This is a one minute walk away from where I live. But with the new ownership and the stale renovations, I'd much rather travel 20 minutes up the road and go to Aperture Coffee. BATW has higher prices but lost all character. Where is the art? Where is the cozy furniture? No punch card system? I'm willing to accept changes, but they replaced the old things with...nothing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Artur F
Something feels off, I don’t like the cheap renovation, and they don’t even offer the stamp card anymore. The place has lost the charm it once had.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Hailey Babins
I am seeing a lot of hate about the renovations on here. I get it, change sucks! I recently walked in and was floored by the change. It looks so fresh, clean, open and bright! I am obsessed! The iced coffee’s are amazing and there are not enough words in the english language for my love for the sausage rolls! Also huge shock over all the gluten free options. So impressed with Bean on main. I don’t usually love change but keep up with the positive changes!!’
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Frances Ancheta
As a OG Mount Pleasant local, BATW Main St *was* THE HUB for a good cozy late night study or a quick coffee. I recently moved away from the neighbourhood but would always return to get work done, hang with a friend, and more! I can attest that the worn-in and well-loved cozy atmosphere is what set this place apart from all the new and upcoming sterile places in the neighbourhood. The direction the new owners took to this neighbourhood favourite was not it. It doesn't look LOVED anymore. It looks cold. It looks basic. I can easily go to another coffee shop if I wanted the same vibe. I hope they reintroduce the well-loved character this spot had. Please bring back the cushions, the dark furniture, the swivel chairs, the beanbags, and the clock!
*I never post reviews but the renovations really broke my heart. I really hope the new owners read this 💔
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 5
Hans Santiago
Guys stop leaving bad reviews about the renovation. I can’t like them all!!
Corrigan Cassidy
I have been coming here for years, and I love it. Recently, however, they have removed many of the usual cold drinks, including my usual - the lemon iced tea. I can get a cold drink that I want at Starbucks just around the corner, so that is what I will do until cold drinks are brought back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Avi Cherry
So, they've recently gotten rid of everything in this cafe that made it cozy and welcoming, as well as most of the food options. It just feels creepy to go here now.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Jacquelyn Godin
Broken hearted about the new renovations. The soul and community feel that drew in the residents of the neighbourhood are gone and lost. All the cozy vibes are gone, it no longer feels like a local cafe, it feels like every other single cafe out there and nothing sets it apart. It’s like a copy paste of every generic cafe out there, if not slightly resembling the ikea cafeteria. I went to a cafe in yaletown the other day that looks and feels exactly as this does now. The uniqueness is gone. The absolute worst is switching the chalk board menus to LED screens, really? Who thought that was a good choice. I will never be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
Brian G
What in the world were you thinking with these renovations? Awful.
I love this location and the recent renovation (much needed) has improved this space in the best way. Food is always on point. Great way to spend a couple of hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kathryn Wittoesch
Was so sad to walk by and see this once cozy café converted to another soulless and uncomfortable “modern” coffee shop. I am so confused why someone thought it was a good idea to change what made this place so special. What an absolute shame. I recommend JJ bean up the street, Aperture on Main or AM café for friendly, warm alternatives. RIP bean around the world! :(
Atmosphere: 1
Richard Reeves
I was shocked when I found out recently the owner sold this business, I had no idea this was happening and the reason for the reno. I've been going to this place since they first opened but more frequently within the last 4 years mainly for the atmosphere. It was one of a kind and was one of the very few (if not only) coffee houses open til midnight. I am happy I was able to go on the last evening before it closed for renovations. I know people move on and that's life, but new owner or not why completely change a popular spot? Keep what works going. At the very least give it more character and pick colors that promote a cozy atmorospheric feel like deep and earthy moody colors, not plain sterile ones associated with medical purity. New does not have to be boring and lack warmth. This new look will be of little interest for a lot of people. I have only been to it twice since it reopened and both times the place was mostly empty and only saw 1 regular who looked as out of place as I felt. The vibe and positive energy of the place is gone. My latte had no heart (literally) in it but even without the art in the foam it still sort of tasted the same. Still, I just felt uncomfortable being there not seeing all the regulars and familiar baristas. This new bright look isn't my style. I might go back if things improve but for now I'll be going to other establishments. Taking away the loyalty stamped coffee cards was also very lame. Nothing stays good in this world
Noah Sullivan
I have been studying and working at Bean for almost 5 years. The place used to feel like a community - warm, inviting, and scuzzy in a nice way. The tables were worn, the lights were dim, the games and books on the walls were inviting, the community art was homey and understated. The place was home to a cute weekly chess club and was always buzzing with conversation. The staff were lovely.
After the change in ownership and remodel it feels like a sterile wasteland. The increase in prices would be acceptable if the food and drink were not so mediocre. Without the rustic charm this place is a soul-less wasteland. The once excusable horrendously dry muffins seem extra dry under the intense & unflattering LED lighting that was installed. The white subway tile backsplash and TV's seem more at home in a hospital or McDonalds than the charming neighborhood haunt that it once was. The reduced hours (now closes at 9:30pm instead of 12 am) mean no late night studying and work. The new staff is competent, but the majority of the old friendly staff have been replaced.
Might as well go to the Starbucks next door…
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Sean Ryan
I was a regular customer here since I moved into the neighbourhood a year ago. Nice coffee, friendly baristas, good vibe. Since the remodel this place is awful. Sterile + bland. I had just finished the FINAL row of my stamp card and they have all disappeared. When I said this I was told that “we don’t do them anymore”. Off to JJ or AM from now on. Hope whoever decided all these changes were necessary feels the loss of customers as their pockets get lighter.
New owners ruined the place
This is a one minute walk away from where I live. But with the new ownership and the stale renovations, I'd much rather travel 20 minutes up the road and go to Aperture Coffee. BATW has higher prices but lost all character. Where is the art? Where is the cozy furniture? No punch card system? I'm willing to accept changes, but they replaced the old things with...nothing.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 3
Something feels off, I don’t like the cheap renovation, and they don’t even offer the stamp card anymore. The place has lost the charm it once had.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I am seeing a lot of hate about the renovations on here. I get it, change sucks! I recently walked in and was floored by the change. It looks so fresh, clean, open and bright! I am obsessed! The iced coffee’s are amazing and there are not enough words in the english language for my love for the sausage rolls! Also huge shock over all the gluten free options. So impressed with Bean on main. I don’t usually love change but keep up with the positive changes!!’
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As a OG Mount Pleasant local, BATW Main St *was* THE HUB for a good cozy late night study or a quick coffee. I recently moved away from the neighbourhood but would always return to get work done, hang with a friend, and more! I can attest that the worn-in and well-loved cozy atmosphere is what set this place apart from all the new and upcoming sterile places in the neighbourhood. The direction the new owners took to this neighbourhood favourite was not it. It doesn't look LOVED anymore. It looks cold. It looks basic. I can easily go to another coffee shop if I wanted the same vibe. I hope they reintroduce the well-loved character this spot had. Please bring back the cushions, the dark furniture, the swivel chairs, the beanbags, and the clock!
*I never post reviews but the renovations really broke my heart. I really hope the new owners read this 💔
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 5
Guys stop leaving bad reviews about the renovation. I can’t like them all!!
I have been coming here for years, and I love it. Recently, however, they have removed many of the usual cold drinks, including my usual - the lemon iced tea. I can get a cold drink that I want at Starbucks just around the corner, so that is what I will do until cold drinks are brought back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
So, they've recently gotten rid of everything in this cafe that made it cozy and welcoming, as well as most of the food options. It just feels creepy to go here now.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 4
Broken hearted about the new renovations. The soul and community feel that drew in the residents of the neighbourhood are gone and lost. All the cozy vibes are gone, it no longer feels like a local cafe, it feels like every other single cafe out there and nothing sets it apart. It’s like a copy paste of every generic cafe out there, if not slightly resembling the ikea cafeteria. I went to a cafe in yaletown the other day that looks and feels exactly as this does now. The uniqueness is gone. The absolute worst is switching the chalk board menus to LED screens, really? Who thought that was a good choice. I will never be coming back.
Atmosphere: 1
What in the world were you thinking with these renovations? Awful.
Atmosphere: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I love this location and the recent renovation (much needed) has improved this space in the best way. Food is always on point. Great way to spend a couple of hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Was so sad to walk by and see this once cozy café converted to another soulless and uncomfortable “modern” coffee shop. I am so confused why someone thought it was a good idea to change what made this place so special. What an absolute shame. I recommend JJ bean up the street, Aperture on Main or AM café for friendly, warm alternatives. RIP bean around the world! :(
Atmosphere: 1
I was shocked when I found out recently the owner sold this business, I had no idea this was happening and the reason for the reno. I've been going to this place since they first opened but more frequently within the last 4 years mainly for the atmosphere. It was one of a kind and was one of the very few (if not only) coffee houses open til midnight. I am happy I was able to go on the last evening before it closed for renovations. I know people move on and that's life, but new owner or not why completely change a popular spot? Keep what works going. At the very least give it more character and pick colors that promote a cozy atmorospheric feel like deep and earthy moody colors, not plain sterile ones associated with medical purity. New does not have to be boring and lack warmth. This new look will be of little interest for a lot of people.
I have only been to it twice since it reopened and both times the place was mostly empty and only saw 1 regular who looked as out of place as I felt. The vibe and positive energy of the place is gone. My latte had no heart (literally) in it but even without the art in the foam it still sort of tasted the same. Still, I just felt uncomfortable being there not seeing all the regulars and familiar baristas. This new bright look isn't my style. I might go back if things improve but for now I'll be going to other establishments. Taking away the loyalty stamped coffee cards was also very lame.
Nothing stays good in this world
I have been studying and working at Bean for almost 5 years. The place used to feel like a community - warm, inviting, and scuzzy in a nice way. The tables were worn, the lights were dim, the games and books on the walls were inviting, the community art was homey and understated. The place was home to a cute weekly chess club and was always buzzing with conversation. The staff were lovely.
After the change in ownership and remodel it feels like a sterile wasteland. The increase in prices would be acceptable if the food and drink were not so mediocre. Without the rustic charm this place is a soul-less wasteland. The once excusable horrendously dry muffins seem extra dry under the intense & unflattering LED lighting that was installed. The white subway tile backsplash and TV's seem more at home in a hospital or McDonalds than the charming neighborhood haunt that it once was. The reduced hours (now closes at 9:30pm instead of 12 am) mean no late night studying and work. The new staff is competent, but the majority of the old friendly staff have been replaced.
Might as well go to the Starbucks next door…
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
I was a regular customer here since I moved into the neighbourhood a year ago. Nice coffee, friendly baristas, good vibe. Since the remodel this place is awful. Sterile + bland. I had just finished the FINAL row of my stamp card and they have all disappeared. When I said this I was told that “we don’t do them anymore”. Off to JJ or AM from now on. Hope whoever decided all these changes were necessary feels the loss of customers as their pockets get lighter.
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