stay in Seattle. It's a great place to hang out. Excellent for an afternoon read. The people-watching is aces. What's more, it's one of the few cafes I could easily see a twink, tranny, or prep sipping a latte.
But, what's the point of doing any of these if the coffee is mediocre? Granted, my expectations were high. When I think of Seattle, I think: IV DRIP + COFFEE. At this joint, though, the coffee tasted medicinal. I'm highly suspicious there was leftover soap in the pot. My drip coffee tasted like it was laced with Palmolive. Thankfully, the coconut cake I got on the side (okay, fine, it was the main course) was delish.
When I go back to Seattle, I might go back to hang out and stuff my face with cake... not for the coffee. -
Review from Joshua D.
Seattle, WA
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
When I first moved to Seattle and was stuck temporarily in Belltown, this place was my go-to. It still amazes me that nobody else I've found has figured out how awesome a nutella latte can be (hazelnut mocha just isn't the same!). They keep rice milk and soy milk in stock for people who skip dairy for whatever reason, and the cinnamon toast with butter is good enough not to care about the cow.
I bring friends by here when they visit from out of town, and the only time there's been a bad experience was when a customer--who apparently took a wrong turn somewhere in 1950--started up with some homophobic heckling (in Seattle?). But Bedlam will still be there long after whatever swollen prostate he was sitting on kills him, and in the meantime I'll just encourage my alternative friends to visit as often as possible. -
Review from Val B.
Seattle, WA
8/15/2011
So many coffees that are so very good!
I'm actually sipping on a Monkey Spice Mocha right now and it tastes chai-y but mocha-y.
Ok so at this moment I'm completely out of it and my taste buds are so confused that I can't think of the spice that I'm tasting, but this Monkey is light, mocha, spice (nutmeg?anise?) delicious and round tasting.
Last night I had a coffee with nutella in it which was also amazing. Love coffee, love nutella, so this was twice the love in a cup.
And I also got to play Mortal Kombat on their Xbox against my bf.
Definitely will be back, cause Bedlam also has the Kinect and I absolutely want to look like a fool while jumping and ducking and hopefully not breaking my ankles :) -
Review from c s.
Fairfax, VA
8/14/2011
Where do I begin?
This is, in my mind, the prototypical Seattle coffee shop. I started going here when I lived in Magnolia and continued to go here after moving to Lake City...it was worth the drive across town.
The usual suspects are all here, but Bedlam has several of their own concoctions that are well-designed and masterfully executed. Their Mate Latte and Bonfire Mocha are two personal favorites. They also feature Mighty-O(vegan) donuts, amazing cakes and cupcakes from Yellow Leaf that are to die for(get the pancake and bacon cupcake!)
The decor, seating, furniture are cozy and warm, while being eccentric. They rotate works by local artists and nearly everything is for sale, and they keep a stock of quirky books on hand as well as copies of the Stranger and Seattle Weekly for browsing....the overall vibe is bohemian/punk rock...
Lastly, the staff and owners are some of the nicest, coolest people in Seattle. Drop by and tell them Carl misses them or you're a dick. -
Review from Heather W.
Seattle, WA
8/3/2011
I really like this place. Solid coffee, fun atmosphere, and love that all the games are available to use (played a few hours of Uno and rewarded the establishment with a few rounds of coffee drinks). Not many coffee shops in downtown proper encourage lingering like Bedlam does, and I appreciate that.
You'd think it was pretentious because of it's vocally unpretentiousness, but it truly isn't. Every customer is treated equally (with kindness) and the coffee is strong strong strong. Whoa, strong. Definitely a regulars kind of place in a un-regulars sort of neighborhood. -
Review from Arianne R.
Bellingham, WA
4/14/2011
The first time that I stumbled into Bedlam I remember thinking that this was the sort of place that I could develop a long-term (and long-distance) relationship with. I live about an hour and a half away, but gladly make the trip out a couple of times a month for the most perfect espresso ever. I've tried a number of other places that tend to rate highly, but no one has the beans or the attitude that Bedlam does.
The guys who work here are smart, adorable and have great taste in music (thanks for the recommendation for The Glitch Mob)-- I could honestly take up residence. -
Review from Erik A.
Oak Harbor, WA
4/13/2011
What a great little place!
Just a super cool, super tiny, coffee shop that does all the right things.
I will be visiting this place every time i am in seattle as they make an americano that hits like a ton of bricks. Nice help, good coffee, and even tasty donuts.
If starbucks is the piss water "bud light" of coffee, then this place is the well made craft beer.
Oh Bedlam, i wish you were closer. -
Review from Lily S.
3/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
What an interesting space this coffee shop occupies!
The decor is v funky, the baristas are friendly, they play lovely music, they carry genmaicha - which made me v happy, and they have great wifi!
I was a bit put off by the fact that there was someone in there w/ their large dog who proceeded to jump on everyone that walked in the door as well as the crazies of Belltown milling in and out, but otherwise, it's a v charming place to hang out and sip your tea or coffee.
I'm not entirely sure if they carry decaf as they didn't the day I was there (and I wanted to jump out of my skin b/c I don't normally drink caffeine and I DID that day), but that won't stop me from coming in and enjoying my time there. -
Review from Joseph H.
Laguna Hills, CA
7/12/2011
Your typical cool, hipster cafe. Nonsensical assortments outline the wall, with eclectic artworks by local artists, and a rusted fixie bike hang from the ceiling.
On Tuesdays they have an open mic night, which I won't be staying to see all the new obscure music I should probably know about.
Plenty of seating, free wifi, and strong, bold coffee to keep you up to surf digg off your cool hipster macbook.
Coffee is pretty strong and bold, nothing fancy with the foam or anything. A few blocks down from Pikes place, if you're looking around Seattle; save your money and walk over here to grab something better than Starbucks.
They also have a wide selection of board games. Come over and play some monopoly deal while supporting a local establishment. -
Review from Stacey H.
Seattle, WA
7/3/2011
Been going here regularly, so I figure I should review. Bedlam is a small coffee shop full of great coffee, interesting trinkets, and great study/working spaces. There's even a back room where you can go to study with a group or with fewer distractions. I've never seen Bedlam be uncomfortably full - there's always space to sit. With windows across the front of the shop, this is an optimal place for people-watching in Belltown. Parking is easy with a small parking lot next door. Pro tip: If you come here a lot, you can ask for a "buy ten get one free" card which they hand-make out of a business card.
I usually stop by a couple times each weekend, and Luke is always here and knows my order :-). Although I've heard Bedlam has had some problem with "bedlam" happening outside, I've never had an issue. The store is a great member of the community and are doing what they can to get rid of the problems: http://www.seattlepi.c.... In total, this is a great place to go if you want to experience some of the small-business coffee culture that Seattle is known for. -
Review from Nicholas C.
Seattle, WA
4/1/2011
I came back to Bedlam after a bad experience and had a much better one. The atmosphere was much more conducive to enjoying coffee, and Ben, the owner, and the barista working were cheerful and talkative. The coffee was solid. I really prefer latté art (because I believe coffee is as much an aesthetic experience as one of the palette), but I understand that Bedlam does not use it on principle. (They contend that latté art compromises the flavor by making the espresso stick to the foamed milk on the sides of the cup as you drink.)
Also, Ben organized the Belltown Art Walk, so you can tell that they're not just a coffee shop, they're dedicated to their community.
Overall, a good bet if you're in the neighborhood.Comment from Ben B. of Bedlam Coffee 4/4/2011
Perhaps you'd like to give us another chance. And if not… More » -
Review from Suzy R.
Seattle, WA
11/7/2011
Oh I love Bedlam Cafe. It's a belltown gem.
The Lavendar Mocha, Nutella Mocha or Rose Hot Chocolate (Delicious!) are just a few unique concoctions that are to die for. It's a great place to chill so bring some friends, grab a hot drink, a cupcake and play some LIFE.
Also, I very much love the rotations of unique and sometimes strange Artwork. Very cool (: -
Review from Jill B.
Seattle, WA
10/13/2011
Walk in and Charlie (not a tuna) greets you with a big Hey How Are Ya!! and fixed up my friend with a mean coffee and me with a great tea!!! This place is casual comfy cozy and rockin' all at the same time!!!
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Review from Michael L.
Kirkland, WA
First time here. I like the variety of mocha they serve, and the nutella mocha was great! I will come back & try the rest of them.
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Review from Charlene Y.
Walnut, CA
7/11/2011
I killed time here because it was too early for my friends and I to check in to our hostel, but I'm so glad we found this place!
The drinks and pastries are yummy, fresh, and original. The staff is super nice, and they play awesome music (I Shazamed almost every song). The environment is random, yet very decorative. Plus, they have a great variety of board games :)
The only reasons why I didn't give it all 5 stars is because I've only tried a few drinks. Also, the prices are little high for my liking.
I'm back in LA now, and I really miss this place! -
Review from Sara L.
Seattle, WA
5/13/2011
Not sure what else to say about this place that everyone else hasn't already said.
The gentleman and I are fairly new to the neighborhood and bedlam has become a regular occurrence in our lives. He goes nearly every day for his morning coffee, and on the weekends I can join him and we sit and enjoy the ambiance (and board-games!) offered.
2nd and Bell can get a little ghetto, but we try to not be bothered too much, as this neighborhood is worth it. And I know theyre working to improve it all the time.
The coffee is great, the staff is courteous and much cooler than I am. And the coffee is really good. They do a lot of neighborhood meet-ups (belltown writers, game night, open mic) which is awesome, I hope I find a reason to go to one some day. And the coffee is really delicious.
Certainly worth going. -
Review from Elizabeth L.
Seattle, WA
10/2/2011
A favorite Seattle perch - comfy couches and tables perfect for studying/working while enjoying a killer DJ - always has the best music. Friendly staff makes great drinks - recommend the monkey spice mocha, bonfire mocha, and rose mocha.
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Review from Texie Y.
Seattle, WA
5/2/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Don't let the occasional bedlam happening in the vicinity of 2nd and Bell keep you from patronizing Bedlam Coffee. Good coffee and really friendly folks, from the staff to the patrons, await you inside.
Unlike many other parts of the city and other coffee shops in particular, I usually end up having interesting little conversations with random people when I visit. And guess what, Seattle? It's actually kind of fun to talk to people you don't know, especially over a good cup of coffee and a slice of cake (did I mention they have cake?!). So go ahead and try it sometime, and consider Bedlam an excellent place to start.
Bonus points, too, go to the owner of Bedlam Coffee who is super active in the Belltown neighborhood and is doing great work to give Belltown a real sense of community. It really does make a difference! -
Review from Robin N.
Seattle, WA
3/13/2011
I LOVE this place!! The baristas here are super cool and laid back. Funky decor, board games you can grab and play, and they put on fun small events for the public (open mic nights, battleship tournaments, etc). And they really seem to support local artists, which is also awesome!
If you go, I recommend the nutella mocha or a hazelnut hot chocolate. They also sell toast, which I think in our minds we automatically think of some thin slices of bread w/ a little butter rubbed on. NO WAY! Bedlam's toast comes in GIANT THICK handmade slices. Not sure where there get it from, but it's too die for! I always order the cinnamon swirl toast (no raisins, thank god!) w/ butter, and it even has a little bit of sugar on top of the crust... HMMMMM!!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE Bedlam!Listed in: Bouncin' Around Belltown
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Review from Jonathan H.
Los Angeles, CA
10/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the kind of coffee shop we need more of. Very cool, very fun and hip joint with good coffee. Long live "mom-an-pop"!
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Review from Christopher N.
Seattle, WA
1/21/2011
I am a San Francisco Bay Area transplant currently establishing residency in Seattle for graduate school at the University of Washington, commencing fall 2012. This is a wonderful cafe with a relaxing atmosphere. If you are familiar with the Delta of Venus Cafe & Pub in Davis, CA, Espresso Metro in Sacramento CA., Ciocolat Extraordinary Desserts in Davis, CA., & Cafe Milano in Berkeley, CA...you will love this place.
The employees are friendly and very conversational. Matter of fact I got into a great conversation about my alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley, with one of the employees and she hopes to transfer to Berkeley, fall 2012. So I was able to tell her about some great cafe's in the Berkeley area, and it helped curtail my homesickness...Lol. Go Bears!
The coffee is wonderful and reasonably priced compared with most coffee houses. There are board games available as well and interesting art work on the walls. This place reminds me of the Berkeley ethos...I will definitely visit this coffee house frequently.
I love you Seattle! :) -
Review from Scott F.
Seattle, WA
9/19/2011
Very cool atmosphere - funky Belltown 2nd ave style. Love the cayenne coffee drinks and that it's so close to Regrade Park and my favorite imbibing spots.
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Review from Mohammad G.
San Francisco, CA
11/30/2011
oh yelp you let me down BIG TIME. i was in a coffee mode hit up yelp and thought "wow 4.5 stars from SEATTLE-ANS? this place must be the shit!" so i went and was greeted at the coffee bar by a VERY nice and VERY helpful lady. shes why im not giving this spot negative stars. to be in seattle and serve lackluster coffee is a shame. i had a lavender cappaccino it was that bitter espresso with foams of milk kind of thing that has no place at a nice coffee shop. it was not tasty at all and just was weird. the vibe of the coffee shop was pretty cool and in fact if the coffee was better it would be a 5 star spot FOR SURE. but man....i had such high expectations that it was a brutal cup of coffee...bummer on me.
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Review from Jon L.
10/6/2010
Open late, but a bit sketch.
After the event at Pintxo, I was feeling a bit in need of some sobering. Fortunately, Bedlam Coffee is just down the block. It is one of the few coffee shops open late, though most are on the Hill.
Crazy quiet on a weekday evening, the decor is untraditional. You will not mistake this place for a Starbucks. Certainly if you take a look at their menu, you will figure that out. Their coffee drinks list is quite interesting, particularly their mocha selection.
Decided to try the lavender mocha ($3.95 taller). The mocha was sweet, though I can not quite put my finger on why I did not like it as much as I should. Lavender is a bit of a background type of flavor. There was a lot of whipped cream and chocolateness in the drink which was nice, but also quite indulgent.
Service was okay. A bit low key. Though I could not find where they put the coffee lids, so I roamed the streets of Belltown lidless. Probably for my own good. A quiet Belltown weekday evening is kind of creepy.
Bedlam is okay, but a type of place that I would probably not have visited if not for the fact that it is the one coffee shop that stays open late in Belltown.Listed in: Coffee & Tea Shops
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Review from Crystal H.
10/23/2010
As laid back as something could be, Bedlam still managed to spice up my afternoon. And as tempting as a straight up Americano sounded, the sound of an aromatic spicy chai latte lured me in.
It wasn't piping hot, so for those who like to scorch your tongues on the first sip, you might want to ask for "extra hot." For me, it's like the barista read my mind. I'm the type who waits 20 minutes before taking my first sip. But not at Bedlam - I was whisked away by spicy, sweet, spice as I indulged in my first sip walking out the door. Thank heavens for Bedlam and spicy chais, I thought as a windy downpour descended on my pour uncovered head. -
Review from Kelly J.
Seattle, WA
10/25/2010
I am in love with this place and am now one of those silly people who brings in my laptop to work just so I can soak up the magic that is Bedlam. I love the decor, love the owner who is down to earth and friendly. Love the very nice guy Charlie behind the counter. Yes, I love this place so much I made a glittery B to hang in there and they hung it up.
They make a great cup of coffee or tea and their pastries are divine. They support local artists by hanging their work regularly. (Perhaps one day mine if I am worthy enough.)
And they have great hours for that early morning, midday or late evening lounge and sip. I love Bedlam being in the neighborhood. -
Review from Michael F.
Seattle, WA
9/1/2011
This is now officially my favorite coffee house in Seattle! The perfect balance of kitsch, great mellow indie music, and a very friendly and good looking staff! Obviously they don't need help in the review department but I was tired of working and wanted to write a review.
