Variety

8/6/2016 Updated review

• 2 check-ins

This update is long overdue!  Since my first review of variety, I moved into the neighborhood and live right around the corner.  Accordingly, Variety is my go to coffee shop...but that is not a matter of pure convenience, because there is another great coffee shop equally close, many in the area. So, why Variety...here is my love letter.

Great espresso drinks...I can particularly vouch for cortados and capuccinos, with both their house espresso and the rotating alternative.
Staff is efficient, and just the right combination of hipster aloofness with a touch of friendliness.
Prices are slightly cheaper than comparable coffee shops.  To be clear, that's slightly less expensive, yet some of the best coffee around; so, about the best value I can think of in the city.
Finally, very comfortable place to hang out: good air conditioning, wifi, water always available, clean bathroom, and plenty of pastry options.

Just an all around great coffee shop.

There is a lot more I have to say about Variety as a company/roaster, but saving that for my review of their Wyckoff location.

7/30/2016

• 1 check-in

Their ice coffee latte was perfectly made and not watered down. Definitely a great place to get your caffeine fix.

Service was quick and friendly.

Space was clean with plenty of seating.

6/27/2016

This place is everything you could ask for in a coffee shop. Great coffee, great pastries, fast service, wifi, and a functioning bathroom.

For coffee this good in Williamsburg I would expect them to be charging more, but man am I glad they don't! I stop here every single time I'm in Brooklyn and I just can't get enough. The baristas are friendly and move through the line so quick that even when there are people in front of me, I am sure that I will not be waiting long.

It's right on the way to the L, so why not stop here?! I hear the croissants are the real breadwinner here but I just can't get enough of the muffins. So again, a hot black coffee and a muffin it is!

Variety for the win!!!

6/20/2016 Updated review

• 2 check-ins

This place is nice and coffee is good.
I really like the bench outside so you can enjoy the sun or/and a cigarette. However I don't like that it's cash only because I never have cash on me. And the because of that, I decided to get my coffee at charter. It is a little bit smaller but very friendly and they take cc. I would probably get a coffee once in a while if randomly I  have $5.00 in my wallet which happened like once a year.

6/3/2016

I had a quick coffee date here. It was fine to stop by if you are in or from the neighborhood but I don't see someone going out of their way to stop by.

7/25/2016

Was happy to find this place when it started to rain heavily. Perfect cappuccino and a chocolate croissant warmed me up

6/27/2016

Such a great place, however when I was there they were blasting Phil Collins at an absurd volume the whole time I was trying to work on my laptop. Good lord. Other than that, awesome place.

4/5/2016

Good coffee but... I wish I could say this is my neighborhood coffee shop.. But it's hard to make that claim when I've never actually been able to sit and enjoy my coffee!!! You know those days when you just want to order a coffee and relax with a friend, have a good chat and catch up? This apparently is not the place to do so! Even though there is a decent amount of seating the 2 person, 4 person etc seating is always taken up by ONE person camped out for hours on their laptop. They should enforce some sort of limit or designated laptop section. This place seems to be everyone's home office and I'm standing there trying to have a friendly coffee date. Never going to happen I guess :(

It's a shame because the coffee is pretty good (not exactly stump town good though) & they have robertas pastries.

• 

  Calafia farms barista blend. Yum.

  Calafia farms barista blend. Yum.
• 

  Sticky bun to die for. Took it to go because there's never anywhere to sit in there.

  Sticky bun to die for. Took it to go because there's never anywhere to sit in there.

10/30/2015

The coffee is fine. But the environment is weird. It looks like a cafe that would be on a CBS sitcom about Brooklyn hipsters. Speaking of which a good 2/3rds of the people in there are obviously trying to be seen, as if they were using the cafe as kind of fashion accessory. I guess that's fine if that's what cafes need to do to make money, but it's pretty sad and embarrassing.

And to the guy who gave one star because they're cash only: lol grow up dweeb

5/20/2016

This review is why Yelp sucks sometimes. People only write reviews when they have a really good experience or a really bad experience.

I just had a really great experience. First time I've been to Variety- casual work meeting- forgot my wallet (they don't have apple pay- maybe i should dock a star?) and the girl gave me my muffin for free even though I declined. Things like that rarely happen anymore... Super sweet staff. Sometimes that's all you need!

7/21/2016

Awesome coffee at a good price. Service is generally good too. Inside can be a little cramped but it's New York

4/26/2016

Great coffee, even their plain coffee is pretty good. Definitely the best cup you can get for $1.50. It's also a great place to do work or study since they have lots of tables and outlets in the back. Service is really friendly and attentive.

10/24/2015

• 15 check-ins

I love coming in here to do a little work or reading on my way to my Italian class. The drinks are reasonably priced, especially if you're not getting anything too fussy, and the staff are welcoming. The natural light that pours in through the big front window really makes the space great for reading or working (though please, don't be that jerk with the laptop who takes up a table of four for hours), and the seating goes farther back than you'd think from the outside, so plenty of space.

2/17/2015

• 1 check-in

Walked in with slight trepidation, but was pleasantly surprised at the sweetness and smiliness of the barista and cashier. Very pleasant when you're hungover at 8:30, trying to haul ass to work. The coffee was decent.

Pro-tip: there's a huge crack in the door in front of you when you sit and pee. Enjoy the pee-ple watching!

6/5/2014

• 7 check-ins

Variety is my life blood, like actually though cause if I don't get a coffee I can't live.

It's a cute little cafe/coffee shop off Graham Ave, the staff is super friendly, the atmosphere is great. There's wifi and lots of friendly neighbors.

Andddd they have cold brew for $2.50 which is slightly less than the other places in the hood and it's also tastier.

Basically- go here, it's awesome.

5/27/2016

5 stars specifically for folks looking for a cafe to work from. They have outlets, reliable wi-fi, just the right music (lots of 70s, 80s + current; not too distracting) at just the right volume, and coffee refills for $1. And as someone else commented, definitely best coffee around for $1.50 (considering it's $2 at Millennium supermarket). Plus friendly service.

9/13/2015

• 1 check-in

• Listed in NYC Coffee

Very hipster coffee shop in Williamsburg. Good vibe and decent number of seats though many people have laptops and was hard to actually find a seat.

Coffee was good and refreshing. Fairly strong brews.

2/7/2016

The go-to coffee spot for anyone near Graham on the L.

3/21/2016

Great place to get your work done. Very laid back, with non-distracting music and nice crowd most of the time. The best in the area if you're looking to study or work for a few hours, or have a meeting. It can be crowded and noisy on the weekends, but you will most likely find a spot anytime. They have plenty of outlets and no "laptop free tables". They accept cash now too, which was probably their only downside before! I have tried many other coffee shops in Williamsburg/Greenpoint but it stayed my favorite.

7/13/2015

I walk past the Dunkin Donuts and come here and get a hot coffee.  Sometimes I sit in the back with my laptop and do a little work.  They keep the AC up, so it's comfortable during the summer.  I haven't had a problem finding an outlet and someone willing to plug me in.  

Remember it's cash-only, but that shouldn't be a problem because any responsible person should have cash on him or her for emergencies...right?