If you own converse sneakers, a studded neck collar, tight jeans, or multiple facial piercings - you can find your people here. Or you will also fit in if you have a laptop and need to study (just make sure that your laptop has a sticker that says "REBEL") - anywho, there seems to be a good amount of students here.
So when you are looking for this place, don't expect a huge sign...it's actually just a door with a 6 X 11 sign that says "cartel coffee lab"...I was afraid that there would be a secret knock to get in. Once you enter, you'll be overly stimulated by nude art and creative pieces of functional décor. Plenty of seating and outlets make for a student friendly environment. The music selection is rather schizophrenic. It's like a Pantera/Metallica mix meets Garden State soundtrack. Seriously, it would wax wane between nice and chill to yelling...i.e. The Only Living Boy in New York by Simon and Garfunkel followed by Lightsabre Co**sucking Blues by Mclusky....that's right I had to shazam it because I was so turned off by the music selection....just pick one or the other.
Their menu has no prices on it and that annoys me. I asked where the prices were and they said they weren't printed anywhere....couldn't even find them online. Just not customer friendly I thought.
I always get a double espresso wherever I go, so I decided to order that here. According to the barista it had an accent of lime with an almond hint and gave me a tadbit of the ugh. It was sour and didn't go down smoothly at all. The lime overwhelmed what I think the barista was intending. Maybe I just couldn't appreciate the complexity of the brew - but it wasn't for me. The espresso came with a shot of club soda as well to keep the palate cleansed and I wish I had more club soda to wash away the taste. I will say beware, the strength of 1 shot of espresso is tantamount to 2 shots at other places...needless to say my double shot will keep me awake until dawn.
This place has so many good reviews that I will most likely give it another shot (get it?).