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My daughter took us to her favorite coffee shop in Orange--Play Coffee. Here are some thoughts: -This is the single coolest coffee shop I've ever seen. It's an old bank building--wide open with super high ceilings and cool Roman architecture! -I'm a sweet coffee drinker and I love a good latte. So when I looked at the lattes on the menu--the "volcano" latte caught my eye. -I asked about it and the barista's eyes lit up, "If you like sweet coffee, you'll LOVE the volcano--it's made from brown sugar and sea salt." -I ordered one and the flavor was rich and unusual. The sweet and salty really work together. Surely one of the best lattes I've ever had. Highly recommended!
Parking in the orange circle now costs money ($1.50 per hour). However, the orange circle remains a wonderful location for thrifting, coffee, and hanging out. Play coffee is an iconic coffee shop here that honors the history of the building and offers great coffee flavors. There is a decent amount of indoor seating here, A few different pastry options, ceremonial matcha, and a variety of latte flavors. We ordered an iced chai latte with almond milk and a "sweet latte" (aka a brown sugar latte) - both were well balanced and enjoyable. And the barista that helped us was very friendly, accommodating and patient.
Play Coffee is such an interesting spot - there's a lot to like, but I think it's still a little rough around the edges. Play is located in Old Town Orange off the main circle in this beautiful historic bank. It honestly feels like a pop up within the bank because the rest of the space isn't being used at all, so I really hope that changes and they actually take time to do more with the space because it feels like such a waste and kills the vibe IMO. Staff is all nice, and they move pretty quick considering how busy they tend to be. On the drinks front, I usually get their cardamom latte, which is great, but I've noticed as of late they've been underserving on their drinks which is a bummer (the shrinkflation is real I guess). They also serve some various baked goods which are fine, but not great. Overall, Play has a lot of potential to be great, but they've got a ton of stiff competition in the area. I'd say it's worth a visit, but don't go out of your way for it.
Loved the ambiance of this coffee shop especially for taking over a historic landmark in Old Town Orange. The space is beautiful. The line/wait for the coffee from here is insane. It took us a solid 15 minutes to order and another 10 to get our coffee. I picked up the Volcano Latte. It was fine. It wasn't really a standout to me. I've had better coffee.
Play Coffee knows what they're doing behind the bar ~ and more importantly, they know how to handle alternative milk. Getting oat milk (or any non-dairy) steamed properly is rarer than it should be, but here it comes out perfectly frothy without a hint of that bitter, scorched taste. Huge win. I got the shaken maple latte and honestly? It was a standout drink. Citrusy, smooth, and just the right amount of sweet -- not cloying, not subtle, just balanced. The kind of drink you think about on the drive home. The coffee itself is solid and the craft is clearly there. My only gripe: the prices are a little steep. $8 for a latte adds up fast, especially if you're grabbing drinks for a group. This is firmly a "treat yourself solo" kind of spot rather than a "let me get the whole friend group a round" situation. Go for the experience, enjoy the quality, and maybe leave the group chat at home.
I was in the area and decided to try this spot. I really liked how spacious it is inside; I'm assuming it used to be a bank back in the day. One thing to keep in mind is that parking isn't free, and depending on the time of day, it can be a little challenging to find parking if you're just stopping by for coffee. I tried two different lattes and unfortunately wasn't a fan of either. Yuli, the barista, truly did her best to make it right and was so sweet, which I wholeheartedly appreciated. Her service alone made me want to give this spot a higher rating. That said, the lattes were a 2/5 for me. They tasted too milky, and the coffee had an aftertaste I personally wasn't fond of.
This coffee shop is in a great location and looks promising but I left with much to be desired. I love the access to the Duck's hockey merchandise but the service between the coffee shop to the merch booth is not it. A coffee shop in a sports themed building would be one of the places l'd expect cheerfulness, a warm welcome, or maybe a smile. They're strictly business up in here with very little confidence in their interactions with the customers. The building is spacious but the vibe and set up felt very corporate and uncomfortable to chill or even study in. The coffee wasn't my favorite, after all my complaints I hoped the coffee would be its saving grace but they missed that mark too. I ordered the volcano latte which sounded promising but the end result tasted like salty, creamy, milk with a hint of espresso. Don't think I see myself coming back for the coffee shop.
First time in Orange County Downtown. Pretty cool place. We actually stumbled with this place walking and thought it was super original a Coffee Bar inside an old bank building. Lots of space to sit, love the ambiance feel like you were in an old train station. Service was great, I had questions about some of the coffees and they took their time explaining it to me. For food they only had pastries but for coffee and matcha lots of interesting options. They have beans from various parts of the World, but mainly Norway!!! We got really excited about this. We ordered a Volcano Latte and a regular latte. The Volcano latte had an explosion of flavors topped with a smoked salted foam out of this world. My new favorite. I will keep on coming to try more things while in town.
This coffee shop is located inside an old bank building, giving it a unique and spacious atmosphere. There's plenty of seating and it was quiet, making it a great spot for studying or getting some work done. I also appreciated the availability of outlets throughout the space. I was curious about their Volcano Latte, so I asked the barista about it. He was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain the ingredients in detail. I ended up ordering the Lavender Latte, which I enjoyed, though it was a little sweeter than my personal preference. I liked the Shaken Maple Latte which is what my friend ordered! Their menu features a lot of creative and interesting drinks, and I'm already looking forward to coming back to try more of them!
As many other reviews pointed out, prices are quite steep and many locations can be found with better prices and drinks. Parking here is not free but there's a free parking building 5 minutes down the street. Overall, a really nice study place with cool architecture with free wifi and free outlets. I liked my chai latte, but it did taste a little watered down.
Nice quiet coffee shop in a sea of coffee shops around the circle. Love the space, they've brought in a modern stand within an old bank. Friendly staff, some familiar faces from the old Starbucks that closed end of last year. Good for craft espresso drinks.
What a fun experience, we took pictures on the Ducks cam, purchased some Duck paraphernalia and enjoyed some delicious coffee. The power play creamsicle was surprisingly delicious. The more I sipped the more I enjoyed it. It was a fun family outing.
Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the creative coffee drinks, unique historic space, and friendly knowledgeable staff, with people finding it a good study atmosphere.
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11 months ago
amazing coffee!!! service was perfect. I messed up on my order and came back asked if they can switch it. They were so nice about it! Thats good customer service ! not to many good folks nowadays! read more
Located in the bustling orange circle, the addition of this cool cafe is interesting. The space feels too big for the area. There isn't enough seating for the amount of space available. The price for the lattes was a bit steep. The flavors were just okay. Nothing really stood out about it or was special. The servers were nice enough. read more
This is one of the best iced matchas i've had with a natural, prominent flavor. I got it lightly sweetened with brown sugar and it was just absolutely perfect. The price is on the higher side ($8) but definitely worth for a quality matcha once in a while, just maybe not an every day expense. The interior is very spacious with some seats and tables that are usually full of students since it's close to a college. The environment is nice and the baristas are super helpful and patient as well. It's located in the historic orange town and there is parking in the back, with the 1st hour free if you visit this cafe, $3/additional hour. read more
Cool venue with super high ceilings that once used to be a bank. There are a variety of matcha options which are tasty! There are some seats inside, and it's also great to grab a drink and walk around the area! Friendly service, clean, and spacious (at least vertically). read more
2 years ago
So busy in the Thursday afternoon. It has such a big place but it has so few tables & chairs for people to seat . Organically coming here to work . But end up leaving to euro coffee instead .. where the font door have plenty of outlets But when comes to the back of the store has 0 outlets And seem like the staff works there are cold .. not feeling welcoming from the staff Overall it's a nice place but I will go somewhere else to work instead. Disappointed read more
3 years ago
How I wish I could bring Play up to NorCal, I'd be there everyday! Inside a bank building, they could keep their coffee in a vault, it's so valuable. Boasting, or roasting, beans from around the world, I wish I could try them all. I have only had a few drinks from here, including their Matcha and Volcano lattes, but their Chai is the best I've had in a long while. I forgot to ask them where it came from. The staff were friendly, very knowledgeable about their coffee, and very efficient, even when they're busy opening up shop. If you're in the area, you need to stop by! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
This cafe took over a cute vintage wells Fargo bank. High vaulted ceilings but the coffee stand itself is pretty small. The old teller posts are still standing. Iced lattes are off in terms of milk to espresso ratio. Heavy milk taste and not enough espresso. A bit disappointed because their machines seemed newer and baristas weighed their beans. Sad to say but I would compare their iced lattes one notch below Starbucks. read more
2 years ago
Strawberry matcha- definitely do not recommend. The strawberry tastes like strawberry nesquik that overpowers the matcha instead of complimenting the matcha. I can't even rate the quality of the matcha because of the horrible after taste in my mouth. Service was even more disappointing. I stood there for a few minutes without getting greeted. Then a guy walked up, that's when the barista started helping him instead of acknowledging me who was in line first. $9 strawberry matcha, definitely not worth it. After a few more sips, it tastes like captain crunch cereal that's been sitting in milk for some time. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Great place to study/work! Tables are spaced out, outlets are scattered, coffee is good. What makes this place top tier is that it's in an old bank. Love this place! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
With an international trip right around the corner, my buddy and I needed a place to get us in the right mindset for planning and creativity. Drink Play coffee was the perfect setting for that. It has both terrific coffee as well as a stunning environment. This coffee shop is set up within the historic building of the original First National Bank of Orange, which later became the Wells Fargo. I love the tall, Georgian style windows; ornate Greek Corinthian style pillars; and patterned arched ceiling as all of these elements provide a classic, elegant ambiance to the place. You feel transported back in time in some ways. Also, it's kind of interesting to walk around and see the remnants of the bank with the row of teller counters in the back and bank clerk desks on the side. Some quick notes: a) the bathrooms could use a bit more TLC and b) With all that ridiculous space, could more tables be set up? Some couples had to just stand in the back and use the teller counters because the handful of tables weren't enough to accommodate us all. Also, that open space could be a terrific spot to rent out space for local artists, patisseries, brewers, etc. to showcase their goods and services. In terms of my order, I got a half sweet vanilla latte. It's a mellow coffee lightened up with a bit of vanilla flavor. Also, I do recommend the cardamom bun as it has lovely, slightly floral, menthol-like taste to it. With such a unique backdrop, I'm confident I'll be back again soon. read more
Visited PLAY coffee recently and it's definitely a cute little spot at the circle. I love that it used to be a bank and gives the space a unique approach to a cafe. I ordered the cappuccino which was pretty good but when I asked for sugar free additions {ie stevia or a syrup} they said they didn't have any. They make their syrups in house which is great but sugar free would be such a perk. If they get on board with sugar free alternatives it would really make them more inclusive. There's a lot of coffee shops at the circle and I'm excited for Play Coffee to grow. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Located at in a repurposed Wells Fargo. Decent amount of seating around the coffee stand but kinda felt out of place. I think if the business was behind the teller windows would have opened up a lot more room for seating and given it more space. Baristas were pleasant and very helpful. Liked that they offered good suggestions based on the clients preferences instead of their own. One thing that really stood out to me was that they really understood the temperature requirement of making matcha and actually did it not burning the matcha. One of the last places I had gone to that specialized in matcha was a major disappointment because they didn't monitor the temperature and burned the matcha using too hot of water. The Volcano Latte the barista recommended fit my taste perfectly. Wasn't overly sweet and the the added smokiness was a pleasant addition. With all the other coffee shops around, I will be making Play coffee my goto whenever I'm in the area. read more
3 years ago
Promising new coffee/tea house in Old Towne Orange! Adorable, spacious location in an old bank facade. Lots of seating and outlets, and the perfect ambience for a work session. I'm really impressed with their variety of coffee and coffee-alternatives here. There is a variety of artisanal matcha, and they do a good job explaining the types/flavor profiles here. Lots of loose leaf teas too. I also enjoyed a fresh ham and cheese pastry. However, definitely expensive, as many modern coffee shops are. My biggest issue is the two times I've been here, the tea has been lukewarm. I should ask for more ice in the future to keep cold drinks cold, but I also don't want to water it down. May be asking for too much, but both my iced beverages got warm so fast, they may need to adjust their ice levels. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
my matcha latte was so watery and overall was not worth the high price point considering how small the cup was. i will say it's a nice study environment read more
1 year ago
I love the ambiance here- it's really cool that it still has some elements of a bank. However, the iced coffees we ordered (the Volcano and Mamajuana) tasted more like milk and were too sweet. I felt like I was drinking an horchata instead of an iced coffee. I wish it would have had a stronger coffee flavor. Maybe I need to try some other options. The service was great and the prices are reasonable. read more
3 years ago
This new location in Old Town Orange is located in the historic Wells Fargo Bank! Crazy to see how they repurposed a bank to a cafe. I came on a Saturday morning and there were students studying on their laptops. There's a good amount of seating around the whole cafe. Loved the huge space with the high ceilings! For the matcha lovers, this cafe offers their own matcha menu with FOUR types of matcha lattes ranging from $7 to $11! UJI MATCHA LATTE $7 -good quality matcha latte! -more milk than matcha MATCHA LILIKOI (Dine In item only) -very strong lilikoi flavor, refreshing drink -faint matcha flavor read more
3 years ago
Think I found my new favorite coffee spot in OC ordered an iced vanilla latte and it was perfectly sweet and smooth I later learned that they make their own syrups in house ! I finished my drink in like 15 minutes which says a lot because I usually sip my coffee for at least an hour or more so I guess it's clear that I really liked my drink This coffee shop is located in an old Wells Fargo bank (the teller windows are still in place) and is spacious with lots of tables and high ceilings. It is located in the Orange Circle which is also known as Downtown Orange, surrounded by small shops and restaurants to walk around while sipping your drinks. There was a small park across the street that we sat at and enjoyed our drinks with the weekend sun read more
So let's point out the obvious first, yes this used to be a bank (within the Orange Circle) so it's absolutely massive but the orientation of the space is still a little odd. I appreciate the fact that there's a (free) parking lot in the back with a little hallway to get to the coffee shop so you don't have to deal with the hectic crosswalks & roundabout. I haven't had issues with parking here (yet) but I can definitely see it getting packed if you show up at the right (read: wrong) time. Service is always lovely, everyone that I've interacted with (all of three times) has been kind & patient when I have questions or seem uncertain/not aware of something (like when I almost picked the Lemon Poppy Doughnut over the Lavender Doughnut) Currently, my favorite drink is the product of a collaboration between Play & Radamiz, The Mamajuana Latte. Yes, she is $12. Yes, she is the greatest thing I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. Yes, she is worth it. The Mamajuana is a combination of Nomad espresso & mulled spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, clove & star anise, coconut cream, evaporated coconut milk & Demerara brown sugar, what dreams are made of. On the pastry side, I've only had the pleasure of trying the lavender doughnut. It's fun, it's cute, it's floral -- would I grab it again? Maybe once or twice but I think I'll choose a croissant next time. read more
2 years ago
Cute spot in old town orange! Very nice workers, delicious drinks and plenty of seating for work or studying. They offer matcha and espresso as well as pastries. Plenty of shops to walk around while you enjoy your coffee and overall a great vibe. Went on a Sunday afternoon and the line wasn't too long. Waited about 10 minutes for 2 lattes. read more
Really cool coffee place in the circle of Old Orange! I got a Iced Vanilla Latte with oat milk. It wasn't super special but it was a good latte. It used to be a bank and stood as the oldest bank in OC so the inside looks really pretty. There was lots of seating to work. Good service and solid coffee! read more
2 years ago
PLAY is ruining the orange circle. Parking at the Orange circle used to be free but the owners of play recently began charging customers for parking through a third party called ParkStash. I guess it's not enough for the owners of PLAY to overcharge their customers for mediocre coffee, but they gotta gouge the public to park as well. read more
2 years ago
Great place to do some work! It's in an old bank building so plenty of space and outlets. It's situated right in the orange circle. They had many drink options but I got the iced maple latte which has hints of orange. It was delicious and the service was great. The baristas are willing to explain all the different nuances of each coffee. read more
3 years ago
So happy this coffeeshop opened up in Orange Circle! They took over the building of an old bank, so it is super spacious with tall ceilings and fun light fixtures. Staff is very friendly and very amenable to answering questions about all of their drinks. There are outlets available and free wifi which makes it the perfect study spot too! Would highly recommend their matcha if you're a matcha lover! They used ceremonial grade as their base and you can tell it is a high quality flavor. I got the hot maple matcha latte (less sweet with additional syrup on the side if needed) and thought the maple added just the right amount of sweetness without it overpowering the drink. Excited to make this a regular study and hangout spot :) The only thing I wish they had more of would be larger table spaces and more natural light for all seating spots, but this won't stop me from coming back! read more
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Yes, the password is on a sign at the counter when ordering your drinks!
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