Really? Another Coffee shop?

Riskymove

How do they all stay in operation?

I work around the Baggot Street/Green area and I noticed that a recently closed Book Shop had a planning application to become a Cafe.

In our immediate area there are:

3 Insomnias
Munchies
2 Bon Espresso Newsagents selling coffee
O'Briens
KC Peaches
Cafe Hub
Lolly and Cooks
Chopped (sell coffee in a.m.)
Cafe Sol
Rhubarb Cafe
Cafe Italia

That's 14 outlets...soon to be 15!!

bumper234

Riskymove wrote: »

How do they all stay in operation?

I work around the Baggot Street/Green area and I noticed that a recently closed Book Shop had a planning application to become a Cafe.

In our immediate area there are:

3 Insomnias
Munchies
2 Bon Espresso Newsagents selling coffee
O'Briens
KC Peaches
Cafe Hub
Lolly and Cooks
Chopped (sell coffee in a.m.)
Cafe Sol
Rhubarb Cafe
Cafe Italia

That's 14 outlets...soon to be 15!!

No Starbucks??? :eek:

Riskymove

bumper234 wrote: »

No Starbucks??? :eek:

nope

it seems even they are scared off by such saturation levels

sinead81

Try working on South William Street, overpriced coffee shop mania down here!!!!

cson

Riskymove wrote: »

How do they all stay in operation?

I work around the Baggot Street/Green area and I noticed that a recently closed Book Shop had a planning application to become a Cafe.

In our immediate area there are:

3 Insomnias
Munchies - Gourmet Sandwiches
2 Bon Espresso Newsagents selling coffee - Newsagents
O'Briens - Overpriced Sandwiches
KC Peaches - Sandwiches/Salads
Cafe Hub - Not Sure
Lolly and Cooks - Deli
Chopped (sell coffee in a.m.) - Salads
Cafe Sol - Sandwiches
Rhubarb Cafe - Cafe Food
Cafe Italia - Not Sure

That's 14 outlets...soon to be 15!!

Not sure about Cafe Hub and Cafe Italia but the only one you've listed there whose primary business is Coffee is Insomnia. With all the others coffee is ancillary to the main business.

Personally its great to see so many options opening Dublin, Starbucks or not. It creates jobs and a place to go that isn't the pub for Irish people.

Riskymove

cson wrote: »

Personally its great to see so many options opening Dublin, Starbucks or not. It creates jobs and a place to go that isn't the pub for Irish people.

I didn't say anything against this, simply bemused by the number of outlets for coffee - you can extend this to sandwiches if you like

I actually overlooked two others - Voila and Cafe Boulevard

Cathmandooo

There's Coffee Angel across from Rhubarb on Pembroke Street just off Baggot Street too.

tmc86

hurray for coffee!!

cson

Riskymove wrote: »

I didn't say anything against this, simply bemused by the number of outlets for coffee - you can extend this to sandwiches if you like

I actually overlooked two others - Voila and Cafe Boulevard

Didn't say you did

Just that for me; I think its great.

Cathmandooo

One coffee shop in as one tries to leave, unless Cafe Sol are taking the bookshop unit on Merrion Row?

http://www.quinnagnew.ie/cafe-unit-134-135-lower-baggot-street-dublin-2.aspx

Aard

One word (hyphenated): lunch-hour.


Wherever there are offices, there are hundreds of people who all demand food/drink during a very short window. I'd love to know what the average price for coffee is in those places mentioned. €3 maybe? The trend lately has been an increase in demand for well-located offices; expect the coffee indundation to continue!

ScottSF

Those coffee shops need to move onto Upper Baggot Street where there are few high quality choices - IMHO of course. Do that many more people really work on Lower Baggot versus Upper?

tomboylady

Riskymove wrote: »

How do they all stay in operation?

I work around the Baggot Street/Green area and I noticed that a recently closed Book Shop had a planning application to become a Cafe.

In our immediate area there are:

3 Insomnias
Munchies
2 Bon Espresso Newsagents selling coffee
O'Briens
KC Peaches
Cafe Hub
Lolly and Cooks
Chopped (sell coffee in a.m.)
Cafe Sol
Rhubarb Cafe
Cafe Italia

That's 14 outlets...soon to be 15!!

Chez Max as well, by Cafe Boulevard.

I work around the Green area too and we were just talking about this a few weeks ago. The bookshop is becoming a Caffe Nero. I don't know that there's a need for yet another coffee & muffin/sandwich shop in the area.

And the old Anglo building is becoming a Starbucks at some point in the near future.

quaalude

ScottSF wrote: »

Those coffee shops need to move onto Upper Baggot Street where there are few high quality choices - IMHO of course. Do that many more people really work on Lower Baggot versus Upper?

Too right - there is not one good cup of coffee on Upper Baggot Street.
It's all scaldy brown water, hotter than the sun and tastes like burnt tyres. Every single place!!

Coffee Kiosk at the intersection of Pembroke Road and Merrion Road has great coffee, but it's not that near, unfortunately.

I have an Aeropress in work and make my own - but I'd love the choice of grabbing a nice coffee made by someone else, once in a while.

ScottSF

Hopefully this will result in a coffee price war. Going out for coffee is becoming an expensive habit. €2.50 is the ideal price for a medium/double-shot coffee drink in my opinion. I don't know how Insomnia has such high prices where the consistency is about average.

I've found that some coffee shops take it seriously and only allow trained baristas at the controls, especially ones who know the difference between a cappuccino and a latte. While many others seem to have a lack of quality control so the quality varies based on who is behind the counter that day. I think we are less likely to send back a poor-tasting coffee than a burger that isn't cooked right (maybe because the former won't kill you).

ScottSF

quaalude wrote: »

Too right - there is not one good cup of coffee on Upper Baggot Street.
It's all scaldy brown water, hotter than the sun and tastes like burnt tyres. Every single place!!

I couldn't have said it better myself! I'm always hoping for better and can't fathom why the choices are often very disappointing.

quaalude wrote: »

Coffee Kiosk at the intersection of Pembroke Road and Merrion Road has great coffee, but it's not that near, unfortunately.

Yes the Kiosk (micro-roastery) is indeed a great place for consistently top-grade coffee - well worth the time to walk over there before work or during a break (especially when the sun is shining).

Also I noticed a new place is opening off Upper Baggot near Smyths pub on Haddington Road (where the tired "Bean Scene" used to be). Not sure if it is open yet.

apieceofcake

Hi,

Just a quick question (and probably irrelevant to the thread!) - what bookshop is closing to make way for the coffee shop?

As an avid reader, I hate to see the demise of independent bookshops, but I suppose it's inevitable in some cases.

strandroad

apieceofcake wrote: »

Hi,

Just a quick question (and probably irrelevant to the thread!) - what bookshop is closing to make way for the coffee shop?

As an avid reader, I hate to see the demise of independent bookshops, but I suppose it's inevitable in some cases.

I think it's the discount books place next to Hugo's bistro?

apieceofcake

thanks for reply!

Aard

It will be interesting to see what happens when the Merrion Row area gets saturated with cafes and restaurants. Maybe some upscale clothes shops will start moving in instead. The rent will have gotten so high that who else could afford to move in?

athtrasna

Problem is there is still a shortage of sit in and chat lunch venues in the area, particularly those you can book in advance. It's a nightmare trying to make lunch plans to meet someone if your lunchtime is restricted to peak 1-2pm

quaalude

ScottSF wrote: »

I couldn't have said it better myself! I'm always hoping for better and can't fathom why the choices are often very disappointing.

Yes the Kiosk (micro-roastery) is indeed a great place for consistently top-grade coffee - well worth the time to walk over there before work or during a break (especially when the sun is shining).

Also I noticed a new place is opening off Upper Baggot near Smyths pub on Haddington Road (where the tired "Bean Scene" used to be). Not sure if it is open yet.

I do sometimes take a walk to Kiosk alright - followed by a stroll round Herbert Park. Breaks up the day

I passed by the old Bean Scene place today - the new café is open (but I've forgotten what it's called). Will get coffee there this week and report back to thread!

Easy Rod

ScottSF wrote: »

I couldn't have said it better myself! I'm always hoping for better and can't fathom why the choices are often very disappointing.



Yes the Kiosk (micro-roastery) is indeed a great place for consistently top-grade coffee - well worth the time to walk over there before work or during a break (especially when the sun is shining).

Also I noticed a new place is opening off Upper Baggot near Smyths pub on Haddington Road (where the tired "Bean Scene" used to be). Not sure if it is open yet.

High Nelly's is now open, same owner as before but looks much improved.

Speedsie

ScottSF wrote: »

Also I noticed a new place is opening off Upper Baggot near Smyths pub on Haddington Road (where the tired "Bean Scene" used to be). Not sure if it is open yet.

It will still be owned/operated by Kevin - he acknowledges that the 'Bean Scene' was well past it's sell-by date.
For the life of me, I can't remember what he's calling it but he had a sort of competition for regulars to name it.

Speedsie

High Nelly's!!! That's what he's calling it. Much better layout, far less cramped than the old Bean Scene.

www.highnellyscoffeehouse.com

maryishere

I wonder how they can all stay in business myself, after they pay rent, rates, electricity, wages, overheads, insurance etc. One or two in particular seem empty most of the time, or at least whenever I pass their window. Crazy.

miamee

I took a walk across the city on Wednesday night and came across not one but two new Starbucks :eek: A new one on the corner of Bachelor's Walk and O'Connell Street and another in Temple Bar just up from Leo Burdock's, Eamonn Doran's (I forget what it is actually called these days, showing my age!)

They are everywhere! Two on O'Connell Street now and two on Westmoreland Street all within a two or three minute walk of each other.

KTRIC

miamee wrote: »

I took a walk across the city on Wednesday night and came across not one but two new Starbucks :eek: A new one on the corner of Bachelor's Walk and O'Connell Street and another in Temple Bar just up from Leo Burdock's, Eamonn Doran's (I forget what it is actually called these days, showing my age!)

They are everywhere! Two on O'Connell Street now and two on Westmoreland Street all within a two or three minute walk of each other.

Two in Templebar, one on Grafton Street, one on Dawson Street. It's getting a bit silly now. I'm going to plot them on a map later and see if they make some sort of Starbucks sign !! :rolleyes:

miamee

Don't forget the one on Chatham street as well!

KTRIC

miamee wrote: »

Don't forget the one on Chatham street as well!

Oh sweet jebus, its a f*cking invasion !!! :eek:

Davarus Walrus

It's a real weekday market as well. Baggot Street is deserted during the day at the weekends. The closure of the BoI headquarters doesn't appear to have caused a drop in demand for places to get a coffee.

Aard

miamee wrote: »

Don't forget the one on Chatham street as well!

And the one that's going to open in the old Anglo office on Stephens Green!

ezra_pound

Dublin Easter 2016
All is changed
Changed utterly

quaalude

quaalude wrote: »

I do sometimes take a walk to Kiosk alright - followed by a stroll round Herbert Park. Breaks up the day

I passed by the old Bean Scene place today - the new café is open (but I've forgotten what it's called). Will get coffee there this week and report back to thread!

Had a takeaway Americano from High Nelly's the other day.
It was the usual cup of scaldy hot brown water, same as all the other places around here. Shame.

Riskymove

Aard wrote: »

And the one that's going to open in the old Anglo office on Stephens Green!

now open as is the Cafe Nero

kinsy

quaalude wrote: »

Had a takeaway Americano from High Nelly's the other day.
It was the usual cup of scaldy hot brown water, same as all the other places around here. Shame.

What about that Coffee 2 Go place on Mespil Road? I haven't actually had a coffee from there but I've heard it is very nice. Only across the road from High Nelly's.

Mr_Spaceman

I suppose it was only a matter of time before the green mermaid swept in to conquer Ireland.

I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner, especially in high-footfall locations such as O'Connell Street. That 'Friends' pish has a lot to answer for.

Interesting that Caffe Nero are also muscling in. People talk a lot about being 'Starbucked', but Nero's are fecking everywhere too (in the UK at least). Their coffee is better, though, as far as my taste buds are concerned.

I'd love an Insomnia expansion - at least to Belfast anyway. Love a good jolt of Insomnia!

Butterbeans

I watched a show on BBC2 last night - Coffee Shop Hotshots:Business Boomers.

In a nutshell, they went through the rise of the coffee shop chains in the UK in the last 20 years, focusing on Starbucks, Costa and Cafe Nero, all of which are in Ireland also. It also focused, to a much lesser degree, on local independent coffee shops. It was interesting in that the number of coffee shops dramatically increased during the recession years with quality coffee being seen as a luxury but an affordable one, and the mark up for the retailers being fairly substantial.

They're here to stay, expect more to pop up, but prices to stay the same.

ScottSF

kinsy wrote: »

What about that Coffee 2 Go place on Mespil Road? I haven't actually had a coffee from there but I've heard it is very nice. Only across the road from High Nelly's.

I find it amusing that Coffee2Go has excellent scones (they smell amazing too!) and a variety of delicious soups for lunch (great value with a cheese scone and a banana), but I never go for coffee as I find their coffee to be quite bad and burnt tasting.

I hope both Coffee2Go and the newly-branded High Nelly's realize they can get more business with better coffee and/or well-trained baristas. They should bring in a coffee consultant - I'm sure there are many that would be happy to offer their services.

haro124

Have to say that the starbucks on Stephens green is definitely their nicest store in ireland

hfallada

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/retail-and-services/caffe-nero-to-spend-20m-opening-40-irish-outlets-1.1740859

Im surprised no one posted this. Cafe Nero is going to open a ton of new cafes, mainly in the suburbs of Dublin.

Mr_Spaceman

Butterbeans wrote: »

I watched a show on BBC2 last night - Coffee Shop Hotshots:Business Boomers.

In a nutshell, they went through the rise of the coffee shop chains in the UK in the last 20 years, focusing on Starbucks, Costa and Cafe Nero, all of which are in Ireland also. It also focused, to a much lesser degree, on local independent coffee shops. It was interesting in that the number of coffee shops dramatically increased during the recession years with quality coffee being seen as a luxury but an affordable one, and the mark up for the retailers being fairly substantial.

They're here to stay, expect more to pop up, but prices to stay the same.

I saw it too. Very interesting programme.

I'm not sure if it's much different in Ireland, but despite the proliferation of the coffee chains, the independents, according to the programme stats, still cover 70% of the overall market.

haro124

Starbucks Mespil Road seems to have shut down

kinsy

ScottSF wrote: »

I find it amusing that Coffee2Go has excellent scones (they smell amazing too!) and a variety of delicious soups for lunch (great value with a cheese scone and a banana), but I never go for coffee as I find their coffee to be quite bad and burnt tasting.

Yeah I've had their scones before. Disappointing to hear the coffee is that bad but, I guess, not altogether surprising.

quaalude

kinsy wrote: »

What about that Coffee 2 Go place on Mespil Road? I haven't actually had a coffee from there but I've heard it is very nice. Only across the road from High Nelly's.

Coffee from Coffee 2 Go on Mespil Road is undrinkable.

kinsy

quaalude wrote: »

Coffee from Coffee 2 Go on Mespil Road is undrinkable.

Right, that's that then...

Walk to Coffee Angel on Pembroke St so!

quaalude

kinsy wrote: »

Right, that's that then...

Walk to Coffee Angel on Pembroke St so!

I must try Coffee Angel on Pembroke St, I haven't yet - cheers.

ScottSF

Voila is a good choice as well, but unfortunately it depends who is at the controls of the coffee machine.

Training and quality control is one of the reasons Starbucks and Costa are so successful, though I never patronize Starbucks. I'm not sure about Cafe Nero yet but they do seem to have expansion plans in Ireland now.

quaalude

ScottSF wrote: »

Voila is a good choice as well, but unfortunately it depends who is at the controls of the coffee machine.

Training and quality control is one of the reasons Starbucks and Costa are so successful, though I never patronize Starbucks. I'm not sure about Cafe Nero yet but they do seem to have expansion plans in Ireland now.

Right - I used to think it was the machines that made the coffee, then I realized it's really the person making it.
I won't patronize Starbucks or other multinational coffee chains - I'd rather go without (or make my own).
Thanks for giving me another place for my list - Voila.

Mr_Spaceman

Butterbeans wrote: »

I watched a show on BBC2 last night - Coffee Shop Hotshots:Business Boomers.

In a nutshell, they went through the rise of the coffee shop chains in the UK in the last 20 years, focusing on Starbucks, Costa and Cafe Nero, all of which are in Ireland also. It also focused, to a much lesser degree, on local independent coffee shops. It was interesting in that the number of coffee shops dramatically increased during the recession years with quality coffee being seen as a luxury but an affordable one, and the mark up for the retailers being fairly substantial.

They're here to stay, expect more to pop up, but prices to stay the same.

The programme is repeated tonight on BBC2 at 2350.

quaalude

More news on the coffee in Dublin 4 front - I had a perfect cup of coffee in the café in the Print Museum in Beggar's Bush off Haddington Road on Sunday, and a piece of excellent date and walnut frosted cake.
It wasn't expensive either - eat-in, the coffee was less than €2.50, and the cake was like €2.00. It was informal, bright and lovely.