Between classes, jobs, internships, papers, group projects, student groups, and events, there is one substance that most college students will agree keeps them functional and awake: caffeine. The most popular form to consume caffeine seems to be through coffee. It doesn't have to be good coffee, it just has to be tolerable enough to gulp down while frantically speed reading the last 50 pages of your Art History textbook that you didn't get to finish last night because you were too busy (watching Empire). There are plenty of coffee shops around NYU's campus to get your supply, and while they seem to all be the same upon first glance, in fact, they may serve many different purposes. Whether you want to grab coffee quickly so you can make it to your class in 2 minutes, find a quiet place to study, or mingle with fellow pierced, tatted, and otherwise "alternative" artists and writers (or to avoid them), this article will rate coffee shops that are an easy walking distance from NYU by hipster level, seating/line, and bathroom quality (all that's really important).
(Keep in mind that this is not all of the coffee shops near NYU, and there are many gems to still be discovered by the brave of heart.)
1. Oren's Coffee
Hipster Level: ★★★ || Seating/Line: ★★ || Bathroom: ★
There are not too many hipsters to be seen here. This is probably because there is only a 3 person, uncomfortable bar to sit at, no bathroom, and expensive drink options. We all know that those creative types tend to have weak bladders and weak wallets.
2. Witchcraft
Hipster Level: ★★★★ || Seating/Line: ★★★★★ || Bathroom: ★★★★
Do you see how empty this place is? The coffee is not bad, nor is it more ridiculously expensive than the other coffee shops in the area. There's plenty of space to study, no line to speak of, and a clean bathroom that you need a code to unlock (fancy). And despite the name, there are no witches in sight (that might be a letdown for some of you).
3. Argo Tea
Hipster Level: ★★★ || Seating/Line: ★★★|| Bathroom: ???
Why would you come here? Yes, it's conveniently in the middle of campus, but they don't serve coffee, and as much as your health-freak friends try to convince you otherwise, tea just does not give the same buzz that coffee does. Besides this, there is almost always a line, all the seats you want to sit in are almost always taken, and what the hell is a Maté Laté??! I didn't get a chance to check out the bathrooms because they kicked me out for taking a photograph. Only go here if you are (a) desperate for caffeine STAT or (b) need to use your dining dollars before they expire at the end of the semester.
4. Starbucks
Hipster Level: ★★★ || Seating/Line: ★ || Bathroom: ★
File this under "another convenient place to find coffee on campus, except NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO WAIT IN THIS HUGE LINE THAT GOES ON FOR ETERNITY." Not many hipsters dare show their face in here these days lest they be labelled "basic," but everyone else at NYU shows up and decides to endure the 10 minute long line just so that they can buy a $4.75 12 oz. pumpkin spice latte. They do have bathrooms (somewhere), but I was not able to personally witness them, as two people were having a cart race down the hallway that they are located in, and I do my best to not be run over by carts.
5. Bröd
Hipster Level: ★★★★ || Seating/Line: ★★★★|| Bathroom: ★
I don't know how to pronounce this, but I'd assume it's the past tense of the verb "bro" (you just got broooed, bro!). This just opened recently and adds another conveniently located coffee venue to the NYU campus. Unlike Starbucks and Argo Tea, they don't seem to accept dining dollars (yet?), but there is also a very short line, lots of seating, and natural lighting. It is moderately expensive, but no more expensive for a cup of coffee than other places in the area. They don't have bathrooms, though, so no study sessions here that last longer than 2 hours.
