Staff is rude. I once walked in and the one person working chose to remain in a personal conversation with their friend for 3 minutes before coming behind the counter and even acknowledging me as a customer. Heard similar feedback from other residents in the neighborhood about the cold, unwelcoming attitude of staff. Will not come back
Service: 1
Ivy Welsh
Delicious coffee and baked goods, a super personable barista, and an excellent book selection!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jackson Hale
This is the first Google review I have ever written; I have been coming to Playground for two years. I love it here: the coffee is great, it’s one of the very few family-owned coffee shops in the neighborhood, and it offers a quiet place to work productively during the week.
Today will be my last visit to Playground, on account of how nasty and aggressive the barista was. This morning, as I approached the counter, ready to pay for my coffee, I asked the Barista: “What’s your favorite pastry here? Is there anything in particular you would recommend?” I asked because I have never had a pastry at Playground, and I wanted to get something to go with my coffee.
When I asked, the barista looked up at me with a scowl. As if I had asked for her social security number, or said something deeply profane, she said, sharply: ”It’s subjective. I can’t say. Just get whatever you think looks good.”
What is shocking to me, and so strange about this interaction, is that OBVIOUSLY my question is subjective: In fact, that’s precisely why I asked the person who works behind the counter! My thinking (crazy as it might seem) is that the barista who works here every day might be willing to recommend something to eat. Clearly, this was far too much to ask.The intensity and aggression with which she recoiled, and the dismissive, blasé answer she gave me was unexpected and disappointing. If this is how repeat customers are treated, I can only imagine how first-time visitors are dealt with.
There are plenty of $7 lattes at other coffee shops in the neighborhood, and I'd encourage you to go get one of those instead of coming to Playground.
Service: 1
Alexander Inkiow
I also don’t need my ego to be stroked by my barista— especially when being fashionable and hot are bare minimum qualifiers for pouring a hot cup of coffee. As human beings; we all have better and worse days. However — the expectation that we treat our fellow human beings with kindness and common decency seems like a very low bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Green
I don't need my ego stroked by my barista and sometimes it's actually part of the experience to be cooly served a good coffee by someone hot and fashionable playing techno, so I love this place. Best ambience of any cafe in the area. Coffee is good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoria Duffy
I gave this place a few tries as I wanted to support a local business seems to promote community building, and it’s right by my apartment. However, every time this place kept proving itself to be an unpleasant experience. Probably the unfriendliest staff I’ve ever encountered. I went back a few times to try to see if maybe it was one barista, but I think it must be a pre-req to hate people to work there?? Every time, the minute they saw a customer walk in there was an eye roll. I’ve heard the owner kind of sets the standard from others. I’ve talked to other past customers about this and they agreed that was one of the major reasons they stopped going. That and the coffee was mid. Truly couldn’t even finish my Americano as it tasted burnt. Go to Little Roy’s, Padmore’s, Stonefruit, Cafe Phil— literally anywhere else. You’ll find better coffee and service.
The only reason people go here is for the ambience. I have to say, it is gorgeous when you go to the back to work. If I could just go sit and not have to drink their coffee or speak to their employees, I would give this place 4 stars.
I hate to write a review like this, but please get it together.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
J G
Must try! My top cafe in town
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Josiah Seurkamp
Coffee is bad. Service is mid at best. Owner treats service workers poorly.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
lulu
Cute vibe, cool crowd, cute barista, chairs are uncomfortable but there are power outlets which’s great. Also no laptops allowed on weekends I believe.
I’m always happy to support local, NY born and bred owned businesses that seem to be community focused. I was happy to find a place that had open outdoor and indoor seating readily available aka it’s not always packed. This convenience was the only thing that kept bringing me back.
After a few visits over the past couple of weeks, I can see why that is. The wifi is spotty and doesn’t work outside, the music is not enjoyable, it’s hot inside and it’s not even peak summertime yet. The chai latte tasted watered down.
But the worst part, is that the staff is not welcoming at all. And moreover, I had the “pleasure” of meeting the owner who must thrive amidst negativity. She was rude, impolite and lacked basic customer service.
Will not be returning. Recommend Ginjan cafe where there are plenty of outlets, helpful and nice workers, uplifting music, good coffee and lots of food options.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Leo K
Amazing wines! Japanese rare wines highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nik
Highly recommend the cold brew for a reasonable $6.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma Discher
The cold brew was 6 dollars and refugees are not even allowed to use the bathroom
good vibes, great coffee!
Staff is rude. I once walked in and the one person working chose to remain in a personal conversation with their friend for 3 minutes before coming behind the counter and even acknowledging me as a customer. Heard similar feedback from other residents in the neighborhood about the cold, unwelcoming attitude of staff. Will not come back
Service: 1
Delicious coffee and baked goods, a super personable barista, and an excellent book selection!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the first Google review I have ever written; I have been coming to Playground for two years. I love it here: the coffee is great, it’s one of the very few family-owned coffee shops in the neighborhood, and it offers a quiet place to work productively during the week.
Today will be my last visit to Playground, on account of how nasty and aggressive the barista was. This morning, as I approached the counter, ready to pay for my coffee, I asked the Barista: “What’s your favorite pastry here? Is there anything in particular you would recommend?” I asked because I have never had a pastry at Playground, and I wanted to get something to go with my coffee.
When I asked, the barista looked up at me with a scowl. As if I had asked for her social security number, or said something deeply profane, she said, sharply: ”It’s subjective. I can’t say. Just get whatever you think looks good.”
What is shocking to me, and so strange about this interaction, is that OBVIOUSLY my question is subjective: In fact, that’s precisely why I asked the person who works behind the counter! My thinking (crazy as it might seem) is that the barista who works here every day might be willing to recommend something to eat. Clearly, this was far too much to ask.The intensity and aggression with which she recoiled, and the dismissive, blasé answer she gave me was unexpected and disappointing. If this is how repeat customers are treated, I can only imagine how first-time visitors are dealt with.
There are plenty of $7 lattes at other coffee shops in the neighborhood, and I'd encourage you to go get one of those instead of coming to Playground.
Service: 1
I also don’t need my ego to be stroked by my barista— especially when being fashionable and hot are bare minimum qualifiers for pouring a hot cup of coffee. As human beings; we all have better and worse days. However — the expectation that we treat our fellow human beings with kindness and common decency seems like a very low bar
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't need my ego stroked by my barista and sometimes it's actually part of the experience to be cooly served a good coffee by someone hot and fashionable playing techno, so I love this place. Best ambience of any cafe in the area. Coffee is good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I gave this place a few tries as I wanted to support a local business seems to promote community building, and it’s right by my apartment. However, every time this place kept proving itself to be an unpleasant experience.
Probably the unfriendliest staff I’ve ever encountered. I went back a few times to try to see if maybe it was one barista, but I think it must be a pre-req to hate people to work there?? Every time, the minute they saw a customer walk in there was an eye roll.
I’ve heard the owner kind of sets the standard from others.
I’ve talked to other past customers about this and they agreed that was one of the major reasons they stopped going.
That and the coffee was mid. Truly couldn’t even finish my Americano as it tasted burnt.
Go to Little Roy’s, Padmore’s, Stonefruit, Cafe Phil— literally anywhere else. You’ll find better coffee and service.
The only reason people go here is for the ambience. I have to say, it is gorgeous when you go to the back to work. If I could just go sit and not have to drink their coffee or speak to their employees, I would give this place 4 stars.
I hate to write a review like this, but please get it together.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
Must try! My top cafe in town
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Coffee is bad. Service is mid at best. Owner treats service workers poorly.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Cute vibe, cool crowd, cute barista, chairs are uncomfortable but there are power outlets which’s great. Also no laptops allowed on weekends I believe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
$9 for a cold brew?
Bourgeois and out of touch
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I’m always happy to support local, NY born and bred owned businesses that seem to be community focused. I was happy to find a place that had open outdoor and indoor seating readily available aka it’s not always packed. This convenience was the only thing that kept bringing me back.
After a few visits over the past couple of weeks, I can see why that is. The wifi is spotty and doesn’t work outside, the music is not enjoyable, it’s hot inside and it’s not even peak summertime yet. The chai latte tasted watered down.
But the worst part, is that the staff is not welcoming at all. And moreover, I had the “pleasure” of meeting the owner who must thrive amidst negativity. She was rude, impolite and lacked basic customer service.
Will not be returning. Recommend Ginjan cafe where there are plenty of outlets, helpful and nice workers, uplifting music, good coffee and lots of food options.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Amazing wines! Japanese rare wines highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Highly recommend the cold brew for a reasonable $6.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The cold brew was 6 dollars and refugees are not even allowed to use the bathroom
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