Common Grounds

This place reminds me of something on a college campus. It's 24/7 which is convenient for those who want that and the interior is very off-beat, punk bar-like with pinball machines in the back.

The coffee is fine enough but served in styrofoam cups. In a sense, it's like from another era in there.

I ended up having to take a dump in their bathroom (I was drinking coffee). My expectations were low but it was clean even if, not surprisingly, covered in graffiti like "I love hot goth girls" and "nWo 4 life" which only adds to maybe this graffiti is from another era as well.

It's a fine enough spot if you need somewhere to work or chat. I didn't realize they have a parking lot in the back as I parked on the street and paid at the meter so just know that, too.

I cannot believe I have never heard of this 24 hours coffee shop. I popped in on a Saturday evening to grab coffee and dig the scene. I ended up getting the Nutty Irishman iced. The drink was hitting on all cylinders. They also have some baked goods for sale. I did not indulge.

The place is a bit divy and it is cash only. They also offer a few arcade games in the back (highlight being donkey kong and tekken). When I visited there was a group playing some sort of board game that I have never seen before and a couple of people just playing full out video games.

I don't imagine myself hanging out there on the regular but I could see swinging by to get coffee on occasion. I suspect that the people watching gets good after hours.

Tip: Bring cash because no one wants to a Key Bank atm, unless they bank with atm. ( the convenience fee is $4.00)

Check this link for the visual:
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdYsvWgY/

*Open 24 hours**

A friend and I originally planned to visit 5 points coffee and tea but when we arrived at 6:15pm we realised that they closed at 6pm on Fridays so we ended up here at Common Grounds.

I've always passed this tea and coffee shop whenever I would drive to Chase bank at Kamm's Corner but I was never interested in entering because I thought there was only street parking. ALAS! There is a parking lot at the back. The parking lot was full when I arrived but I luckily found one spot open. Another person was leaving too so my friend found a spot as well.

I visited yesterday (22 March 2019) and stayed for about 2.5 hours. This is a very basic shop that does the job.

VIBE -- It is very dark inside with black and purple walls. I almost felt as if I was at a bar. It also didn't look that clean. I prefer bright tea shops so this shop was not my vibe. I visited on a Friday evening and arrived around 6:30pm. There were about 6 people inside so it was quiet. With the loud music, this is not a good place to study or get work done. My friend and I came to just chat so the noise level was fine for us. I did notice other people had their laptops with them and they were very focused.

GAME ARCADE - I have never seen game machines inside a coffee/tea shop before but Common Grounds has about 4 or 5 game machines at the back end of the shop. This is definitely different but cool. One of the games that I saw is PacMan. I didn't play any games but they looked fun. Around 9:00pm, some people started playing games so the noise level increased.

COFFEE / TEA / SNACKS - I ordered a medium size tea (Rooibos tea) which came in a plastic/styrofoam cup. It costs $2. The tea was good because I grew up drinking Rooibos tea so I know all about this red tea. There are other drinks on the menu too such as coffee and cocoa (or hot chocolate I assume). They also sell muffins, cookies, bagels, and brownies.

SERVICE - There was one gentleman behind the counter who was friendly and took my order. He also gave me the bathroom key when I asked.

TIP -- This coffee/tea shop is CASH ONLY but there is a general ATM here for your convenience. I didn't know it was cash only until I was ready to pay so perhaps they need to work on advertising that better. I had no cash on me so my friend paid for me. There is an extra charge on the ATM machine to withdraw cash if you use it.

Overall, this coffee/tea does the job and appeals to alot of people because it is open 24/7. I heard that there is free wifi too. The dark and dingy interior is just not my vibe at all and some variety in their menu would be nice.

***
- 47 total reviews in 2019
- 256 total Yelp reviews
- Reviewed on 23 March 2019

I stopped by for a late night coffee with some friends after having dinner nearby as this shop was open still. We'd never been before. If you're driving over, there's plenty of street parking so that's cool.

When we walked in, we immediately felt like we weren't welcome - all the patrons and the barista looked at us like we were lost. We disregarded that and got in line. It was nice to see folks socially distanced both in line and at the indoor seating.

When we went to order, we asked for some clarification on the menu items. The barista was annoyed by our questions and seemed confused about our lack of knowledge about the "obvious" drink options. If you read the options "Voltaire", "Sledgehammer" or "Funky Monkey" would you be able to tell what type of coffee beverage they were? These were unlike any common option we'd seen before.

After our questions were answered, we simplified the order and requested 3 of the same drink to make things easier on our newly frustrated barista. We hadn't been here before so when I went to pay, we were informed the establishment is cash only! Luckily they have an ATM. I stepped over to the ATM, got some cash, and went to pay.

Unfortunately, using the ATM meant that I lost my place in line so my friends and I had to get back in line. I thought our drinks would be ready by then but nope - the barista didn't think we'd pay so he never started them. I ordered them again and handed him the $20 bill I'd just taken from their ATM. Can you believe he used the fake bill checker pen on it?! I was in shock.

Anyway, we got our drinks, which unfortunately came in styrofoam cups, and left. I don't feel the need to return. The place has potential as it's open late, has plenty of seating and some arcade games; it's a shame my visit ended this way.

The first time i went there was an extremely pleasant experience. The manager or owner im assuming happily served my husband and i about 5 minutes prior to close on our late night coffee run. I ordered a hot drink and he ordered a cold, a raspberry bitchkiss, which was tasty! they did only have one size which was alright. cold drinks
come in hot styrofoam cups as well and i will mention they didn't have dome lids for whipped cream. he did accommodate to any special request though which made us smile. overall, the first bust was a great experience.
however,our second visit was not at all the same experience, a whole world of difference. when we skipped in 10 minutes prior to close on another kate night coffee binge we were expecting the same great treatment. instead, we were by a girl with a big smile, but a large load of disappointment. i've never seen someone so happy to tell me no. she immediately refused us service saying that she had closed her resisters already and had nothing for us, mind you the establishment still had other guests about ! we'll definitely give it another try because the first man seemed to really enjoy what he does; but the girl was not for the people.

First time at this coffee spot. My husband said the people were nice and his muffin wasn't bad but y'all, this is the NASTIEST coffee I've had in a very long time. I took 2 sips and I was done! It was gross!!! My husband ordered a latte w/almond milk and whipped cream. I had an Americano with whipped cream and we got a decaf coffee w/whipped cream for our son. Our son even said his coffee was nasty. We ended up going to Panera to be on the safe side. When you have a bad experience like this, it makes you not want to try any other local businesses. My husband even said it's a cash only place so I wonder who's cooking the books? Definitely not recommended.

The vibe when you walk in is awesome and the walls are covered in art the guy behind the The counter was extremely nice very quick and the coffee came out ready to drink, highly recommended!

My initial impression of this place is one that I'll not express. However, once the semester started and I found retreat in being able to walk here to study into the later hours of the night, it grew on me. Even several of the baristas and a patron or two had developed welcoming demeanors. It wasn't friendly at first to say the least.

I was asked to leave tonight while doing my math homework by the douche always wearing the headphones, you know, the big headset that covers your whole ears. He asked me as I was walking back from the restroom if I wanted anything. I said "no, not at this moment." He finished making a drink and came down the bar towards me to say that "you've been here all day and haven't bought anything...it's not a place to just hang out."

The homeless guy that had been there adding to the stink ass environment since before I'd even arrived about 3.5 hours ago, AND, whom is regularly there for lengthy periods just watching videos on a phone while keeping the battery charged, hadn't bought anything either, instead went across the street to buy food and bring it over.

What an annoying employee and a disappointing establishment.

Common Grounds has become my go-to for getting late night homework and studying done. It can be loud at times, but if you love the constant activity and can focus despite noise, it doesn't affect you at all.

The drinks are amazing, they offer good quality teas as well as various coffee drinks with great names. If you're a coffee elitist, it's definitely not your place. However, for the rest of us, it's one of the best places to go after 9pm when everywhere else is closed, or even in the morning because their breakfast sandwiches are good as well as the muffins.

Yes, they are cash only, but it makes them different. There is like a little eclectic community here, and it keeps getting better. No complaints whatsoever.

Only takes cash and atm has a 3.50 fee for using it also the wifi password is buysomething which is so passive aggressive