The Archive Café

I went back to this place remembering it as the cool hangout it once was. and sadly Archive no long exists, it’s called the «Swallow» now, and although I am extrememly open minded… i can’t say much about this hangout. nothing is the same… it’s turned into a place that people go to just because there is internet access… LAME!!!

Love
Hate was
The story
Of our long
Relationship but your hours are missed.

Noooooooooooo! The Archive is closing today and it’s making the whole neighborhood super sad.
This place is /​was great– the last bastion of hope for good coffee and great friendly and amazing service in the area (Sorry, Orwell!).
It will always have a warm spot in my heart.

R.I.P Archive Café. Found out this morning, today is their last day in business. I cant believe you are closing after 7 years in the ‘hood. You provided solid coffee, good pastries, and more importantly, the friendliest staff .
You offered down to earth and un-​pretentious staff with engaging personalities. It was always great to grab a coffee and get into a conversation about current events, music and films.
Sorry, but other cafes in the hood never did it for me. You will truly be missed.

Archive café… I didn’t think you’d become a regular spot, but just like good neighbors, we’re starting to get to know each other better.
The Archive is pretty awesome, and for me, a regular spot.
The good:
First off, they have a cool collection of videos and DVDs you can rent. Second, they also show these movies once a week or so.
Third, you can enjoy a good muffin/​bagel with cream cheese and tea/​soda for less than five bucks, which is not bad at all in my books.
Forth, it is relatively quiet, somewhat dark, perfect place to sit down and do some work on your laptop because
Fifth, of course, free wi-​fi.
Sixth, it’s the only place around that I know of that is open until 11pm. Most places shut down around 7−8… I can stay until they close because the subway is so so close (see blow.)
There’s almost always place to sit down, they have two huge tables, sofas, and stools. The staff is friendly, very helpful, and interesting/​attractive.
The other unique benefits of this place are how amazingly close it is the the L train (half a block), and that they are next door the the expensive Brooklyn Natural Foods, which sells decent sandwiches in case you are really hungry.
Another thing I want to throw in here is that most of the people in the café (especially after noon and at night) are the artsy-​hipster type, always interested to talk to (if you can actually get someone off their ipod/​laptop) or observe, if you happen to be a creeper like me ;)
The bad:
It’s hard to think of any bad things. I will say though, they don’t seem to have AC, or they only have a small unit that doesn’t really cool the place down on hot days.
The bathroom is located at the end of a little maze, you might find yourself lost or at the back of the store next door, scratching your head and wondering how you ended up there.
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a simple place to do work until late with good music, movies, vibe and cheap prices, this is it — especially if you live close to the L.

What’s to like:
healthy plants, cute staff, good coffee, harney & sons or whatever tea that is amaaazing, free wifi, onion newspaper each thursday, good music, dvds in case of emergencies, good bagels.
I moved to bushwick in 2006 and would have DIED without this place. I am however terrified of that «carpeting» on the bench along the windows, as well as the seat cushions on the chair across from said bench. A girl could catch some hpv on such things.

After getting off at an unfamiliar L stop with time to kill on a sweltering summer day, I was grateful to have found the cleverly renamed «Art St» (via sign bending). Before I even entered Archive’s door, I knew I was at home. Once inside, I was grateful for the coolness within (in terms of temperature and the hip factor). I had a delightfully refreshing and strong iced cappuccino, properly made by a friendly barista with real foam, not just cold milk. I sat on a comfy coach, relaxed, and read my book in peace while enjoying my iced beverage. Although the café was not empty, patrons were not being remotely obnoxious, which is par for the course at Starbucks and other independent cafes. Instead, each patron or group of patrons seemed to exist as an island, working on laptops, reading, or quietly conversing while imbibing caffeinated beverages. Later, I perused the very well curated and organized lending library of dvds. If I lived nearby, I suspect I’d be here often for dipping into this extensive dvd collection, writing on my laptop, getting lost in a book for hours, or just picking up any kind of caffeinated confection.

Archive earns three stars for being an all-​around solid option for coffee and bagels right on the Morgantown main drag.
The fourth star goes to Archive for being the only place I know of (in Brooklyn and otherwise) that serves my favorite Harney & Sons Vanilla Grapefruit tea. And not only that, Archive has the common sense to charge the same price for any size tea, since after all, the only difference is the amount of hot water you get. If only all cafes practiced such logic!

I live much closer to the Wyckoff Starr but I make the trek over here more often because I prefer the seating arrangement/​availability and tea selection (I’m not a coffee drinker). They have quite a few different handpacked teas at a very reasonable price. The cookies and baked items are good too.
Its a coffee shop/​video rental store and they show movies sometimes. Good café to work in more than social setting. Very laptop-​friendly; tons of power strips and on any given night you’ll be surrounded by macbooks.

The Good.
–Plenty of seating, plenty of tables.
–Wi/​fi and DVDs for rent.
–Nice staff, good service.
–Right by the Morgan L stop.
–Good music. I stopped by on Talking Heads day, which is always a good day.
The Bad.
–You need a key to use the bathroom. Which wouldn’t be so bad, if it wasn’t attached to a WIFFLE BAT. I’m a grown-​ass man. I shouldn’t need a bathroom pass. The only person whose permission I should need to use the bathroom is my girlfriend.
The Ugly.
–It seems to be a social center for the useless yurt-​toting, frisbee-​chucking cheeba monkeys of the neighborhood. Which is probably why the bathroom key is necessary.

I really like The Archive. It’s MAYBE a block walk from the L train, so already awesome.
Free wifi, delicious bagels and an always friendly staff. Also, depending on who is working, the music selection is vastly different. I’ve heard everything from Notorious BIG to The Shins to The Clash.
LOTS of seating, I don’t think I’ve ever not had a seat. I’ve gotten a coffee and just hung out for hours, without ever once feeling rushed out or like I am a burden.
The crowd here is also much more varied — hipsters sure, but also an older business crowd and students, too. ALSO, I kind of love that it’s right next to Brooklyn Natural, if I need to pick up something for dinner, I can slip in and out in a snap.
I will definitely keep Archive in my regular rotation of places to visit. And can’t wait to try more of their food. mmm.

Archive, you rock. After spending time earlier this week at Orwell, I am finally home. Friendly people behind the counter. The music is not so loud as to make conversation in low tones difficult and is a much more palatable mix of indie-​rock. The food is tasty and eminently reasonably priced. You are a block (at most) from the bogart st entrance of Morgan station.
The wifi is nice and quick if there aren’t a ton of people trying to «share» it. This place is totally chill and it deserves all the patronage it gets.

A week, or so, ago, my roomate and I set out to discover our new neighborhood a bit, searching for thrift stores and such, and came across The Archive Café (along with Brooklyn Natural, right next door). It instantly caught my eye, and being a barista/​pseudo-​coffee connoisseur, I went in and ordered an iced coffee.
Ever since that day, I’ve been wanting to go back to just hang out for a while, relax, browse, and read a bit. The atmosphere of the Archive is very chill and simple. Big tables, select couches and pillow-​edged seating areas outline the inside, enabling you to relax or to study at your desire. I forgot to catch his name, but the counter person was extremely friendly and easygoing, which made me realize that coming to the Archive wasn’t so much going to just another coffee shop, as much as it felt like I was just visiting a friends house. I have yet to rent movies from there, which is a quality that I appreciate from this originial café, for $ 3.50 for 2 days, and from what I noticed, they have some very new arrivals (as well as pornography. uh oh!).
All in all, I would have to say that The Archive succeeded, and gave me an awesome first official visit, and I’m proud to say that I’m looking forward to becoming more regular there !

Not only is this a coffee shop with sandwiches– its also a video store! Theres a cheap cheap late charge for late movies and have a pretty good selection
plenty of seating room/​couch space
good lighting
free wifi
coffee club card program– buy 10 get 1
staff is awesome
they don’t care how long you stay with your one cup o joe
watch movies as you sit and drink=cool
.
.
.
MOST IMPORTANTLY…
BUT… is the coffee good??? i’d say for an independent shop… no. I can brew a better cup here in my house, sadly.
i still go there because its a great joint

I come here for movies and the occasional espresso beverage. The coffee isn’t anything special. I find that it’s on par with that of Brooklyn’s Natural next door (but more expensive). It’s definitely a lot more welcoming (in cleanliness and general appearance) than nearby Potion.
The movie selection is kind of sparse. This is pretty understandable as the space can’t really accommodate a huge library, but I really wish they had Band of Brothers, or Platoon. How can a video store not have Platoon?!
When I first started coming here the service was kind of cruddy. Staff seemed to be in perpetually foul moods. I used to work as a barista and I loathed it… but at least I kept a smile plastered on my face. Thankfully as I kept returning the employees gradually became more pleasant. Had their ‘tudes remained the same this place would definitely get just 2 stars.

The Archive is the café my coworker and I met most mornings before work (before we got laid off … boo) because between both of our hoods, it’s our favorite place for bagels and iced coffee (I live off the Montrose L). That’s basically all I ever get there, so I can’t vouch for any of their other offerings, but for a simple breakfast, an everything bagel w/​cream cheese and a small iced coffee can keep me running til at least 2 pm!
One nice thing about the bagels here is that they really pile on the cream cheese! Sounds mildly disgusting yes, but I personally am always disapointed to open up a bagel and find a thin, gross, melted layer of cream cheese in the middle. You want me to eat that?! haha, maybe I’m just picky. Also, recently I’ve noticed they’ve had whole wheat everything bagels on the menu, which is an added bonus.
And my small iced coffee and cream cheesed bagel only put me out $ 3.50! Well, usually $ 5 since I’m always astounded at the cheapness and quality and throw the extra buck-​fitty in the tip jar to thank the baristas for not jacking up the prices. Not sure if they have anything to do with the prices, but they’re reaping all the benefits anyway!

Great place to relax with coffee and a snack in the heart of Industrial Bushwick (aka «East Williamsburg»…I hate that term).
Anyway, this is a cute little coffee shop that also rents videos. Wi-​fi is free and there are large tables to sit at and do work or surf the net. It does get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends — there’s been several occasions when I have had trouble finding a seat.
They have a nice selection of pastries and sandwiches (new on the menu: grilled cheese — yum!).
Their Iced-​Tea is my favorite drink here — it’s absolutely delicious!
I give it four stars because there is pretty much nothing like it nearby (except for Lula Bean on Grand, which is a great place but much smaller)

This is an average three star café that gains an extra star for location alone.
Good selection of drinks and pastries, free wifi, and a large open space for reading or laptopping. The DVD rentals are pricey and are only for one day, but they have a great selection. Also, they’re conveniently located next to the Morgan L stop, its an easy drop off.
The staff has never really been that friendly, they are just kinda are zoned out in the morning and when its busy during the day. I’ve had a couple of good cups of coffee, and a couple of bad cups, it seems pretty sporadic.
But like Steven V. says, context is everything.

I’ve had dreams about places like the Archive Café but instead of cafes the places I had dreamed about were huge clubs and sexy restaurants with dim lighting. Who would have thought that in the heart of industrial living was a café/​movie rental place that was bright and welcoming?
The Archive Café is really cool in that it offers full service coffee, cookies n pastries, dvds for rent (it’s like walking into someone’s personal collection at home but here it’s for rent), free wi-​fi, and art installments. The place is very very clean, there’s seating for everyone, and best of all it’s quiet. No obnoxious teens recapping last night and the Archive Café is not a Starbucks. Yay for indie cafes.

«L’Arsheeve» as I like to call it is a cozy little coffee shop/​video rental spot in Bushwick. Although they have been known to lose a DVD that has been returned and try to make you pay for it (the owner was kind enough to dismiss the charge), this place is a cozy little gem in Bushwick. The DVD selection is surprisingly awesome — even given the small size of the place, I have always been able to find the random movie I was looking for. Nice.
The drip coffee and bagels are not terrible in the morning, but sometimes later in the day they can be stale… The kind staff have been happy to make me some weird concoctions including hot chocolate with an espresso shot, or a chocolate chai…
All around, it’s a great place to sit and read, meet someone, or just stop by for a movie and a caffiene boost…