WHAT happened here!? Last time I visited a new barrista was playing Justin Bieber and simular music, I didnt hear a bad song for 4 years before this! I hope this is not the new direction and the end for Swallow cafe. ------------------------------------ Beautiful interior, always good music, enough space to not feel crowded, good feeling. If this place had bigger windows and more light it would be perfect and get 5 stars, maybe it should anyway because wherever I go I cant find anything better. Its 5 stars on rainy days. The coffee is not better anywhere else either. I have tried the Bake shop on the corner flushing/bogart a few times, they always play bad annoying music, the very last time I went there I had to run out horrified when the third Brittney Spears song in a row came on. I went to get another coffee and good wibe at Swallow Cafe instead. read more

I gave this 4 stars because of the space to work in this cafe, there are plenty of sockets around and seats, I love coming here to work. The coffee was nice too, I think swallow serves a standard coffee house taste. read more

As cappuccinos go, 10/10. Piping hot and fresh from the bean. The atmosphere has that sort of loft-y, late night feel we've all come to expect/love from that neck of the woods. A coffee shop for those of us who just want to be taken back to basics. read more

Great little cafe, just wish they had more food. Coffees are solid, and bagels are tasty. The atmosphere is very nice, with cool artwork and plenty of seating inside. The review under me is very funny, because I also received the "blank stare" while asking about their types of bagels. I assumed it was his English? read more

The barista working there was nice, (and playing good music), the prices were super decent! The WIFI didn't work but coffee was great, there are also macadamia and oat milk vegan options which aren't always available at other coffee shops. Definitely stop by, it's really cute! (Maybe the WIFI wasn't working just on my phone) read more

The coffee is good, but the price is high, and on the top of that they staffs are very very very unfriendly. Still don't know how they keep this place open read more

Fuck this place. The Service is terrible. Who manages this place? I'm literally putting together a video reel of the countless times (6 recorded examples) I've walked in to find no one at the counter for over a minute, and me deciding to walking out. Or going to the counter and waiting for the staff to finish non work related conversation and acting like I'm bothering them, or straight up on their phone mid latte steam. AND CASH ONLY?!??!FUCK.ATTA.HERE. Coffees fine. Decor is cool. read more

I'll be brief: This is a solid neighborhood coffee spot that kicks Cafe Orwell's overpriced ass. Nicely designed, better light than the Archive (super important if you just want to hang out and read for awhile), coffee is spot on and bagels and other foodstuff are well priced. And for the inevitable comments about the hipster customers, guess what, those are the people who live around the area, so it would follow they would go somewhere for coffee. Most of them are New School/NYU kids, so I'm guessing a lot of them are just doing work hanging out, givem a break. read more

Nothing special, over priced products and rude staff. I was calling a family member that was in the hospital and they told me to get off the phone read more

Don't like this place, don't like the people who work there they are very pretentious, don't like the people who go there, REALLY DONT LIKE THE COFFEE they serve counter culture coffee which is nasty read more

There are so many things wrong with this cafe. For an almost 4 dollar ICED COFFEE (nothing special), the coffee and service better be incredible. Both were seriously lacking. The cold brew tastes like a rip off of Starbucks except the beans taste way more burnt, in a bad way. This place is cash only, so I spent an extra 2 dollars to withdraw the cash (this is 2017, people. I don't always have cash on me these days) The woman who served me was very rude and gave me an attitude when I was confused by a regular coffee being 2 dollars and an iced coffee costing almost double the price. Not to mention, places like these destroy neighborhoods like Bushwick and only support the wealthy white hipsters moving in and pushing people who have lived here forever out. 0/10. I will never come back here and I recommend you check out another coffee shop in the area. This one sucks. read more

I went there this morning and made an order to a gentlemen with an awesome beard and glasses, I didn't notice the "cash only" sign and he told me to come back when I can to pay him back, I plan on being there tomorrow morning to pay my dues. Thanks for awesome service. read more

I want to like Swallow. Really, I do. But it makes me feel cranky....and old....and self-conscious about my old-school white Mac Book. It's too loud and banal conversations tend to carry across the room. The noise from the coffee grinder or milk steamer or whatever that noise is tends to break my concentration while I work. Yeah, I know I shouldn't treat it like my office. I'm just saying that if you need a place with an atmosphere that helps you focus and send all those emails you've been putting off, Swallow isn't the best place to go. read more

The coffee is good, but not good enough to answer for the astoundingly terrible service. One barista, with curly dark hair (who has been mentioned multiple times in previous negative reviews) working on Saturday, was so incredibly rude and personally insulting, that a customer in front of me in line cancelled her order and ran out of the shop upset. Her attitude towards me was pretty awful as well on top of her loudly complaining about the woman she had just offended before me to anyone who would listen. Completely inappropriate. She didn't even get my order right. It made the mood in the cafe tense and uncomfortable and once her shift was over, it was like a sigh of relief went over the crowd. I had been warned about a rude barista working here before I went, and that was immediately delivered. Until the workers here are gone or get a serious attitude adjustment, myself, and many people I've spoken to who have had similar experiences will not be back. read more

Being semi new to this town I've been trying to find a good place to sit down and edit photos. After reading the reviews I decided to give it a shot. The vibe of this place is uncomfortable as soon as I walked in. This place looks and feels like a jail. The person at the counter had this I don't care about you attitude. On top of that the coffee (which is what I went there for) was okay. It's a shame since this is a really convenient spot right off the train but I won't be going back. The only other cafe near the train is Ange Noir which I've never had a bad experience at. If your looking to eat fast I also suggest Brooklyn natural which is right next to the train. I will give this place another chance in a month because in guessing that maybe the person behind the counter was just having a bad day. read more

Ann is really welcoming and her service is the best! The quality of the coffee is excellent.

I do not understand how this coffee shop has any positive reviews. The coffee is good, but the staff (mostly all of them) are extraordinarily rude, unwelcoming and not interested in service at all. I've been there many times, the culture of the establishment is not to give service. Seems it is to be aloof and condescending. I return in hopes that they will somehow become at least somewhat service oriented. But today was my last time there. The woman behind the counter literally threw my bagel towards me and then when I asked for a small bag she proceeded to throw a paper bag towards me as if how dare I ask her for a bag. If you don't want to be treated poorly or have disrespect served up with your coffee, I advise you never go here. Ever. read more

They are all rude hipster transplants that work here. Been here a few times and they're always obnoxious and pretentious. The coffee isn't even that good. And it's cash only which only makes it that much more annoying. Never again. read more

First time here & I'm a tad bit disappointed. I pass this place a lot but I'm always in a rush but I decided today was a good day to finally stop in & grab an iced latte. The service was fast that I cannot deny, the espresso okay but the vibes were one I did not find myself wanting to return too. No smiles, no friendly please come back or welcomes not to mention my latte was just sitting on the counter & I'm pretty sure she didn't call it out. I get that the hipster thing to do is act like you don't care & not smile but come on guys this is a business - if you want me to keep paying $5 for an iced latte I can almost get on every few blocks be a little kinder. I will be returning in hopes to receive better customer service... read more

This place is set up for people to read and work on their computers. They have snacks and good coffee and espresso, but it is often too loud to concentrate. The baristas play screaming rock at very high volumes. I like loud music, but not while I'm trying to write. I can't concentrate enough to get anything done. I would love it here if they would turn the music down a bit. read more

Delicious drinks all served with sparkling water, a great chill/open space down for conversations, reading, or work. Fast service, great vibe, and a clean, no-key-needed bathroom. read more

Swallow Cafe kind of makes me scoff and say, "Williamsburg", in a joking, self-aware, 'I-have-a-Macbook-and-wear-mostly-black-too' way. I've been in a few times to grab coffee and once a bagel. Everything's pretty good and the employees are nice. I got really confused using the bathroom here, first not realizing I needed a key (that was attached TO A JUG?) that opened a bathroom with like 3 stalls in it, then being totally incapable of opening the dead-bolt door from inside and almost getting locked in, without my cellphone to call for rescue. Traumatic. read more

Love swallow! Great coffee, plus the bagels are Bagelsmith, and they're BOMB. Go earlier for a bagel though, they tend to run out pretty quick. Also, cash-only spot, but there's an ATM. read more

I was so excited to find this place just around the corner from my hostel but was quickly disappointed. I ordered (strong soy latte) in amongst a bigger group and when I was checking if one of them was my soy the girl on the machine gave me no more than "I don't know" leaving up me to figure it out...so ended up with an expensive coffee, that was not stronger and had another person drinking it before I figured it out. Poor form! read more

terrible. I frequent cafe's to get work done and recently moved to this area from williamsburg. I knew i shouldn't try it because it had that weird sterile cool look about it that i hate but I didnt want to look very hard and it was close. bad idea. employes are the sort that dont do much except sigh and look pretty and are slightly annoying? (Typical around here, obviously.) The menu is skimpy. Got a juice and it was meh. the main thing though is the vibe when i walked in, 5 faces IMMEDIATELY SWIVELLED FROM THEIR MACBOOKS TO GRILL ME. (lolz, u has freelance wrk or r just hanging out?) it was uncomfortably quiet punctuated by country music (im serious. i get that its ironicandtrendy but like, wrong moment, you know?) everyone in the place was exactly what you would expect, tattoos of geometric shapes and half shaved heads (like, ok i get it). But the weird thing was that it didnt even feel 'cool' to me, it just felt....vapid. (im partial to quirky spots or atleast a place where every single person isnt a 20something working for a startup and wearing an american apparel t shirt ya feel me?) read more

Visited this past weekend, super cool vibe and AMAZING coffee. The service was great, counter workers were accommodating and polite. Also right next to the train station at Morgan Avenue , killer for the daily commuter. read more

This is chill spot near the Morgan Stop. It's dimly lit, people keep to themselves, and you can actually get work done. I usually come here to grab an iced coffee and be on my way, but this time I decided to sit down and relax. Swallow is pretty spacious, also I would like to say kudos for the clean bathroom. read more

This chilly little cafe charges $4.75 for a latte served in an espresso sized go cup. With s chaser of surly fat curly haired barista that scowls at customers. I live in the EV where things have gotten expensive, but for that price one can get a full sized large latte, a good one, served by a friendly person who knows my name. In a heated room. read more

They're specially brewed coffee just for them is worth the travel to Brooklyn. Whatever is in this blend it's so delicious and smooth you can't get it anywhere because they have a blend that's only made just for them. Latte was super delicious frothy.... if you're a coffee lover and you're in Brooklyn you've got to try this place out. They also have a lot of vegan options as well good for them. read more

Swallow is pretty much everything I need in a coffee shop. Open reasonably late, great ambiance (awesome for chillin and reading or getting work done), good (but not overpowering) lighting, solid food, great coffee. As a bay area transplant and long time coffee addict, I'm pretty motherf&*(%$# serious about my coffee and trust me, this is decent. Oh, and they have the best cookies ever!!!! Not even joking. read more

This is exactly how a Coffee shop should be! Plenty of seating, attentive staff and great coffee.

Coffee is great, wifi is good and the almond croissant I got was tasty. My only problem is the attitude of the people behind the counter - need to polish up their customer skills. read more

The rudest people that have ever made coffee for me, greasy spoon proprietors and crabby mothers included. When not texting behind the counter, these waifish barristettes will invariably hold a Deep and Meaningful conversation with a Really Hip Friend while people line awkwardly up at the register, waiting to be helped. I concede an extra star to this woeful establishment because of the delicious beverages and the funky bookishness of the crowd. Other than that, boo. You're only as cool as my coffee money pays you to be, sister. read more

The coffee here is absolute SHITE. It tastes like grassy hemp soup mixed with a little butter to create a less gritty texture. The service was yucky, also. I was asking chicky at the counter for some sugar and she responded by staring at my coffee cup and telling me "be careful! you're spilling!". Get over it, I'm hungover! I do love the spacious atmosphere, though. I could sit here for hours and not feel like the place is getting too crammed. Thumbs up (and + two stars) to that! read more

WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER! It's very uncomfortable being in there. Guys please learn how to welcome people and don't let them feel like intruders. read more

Weird, sterile interior and overpriced (but good tasting) coffee. Kudos for doing french press but it's just too damn expensive. I also can't stand the name. Sounds icky. read more

I just stopped in here for the first time today on my way home from the subway. I ordered an iced vanilla latte to go. I didn't taste the vanilla till I got till to the very bottom of the drink. :( But I like the vibe in this place and I'd like to go back here to get some work done. I don't think they have an air-conditioner though, just a strong fan. read more

Best coffee I have found in NYC so far! Great bagels, nice vibe, LOVE the air-con, gluten free raspberry slice to die for!!

First off, if you complain about hipsters in Morgantown SERIOUSLY shut the fuck up and move to another part of town. Second off, about the archive. Before Swallow I had to listen to the main guy (I always called him Beard) watch Glee on his laptop for days on end. They used to project movies like SAW on the wall and turn the lights down mid-day. It was pretty fucking lame. Swallow is a refinement of what I like in a cafe. If the staff seems preoccupied its because their band is more successful than yours. They all know how to make a serious latté, soy or not, and you might just end up making a new friend if you stick around the cash register during a slow period. Swallow is a freelancer's cafe -- a coffice, if you will. If you're looking for a place devoid of MacBooks and iPhones go somewhere else. I personally need a place to work while getting out of the loft and I'm happy to shell out for a coffee and bagel at least once a day in order to be surrounded by people who hang out in coffee shops to make a living. Easy going people -- free wifi -- decent french press coffee. Say anything bad about this place and I'll effing kill you. read more

This coffee shop is right by my work so I end up stopping by here all the time. I love the chai lattes that they make here, perfect amount of sweetness without being too overpowering and artificial. I also highly recommend the bagels here. They are very generous with the cream cheese, which I always appreciate! Lastly I'm a big fan of their chocolate chunk cookies, I might actually be developing an addiction to those so exercise caution. Overall the baristas are nice and there are a bunch of seating available. One thing to keep in mind is that it's cash only, so bring the dough. read more