Char & Stave is a five star cafe, if you consider the delicious craft cocktails and coffee. Love their flavor of the week, and you can tell the curators are having fun with different flavors, herbs, and spirits. I also enjoy their coffee and treat myself to a pound of whole bean every few months. That said, their service leaves A LOT to be desired. On three different occasions recently, the service was unfriendly, slow, and borderline inhospitable. During my most recent visit, my friend arrived 10 minutes before me, sat in the bar area, and no one had even said hello to her. When I arrived, we sat for another 5-6 minutes. Nothing. Finally, I stood up and said "hi, can we order a few drinks," and the woman (who was on the phone the entire time) looked up, said nothing in response, walked over to us, and said "what can I get you?" It was a delicious cocktail, but we sat there for another 30 or so, finished our drink, and sat there again. We had to get up, put our coats on, and finally they looked our way, and I asked for the check. I've also noticed that there's usually 3-4 people working during peak hours, but in reality, only one person is putting in majority of the effort. The others are standing around talking or looking at their phones. Disappointing. Reality check, you're in the retail and customer service industry. You have to acknowledge your patrons. If this is the new norm, there are plenty of other places in the area with great cocktails. Hopefully they can turn it around, or hire new staff. read more

Came by for an evening of reading for the first time. Did not know that they had live music in the evenings here! That plus a cup of delicious tea plus the background white noise of people's conversations made for a nice ambience for reading that I really enjoyed. I know that's probably not everyone's ideal environment for work, so take that according to your need. Wi-fi is good here, but a stunning lack of outlets here. I'd return when I'm in the area! read more

Char & Stave - Citrus Green Tea. - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The coffee here is unique and delicious. I love that they have different cereal milks that you can add to your coffee. I also love their idea of a whiskey and coffee bar! The ambience is great and it's very cute inside. I will say that the staff aren't particularly forward in creating conversation or are helpful at the counter read more

Char & Stave - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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As I was planning my trip to visit family in a nearby township, I made sure to add Char & Stave to my list of places I wanted to check out. One day while we were in the area doing some shopping after picking up one of the kids from school down the road, I decided to go ahead and stop in for an afternoon coffee. When we stepped inside, the atmosphere was relaxed and pretty quiet. The decor is beautiful and the kind of coffee shop style I love. There were a handful of people seated inside and a couple of people in line ahead of me. When it was my turn, the woman who took my order greeted me with a smile and was kind. I was going to go for one of the seasonal drinks, but I decided on a hot cinnamon latte since cinnamon syrup isn't on many menus. It didn't take long to receive my order. The coffee itself had a nice depth of flavor and was just the right temperature, but I couldn't taste much of the cinnamon even with ground cinnamon added in as well. It was still satisfying and I'll be back to try something new next time I come up to visit. read more

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This was a cute cafe/coffeeshop. They have various coffee drinks but they also have a cocktail menu which is a pretty cool mix. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We sat outside to enjoy the sunny day. Their drinks were good. read more

Char & Stave - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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100% yes - So many options and all absolutely amazing. The employee, Eric (Erik?), is awesome and makes wonderful drinks. Definitely a staple of the neighborhood, keep up the good work! read more

I love the location of this shop, lots of parking near by. This place gets busyyyyy, although there is a decent amount of seating I have found myself waiting for a table to sit and read/work a few times. Their menu is extensive as they serve both coffee and whiskey. Their coffee is expensive. The service is fine. The bathrooms are clean. There are not a lot of outlets so don't plan on charging your laptop here. They host many events that I have yet to attend but I do hope to in the future. It's not my favorite coffee shop but it's a consistent one. read more

Char & Stave - White chocolate peppermint mocha and chocolate chai - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I've popped in a few times to grab coffee and always enjoyed the vibe but never had reason to stay. This week I met friends for Quizzo on Tuesday night and had a great time! The coffee is excellent, as are their cocktails (best espresso martini I've had in a while, and I'm picky about them). I love the coffee shop/bar concept, and the space and staff are very welcoming. They even allow you to BYO food, which is really unique and kind of them! I didn't realize ahead of time, but saw folks enjoying sushi, sandwiches, etc., from other local spots, I suspect. Definitely check them out if you're in the area! read more

We first went to the one in Ardmore I was super impressed by barrel aged coffee. So when we first found out one was opening near us we were all in. We were at the soft opening. Don't go there as often as we'd planned but love it just the same. Last night I got the non alcoholic old fashioned that was coffee. It was absolutely delicious. I've been cutting down on my coffee consumption so it felt beautiful. A return to structure amid chaos. A soothing to a world in decline. The simplicity of a better life where caffeine was in charge. 2 hours later I had to take sleeping pills so I could get some shut eye. read more

Char & Stave - Cool events - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Aesthetically curated coffee shop located on the corner of the town's shopping strip. Upon walking in, you're greeted with a homey sense of welcome. Whether you're looking for a cup of coffee or a coffee related cocktail, this is your place to stop By! read more

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Here's my truth: I'm a whiskey girl and a black coffee girl, but their roasted coffee hasn't impressed me when I've been gifted bags. Which is super sad, because it's right up my alley. So, I was hesitant to check this place out for coffee. But y'all! The lattes that my group got were incredible!! 1) Service was as fast as they can be given where they're at and the prime time that we went. They stayed busy the entire time we were there, and they were slinging the whole time. It took probably 20 minutes to get our drinks once we ordered them (and we waited in line several minutes), but we weren't in a rush so it was ok! 2) The vibes are immaculate. The space is beautiful, and the theme is tastefully done. See the only photo that I have of the sign on the way to the bathrooms. 3) The lattes!!!! Wow!!!! Two of us drank the whiskey caramel (iced and hot), and it was incredible! Cannot recommend that one enough! And our other friend got a seasonal flavor that was delicious. Really, truly can't wait to come back here and try cocktails next! read more

Char & Stave - sign on bathroom - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stopped in on a cloudy Saturday afternoon and Char & Stave was packed, yet welcoming as always! This time I brought my tween along and he enjoyed the vibe. Staff is always friendly and helpful! The patrons are pleasant and friendly, too. It feels like a place locals and tourists can enjoy together any day. My son had a beignet from a local bakery supplied to Char & Stave and couldn't say enough about it - fresh and delicious. read more

Char & Stave - Chai Latte & Hot Chocolate - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drinks: caffeinated drinks and tea is good. I will try the cocktails next. There is an assortment drinks to taste. Service: the staff is friendly! Ambiance: the ideal and perfect blend for coffee and craft cocktail lovers. This should be more commonplace! The decor is coffee shop vibes with an L-shape bar for the bar vibe with stool seating. The windows are large and picturesque (personal fav). Gender neutral bathrooms. Only drawback is there aren't electrical outlets if you need them, so charge up prior or bring external chargers. read more

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I absolutely love coming to Char & Stave and you will too! This place is an awesome coffee shop and bar. It's always jumping on the weekend. They make great cocktails. There's an extensive list of coffee based options. The regular cocktails are equally as good. The expresso martini is a must have. Staff are amazing and know how to make some damn good drinks. read more

Char & Stave - Dark & Stormy, Expresso Martini - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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We had great cocktails here a few months ago, so we came back to try the coffee. My husband got the whiskey smash latte, which he really liked. I tasted it and it was good! I got the chocolate chai latte. It was so gross. It tasted like lukewarm chocolate milk and had so much cinnamon on top it was burning my lips. It had no chai flavor whatsoever. The cinnamon was way too overpowering. I love the vibe in the restaurant but I wouldn't go back to get coffee. read more

Char & Stave - Whiskey smash latte, chocolate chai latte (note the ridiculous amount of cinnamon on top) - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Really glad to have this spot nearby. The space feels inviting and has a unique character that makes it stand out from other coffee shops. It's the kind of place where you can stop in quickly or settle down for a while and actually enjoy the moment. The drinks are excellent -- creative, well-balanced, and consistently delicious. You can tell there's thought put into everything on the menu, which makes it fun to try something new each time. The atmosphere has a nice balance of energy and comfort. It works just as well for catching up with a friend as it does for taking a quiet break on your own. Everything about the experience feels smooth and enjoyable, which is why it's become a favorite stop whenever I'm in the area. Definitely recommend it for anyone who appreciates good drinks and a great vibe. read more

Nice new coffee shop/bar in Chestnut Hill. Eclectic menu. Cool concept (coffee by day, cocktails by night). My 5 spice latte was absolutely delicious. They seem to be shortstaffed. It's a madhouse on the weekends and there were only 2 employees behind the bar. Tables were dirty. Tables are also very cramped together in the back. Despite the chaos, the coffee is really great. read more

Char & Stave - wo cups of coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Loved the vibes of this coffee shop! Service was great and speedy. They have a set menu for drinks and an array of pasteries, as well as another menu for special and seasonal drinks! I will be back for more coffee and their cocktails! read more

Char & Stave - Whiskey Smash Latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Literally love it here. Vibes, yummy drink, nice staff, it has it all ! Music is great! Has the perfect balance between chill and hustle n bustle read more

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I was visiting the area and looking for a coffee shop when I walked by Char & Stave. They are a coffee shop-slash-whiskey bar concept that began in Ardmore and recently opened this location on Germantown Ave in Chestnut Hill, their first inside Philadelphia city limits. The coffee and tea menu has everything you would expect from a coffee shop. There is also a Signature Lattes menu full of drinks with whimsical sounding names like "Smoky Maple" and "Turmeric in Paradise". I ordered a chai latte, a matcha latte, and a "London is Blue" tea latte from the Signature menu. Service was friendly and quick. The drinks were all extremely aesthetically pleasing, with nice touches like fresh blueberries for the "London is Blue" latte. Equally important, they all tasted amazing and none were overly sweet. The inside has a vintage look with nice black and white tiles and plenty of hardwood. It is spacious and there is a good amount of seating. read more

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Love this little coffee shop / bar local chain. It's one of my favs in chestnut hill / Ardmore. Dont love their cold brew but their iced coffee is great. They also have a lot of local events! read more

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This is a very busy coffee / bar in Chestnut Hill. Limited seating and loud rock music are the vibe. Not much in the way of snacks but they do sell merch and liquor. I ordered my usual latte and a cappuccino. Both drinks were made the same so that isn't the dream. The barista heated and textured the milk ok, but was unable to produce any latte art. The finished drinks were very tasty! Notes of chocolate were present and it was very enjoyable. read more

Loved the ambiance here ! Great addition to chestnut hill! Met a friend for a coffee here and sat outside. They have coffee and whiskey ! Can't wait to go back. The server had great recommendations and were very friendly! Check it out! read more

This place has amazing coffee. We've been to the other location in Ardmore and loved that one as well. This place has trivia nights and unique latte flavors with some whiskey infused creations. My drink was the Whisky smash latte and it had caramel smokey flavor with a delicious coffee coming through. The drink wasn't overpoweringly sweet. Great place to study or just have a coffee date. They also have happy hour with alcoholic drinks. Gotta come back to try out the happy hour drinks. read more

Char & Stave - whisky smash latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is kinda like heaven on earth. The combination of whisky and coffee in a cafe setting is like perfection. I love coffee; I enjoy whisky and I greatly appreciate kind service in a beautiful space. I enjoyed just a simple cup of coffee first, which was very good. But the whisky smash latte(no alcohol) was trying to get my attention and I had to try it. Sooooo good!!! They have a nice happy hour that I can not wait to take part in. They have some nice drink offerings that will make for a delightful way to end the night. read more

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One of my new favorite coffee shops! High quality coffee, but there's also an array of fun flavors that are offered. Also, the classic timeless design of the cafe is so cool and cute read more

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One of my favorite places to meet up with friends to catch up. The selection of drinks are absolutely delicious. Seating inside and out. A great place to bring your laptop and make new friends. read more

Cool new coffee spot / bar in chestnut hill. Neat atmosphere and nice staff. Really liked my five-spice latte and there were many other items I wanted to try as well. Sadly they did not have the cereal milk, which I was looking forward to getting, so a minor bump down for that issue. Will have to go back and try the alcohol! Good spot read more

Char & Stave - Five spice latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We went here for a couple drinks to start off our night. It was a great ambiance and a very enjoyable experience. The bartenders were exceptional and the drinks were some of the best I've had especially the bluebird. Not pictured was a $7 flight available during happy hour to try different liquors. Although I did not try the coffee, I will definitely coming back to do so! read more

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Decent coffee (pricey) and cool baristas, but a hostile policy against anyone with a laptop - and if you ask about outlets to charge devices you'll be met with indifference. Don't plan on working here for more than an hour or 2- I guess that's the point (see: hostile). Stop alienating your workday customer base. Your expensive coffee and mid pastry offerings (Au Fournil strikes again) are not enough to make up for the hostility. read more

Nice coffee and whiskey! Cool crew and nice ambiance. We didn't try any food but coffees were tasty.

Beautiful shop, wonderful workers. But this coffee again and again is the best around. I usually order a regular latte with no frills, my husband will get a cold brew or regular black coffee, and we are satisfied every time (especially if we get our drinks in actual mugs for here). I cannot believe this place doesn't have 5 stars; I recommend it to everyone I know. For all the customers who are salty about not having enough outlets for laptop chargers, I'm sorry but cafes do not make money off of all tables being full because people are working there all day after buying one beverage... there are plenty of nice public libraries nearby where you can get work done read more

I love this place it is the best cafe i have been to. I stopped in for a hot chocolate and a plain beignet. It was the best pastry of my life! give me 50! The people there were great - very diverse staff. love seeing all kinds of people there. The man who took my order was nice. The place is so great the ambiance was wonderful. I enjoyed the music and the fully stocked shelves. i am a nerd for their aesthetic. Midcentury modern all the way. read more

This place gets a lot of things right (good drinks, nice concept, clean, nice atmosphere, overall friendly service, and a good happy hour!), which makes it all the more disappointing that one particular aspect will deter me from coming back if I'm in the area. This is billed as an "all day cafe" and bar, with plenty of people working on laptops I might add. Despite this, there are NO outlets accessible to patrons, and with multiple free outlets and employees' devices charging behind the bar, the bartender promptly refused to charge my dying phone. I had enjoyed two drinks over about an hour, so I did my duty as a customer. I was told this was the manager's policy and that with said manager out and about it couldn't be risked, and that the complete lack of outlets was "on purpose." What a hostile policy that will turn away a huge portion of potential customers for a CAFE with an otherwise welcoming atmosphere. I even tried charging in a bathroom outlet and that didn't even work. Maybe this is an exclusive Chestnut Hill attitude? Decency in emergency charging situations would not hurt this business, and I expect this hostile policy will cost them more if they lose the huge population that would like access to this essential resource in the space. read more

Char & Stave - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Great coffee spot with some tables for casual lounging or catching up on work. Service is friendly. I love how the coffee has a whiskey flavor to it-- it's so unique and delicious. read more

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Ran into Char & Stave on the hunt for a really strong and delicious chai. They absolutely delivered. Go here for your chai fix!

A bit pricey compared to other coffee shops in the area but it's very good. Just wish they would offer more sizes for iced drinks!!! Can't believe their only iced option is 12oz, which at any other coffee shop is a small (if even that -- been to plenty of others that start their iced sizes at 16oz). I'm begging the owners: please start offering larger sizes! read more

Nice decor and the drinks are okay to good. Depends what you order- coffee drinks good-ish, mixed drinks bad as in way too strong and hard to stomach, but, to be fair, I've only had mixed drinks there twice and the tea and coffee have been consistently pretty good. What's not so nice and the reason for the one star is the awful attitudes of the people who work there. My friend today said they had a real "get your crud and go" attitude and that sums it up. I've gotten used to the unfriendly service, but when we came in today they surpassed themselves. There was no line and yet the barista ignored us completely for a long, uncomfortable time. It was low-key humiliating. Finally, another barista approached and asked if we'd been helped as we'd been there so long. (She somehow implied this was somehow our fault, too?) "Um, no, we haven't," I said with a smile. She looked away with a long sigh as if our existence burdened her soul, made our drinks then dumped them at the end of the bar, came back and with still-downcast eyes, snapped, "Your drinks are at the end of the bar." Okay... Yeesh. Man, I know that cheeriness at Starbucks is a corporate mandate, but I think I'll head there next time for my to-go drinks. If I have the time to hang out, I might still take advantage of Char and Stave's nice decor and just think to myself don't make eye contact with the unprofessionally unkind people who work there, which is hard for me. I'm really friendly. I really don't get the tood?! It made me feel awful. read more

Got a turmeric latte here that was waaay too sweet. The barista wasn't the friendliest, but I guess I would make it back here under better circumstances. The decor is hipster. read more

Quaint coffee shop. Great drink options to choose from, clean and my go-to for a quick meet-up.