Phoenix Coffee

Everyone who worked there was super friendly, coffee was great, really nice atmosphere. Lively place on a chilly day.

Disclaimer: I’m writing about an incident that occurred earlier this year, but was too busy to be bothered with it until this point.
I visited the Lee Road location of the Phoenix Coffee Company, as I have done so many times over the past two decades. After receiving our purchased beverages our group of five — which included myself, two established clients and their significant others — sat down at the middle tables (the only ones that were open) to enjoy ourselves and discuss our business, which consisted of the finalization of plans regarding wardrobe, makeup and accessories for two upcoming boudoir photography shoots that my clients would be participating in. After discussing concepts for the shoots for approximately ten minutes we were approached by an employee who, loudly enough to be heard by numerous other patrons around us, informed our group that our «conversation was disturbing other customers» and that «three separate customers (a)re complaining». I attempted to explain the fact that I am a photographer, and that our group was discussing plans for shoots that will be occurring mid-​month. The employee immediately countered with «I don’t care» and that he did not «want to make it between (he and I)». Our group was then informed that we could «continue the discussion at home» and told to leave the premises.
I, along with the rest of our group, was speechless. Adjacent patrons had stopped their activities and were staring at us. While attempting to process the conversation that had just taken place, we gathered our things. One of my clients remarked on the fact that people were staring at us, and that it was making her extremely uncomfortable. Our group then quietly left, via the back door, and stood talking for several minutes trying to make sense of the situation that had just occurred. We rehashed the conversation between ourselves and mutually came to the conclusion that offensive material/​conversation had neither been displayed nor discussed. Deeply embarrassed, I apologized to my clients and set up an alternate time and place to meet in order to finalize our plans for the shoots, and sent them on their way. After considering the situation for several more minutes, I decided to further discuss the situation with the employee who had instructed us to leave in order to gather additional information.
I presented my case to the employee who, upon hearing the facts of the matter, was deeply and sincerely apologetic. The employee stated that they had been instructed by the manager to ask our group to leave because other customers had voiced their concerns that «our discussion was making (the customers) uncomfortable and that «(the customers) had concerns that (one of the clients) was underage and that I was pressuring her to pose nude». It is worth noting that both clients are in their mid– to late-​twenties. Additionally no mention of nudity was ever discussed, and no example photographs, discreetly displayed on my iPad (for the purposes of illustrating lighting techniques, backdrops, poses and settings), contained nudity. He again apologized for the way the situation was handled and I subsequently departed for my following meeting, with a jewelry-​maker who supplies accessories for photography shoots, at the Coventry Phoenix location.
While I appreciate the employee apologizing for the manner in which this situation was handled, it brings up a few questions: First, why did the conversation, in which our group was instructed to leave, take place in the middle of the store? Second, why was it conducted in a manner that not only embarrassed us but drew the attention of numerous other patrons? Third, why was our group not permitted to explain what was actually transpiring? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, why did the manager not address the situation themselves, rather than send another employee?
As a small-​business owner and someone with over two decades of management experience, I am confused why this situation occurred and how it was ultimately handled. While I understand the importance of keeping customers happy and providing a positive environment for patrons, I am extremely perplexed regarding why additional facts were gathered before such a drastic action was taken.
After emailing concerns to the manager, Sarah Stokes, I was met with a trite and vaguely condescending response extolling how «magical» it would have been to put me face-​to-​face with the people who complained in order to hash out our differences, that it likely occurred because we were sitting where we were sitting (again, the only available seats) and that I should «call ahead» in the future to reserve a table off to the side. Needless to say, due to this ridiculous incident (and, moreover, management’s handling of said incident) they have permanently lost my business.

I love every single Phoenix location. They’re all different, but what they all have in common is their awesome baristas and awesome drinks. I’m here multiple times a week, I just couldn’t imagine spending my mornings anywhere else. It’s crowded, but you’ll always be able to find a seat and it usually dies down after 11am. If you’re a vegan like I am, you’ll love their pastry options. In particular, the morning bun is usually vegan and so is the lemon cream cheese danish (I KNOW!). The only downside is the metered parking, but you do get 30 minutes free when your meter hits 0. The baristas are fantastic! I wish I knew names, but one of the girls went to the store to grab dairy free milk for me one morning upon realizing they were out of both almond and soy. They’re so accommodating and sweet and deserving of all the tips they receive. Great coffee shop with a lot of personality, great place to work. I love, love, love Phoenix!

Phoenix has managed to replicate the charm of the neighborhood café and reproduce it time and time again, each with a little different flair. I ventured outside my usual 1-​mile radius bubble to this location for a change of scenery, and found myself leaving three hours later after contentedly nibbling on a Better Breakfast Muffin (which has restored my faith in bran products) and sipping on a Soy Chai Latte while cranking out a solid afternoon’s work.
The staff are super friendly as usual, and this location is much-​loved by locals. What’s unique about this location is the little patio in the back, where people study and kids romp around before coming back in to sip some Hot Chocolate, then scamper back outside. The staff seemed to know the regular customers, and were even playing with some of them during breaks!
My ideal workspace is usually not a communal table because I always get self-​conscious about whether I’m shaking the table or taking up too much space, but the crowd was just sparse enough to let me spread out my laptop, backpack, notebook, and colored pens on the large, high table in the center without bothering anyone. Not being able to lean too far back on my stool probably helped me not fall asleep too. The two-​seater tables next to the glass-​wall in front are perfect for staring into the streets on a rainy day, and the couches are great for nursing a cup of tea and a long chat.
This location is a little less cozy than some of the others I’ve been to since the seating seems to be more dispersed and the décor is uniformly white, but the usual easygoing Phoenix vibe still prevails. The particular day I went, Phoenix was also setting up for Heights Music Hop so there was the constant bustle of volunteers rearranging furniture and setting up for the performers. They were respectful in general of the space, and even the café patrons they apologetically displaced responded kindly.
Decent Wi-​Fi (just don’t try to stream a movie), and solid drinks (albeit a little heavy-​handed with the milk). Looking forward to another round of studying soon!

Coffee shops are a dime a dozen these days. So when it comes to rating them, there’s really only two options: it’s either awesome or awful. So why 4 stars you may ask? The espresso and tea were both very good, however both were served in paper cups. Granted we did arrive a bit late, but still the place wasn’t closing anytime soon. As any good coffee shop owner will tell you, the drinking vessel matters. Had I been given a real espresso cup: 5-​stars no doubt. Until then…

When I’m working on the east side, this is my go-​to coffee shop. They have outstanding brewed coffee, and they’ve got their espresso game down pat. Phoenix is on par with the best coffee shops in CLE, but is a bit more approachable then the rest. Put another way, the staff won’t shoot you daggers if you put cream in your coffee (but you shouldn’t. That’s just wrong, says the coffee snob).
Oh and those cookies, too. When I’m having a rough morning, I’ll try to eat my stress in the form of a chocolate chip cookie. I mean, if you’re gonna make a bad life decision, it might as well be delicious, right?

Used to be a five star place. The product is great, as always, but the ambiance and authentic café experience are gone. It’s nothing but headphones and laptops now. Hardly anyone there has conversations anymore. And woe be to those who bring children inside… sorry, wannabe hipster guy, didn’t know this was your office!
It was once a gathering place, and a real café where people actually interacted with one another rather than with screens. The new sterile look with all white and minimal décor is just creepy.

Phoenix is pretty much the only place I get coffee anymore. I adore the new look, it’s clean and comfortable. I find it a great place to work because it’s bright, streamlined, and modern in a cozy sort of way.
I love the baristas, and the coffee is great. There are tons of outlets, WIFI, and really yummy snacks (like the gruyère and bacon croissants). If I weren’t trying to save money, I would probably be there every morning for a croissant, coffee, and work time.

They play the best music here! Oh and the coffee and tea are good too :) Like others have mentioned, this location is bigger than the Coventry one and has a brighter vibe. I enjoy the variety in seating options (couches, bar tables, and single, double, and four person tables). The staff is friendly and the coffee and tea selections are good and plenty! The only downside is that I find the internet to be a little slow, even accessing the usual studying websites (gmail, facebook, imgur…) So while it was difficult to actually do some of the work I needed to do online, I would say this is probably the best best place to pop out a textbook and ACTUALLY read it for that reason.

I think I speak for most Clevelanders when I say we’re proud of our Phoenix Coffee. It’s a staple, and was a go-​to hangout spot throughout my high school years. Now 5 years out of high school, it’s still a place I go to meet up with friends or to just sit and get some work done.
The space is pretty big, but manages to still feel cozy, although it can be crowded. There’s wifi and comfy seats, and outdoor seating when it’s nice out. The staff is always very friendly. One of my favorite parts of the space itself is the bathrooms! The walls inside the bathrooms have giant chalkboards, with chalk for all the visitors to add whatever they want.
The drinks themselves are good. As for coffee, I’ve only ever gotten plain coffee, but the lattes sound good and there’s A LATTE different flavors. Get it? Get it? But yeah, gingerbread and other delicious sounding things. Despite being Phoenix Coffee, I’ve actually more often gotten tea. I really like Shane’s Lucky Licorice tea– it’s so sweet without even adding any sugar!

It’s my regular weekend stop for morning coffee. While I preferred the old décor n furniture it’s still a great place to get a bagel or pastry and coffee. Can’t tell you about the evening scene as I’m just part of the morning weekend crowd. If you like your morning coffee shop more on the quieter side then you want this place not the joint a block away

Ok… people that know me know I don’t usually do negative reviews. If I don’t like a place, I don’t review it, it’s that simple. However, when things change, in my personal opinion, they don’t always change for the better, and I just had to say something.
I was a fan of Phoenix Coffee for years; their product is good and I always enjoyed the pastries and the company…
Not so much now. Why? Well, the coffee’s still decent, and the pastries are still good… but what I really don’t like… is the aesthetic.
What am I talking about? Well, the Phoenix on Lee was a really nice, homey place with comfortable furniture, woodwork and all sorts of photos and stuff on the walls that made the place feel like someone’s living room. The maroon colored walls seemed to be soothing and relaxing.
I really liked it. It felt comfortable.
My wife and I just went in recently… and it had changed radically. The place was now… white. Lots of white walls, a giant White Phoenix logo, both inside and out back, and not much else, along with very severe track lighting. I understand going for a remodel, but this really was, well, stark. It had an immediate effect; it felt alien and very negative to both of us. Also, when we asked the people behind the counter, they said they’d had an overall positive response.
I had a hard time believing it. It was like taking someone’s living room and turning it into a surgical theater. It just felt wrong. I’ve had this same feeling at the other location on Coventry, although that spot is not as bad.
I’m still giving the place three stars, for the coffee, for the snacks, and the people are still decent, but when I go out for a relaxing cup of coffee, I’d really like it if the place didn’t remind me of my dentist’s office…

This is Cleveland’s own coffee chain with quality that is a notch above Starbucks, and I say that as a Starbucks regular. I can’t help but savor and notice that the latte I sampled had more body, richness and thickness to it. The coffee art does not of course change the taste of anything, but it does show that they deeply care about what they do. I had tried my own hand at coffee art at home but failed multiple times — the cup I got had what looked like a fern pattern. Mind blown.

Phoenix is a nice, local business that gets a lot right that the big coffee chains miss. I’m glad the Lee location is getting a nice facelift and what looks to be a much better outdoor seating environment. The drinks are good and reasonable. The staff is consistently friendly. The only thing I can’t stand is the pre-​mixed iced tea, but the friendly staff will make one fresh for you from any tea they have.
Edit: I wanted to add a comment based upon Christopher’s reply. I didn’t mean to imply the pre-​made tea wasn’t fresh or of high-​quality. I just can’t stand the flavor and would rather have another kind made.

Went here in between classes to prepare for a final exam. It was a little chatty inside, but nothing too distracting. I ordered a black iced tea, which was just the typical. I spruced it up myself with sugar and milk. Their little station where you can add milk/​sugar/​whatever was a little sticky! They should wipe it down more often.
Only one thing really perturbed me, which was the tipping. I don’t carry cash often, so I paid with card. The lowest option was $ 1, which for a $ 3-​ish drink is insane! I did not see an option to enter in my own tip. I am bummed I was forced to over tip.

4 stars for great service and great coffee, so they’ve got 2 of the most important parts down! It is clearly an older Phoenix than the brand spankin new one that’s on Coventry, but it’s much more spacious. I often feel like I’m sitting right on top of the person next to me, and like there’s no personal space at Coventry, but there’s a lot more room here.
They also have more baked goods than at the Coventry location, although I’ve never had anything to eat from either location… so can’t speak towards the quality. There’s a parking lot behind, and there’s usually street parking on the near-​by neighborhood streets.
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Explanation of my rating system —
5*: Epitome of something, the best I’ve had, would LOVE to go back
4*: Great food and happy to go back regularly, but not the best of the category
3*: Food is fine. I may spontaneously decide to go there based on convenience. But no need to go back either.
2*: If you insist, I guess I’ll come along. I’ll find something to eat. But I wouldn’t have picked it.
1*: No plans to come back. I’ll try to talk companions out of going.

This location is a lot better than the one on Coventry! It’s more spacious and quiet, and they have a larger selection of snack bites to accompany your coffee/​tea. There is a metered parking lot in the back, but if you’re a poor graduate student like myself, there’s ample street parking in the nearby neighborhoods!
There’s also a rewards program now. If you consistently use the same credit card to pay for your drinks, your 10^th drink will be free! Unfortunately, it doesn’t transfer between different phoenixes (ie, if you bought 9 drinks at the Coventry location, you can only claim your free 10^th drink at that location).

This is a great coffee shop for those who enjoy good coffee without all the flash and a bit of hipster. I initially passed by Pheonix Coffee a few times before I stopped in to grab a drink. It doesn’t look all that appealing from the outside, or for that matter on the inside, but don’t let looks fool you because it serves some of the best coffee in Cleveland.
If you have a good cup of joe you can taste the difference. I drink regular black coffee, unsweetened ice coffee, and an occasional latte. All were delicious and not bitter or burnt here.
I also like how they actually mixed brown sugar and pumpkin spice by hand into my latte, that is rarely seen even at most boutique coffee shops. I’ve also had some latte art as well, Its clear that they actually care about what goes into their coffee. That being said don’t come here expecting the line to move like Starbucks!
The prices at Phoenix are not too bad, similar to Starbucks or other mainstream coffee shops. I think the biggest downside was that it is the type of place where people come and «camp out» to study or read. There are not too many places to sit, especially in winter when everyone sits indoors.
If I’m not in a rush or out already, this is where I go to get my coffee. Nice addition to the Cedar/​Lee Square.

Love this Phoenix location. There is just so much more room than the location on Coventry (a different feel, but I love it there too).
Their coffee is consistently delicious across all of their stores. The selection of teas is amazing. They have an entire menu of just teas. Mind boggling really.
As a student, I really value having a good coffee shop to go to. The atmosphere in Phoenix is perfect for a snowy day study session. It’s warm, there’s free internet, and the coffee and snacks are really really delicious. Something special about this location is that they also have ice cream! If you’re not down to wander just across the street to Sweetie Fry, a small scoop here should keep you happy.
One of my favorite things also is how clean the bathrooms are. Public bathrooms are usually nightmares. There’s always someone who doesn’t know how to use a bathroom. Weird, but true. Phoenix keeps theirs very clean and nice. No need to fear here!

I would pick Phoenix over a chain coffeehouse any day, but compared other independent cafes in the area, I honestly find it just average. The espresso is perhaps a bit too darkly roasted for my taste and the cappuccino is fine but nothing special. The ambience here isn’t bad, but it’s pretty standard for an independent café with people on laptops and indie-​rock playing in the background, and nothing stands out.
I like that they offer free wifi, the staff is friendly, and I love to support local businesses, which is are the main reasons I come back here. But if I want a location that is unique, this is not my first choice.