Comments on Free Victrola

Well, they are pretty new and the lived in look and employee flow takes some time. At least it isn't a Starbucks.

I can't understand how they got everything so totally wrong in the new location, when they did everything right on 15th. That place is never going to look "lived in" because it wasn't designed to look like that. It looks architect-designed. Spare and minimal and pretentious. That may be fine for somethings, but not a Seattle coffee house, which should be intimate, comfortable and a little shabby. No wonder it's dead in there. Their coffee is a zillion times better than Bauhaus...so I hope they realize they need to make some changes to the space fast.

it really seems like the focus of V2 is the roasting and tasting room. there's no room for art because of all of the windows; so the cafe part feels like (and possibly was intended to be) an afterthought.

I had the worst coffee (not espresso) I'd had in a long time at V2. The decor blows. No wireless. No threat to Bauhaus.

Oooooo...I know the source of your creeping disapproval.

Read this comically ridiculous article where the Stranger excruitiatingly analyzes the burning question, "Can you still be indie with multiple locations?"

Perhaps the new space makes you feel creepy because it's, like, one of a multiple. It's like an Arbus photo of weird twins.

The two V's are two different kinds of shops. The one on 15th is cozy and neighborhoody, the new one is on a lot of people's way to and from downtown. Different types of drinkers. The different looks on the two make me think that I didn't think of that first.

I really wanted to fall in love with V2 because it's on my street and I need a new low-key evening and Sunday-morning social hangout. #2 and #3 are right on; it's the interior windows and lack of art that kill the cozy potential. There used to be a nice industrial garage door all the way across the front and I imagined they'd swing it open on warm afternoons, but they swapped it out for sheetrock and boring old windows. (Don't think I'm gonna be ungrateful for the free buzz tomorrow, though!)

i am a barista at an indie coffee shop on the hill and i HATE going to victrola. i stopped by the new one just to gawk on my way to bauhaus the other day and was thoroughly unimpressed. no wi-fi sucks, the furniture was uncomfy, and the staff.. well, every victrola barista that has ever served me has acted like they'd rather eat super glue than to pull a few shots for me. bauhaus baristas are meanish too, but at least they have wi-fi and some nice seating. victrola has lots to make up for with little to offer.

is this a starbucks?

#8 - Yeah, they do have wifi at Bauhaus, but a lot of the time it is slower than the slowest dial-up.

Victrola II: HIPPER AND MORE STUCK UP

Coffeshop overload. Its not the lack of WiFi, its the lack of enough people. In the block, up the block, down the block, around the block, Coffeeshops everywhere. And all good ones too.

I disagree that a coffeeshop has to be "comfy" to be properly Seattle. Have you been to the Ladro downtown? It's narrow and sterile, but it works in the space, has good coffee and has it's own non-corporate feel.

Bauhaus has a unique mood and is eminently hip, but it sports neither sandwiches nor booze.

For eating and drink: V2 - 1, Bauhaus - 0

As hip and great as everyone makes Bauhaus out to be...its too hip- which means it's always packed with people I'd rather not be around. True, the coffee is great. But I am def. going to frequent V2 b/c I use coffeeshops to work. I am not looking for a scene, but a good work environment. So please, stay away from V2. It sucks!

Stopped by for my free super-slow double. . .

I actually love the space, love the big beautiful tables, love the light fixutres. . . think it's tragic that they removed the garage door, but oh well.

Unfortunately, it's still Victrola coffee, which still BLOWS in a post-Tonx (their old roaster guy) era. They've exchanged their formerly interesting bright-but-smooth gig for this sort of neon-and-floral thing that only tastes good with a half-gallon of soymilk poured into it.

And yeah, no wifi.

i guess new victrola has wi-fi now. nice place to hang out - tons of natural light, way better coffee than bauhaus, you can always find seating and baristas always make pleasant conversation but not too much. live music too at night if you can make it past creepy spare changers outside the corner market.