Great coffee. Unfriendly and cold atmosphere. Great coffee. Limited selection. But great coffee.
We jokingly say at work "who wants to go to the hipster coffee place?" because that is exactly what this spot is - hipster paradise staffed by hipsters. But, man is the coffee spot on.
Seating is a long bench as you walk in and then a few select areas in a very small shop. There are also tables outside but those look to be unavailable during the fall/winter months. Sidewalk construction is currently going on as of this review. Hours are understandable seeing that most everyone is out of town around 4 (or not looking for coffee) but I would love a coffee on my bus ride home around 5:30.
Prices look to have changed over the past few months as I thought their prices were ridiculous when I first visited back in May but now they are much more downtown affordable. Which in the broader realm still means $4 for a coffee but you're downtown so suck it up.
I usually get the chai which is totally different from the Seattle-based chain shops. Pleasantly different and pretty damn amazing. 21st only offers whole or 2% milk so I live it up and go with whole so I can get the true coffee experience. During my first visit, my friend got the macchiato which is "drink in only" 3 oz. splendor so prepare yourself to have a sipping break.
I think the one thing that would make this shop above par (and give an extra star - rhyme intended) is friendly staff that are more forgiving to those of us not fluent in coffee lingo. The attitude does drive you away from a great coffee experience because I feel like a moron who can't order anything. But then I get coffee and am happy again and ready to face to world.