Alt.Coffee--CLOSED
New York, NY 10009-5118
Phone: (212) 529-2233
- Cross Street:
- Between St. Mark's Place and 9th Street
- Directions:
- 6 at Astor Pl; L at 1st Ave; F at 2nd Ave
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 7am-1:30am, Fri 7am-2am, Sat-Sun 10am-2am
Editorial Review for Alt.Coffee--CLOSED – by Kara Zuaro
The Scene
With walls painted a garish shade of orange, totally torn-up couches, and some of the world's ugliest lamps, Alt.Coffee is the perfect dive for the coffee shop set. Decorations include a dead Fica tree, a plastic light up duck, and some noteworthy art, alongside a kitschy kitty painted on a black velvet canvas. Love the look enough to take it home? Plenty of novelty gifts, such as bright-colored candles shaped like baby's heads, are sold out of a large display case in the front of the shop.
The Draw
Free wireless internet access attracts messy-haired college kids, and a bunch of Dell desktops accommodate those who aren't toting laptops. In the evenings, the quiet back room is filled with computer users and feels a little bit like a punk-rock study hall, but conversations abound around the tiny coffee bar as patrons nosh on bagels, pies and pre-packaged sweets.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkStick with coffee and avoid the too-sweet chai. It comes from a carton, and tastes like it.
The ExtrasThe moon pies, filled with peanut butter and fluff, are not baked on the premise. Cards in the package claim the sweets aid PMS relief.
Know Before You GoThe coffeeshop doesn't serve sandwiches, so for more substantial eats, check out nearby Cafe Pick Me Up.
User Reviews for Alt.Coffee--CLOSED
09/26/2007 Posted by jamesvaughn
This place used to rock. Now the staff is way uptight, the place is full of creepy friendless types, and the place is filthy and the furniture is the same as it was--which was old so is now rubbish. Plus the wifi is unreliable. We need a new place like this one used to be. There is definitely a quiet popular local screaming for an anti-Starbucks to arise...
Pros: not a bar
Cons: Trashy not in a cool way but a garbage way. People who desparately need attention who just take up space and don't drink or eat.
10/24/2006 Posted by infophiliac
I'll admit it: I got busted for trying to plug in my computer. It's not a rule I particularly love, but the person who asked me to unplug was polite about it (no "fascist zeal" in sight) and I still love this place. I've heard some fantastic music that was new to me and the coffee is good for the low price. Sure, you can't sleep, but in what other business can you? It's only an issue here because they actually have comfortable chairs, that's more than can be said for just about any other coffee shop. I'll be back and hope this place is around for a long time to come.
Pros: Good coffee for the price, comfortable chairs, interesting music and people
Cons: No plugging in your computer, music is sometimes too loud.
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