Phoenix Coffee Bar

It is so easy — and so fun — to laugh at hipstery coffee shops. But deep down — or maybe not so deep — we must acknowledge that our laughter is very loving, for these places are always the coolest and most relaxing hangouts.
Walking into Phoenix feels almost like what a movie set of a hipster coffee shop might be like in a film 20 years from now looking back on the millennial generation. Clean and modern yet with a retro, industrial feel — cool lighting fixtures, exposed ductwork, an accent wall covered by shiny bronze tiles. A tattooed, bearded graphic designer works on his laptop to the left. A girl on the right reads a yoga book while taking notes on a brown paper lunch bag (very original). Barista #1 rocks the «early Beach Boys» hipster look with clean haircut and tan striped 1960’s sweater; Barista #2 rocks the «Shel Silverstein» hipster look, with a «Where the Wild Things Are» untamed hairdo. A Stan Getz album plays from the record player (of course) in the corner, where two twenty-​somethings have a «What is thuh de-​al with _​_​_​_​?» conversation, imagining themselves as Seinfeld characters.
The offerings at Phoenix are a dream come true on a lazy winter Saturday. A simplified, streamlined menu board lists a few well-​selected classic espresso drinks; you won’t find the usual mumbo-​jumbo of syrupy inventions and blended drinks. A pile of baked delights awaits at the counter: beautiful seed-​covered bagels that glisten as though just boiled, humongous fresh, chunky cookies, and delectable looking muffins of different sorts.
The espresso I had was strong, smooth, and creamy, but the true buzz was the addictive atmosphere in the room that invites one to sit and stay for a while and plan a career move that would allow you to work at home more.

Didn’t even know this little coffee shop was here until today. Nice relaxing atmosphere with an excellent drink! Service was nice and helpful. Most importantly it’s doggie friendly.

Easily my favorite coffee spot in Cleveland. The staff is very friendly and efficient and the coffee is absolutely delicious. I have yet to find a brew that was not delicious. They have great taste in music and the décor is super cool.

Everyone’s reviews mention how friendly the staff is. I tend to disagree, and for one reason only. When I approached the counter to say I wanted a cup of coffee, rather than just ask me what type of coffee I like or describing what coffee they do offer, he hands me a menu and tells me to let him when I’m ready. I’m not sure about the rest of you who said the staff was so friendly, but I find that to be very poor customer service. I can understand if they have several choices that are too numerous to describe. But you have only three options. Stop being so lazy and talk to your customer and guide him to what he is asking for.
The second reason I wasn’t happy with this place is that rather than quietly notify a customer that his coffee is ready, they scream at the top of their lungs to announce the next item. This happens once every 2 – 3 minutes. That method is fine when the seating area is sonewhat separated from the counter, but not when the place is so small you hear someone’s order being called out every couple minutes. I felt like I was at the Waffle House. This is certainly not the place to go to relax nor a place conducive to working alone on your laptop unless you have headphones. (Actually, when I looked around, every single person who was sitting alone was wearing them. Now I know why.)
And lastly, the ball of long black hair laying on the counter across the menu was a big turn off. Had I seen that before I ordered, I would have left.

I just moved to Ohio City and was initially intrigued when I saw the sign out front that read «meet cool people here,» The sign was right. Phoenix Coffee has a great vibe with authentic vinyl played at all times. The pour over coffee is the best around and the nitro stout is one of the most unique tasting coffee drinks I ever had. I definitely found my staple coffee shop.

What a pleasant surprise. I was always under the impression that Phoenix wasn’t so great, due mainly to some pictures I’d seen which did not please my snobbish tastes. But it appears like in recent years they have embraced the third wave movement full force. I was impressed. This will now be another destination every time I’m in Cleveland.
It was pleasant, very pleasant. Trendy and warm, all in one. The café is a bit elevated with a nice patio out back overlooking, Oh the wonderful beauties of nature… Ok I guess it’s just someone’s backyard. They have a beautiful La Marzocco which I’m assuming pumps out equally beautiful shots. I got my usual pour-​over, this time in Nicaraguan form. It was acceptable, nothing outstanding but quite acceptable. And the baristas were warm in spirit and trendy in appearance (massive hair and beards) which is also quite acceptable.
Oh and by the way, Ohio City, what is wrong with you? It seems like every time I walk on to your premises I am compelled with something of an obsession to stuff every inward nook with the food and liquids that are being held before me. This particular moment I was faced with a decision between a pour-​over and kombucha. I chose both. Then I was forced to walk along the sidewalk with both hands clutching beverages, thus being frozen solid and rendered useless in the event of an emergency. Déjà vu, it seems like I did this once before: (that time it involved Rising Star and Cleveland Tea Revival.)
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bright September;
And each separate living member of my limbs had drinks in hand.
The day before, I’d wished the morrow; vainly I had sought to borrow
From my hometown surcease of sorrow-​sorrow for my absence from Cleveland–
For the rare and radiant city which the hipsters name Cleveland–
Nameless here forevermore-​land.
*ahem*
That impression didn’t work so well, did it. Anyways, unlike Edgar Allen Poe, I survived. Both times.

Love the coffee, the warm staff and the variety of seating, especially the outdoor deck area! They have an eclectic collection of albums they play on their turntable — who doesn’t love Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made for Walking? The only thing that bothers me is that I have to ask for milk or cream which is kept behind the counter… why? Please please reconsider this practice, it’s time-​consuming & a hassle when you’re serving other customers & I have to interrupt you to get milk, thanks! xo

Phoenix Coffee Bar is located in Lakewood, Ohio and I find it to be quite inviting and relaxing. Every Monday they have sing along with Mike and Jack. It is great to sit back and relax with my favorite latte and listen to the songs that are sung to the sound of guitars. You can even join in and sing!!! I love this place as it is small and quaint. I find it a place to go and sip on my latte and relax, have conversation with friends and even listen to some great music!

I’m a huge fan of a quality coffee shop. I moved from Cleveland Heights to Ohio City recently. I liked Phoenix coffee in Coventry, but it was a little too busy, and a little too young. The new Phoenix coffee in Ohio City is such a pleasant surprise.
First off, the espresso is phenomenal. I absolutely love getting a Cortado (espresso w/​milk). The coffee is very smooth, and it doesn’t have that Starbucks bitterness.
Secondly, the staff here is always friendly. One thing about niche coffee shops is that they tend to become a little snobby, but everyone who I have encountered at Phoenix Coffee have been very kind. They seem like a great group of people, that really enjoy what they do!
Third, the ambiance is fantastic. I find it great for working. There is a ton of table space, and it is loud, but not distracting. The patio is great in the summer and I love when people bring dogs to the shop.
Overall, great experiences. I’ll be a long term customer, at least for as long as I live nearby!

Delicious coffees and teas and the friendliest staff you’ll find anywhere. That’s really all there is too it. Everything I’ve tried on the menu is awesome. I usually go with an iced tea or regular coffee, and I just tried their nitro toddy for the first time… deeeeelicious. Its a great place to grab coffee to go, or to hang out inside or on one of their two patios. Also love that there’s a least one dog in there at any given time. Seriously, some of the best coffee in the city… if not the best.

Brightly lit interior with modern lights and lots of natural light, this coffee shop provides a nice spot to spend some time. The music when I went was all instrumental which was also nice and allowed for optimal concentration for me. A huge thick slab bench table is great for groups and many neat accents such give the space a unique over all design, such as a studded tin wall. There is also a patio with recycled pallets for some of the chairs. There is no parking however. The parking lot to the left is not for coffee shop guests — not even one spot of it. I had never frequented Phoenix before just because of where they were located, so I am excited for one in my neighborhood. I will definitely return.

Phoenix coffee makes me happy. I love this little shop even if the parking is not as easy as a suburb shop. The service is always great and I think the one employee even remembers me when I come in. (This isn’t a huge deal to me, but it is nice to know that among the myriad of faces one sees I do get remembered.)
I’m a simple, picky, coffee drinker. I love my coffee good and I love my coffee black. What I appreciate about this place is that the coffee is always good and that if I want a little cream, I can ask for it and they happily present it to me. Also, they have locally sourced almond milk if you can’t handle the dairy… another thing I appreciate. They make delicious espresso beverages as well. You really can’t go wrong with just about anything on the menu
The artwork is eclectic and local. (Read; not always good or to my taste, but YAY for supporting the local artist.) The atmosphere is great, spacious, airy, and bright. I love the long table in the middle where you can park under the Edison light bulbs. Because Phoenix is located in a multi-​purpose space, you have to trek downstairs to use the joint toilet for the building… not my favorite thing to do, but hey, for the yummy java, I’ll be okay with this.
Go there.

Nitro? Coffee? with a beer like texture? What is this dark magic?
If you ilke iced coffee, and you like beer, you need to try it. The coffee was a bit bitter for my taste, but it was certainly interesting. Other than that, the coffee is good, there’s WiFi, not much else to say.

A+++ place. Their signage isn’t great, & I don’t know why my expectations were so low, but I guess I just… didn’t expect this to be what it is. Phoenix Coffee is a great space — bright & spacious, with plenty of seating, a chill atmosphere, quirky décor, friendly baristas, & a decidedly hipster clientele. Their menu is simple, & they only serve a few pastries, but everything seems to be good. The Earl grey tea is some of the best I’ve had, their homemade dirty chai was strong but not too sweet, their iced tea is light & summery.
Definitely give this place a shot, especially if you’re in Ohio City & looking for a place to hang out with your laptop or a friend for an hour or two.

THE BEST CAPPUCCINO’S IN TOWN! I wish they came in a larger size. Made the Italian way and always delicious and on spot.
I also find the space interesting and people are always mingling around, but never too crowded.
The industrial decorations are always intriguing and I end up wanting to duplicate things I see in my own place.

Friendly staff, great coffee art! Had a gingersnap almond milk latte & it was amazing! The staff was very helpful & nice– I also like that they make some of their syrups esp gingersnap! They keep baked goods from Bonbon which is also a plus. Will definitely be going back again!

Super hip coffee shop tucked away in the back of a building.
Don’t be fooled, it’s definitely there! Just look for the phoenix logo if you find yourself lost our in doubt.
The staff is super friendly, and there are little succulent plants throughout the place. We tried an espresso and a regular coffee and both were perfect.
The outside patio is nice, and there’s plenty of seating inside. Very quiet, so perfect for getting work or reading done.
If you’re in the area, definitely stop by!

LOVE!
Perhaps I’m a little biased as this Phoenix is in my neighborhood, but I absolutely love this new Phoenix.
It’s a lot different than the other Phoenixes– I had actually been a bit appalled by the others, due to their over sweet drinks and their lack of strong coffee, however, I was pretty impressed with this new addition to the neighborhood.
Phoenix was actually the first coffee shop I tried when I moved to CLE. I was a big fan of their cups and their designs. But their coffee? Meh. However, this new Phoenix does things differently– pour-​overs, hops infused teas, nitro coffees (which are super smooth by the way), and lots of other items.
I’ve tried so many different drinks here– including their pumpkinless spice latte (try try! So tasty), and have been impressed and pleased with the real coffee taste as well as the wealth of tasty teas. I really don’t like sugary coffees (I would rather have my coffee with just cream, no sugar), so I’ve been happy with all their coffees/​iced teas/​lattes/​specialty drinks– they’re superbly made and super tasty without the sugar overload.
The décor fits the Ohio City theme quite well– rustic, old school, with a cool little patio on the outside. Also, this Phoenix isn’t full of college students– this is definitely a more hipster location which I like a lot. Plus, it’s a lot quieter than other places– so I can have a decent convo or meeting.
There’s lot of parking on Bridge or Jay Ave, so no need to fret about parking. The little pots of plants with the smiley faces are super cute too, as they just rest on their tables. So, if you’re looking for a great pour-​over coffee or great hops infused tea, or something of the like, hop on over to this new Phoenix in Ohio City– I’m sure they’ve got what you’re craving!

Great variation of a local coffee and tea bar that roasts their own beans. This review is mostly about the tea + pastries — I’m growing more sensitive to coffee as I get older. Sigh. I’ve been coming here for a few weeks and forming my opinion.
Phoenix is located on floor 1.5÷2 of the old West Side Community House, which has since moved further west. It’s three blocks from W 25^th, 2 from the library/​Momocho/​Le Petit. The building itself is great stock but has been fallow for several years. A developer recently invested in it and the WSCH is currently being transformed into rental units! So great to see these great buildings be rehabbed.
About the space… they have two patios — one out front that is on a raised platform via stair (must be from the 70s, ha) and another in the back. Great for summer and fall days. The inside is pretty clean/​trendy/​modern. They have a few outlets if you want to stay and bring your portable electronics.
About the tea… This is definitely different than the Phoenix I’m used to, which is the location on Coventry. That location has your $ 1.75−2 teas and coffees and mixed drinks. This definitely has more tailored and refined preparation techniques («third wave coffee») with single cup pour over and brewed tea (Cleveland Tea Revival leaves.) Expect to pay $ 3.50−4 per cup. I went when it first opened and I got a green tea in a single small cup, but it wasn’t quite brewed strongly enough (gotta have my Asian teas strong! that almost bitter taste. No sugar/​honey/​cream either), so the next time I went I asked for a stronger brew. The barista offered to save my leaves for a 2^nd cup brew, which is definitely much better value.
Unique finds… They also have some unique teas like the hops infused iced tea. Got it once to treat myself.
As for the pastries… pretty good, all local bakeries. They also carry the local hemp coconut bars that are ubiquitous to all Phoenix locations. After many years of wondering, I finally tried it and it was pretty good.
As for the overall atmosphere, the baristas are friendly, and it’s a place you can go to stay for a while.
There’s something about it that makes me feel uncomfortable. Ohio City has been on the gentrification train for many decades now, and that train is not stopping. I have a few more thoughts on this but I will spare the social commentary. I have to say that as a consumer, I’m happy that Phoenix is here — totally walkable for Ohio City residents and a great option, and they do a great job at coffee/​tea.

Sorry – I’m a Phoenix Coffee fan through and through. I’m probably biased, so you can skip my review if you want.
This new location is going to be awesome – it’s already almost there. I think once the construction of the building is fully done and the café is settled in, you’ll start to feel the oh-​so-​familiar Phoenix comfort we’ve all become accustomed to.
I stopped in on a hot summer day and not even the sounds of pounding nails and running drills could damper the deliciousness of their Toddy, served over ice off a tap like a stout! While they were having some issues with the pressure of the tap, the nicest barista ever brought out my beverage and offered me a free muffin for my patience. Quality products and killer customer service have always been the name of the game at Phoenix and this new location sings that tune so well. And, per usual, that Toddy was smooth as silk, so delicious. I’m into fancy coffee beans and roasting techniques, but no one does a smoother coffee than Phoenix, IMHO.
I love the patio – although when I was there, it was sitting on top of a dug-​up mess with a port-​o-​pot to boot. Like I said, still lots of construction on the building, but don’t let that keep you away.
I can’t wait to come back in the cooler months for working, meetings and just pure enjoyment of their delicious brews.