A really cozy spot with great coffee and great small bites. We came and shared one coffee and my friend got the crepes, and I got the mac n cheese without bacon. (I'm vegetarian) Mac was creamy and cheesy and piping hot - everything you like in a great Mac and cheese dish. Both dishes were delicious, and basically were an afternoon snack turned dinner. I'd love to come here again and just enjoy the ambience while I clack away at my laptop. read more

Halcyon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

No doubt one of those locations whose reputation is at least predicated somewhat on its legacy: in the last ten years it's seen a facelift, but some of Halcyon's original zeitgeist remain: it's a coffee friendly bar with its own bustling patio culture, and to that end expect some spot-on people watching around here. Most afternoons it's pretty chill, but in the evenings things tend to open up and while I wouldn't reference this place as hopping, it's certainly hoppier than some spots, with a decent brew selection happening. That you can also treat yourself to a decent glass of wine as I recall is an added bonus, but in the evening I think the real star here are the cocktails: the chocolate espresso martini was as good as any I've had in the city. We'll be back around, Halcyon: heaven knows we've seen plenty of each other in between when I saunter by. read more

Guys, I'm not gonna lie, I've hated on Halcyon for a while. It was kinda that place where you'd go freshman and sophomore year of college when you wanted to go downtown, but couldn't actually go downtown (pre-21 lyfe). The first time I ever went, we celebrated a friend's birthday with the s'mores everyone is obsessed with. But you know, after doing s'mores the real way and having a real campfire, or even a gas stove for that matter, a small lantern ain't that impressive. Sorry, Halcyon. Then, when a friend visited me junior year, we went to Halcyon, because even though I wasn't a fan of the s'mores, I do like me some coffee. Sadly, the coffee drinks were pretty sub-par and when Patika is a couple of blocks away, I'd rather opt for the real stuff. I remember we both got cafe au lait's and they were pretty meh - more milk than coffee and not even good coffee. I was really trying, Halcyon. At least you're still cute. But apparently, it took me moving half way across the country for me to find Halcyon's sweet spot: cocktails. A friend I was visiting in Austin is obsessed with Halcyon. Seriously, OBSESSED. Thankfully, she admitted that the s'mores are unimpressive and the coffee isn't great, so I had renewed faith when she told me that the cocktails/beer/wine are pretty stellar. And she was damn right. Two cocktails almost took me to outer space (shout out to Dwight, the awesome bartender, and his awesome NASA cap). We had 4 cocktails in total, and naturally, I can only remember the name of one (Pine & Pear) - but ALL of them were amazing! You've redeemed yourself, Halcyon. read more

Halcyon is the sort of Austin foundation that natives try not to take for granted. Sure, we can have a bar, coffee shop and a casual hang-out all under one roof. Doesn't everyone? Sometimes Austinites are surprised by their own city's chutzpah. There was some debate over Ruta Maya's migration to the more alcohol-free SoCo area -- gone are the poetry slams and funk bands of yesteryear. But rather than a Starbucks popping up on yet another street corner, Austin was blessed with a rogue double-agent. If Austinites can wear jeans to work and Birkenstocks to parties, then it's only fitting that Halcyon is able to serve lattes by day and Long Islands by night. During a quick perusal of the chalkboard menu on the wall, any red-blooded woman's eye will immediately be drawn to the word "S'mores." Served with a "tabletop campfire"--a miniature hibachi grill--the construction of s'mores is the perfect postprandial activity for lovebirds or a group of girlfriends. It's a well-known fact that if you add a tabletop fire to any meal, the food immediately will hold a taste of legitimacy. However, if you add fire and chocolate to any dessert, you have instant intimacy. If you're single and your idea of the perfect evening involves free Wi-Fi and idling on your iBook for two and a half hours (don't worry, I've been there), Halcyon--like the fabled bird it's named after--is your calm in the storm of solitude. Don't worry about flying solo when you can nest in one of the oversize easy chairs and spend the evening reading celebrity gossip. You never know what compatible PC user might be peeking over his copy of The New York Times to steal a look at you. Recently I was at a party in Boston talking with a couple from Los Angeles who had driven cross-country to visit relatives in Beantown. When I told them I was from Austin, they had the typical gushing reaction. They had made a stop in Austin on their trip and were so enthralled with the city that they revised their return trip to take them back (who needs to see the Midwest anyway...). The husband started telling me breathlessly about this "cozy little coffee shop, that was also a bar, that had couches, and internet, and there were all of these people there, right in the middle of downtown!" To them, Halcyon was as much of a myth as the kingfisher bird -- a solace in a world of pay-by-the-hour WiFi and the sterile, overcrowded espresso bars of Los Angeles. I asked the wife if they'd indulged in the s'mores. Her face immediately lit up, "Of course! I saw it on the menu and said 'I don't know what those are, but I need to have them. Like, now!'" The appeal of Halcyon is found in its accepting environment -- you can be addicted to caffeine, alcohol, or even both! Take a break from the weekday rush of grande soy latte, commute, work, repeat. Have a seat, huddle around the mini-campfire (it is 70 degrees outside, after all), and stay awhile. We won't tell your barista at Starbucks. read more

You're paying for the location here. Downtown Austin is hip and centrally located to everything, but don't think this place is produces anything superlative based on my recommendation. Maybe it does--maybe I just haven't had it yet. I'll be here again I'm sure, but there are other coffeeshops to try downtown. Had a smoothie, and weeks later, a Thai ice coffee. Smoothie was super watery, and the Thai ice coffee tasted like regular ice coffee. Turns out the cream/sugar was confined to the bottom of the cup and impervious to dissolving. I guess they put it in first, then the ice, then poured coffee in without stirring anything. Sigh, c'mon. read more

The smores are good and all, but I wish they weren't so pricey! Sigh. Many a time I have come here in need of a dessert fix, but then I see the prices and remember I just can't do it. No, no. You have to be in the mood for a SMORE fix in particular. Then the stars will align and all will be right. Elsewise, tortellini basil pesto salad was good; considering other menu prices, it's a bargain for the amount they stuff in that little bowl! Cheese plates are good, but definitely on the hoity toity side of the menu. read more

For the longest time I thought this place was ONLY a coffee bar. So for anyone else questioning that, beer and cocktails are available. Beer and cocktails are even available for the Tuesday night lushes like us. And there was a crowd, so we weren't the only ones! read more

You know, I really want to like Halcyon because I love the concept and the ambiance of the place, but as a coffee bar lounge you have to be able to deliver good coffee...at least when you're in a city like Austin. My latte was way hotter than it should have been and tasted like the beans were stale and over-roasted and the shot was pulled too short. In other words, it tasted like Starbucks. That's disgusting. Someone else bought it for me so I tried to act like it was good and just drink it, but it wasn't getting finished -no way, no how. Please Halcyon, start making better coffee. read more

So, I popped out of the relationship I was in when I first wrote my review. And since that delegation have been back to Halcyon numerous times. Pleased to report that my love of this place was not tainted by the rose colored glasses of my former relationship. Yes, seating here is going to suck. It's hit or miss when you come in. But on nights where you need to stay up late cranking in work and in order to not fall asleep doing so---you need commotion, possibly a loud band and a decent hustle and bustle around you----Halcyon is the right place. I love that you can roast marshmallows here. I love during the right season there's like 10 different spiked hot chocolates to choose from, and I love that you have your choice of coffee or spirits. Love this place. The employees are awesome, the bathrooms are clean, and just remember....be aggressive when you see a seat free up! read more

Went here for New Year's. Very different fromy my past experiences of a laid-back place -- it was frantic, packed, and the opposite of relaxing, much the way I've seen it many a weekend when I've simply walked past, too overwhelmed by the crowd. Now I know to do that any evening I'm tempted to stop -- keep walking. I grabbed an outdoor table for two while my date went inside to grab us drinks. More than 20 minutes later, he escaped with a pair of bluish, sugar-rimmed lemon drop martinis in hand. Apparently the bar staff was so swamped, he had to get what they were making even though he didn't know what it was, exactly. VERY lemony, in a lemony-fresh cleanser sense of the term. Not my style. I might try Halcyon on a weeknight or afternoon again sometime, but this was a 1-2 star experience, at best (and I love fun crowds -- these poor people were just collectively annoyed at poor service and cramped quarters, not enjoying the holiday). read more

Oh man.. I miss the Old Ruta Maya... Back when it was Ruta Maya, it felt like the center of the Austin Universe. They roasted their own organic coffee beans, had live music, tasty vegetarian sandwiches... a nice walk-in humidor... all sorts of characters from all walks of life coming and going... wonderful place to meet people, socialize, grab a coffee... and of course watch people. With Halcyon, all that feels far gone and dead... The coffee is pretty lame, the drinks are way over priced, the food is not very good, and the mix of people is just kind of bland. This latest iteration of Halcyon has seen the virtual elimination of the humidor... No longer is it a "walk-in" humidor... but a "wait for the guy to unlock the door and inch-in one person at a time" humidor with a very poor selection. The atmosphere is trying to be a little more swank, but the service is not up to standards. It feels very much like it's trying to be a yuppie bar... and just feels very out of place. It is still a great location, great outside patio, and a great place to sit back, smoke a cigar (which you'll probably want to bring yourself) and watch people. ....mostly drunk people falling down the small stairs into the street. read more

Call me not impressed. So, I've passed Halcyon several times but have never had an opportunity to patronize the place. From outward appearances they appear to be a hip, cool establishment but once you enter it's borderline schizophrenic. I'm really not sure what they're attempting to be... an upscale coffee shop? a smoke shop? an open air bistro? a bar? I'm really not sure. Granted it was the start of SXSW and things were a little crazy but I prescribe to the notion that if you can provide consistent, quality service during chaotic times like this then your service will above par any other time. This was not the case on this visit. It was incredibly LOUD and this was not due to crowd but because of blaring music which including some unsavory pop hits such as Mariah Carey. I thought it was maybe the circumstances of this weekend but my fellow patrons confirmed that it was ALWAYS this loud. The menu looks interesting but what I had was mediocre. I ordered the Vegan BBQ panini. Initially, I was intrigued with the item but when it arrived I was soon disappointed. Throwing some hummus on bread and slapping on some BBQ sauce doesn't not make a delectable sandwich. Halcyon will definitely not be making my second chances list. read more

I came to Halcyon with two friends looking for some refreshing coffee, and a place to relax. The place seemed pretty busy with a nice atmosphere, so I liked it from the start. I have walked by many times while downtown and have heard many good things. The music is more on the upbeat side and at a moderate volume. This place is definitely more for social get togethers rather than a quiet calming time. My friends and I decided to order three drinks: a iced latte, thai iced coffee, and a mint iced coffee. All pretty simple orders without any special requests. We asked for water as well and the barista instantly became very irate with us. We said thank you and went to sit down. We thought she might have been tired since it was so busy. We wait a normal amount of time for our coffee, but our water doesn't come out with it. We politely ask for water, and this other barista gives us the stink eye and looks at us like really? He says nothing and walks to complain to the previous barista about us. She says, "I'm about to start telling people no." So we stand there unsure if we're going to get water or not. He comes back in about a minute with cups and starts pouring us water. I let him know that we don't need lids to make it easier on him. He hands us the water and asks us if we NEED anything else with the most annoyed look. The coffee was good but nothing special especially compared to other coffee places within the same price range. We did not try the alcoholic drinks or interact with the bartenders, so I can't tell you anything about that part. The atmosphere is definitely nice, but the service is HORRIBLE. The baristas that I interacted with had major attitude issues. I will not be coming back here unless someone insists on itt read more

Consider this, you've gone downtown to have dinner with friends, family or a date. You want something sweet but the desserts at the restaurant you went to... were too heavy. Enter Halcyon. They've got nice cozy couches AND table side S'mores. Yes, you get to roast your very own marshmellows and make them yourself at the table. I'm always surprised by how many people don't seem to know about this. You should know that it can get loud in there. But you are sitting on a couch, so cuddle up. Also try not to light yourself or anything/one on fire while enjoying this unique dessert. read more

I think the paintings are worth 4 stars alone. I won't even pretend to tell you about them because you won't believe me. Actually Brianna S. and Jaime M. and I are going to buy all of them anyway, so you'll wish you got to see them first. My first UYE event and I survived! Our waitress brought us endless delicious mimosa's of orange... mmm. She was friendly and attentive and kept 'em coming! Just have to say, and it's not the mimosa(s) talking, the Yelp crew is such a fun bunch! Staci and Darla and Amy and Jaime were so sweet. I got to wave at Amber D (zomg!) and of course converse with my favorite, Errol. So many new faces, I hope to see all of you again soon! Sadly I was unfashionably late to my first event but only because I was being a douchebag and using my iphone as a map. read more

A friend was visiting from out of town and she wanted to know what Austin was about. We stumbled upon Halcycon on the corner. Perfect place to stop in on stroll through downtown on a Sunday afternoon. Music was chill; vide was sweet. Great artwork on the wall by a local artist-check it out! It's a great spot to sit on the laptop to complete work or to catch up with a friend. Thai Ice Tea & Chai Tea are great choices if you're avoiding the coffee bean. I want to go back for s'mores and will let you all know how it goes. read more

A very relaxing cool atmosphere. My bestfriend who visits Austin often comes here during the day to get coffee and do her art. She loves this place and told us to come by! I ordered what my friend usually gets which is a hazelnut frappaccino. It was so delicious not too sweet and had so much flavor! It is a bit on the really creamy side especially when you're down to the bottom of the frap it gets really foamy but eh, I don't mind that! I love the atmosphere of this place, everyone seems to be to themselves but very friendly. A great place to study not too loud and pretty relaxing music. It's way better than Starbucks and if you're visiting in town like me I would definitely suggest this coffee place as a must stop by! read more

This place was so much better when it was Ruta Maya. Now it seems to have lost its character, and is just a cement floor with a couple of couches here and there. Even sitting outside isn't as much fun. I had many good times on the sidewalk patio of Ruta Maya. Even the smoke shop was cooler back then. OK, so I guess the best way to do a review is not to play the comparison game. So here goes: If you like coffee shops just because they are open late and are right in the middle of the entertainment district, this could be a favorite of yours. I personally haven't found this place to be much more than an ordinary place to get coffee. Maybe I'm just sentimental. read more

As it's name suggests, Halcyon offers a place for visitors and locals alike a place to relax in the comfort of well-worn (and very comfortable!) couches, dim lighting, and eclectic artistic stimuli. Unlike it's nearby competition, this coffee shop has it all: 3-4 consistent wi-fi connections, a full bar, next door smoke shop, eats, and even smores (complete with fire and roasting sticks). Local artists regularly show their work on Halcyon's wall, augmenting the already "very Austin" feel of this space, located in the heart of downtown. Patrons tend to hail from a diverse array of backgrounds including visiting businessmen, college students, and a wide variety of colorful Austin locals. Halcyon is a great place to chill out before a show at the open-air Cedar Street venue on 4th (where the Spazmatics, one of my favorites, preform every Wednesday). The noise-level and overall mood of the coffee shop ebs and flows with the flow of downtown nightlife. During the day it is usually quiet but don't try to get much studying done here at night if you are easily distracted. Halcyon is an absolute must-see if you: -are a writer or posses any sort of creative bent -love real vanilla ice-cream milkshakes -are looking to step out of your usual social scene and meet people from all walks of life (you never know who you'll meet when you stop by for a cup of Joe at Halcyon) read more

Ahhh Halcyon. This place is a classic and is definitely a place I'd recommend you checking out, especially if you're visiting Austin. Whether it's during the day or at night post-club/post-bar, this place never disappoints. The s'mores and drinks are amazing here. I highly recommend you try the espresso martini - one of my favorite alcoholic drinks in Austin! I've also had the Nutella crepe, which was absolutely delectable. I honestly don't think you could go wrong with many of the items on the menu here. It may seem a little small here, but there's actually a plethora of seating options available. Of course if you come at night, especially during the weekend, it may be a tad difficult to find seating. Fortunately, there's also seating outdoors. read more

Halcyon - S'mores and espresso martinis. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

After so many good reviews on Yelp, I was quite disappointed with my experience. First and foremost, it is a coffee bar - and the coffee was horrible. The Irish coffee had a horrible burned taste. As if the coffee was old, over brewed, or an over extracted mess. I've had horrible coffee at a convenience store in the middle of the afternoon, and this was even worse. The location is good, the idea is good, but horrible coffee means I won't be back. read more

This place looks great on the inside and outside, but unfortunately runs into the same category as too many downtown establishments. Extremely poor service, and it's your privilege to be able to give money to this place. Coffee is good, and the food is ok, but I want to go to a business that actually wants me there. read more

The vibe is really interesting, and the drinks *seem* cool, but the service was incredibly rude, and the drinks were all watered down. We had much higher expectations, but unfortunately one of the members of the staff completely killed it for us with his rude disposition, and when we finally tasted the drinks, they were watery and undrinkable. Definitely disappointed in such an experience. read more

One star is generous. While in the bathroom, we discovered a MASSIVE cockroach (pictured). After trying to wash our hands and avoid this monstrosity, we went to the bar to order drinks and report it. The bartender was unaffected. He served us a watered down vodka soda. After requesting more liquor for our weak, if not, terrible, drink, he said that's not how we do it here. Thoroughly disappointed from start to finish. read more

Halcyon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Austin, Texas

Open until 3am on Fridays...but stops serving s'mores at "approximately 1:30am" without any indication online nor on the menu?? I love Halcyon's s'mores so much that I have told many of my friends about it and turned them here. Tonight we were downtown dancing and when I pointed this place out on the way to find parking my friend had the idea of eating s'mores after. Around 1:15am we started towards Halcyon and after walking around lost (from me, person with the worse sense of directions ever) we found this place at around 1:30-1:40am. The bartender was obviously still taking orders but told us "uh...we kind of stopped serving s'mores for the night." When we asked when they stopped serving it he replied "...arounnnnnd 1:30am." Really? How come there isn't such an indication on when the kitchen closes online/on the menu, or when the menu for desserts becomes unavailable to order? How come on the Halcyon website it says "Our unique and fun dessert that is fun anytime day or NIGHT!" for S'mores? Meh. I guess I had my expectations set too high. Maybe I shouldn't be such a piggie and want s'mores at 1:30am in the morning. read more

Halcyon is a really nice place if you're looking for an edgier place to chill with some friends on a late night for coffee or dessert. It's most known for the smore's - they give you a small fire, graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows to roast yourself right there in the cafe. I'm not a huge fan of smore's, and it is a bit pricey here, but I do like the environment here, and the fact that it's open quite late. The chocolate cake is really decadent, so if that's what you like, I recommend trying it! I haven't had much of their other food, but they offer a lot of snacks. Unfortunately, they don't serve food after around 11 PM, I believe. For people just visiting Austin, I think there are better places to get dessert, coffee, and alcohol, so Halcyon isn't one of my favorite places to go. But if you're already downtown, or live in Austin, definitely check it out. read more

Nice place for drinks and great location too next to Fado's sports bar! Been here both in the day and late at night so definitely can cater to whatever your taste is. If coming here in the wintertime try getting a s'mores setup right at your table, definitely something different that both your friends or your date will enjoy! Cool place but just be prepared to wait a little on the weekends as it's in a popular location and hence a lot of people on the town! read more

Dearest Halcyon-- We have been together nearly 12 years and have weathered many storms. You supported me and was by my side when you were more of a coffee shop and served great food, fun cigars, and the occasional alcoholic drink. You were a little rough around the edges then, but you were a cozy place when I needed to burn the midnight oil and pore over silly lecture notes. Then about five years ago you decided to get some plastic surgery, and you got prettier. More people paid attention to you, but I never thought what was most important would change. Unfortunately, like all good relationships, this one must come to an end. Yes, you still respond to my booty calls when I need some illicit late night caffeine. But the things that make my inner fat girl happiest--food--are better served elsewhere. Your pizzas and paninis aren't what they used to be\(shriek! Cheddar cheese on pizza!), and watching you make hummus so poorly breaks my heart. I understand that you "used to be fat, but now you're all that," but it seems like you don't need me anymore. And if you can't give me what I need, then we may have to say goodbye, at least for now. Love, Your college sweetheart read more

This would my 3rd review on my journey to become one of Yelp's elite (insert sarcasm here). So the same guy that told me about Caffe Medici told me about Halcyon's turkey & brie panino (better Fernando? jaja). Being that this guy lived in Italy and has had an authentic panino (again, i stand corrected), I trust his opinion. So I ventured out to check Halcyon out. Although they were out of the turkey & brie, they recommended the hummus wrap which was absolutely huge...much like the old school Taco Bell burritos. Now, I'm 6'4" and have a big appetite and this bad boy filled me up. In terms of taste, it was very yummy (don't hate, I like that word). The ambience is cool. You can buy & smoke cigars there, sit outside and watch the other Austinites do their thing, but what I loved most were the couches covered with the sheet (those that grew up with that can appreciate it). Finally, I'm a big believer that those who have sour attitudes get sour food and service. Those that see the good, even when the outlook is grim, get the best food and service. Although they were out of the turkey & brie, they gave me a discount on my hummus wrap and threw in a small salad for free. Damn I love it when people bend the rules! So I will definitely be back for the turkey & brie. Provecho! read more

They really need a place like this in Miami. If anyone knows of such a thing, please let me know. It's been about 4 years since I discovered this gem of an establishment, when I was in town for Austin City Limits Music Fest. I walked inside, sunburned and exhausted, and felt like I had gone down the rabbit hole and into the most amazing coffee shop in the world. "I must be tripping", I thought. Where had this place been throughout my whole coffee-junkie existence?! The beauty of Halcyon is that it's a coffee shop and bar all rolled into one beautiful space. Wooden floors, dim lighting, and comfy couches abound. One one side, they serve baked goodies, lattes, and tea. Walk over toward the back of the joint and you come across a full bar. What an amazing concept! I dream about going back to this place... Hopefully I will revisit during this year's ACL Fest. read more

I love Halcyon but there please stop with the random DJ and show on a Saturday. There is no one there and some people just want to have brunch and coffee to enjoy with their friends without being overtaken by a performance and music in which you can not even hear the people at your table. read more

Halcyon used to be this great, arty, hipster, funky dive of a coffee shop. Then I don't know what happened. Somebody from Dallas or LA must have bought it, because they fancied it up and turned it into a nightmare of a cocktail bar. It's awful. If you are into superficial, trendy winebar/coffeshops, and just want someone to look at you, you'll probably like it. If you want to relax and have a coffee and maybe read something, forget about it. When they trace the path of the death of Old Austin, the conversion of Halcyon to what it is now will be right up there with the closing of the Armadillo or Liberty Lunch or Waterloo Brewery. read more

Love this place! I was vivisting from California thinking I wasn't going to find anything that came close to a Peet's coffee joint, when I came across this cool place that I can now call home away from home! Take it from me, the Lattes are awesome, especially when they include animal crackers!! i mean who doesn't miss animal crackers as an adult?! The menu offers various lite meals that are served throughout the day, as well as a full bar! I have yet to try the smores, but they smell great! The barista's are very enthusiastic and eccentric and the local peeps are fun and friendly! This place rocks! read more

Alcohol. Caffeine. Nicotine. Damn right. I love it. I've been coming to this place off and on for a couple years, since I've moved to Austin. The atmosphere here reminds me of my cool uncle; fun, intelligent, and a bit mysterious. A quick lick on the 3 majors, plus a couple others: Alcohol. The selection of alcohol is wonderful. Wines, Liquor, Liqueurs, Beer, you name it, plenty of each. The prices are standard for each. Every time I've come here, I've been treated well. On a recent meetup with a friend to smoke cigars, drink scotch, and talk noise, we had been in the deadly afternoon heat, enjoying our cigars and scotch and decided to venture in for a reprieve. On entering we were desiring more alcohol, of course, but in a more refreshing form. When we declined the girly sounding mojitos, we asked for help from the barman and he gladly described the perfect cocktail: The St. John. A deliciously cool mojito-style cocktail of gin and ginger ale with muddled cucumber and basil. It was superb and a treat for both of us. Next Commandment, Caffeine. I don't tend to deviate much from the standard cold brew, black--or drip, black--but the coffee has been wonderful and adequately priced every time. The iced coffee is perfect for this heat, too. Just don't mistake it for water, or you'll end up with a stomach-ache. The Third and Almost Final Commandment, Nicotine. The quickly fading, and soon to be black-marketed element of wonder. The prices of cigarettes are comparable to other places downtown and their selection of cigarettes is strictly amazing, very comparable to even the best tobacconists. I would know this because I've worked for one. The cigar selection is quite adequate for a cigar smoker and you would be hard pressed not to find something to enjoy. However, the prices of the cigars are a bit steep; nearly a 3 times mark-up compared to some tobacconists, but that is neither here, nor there, based on the pure fact of convenience. The Fourth and Quasi-Final Commandment, Food. I haven't had a lot of food here, honestly. I've had the turkey brie panini with mushroom pesto and side salad, which was excellent and comes with the sandwich, salad, and coffee(iced or hot) for about $7.50. That's a superb deal. The next thing I've had was the s'mores. That made a great little novelty in the randomly cold winter days. Pretty simple, but a treat and not badly priced. The Fifth and Final Definitive Commandment to Excellence, Atmosphere. Like I said, a favorite uncle. It's mellow, has something to say, artistic but not pretentious, and it's been around long enough to get it right. Leather couches surrounding coffee tables inside, comfortable aluminum and black vinyl weave chairs outside. The normal bar area with stools, tall tables and tall chairs, and normal height tables and chairs, inside as well. The art on the wall is consistently changing, always interesting, and I hear they even have live music. All in all, Let the nicotine fill your lungs, the alcohol and food fill your belly, the caffeine constrict your veins, and the atmosphere intoxicate you. Join the experience, it's highly recommended. W. Justin Hook read more

My family of 5 came in specifically for the smores and coffee and loved it. You get your own table side fire pot to roast your marshmallows in addition to getting a Hershey bar and graham crackers. After a long day walking around the city, it really hit the spot. read more

Great atmosphere and enjoying the live music with strings and unplugged set. Seating is appropriate for small groups having private conversations as well as couples. Wine selection is lousy. Being from the SF Bay Area I would call it atrocious. If I were drinking without regard for taste it would be fine. Will try a local beer on the next round with hope for redemption. There are a few people working on their MacBooks around the place in corners like myself, which is pleasantly affirming. The wifi here is better than the condo I am renting and I am pleased. read more

This is based on experiencing multiple sides of Halcyon, the coffee and the cigar experiences. The coffee was a decent experience, but still underwhelming when compared to other options close by. I tried both a macchiato and an americano. The macchiato would be more accurately described as a dry cappuccino. I should have known I was in for a lackluster experience when I asked for a ceramic demitasse and was told I would get it in a to go cup. The quality of the espresso extraction was also lacking with an off flavor that makes me think it was pulled a little on the short side and they tried to cover it up with extra foam. The Americano suffered a similar issue as the macchiato with the espresso flavors. It was drinkable, but definitely not something to order again. If I end up here again, I'll definitely avoid espresso based drinks. The cigar experience was probably the biggest letdown. The humidor was adequate although quite small with a very limited selection but it was a decent selection so nothing wrong there. My complaint comes from their pricing ($13 for an Arturo Fuente Short Story) coupled with their solution for lighting the cigars - paper matchbooks. I'm glad I carry a cigar punch on my keychain because I'm a little worried how the stick would have been cut otherwise. I'm guessing that cigars definitely aren't a big part of their business, but at least having 1 proper butane lighter available should be a necessity for anyone trying to sell cigars so that matches can be avoided. If I'm expected to bring my own lighter, I might as well just bring my own cigar as well. In general I definitely wasn't impressed by any part of my visit. I may give them another try at some point in the future, but it definitely won't include another trip to the humidor. read more

I can't believe I didn't know about this place in college, I might have just lived here! The vibe is awesome, a perfect mix of coffee bar and intimate lounge with plenty of people watching. For the intersection it's on it was surprisingly not too loud, we effortlessly held a business conversation through the entire meeting and never felt rushed or bothered. The barista was kind of obnoxious, took a few minutes to acknowledge me standing right in front of her at the counter-she was too busy chatting with the bartender who reminded her she was at work. Ahem, moving on. I ordered my coffee and it came out really fast.. GIANT latte, and very delicious with a yummy side of animal crackers-an unexpected addition but made me smile. The latte wasn't too hot or foamy-call me snobby but with a $5 coffee I have some expectations. While waiting I checked out the menu, I will definitely be back for food and drinks-especially the s'mores! I kept finding myself staring at the art on the walls, and fell in love with a few pieces-it's almost worth coming in just to check out the art. Really-go check it out. The decor itself was great-intimate but cozy and casual, especially the little couch/booths in the corner, gonna have to steal one for myself one of these days! I can see how it would become obnoxiously full when they are busy-small tables close together and not that much bar seating, but I had no problem snagging a table. Basically, it gave me a little taste and left me wanting more! I will be back, and soon! read more

Man, I don't know why my girlfriend and I really enjoy this place.. Halcyon provides a comfy, relaxed atmosphere while fulfilling your sweet tooth. The french hot chocolate? Delicious. The frozen smores? Phenomenal. S'mores? Overrated but a novelty. There are so many things on the menu that intrigue my interest, and in the last two times I've gone, I've arrived just when HH ended..c'mon man.. Halcyon's the perfect post-dinner hangout, especially for the nice balance of intimacy it provides. The couches are comfy, and it's a great place for a group or for you and your +1. I really enjoy people watching here too, unless you're the couple that comes here and starts making out..then it's awkward. This has happened. Please don't do that here. The only major cons are the pricing and music, both of which are just a tad too high. Lastly, I don't know why people come here by themselves at 10pm to use their laptop..I understand that there's free wifi, but how can you focus with all of the activity at night? You're also hogging that comfy couch. I'm coming off my soap box now. read more

I live nearby and have tried this place a few times prior to the pandemic, once during it, and most recently this week. Really poor service experiences every time. Each time I tell myself "ok this must be a fluke, I need to give them another try!" then I come back and am disappointed again. Examples include: - I ordered a breakfast sandwich off of the menu that stated it came with a side of breakfast potatoes. The sandwich that came out was different then what was stated on the menu and instead of potatoes came with two slices of orange. I told the waitress that there must be a mistake. She told me that they changed the dish and now this is how it's served. Ok... but like the menu in front of me that she gave me to order from literally stated otherwise?? I just wanted what I ordered. She told me I could order a side of breakfast potatoes for an additional cost... again even though the meal I ordered explicitly said it came with potatoes which is the main reason I ordered it. Lol potato rant over. - I ordered a drink on a very quiet night. The bar staff took my order, then proceeded to go on their phone. I thought "hmm maybe this drink is made in the back?" so I waited patiently in view of the staff. 10 minutes went by and the bar staff was still just idle. Finally they looked over and saw me and made my drink (which took a total of 10 seconds cause it was mostly premade). I got a little "sorry" from the person (who I'd already tipped over 25%) but nothing sincere/to make up for the time I waisted watching them sit on their phone. read more