Drip coffee and an iced vanilla latte from Aviano (Courtesy of Atticus Kennedy/CUI)
This piece is from the CU Independent’s opinion section. Any opinions or views do not represent the CU Independent.
Looking to get away from campus and need a steady stream of caffeine? I tried out a few coffee shops around Boulder that might as well be unofficial extensions of campus. To give you a better idea of how each spot might suit your needs, I took note of the atmosphere and “study-ability” of each cafe that I visited, along with the quality of the coffee served.
Unfortunately, I was unable to visit every cafe that Boulder has to offer, so I made a couple of rules. The coffee shop must be reasonably close to campus or accessible by the Hop Bus, and it must have a focus on serving coffee. Additionally, I made the same order at each place. First, I got an iced vanilla latte with whole milk because getting the basics right is vital. Secondly, I got a drip coffee to please everyone’s dads and to serve as an option for those study partners who lean away from specialty coffees.
For the first batch of contestants, I visited locations in close proximity to campus for those in need of a short break during their day. Aviano is a relatively new place in Boulder and is located within the Moxy Boulder Hotel. It offers a good mix of indoor and outdoor seating options and was not as busy as other locations on the hill. The vanilla latte had a good blend of milk, espresso and vanilla, though the vanilla did have an artificial taste. The drip was at a good temperature, and the bean was incredible, but I will say it seemed like the water itself had a flavor. Aviano is a must-stop and definitely has a good start to cementing its reputation as a good spot on the Hill.
Loving Cup is well known to those on the Hill and is a popular spot. The shop is small, so it can get quite loud, and indoor seating is limited and cramped; however, there is a good variety of outdoor seating that did not get too full, even when I went on the Friday of Parents’ Weekend. While receiving the latte, my hands were full, and I was unable to hear if my name was called. I asked the barista if the coffee sitting on the table was mine, and the barista responded that it was for my name specifically. However, after an embarrassingly long time and having left the shop, my partner pointed out that the name written on the cup was not mine, and the drink was a caramel latte instead of a vanilla latte. While I can vouch that the caramel flavoring was good, the espresso was a bit lacking. I would definitely recommend taking a look for yourself at the name on your cup. I got a 12-oz drip that was almost too hot for my liking, and the bean itself had a nice flavor but certainly didn’t stand out too much. If you are in the area, Loving Cup is a good place to stop in and snag a seat if you’re able.
There are other notable coffee shops near campus, like The Coffee Stand, which is off of Arapahoe and Broadway, and Drogos, a coffee shop that is connected to the Catholic Center, along with plenty of chain coffee shops. For my purposes, however, I would definitely recommend stopping into the Loving Cup for that pick-me-up latte before your 8 a.m. class and heading to Aviano when you need to warm up with a great drip coffee.
There is a dizzying array of coffee shops on Pearl, but I stopped into three shops that were recommended to my partner by some friends who are definitely experts when it comes to cafes on Pearl. Boxcar was my first stop and had quite a comfortable atmosphere with plenty of indoor seating; however, outdoor seating was limited. The iced vanilla latte was good, admittedly without much of a standout flavor. The drip coffee did shine for Boxcar, as they had a choice of beans. I chose the “Number Seven,” which came out at a perfect temperature and was robust but a bit watery. Overall, Boxcar does have that iconic coffee shop feel and could certainly withstand long study sessions.
Next up was Trident, which encapsulates a bustling bookstore vibe and is connected to one. The indoor seating was great, but the tables are small if you’re trying to fit two people in. The iced vanilla latte had a good vanilla and espresso flavor that was unfortunately muted by the milk. The drip had that classic flavor with a bit of an acidic kick. Trident certainly stands out with its bookstore, whose shelves can give a much-needed break in the midst of studying.
The last place I tried on Pearl was Creature Comforts, and the location gives a new-age coffee shop feel. There is a good variety of seating, but it does give more of a community feel, so those of us who like to slink off into a corner might find it difficult. The iced vanilla latte was amazing and definitely stood out from the competition. The vanilla flavoring was definitely the key component, but the espresso and milk were incorporated well. The drip coffee, while good, was not as spectacular. Creature Comforts is a cool location, and their iced vanilla latte is something to behold.
As I mentioned before, there are so many options when it comes to getting your caffeine fix on Pearl, but I would definitely recommend heading to Boxcar if you crave a coffee with no frills, Trident if you want to browse the shelves during study breaks and Creature Comforts if you want an exciting take on your latte.
For the last two places, I chose some options for those who want to get away from the vibe of the Hill and Pearl. Brewing Market off of Folsom is an early stop on the Hop’s counterclockwise route when taking it from campus, and it finds itself connected to McGuckin’s Hardware. There are a few other Brewing Market locations, but this one had a very open feel and was definitely very passionate about coffee. There is a good blend of indoor and outdoor seating, but the tables were small. The iced vanilla latte had a natural vanilla taste, but the espresso flavor wasn’t as present. The drip coffee was served at a great temperature and had a robust flavor without much acidity. Brewing Market’s appeal definitely comes from its specialization in coffee and is a good stop for the coffee snob who’s seeking more from their cafe.
Lastly, I went to Alpine Modern. While there is an Alpine Modern location on the Hill, the Twenty-Ninth Street location holds a very special place in my heart, so that’s where I headed. Alpine Modern has good indoor and outdoor seating, though it does get a lot of traffic. The latte had a good blend of flavors, though the vanilla flavoring was on the artificial side. The drip coffee had a good flavor but was pretty acidic. Altogether, Alpine Modern is a great place if you need a pick-me-up while shopping around Twenty-Ninth Street.
All of the places offered their own unique benefits and presented their own drawbacks, but I have picked out winners for each section. If you’re on the Hill, I recommend checking out Aviano, a cool new addition for those who think they might have visited everything in the area. Creature Comforts was definitely a standout for Pearl and offers a good rest from the crowds. Brewing Market is a must-see for those who think that there is only one way to have “real” coffee. While coffee can differ hour-to-hour and barista-to-barista, these locations stood out from the rest. I didn’t even scratch the surface when it comes to coffee spots in Boulder, and I definitely look forward to trying out new places, along with stopping into all the shops I visited when I need a break from campus.
Contact CU Independent Writer Atticus Kennedy at atticus.kennedy@colorado.edu
