I’ve been a loyal Starbucks customer for years—my app shows 1765 stars (just in 6 months), which speaks to how much I value this place. However, today, I walked into this location, asking for a simple cup of water, and was denied—not once, but twice—despite explaining that I was a long-time customer. I even offered to pay for the water, but the barista insisted I had to make a separate purchase, with no empathy or flexibility. I felt disrespected and deeply hurt, especially as someone who has supported Starbucks through hundreds of visits. The most painful part wasn’t the water—it was being treated like I didn’t matter at all. I walked out feeling humiliated, with people staring as I tried to advocate for myself and got visibly emotional. Starbucks has always been more than coffee for me—it was a space of comfort. But today, that trust was broken. WATER SHOULD BE A RIGHT. No one on Earth deserves to be denied water—especially not by a company that claims to care about community and well-being. I hope Starbucks reflects on what kind of message it sends when loyalty means nothing, and basic kindness is withheld.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Charria Gill
After a biking trip I thought I could stop by a grab a ice water. I was told that I need to buy something in order to get water. I then asked if I should buy 2 pumps of syrup in a short cup. She told me that wasn’t allowed and I need to buy something like a string cheese. I was very confused and disheartened because I am a previous Starbucks employee / supervisor. I asked if this was a new thing and she told me yes that it is done at the new locations and this the policy. I was not aware that this was a new policies for all Starbucks because I had just recently gotten a free cup of ice water from Starbucks. I’m disappointed because this Starbucks didn’t feel like home. Instead I left very uncomfortable and get free water next door.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Niklas Koch
I enjoyed the beautiful events of this city when I ordered a very delicious vanilla latte from you 🥰
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Federighi
Stopped in before a long day of mural painting in the sun, I ordered the lavender matcha, it was made with hate, it was the worst I ever had. I couldn’t even drink it. That was fine I didn’t need the calories I guess. Just a waste of money since I have to pay extra for oatmilk.
Jess Garcia
The bar is low at this establishment 🗑️🚮
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Daniel Pinedo
Good coffee, exelente
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mark Greydanus
Employees appear to be in a peaceful state..must be the area..it's nice. Not frantic like L.A.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lindsay B
Service will spit in your food or worse. Horrible representation of Starbucks & the school.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Thomas
They hit it right every time! Always have great energy and the one girl Sasha is nice and has great charisma! 10/10 IV!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
bella cam
always make my drink INCREDIBLE ... workers and crowd are generally college students because we're in a college town! thankfully they're all super pleasant :)
I love Starbucks!!!! But this time I Had to poop. It was wonderful. Thank you. (It was very clean and I cleaned up after myself.)
Atmosphere: 5
Nathaniel Beardon
If I pay 6 dollars for a coffee it should be filled up all the way. Worker with the bangs has no customer
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tom Joseph
It's a Starbucks so the food and drinks are like every Starbucks. Close to campus and the outside patio is nice but the tables are not always clean. What makes this Starbucks special for me is the service people are just so nice!
I’ve been a loyal Starbucks customer for years—my app shows 1765 stars (just in 6 months), which speaks to how much I value this place. However, today, I walked into this location, asking for a simple cup of water, and was denied—not once, but twice—despite explaining that I was a long-time customer.
I even offered to pay for the water, but the barista insisted I had to make a separate purchase, with no empathy or flexibility. I felt disrespected and deeply hurt, especially as someone who has supported Starbucks through hundreds of visits.
The most painful part wasn’t the water—it was being treated like I didn’t matter at all. I walked out feeling humiliated, with people staring as I tried to advocate for myself and got visibly emotional.
Starbucks has always been more than coffee for me—it was a space of comfort. But today, that trust was broken.
WATER SHOULD BE A RIGHT.
No one on Earth deserves to be denied water—especially not by a company that claims to care about community and well-being.
I hope Starbucks reflects on what kind of message it sends when loyalty means nothing, and basic kindness is withheld.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
After a biking trip I thought I could stop by a grab a ice water. I was told that I need to buy something in order to get water. I then asked if I should buy 2 pumps of syrup in a short cup. She told me that wasn’t allowed and I need to buy something like a string cheese. I was very confused and disheartened because I am a previous Starbucks employee / supervisor. I asked if this was a new thing and she told me yes that it is done at the new locations and this the policy. I was not aware that this was a new policies for all Starbucks because I had just recently gotten a free cup of ice water from Starbucks. I’m disappointed because this Starbucks didn’t feel like home. Instead I left very uncomfortable and get free water next door.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I enjoyed the beautiful events of this city when I ordered a very delicious vanilla latte from you 🥰
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stopped in before a long day of mural painting in the sun,
I ordered the lavender matcha, it was made with hate, it was the worst I ever had. I couldn’t even drink it. That was fine I didn’t need the calories I guess. Just a waste of money since I have to pay extra for oatmilk.
The bar is low at this establishment 🗑️🚮
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Good coffee, exelente
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Employees appear to be in a peaceful state..must be the area..it's nice. Not frantic like L.A.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Service will spit in your food or worse. Horrible representation of Starbucks & the school.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
They hit it right every time! Always have great energy and the one girl Sasha is nice and has great charisma! 10/10 IV!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
always make my drink INCREDIBLE ... workers and crowd are generally college students because we're in a college town! thankfully they're all super pleasant :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I love Starbucks!!!! But this time I Had to poop. It was wonderful. Thank you. (It was very clean and I cleaned up after myself.)
Atmosphere: 5
If I pay 6 dollars for a coffee it should be filled up all the way. Worker with the bangs has no customer
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
It's a Starbucks so the food and drinks are like every Starbucks. Close to campus and the outside patio is nice but the tables are not always clean. What makes this Starbucks special for me is the service people are just so nice!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
very cute atmosphere and quick service!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cool little spot at UCSB
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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