Irie Bean Coffee Bar
Category: Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)2310 S Lamar
Austin, TX 78704 (512) 326-4636
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
15 Reviews for Irie Bean Coffee Bar
As a girl from Boston preparing for my transplant to Austin, I was down there just recently and spent some good quality time at this place. My face was stuck in my laptop the whole time on my wild and crazy job hunt, but my mouth was enjoying a perfectly bold, icy cold (I really liked the ice cubes, they were a good size) iced coffee. Maybe it is because I'm use to Boston where people are a lot different (less outwardly friendly?) than you wonderful Austinites, but the service was so pleasant! I can see myself spending a lot of time here since it is right down the street from where I'll be living. The outdoor patio area is pretty wicked as well (I'm told "wicked" is more of a Boston term... but hopefully it doesn't get lost in translation here). Bonus points given for a pristine bathroom! YAY! See you there.
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There's definitely something chill about finding a cool space that you'd not heretofore frequented, and to that end, thanks Irie Bean: you guys did right by me. I happened in here with a few folks this past weekend, and I really adore the outside patio. Long, boho-modern, corrugated metal, aztec plant chic, gravel with a side of singer songwriter onstage. You don't have to be some sort of hipper Seacrest-access soothsayer (thank heavens) to get that there might be a couple of things there that would ease the blood pressure a bit.
I haven't in all honesty spent a tremendous amount of time hanging out inside, and it kind of seems like the best M.O. here is to head out back where the breeze blows easy. The inside staff was plenty sweet when I headed in, but there's just something about letting the crosswinds blow through your hair with a cold one (or, I gather, a latte) in tow. I'll be back, mostly cause I felt a little like I was getting away with something, like I'd discovered an enclave I'd driven by a thousand times that had been beckoning for a respite. It's not valhalla here, but it's not half-bad. And definitely worth round two.
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Great local feel and great creama. I love the glass espresso cup. The bar seats are comfy. I guess I'm one of those creepy laptop men that one reviewer was complaining about, and Irie may be less ideal for long-term laptop work, since seating and outlets are limited. (There are a lot of seats in the form of bar stools around the bar but no outlets there.) Irie would be an ideal place to stop with a friend to get caffeinated before a show at Alamo South. They have bottled beer also. Great place for all except maybe for us creepy laptop guys, who can only last a couple hours on our creepy battery power, then we must leave and hit other places that creepy men go.
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IMO, there are never too many friendly, laid back and funky places in Austin to go set a spell and listen to free or inexpensive music.
I went to the Irie Bean Coffee Bar for the first time last night. Was happy to learn it was right on the #3 bus line, making it easy for me to get there taking just one bus (not two), and when I leave there while it is dark to go back north there is a well-lit bus stop (no bench though) almost right across the street but slightly north, in front of Van's something or other.
I liked the funky seating in the outdoor/back yard area with a choice of old wood table with benches, plastic chairs and the molded fake lawn seating that looked like something out of a miniature golf course?
The people selling the coffee and pastries, etc. were super friendly and I got to hear another band I had not yet heard. The cost of one tea bag with hot water was $1.75, but I guess that's normal these days and since I didn't have to pay a cover to get in I'm cool with that.
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With all the other coffee bars in town, I don't really see the point of going to this place. While my Americano espresso was good, my GF's regular coffee was not. What's more, the guy behind the counter seemed a little put out that we'd actually walked in and ordered some coffee. How dare us! We probably won't be back.
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Disclosure- my BFF works here, but I love Irie Bean!
Come on, who has super fun game night and totally open mic night every week?! This is a TRUE neighborhood coffee place. Laid back and unpretentious. Go here.
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I came here for the first time since it was Swerve a few weeks ago and think I might have found my new South Austin spot. I came here to check email and have coffee and then I realized they have beer and wine. They have really cheap beer and wine during happy hour too which is cool. I did notice that everyone in there seemed to be regulars or at least know the bartender which is another good sign. The bartender was really nice and talked to me quite a bit. I came back here again after that and had almost the exact same experience. Super nice bartender, cool crowd and good music. So nice to have a south hangout like that!
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This is my favorite hang out/neighborhood coffee bar in town. I love the location, I love the vibe and decor of the place and I have always had the best service here.
I enjoy the music they play, the fun events they are always hosting either in the shop or out back on their killer patio. They even have good sandwiches and bakery items.
I have always had a great cup of coffee from this place, whether it was an iced coffee, blended coffee or just plain ol' joe, it has always been very good.
Not sure why some people have a problem with this place, I really enjoy the staff, I love the couches and being able to just sit, relax, listen to some good music and Yelp!
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This review will probably change after I visit Irie Bean again, as I've only been once.
My experience was notable for this fact: There were 12 men in there, all between the ages of 25-45, all by themselves, almost all working on laptops, and...me. I sat down with my espresso (great crema) and a cookie, all intent on reading, when I felt kinda...weird. And I couldn't place why. Then I noticed the customers. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it was notable, to be sure.
Otherwise, the service was friendly, they were playing Modest Mouse on request (definitely not mine, but somebody's), and there seemed to be a lot of regulars. It was entertaining listening to the banter and conversations, and it's obviously a place that people love.
They have an ATM, but I think they accept credit cards. I didn't pay a lot of attention. You're covered either way, I guess.
I liked the vibe because of how lived-in, third-placey it was. It had a local-neighborhood-hangout feel to it.
Oh, and the back patio, shared with other businesses, has a spaceship.
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So weird! Are the other two reviewers talking about the same Irie Bean I enjoy going to?
All of my experiences have been quite pleasant. After my second visit, the barista already new what I wanted to order. Now, that's service! I've also had several interesting conversations with one of the owners, the baristas and other customers hanging out there. The coffee bar is cozy and friendly. They have free wi-fi and plenty of power outlets which is a plus! Also, its dog friendly - major plus!
I recommend this place if you want to hang out for a couple of hours to work, chat, surf....very relaxing and the music selection is most interesting (mainly depends on the person working.)
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These guys don't know what they're talking about. The Irie Bean feels exactly like it's name...positive vibes! Maybe if they weren't so crabby in the morning they would appreciate a good conversation and some friendly bantering. The staff at The Bean is always smiling. Great coffee. And what sets them apart from other local joints is their fun events...trivia thursdays, campfire songs (open mic nite) wednesdays, happy hours, and more. I highly recommend checking them out!
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Reading other reviews, I'm glad my experience of being a bit lonely in the place was not uncommon. They do have a lot of cool stuff going on during happy hour, and a wide magazine selection.
However, I think the location lends itself to few patrons, and that 'the only other 2 people who came in within 2 hours seem to know the barista really well, what's up with that?' feeling I got.
As always with small coffee shops, I hope they survive. I guess it'll just take time for people to find it.
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-----08------
I have grown to love this place. They have tons of events and live music. It's much more down to earth and comfortable then Swerve was.
It's a little a little more pricey then other local places like Green Muse but it's closer and it's got a good crowd.
-----07------
Pro's:
- They now sell booze
Con's:
- It's not Swerve anymore! :(
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Agree with previous reviewer. Terrible, terrible service, even when you are the only person in the place, which appears to happen pretty often. The barristas are rude, seeming to prefer chatting with their friends at the bar to making coffee for people who come in to buy it.
I used to love the old Swerve, but whoever is running the place now needs to learn the basics of running a customer service oriented business. The coffee isn't good enough to put up with the crap, especially when you get charged a different price for the same thing every time you come in.
Bottom line: not worth it--go to the Green Muse instead.
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Irie Bean had two types of coffee on the menu when I visited there on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately they were out of both. A coffee shop out of coffee? On a Sunday morning? What's next, a video store without videos? I guess it might be understandable if they were super busy and ran out, but I was the only customer in the store.
I was told that it would take three minutes to brew the coffee. I didn't say anything, but the guy at the counter could sense I was disappointed and offered me a large for a small price. OK, whatever. He acted unapologetic and tried to play it off as if it were no big deal. A coffee shop out of coffee. Happens all the time, right?
I'd have been cool about it after that, except when I was served my coffee well over the three minute estimate he sarcastically said, "See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Like I was a little kid who was scared to get a shot at the doctor. What the dude didn't know was I was then in danger of missing an appointment that was very important for my career. Thankfully I made it, but I didn't know that getting a simple coffee to go would be such a hassle.
In their defense, I was going on a recommendation of a friend, so maybe your experience will be better. As for me, I probably won't be back. I found their coffee to have a good flavor and quite strong (which I prefer), but I like to take my coffee without cream, sugar or attitude.
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