As someone who's visited all of the Communal Coffee locations, this one definitely stands out as the most unique.
Tucked away in Bankers Hill, this location feels more like a local hidden gem than a walk-up café you'd stumble upon. It's situated at the end of a residential street, right across from a small kids' park -- super convenient if you're a parent looking to grab coffee while your little ones play.
Parking can be tough as most of the surrounding street parking is used by nearby apartment residents. I suggest giving yourself a few extra minutes to circle around.
The setup here is a bit different: there's no traditional indoor café area -- just a small outdoor ordering window, plus patio seating. If you're planning a meet-up with other parents or casual hang with friends, it's actually a perfect spot (especially with kids in tow). But if you're like me and came to get some work done, the situation gets a bit more nuanced...
The "Workspace" Situation
Right next to the ordering window is a lobby-style space that looks like a co-working lounge -- part of the adjacent new apartment complex. It's sleek and modern, and about 80% of the people there were working or studying.
I wasn't told until later that there's a $7 minimum order required to use the space, but luckily I had ordered a breakfast burrito, so it wasn't an issue. Just a heads up if you're thinking of grabbing just a coffee and settling in -- ask about the policy before ordering.
I asked the barista if I could use the space, and he just said "Yes, after you place your order." After paying, I walked over next door and waited a few minutes for someone to check me in. No one was at the desk, so I sat down at the long communal table. A few minutes later, a staff member returned, asked if I had ordered, and gave me a number to place on the table.
The environment was great for focusing -- I brought my headset and got into deep work mode. The only distraction was the music, which changed a few times and got a bit loud (hello, 90s pop throwbacks). It didn't totally ruin the vibe, but it might not be ideal for everyone.
The Time Limit
Here's something to keep in mind: there is a time limit, and they don't currently offer extensions, even if you order again. I asked the staff if I could stay longer with another purchase (as I've seen at other hybrid café/co-working spaces), but was told no. He said he'd check if anyone was waiting, but never followed up, so I chose to leave at that point.
Food & Service
I had the breakfast burrito, which was a decent size and tasted fine -- but at $15, I felt it was a bit pricey, especially since there was no mention of organic or locally sourced ingredients. Service at the window was neutral, not overly friendly or informative, but efficient enough.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I'd give this location a 3.5-star experience, rounded up for creativity and the concept. It's not your average coffee shop, and I can see how it works really well for some people -- especially locals with kids, or residents of the building next door. But if you're hoping for a chill work vibe or looking to hang out longer than an hour or two, be sure to ask questions before ordering.
I think I will come back during the week to see what is like on the days that I just need a place for just a couple of hours to work from. read more