Need to know!
photo by Alex Martin
Get your caffeine kick
The Fulcrum looks into the top five locations to find coffee around campus
TIM HORTONS IN THE SITE FOODCOURT
Coffee: Small: $1.23; Medium: $1.33; Large: $1.52
Study Space: There is plenty of space for studying, and the booths are particularly good. But the tables can be messy as there is a high turnover of students coming and going.
Hangout space: Very popular hangout location for students, but tends to be busiest during the afternoon.
Lineups: Can be painfully long at breakfast and lunch hours, as student demand is high.
Extra plus: Self-serve coffee is excellent for mixing coffees, if that’s your cup of tea. Plenty of variety of coffees as well, including fair trade. The Tim Hortons location at SITE is a very pleasant bonus, and service lines move especially quickly here.
CAFE ALTERNATIF IN THE BASEMENT OF SIMARD HALL
Coffee: Regular: $1.55; Large: $1.77 ($.25 extra if you don’t bring your own travel mug).
Study space: This spot seems to be a popular location among students for studying, and it is often hard to find study space, especially for group work.
Hangout space: The atmosphere can be a bit dingy as windows are lacking due to the basement location, but the variety of chairs and couches add some cheer to the space.
Lineups: Usually short, making this an especially convenient location for those looking for a quick coffee before classes in the Simard or Arts buildings.
Extra plus: Lectures and events are often scheduled here, and it's worth keeping and eye out for them.
STARBUCKS IN DESMARAIS HALL
Coffee: Tall: $1.70; Grande: $1.95; Venti; $2.15 Study space: Space is usually limited. Large tables are not widely available, but the seating area is located away from the service area, so distractions are minimized.
Hangout space: Great place to meet and have discussions because the volume is not overly loud in the seating area.
Lineups: The lineups here can be long, and they tend not to move very quickly. But this can be a very busy spot as well, so demand is especially great.
Extra plus: The only Starbucks on campus, with the next closest location at the Rideau Street entrance of the Rideau Centre. As well, the location has a fantastic amount of natural loght.
SECOND CUP 153 LAURIER AVE. E. (ALSO LOCATED IN MORISSET LIBRARY)
Coffee: Small: $1.68; Medium: $1.94
Study space: The hustle and bustle of the place can get a little distracting, particularly at peak hours, so serious study requires some concentration.
Hangout space: Really busy atmosphere. Probably the best place to encounter a constant influx of students.
Lineups: It can get really busy at various hours of the day, such as between classes and at lunch time. Tends to be well-staffed with four to five people working at peak times so lines move quickly. At worst, it’s a five-minute wait to get your order in.
Extra plus: Open the latest of area coffee shops, and easily accessible during the day when the Second Cup at Morisset Library gets busy.
TIMOTHY’S COFFEES OF THE WORLD 234 LAURIER AVE. E.
Coffee: Small: $1.72; Medium: $1.96; Large: $2.16
Study space: Their table setup is highly recommended for studying. The shop is somewhat short on space and can get awkward when waiting for service. There is a good couch setup for studies, meeting, and hanging out, and a big front window which is excellent for reading.
Hangout space: Excellent meeting place and is almost heavenly for this purpose when looking for entertainment in the dead of winter.
Lineups: Generally not long at all because the place is smaller. The staff has a good reputation for going out of the way to greet you and accommodate your needs, especially if you are a regular.
Extra plus: Globally and socially aware coffee shop with a fair trade selection, and opportunity to donate to groups like Habitat for Humanity. Newspapers are available for reading, which is particularly great for lounging lazily on the weekend. The staff tends to more often than not remember who you are from a previous coffee purchase. There are daily trivia questions as well, and the first ten people who get the questions right get a free cup of coffee.
