I've been there 2x. Both times gave me and my companions excellent cups of coffee. Service was okay - not horrible or spectacular. Both times we had difficulty finding a place to sit - the side room is nice but bit run down (heater cover falling off) and seat arranged in an odd manor. I understand what they are trying to do - quirky, old stuff all mismashed together - but it was an odd setup especially when the first time we needed only 2 chairs and we were forced to sit across from another couple. Doesn't make for relaxing time. Â As for the coffee - which is why we went there - it was great. Will definitely go back again the next time I'm in the area!!
Review Source:I love visiting Beacon and I love it even more when the day includes a trip to this coffee shop. The drinks are tasty (as in the coffee is GOOD -- no acidic Starbucks aftertaste here!), the place is clean, the baristas are super friendly/nice/knowledgeable and they even hang local artists' work on the walls.
Review Source:If you want cold brew, go earlier in the day because they can sell out.
Get the pour over coffee..even if the staff get a little frustrated about having to make it. "It will take awhile. Are you sure you want it?" "Yes, I'm sure." "OK cool!"
So I must admit, I don't even drink coffee, but all of my friends tell me that the cold brew and pour over here are amazing. PLUS, they have a great selection of teas, which I can appreciate. Get the rooibos!
UPDATE: I just received a message that the heat should now be FIXED! I have deleted the previous paragraph of my review, since being cold at Bank Square is no longer a typical experience. Enjoy everyone!
If you are in Beacon, you really should check this place out.
As I entered, an enormous painting, a christmas tree, and several Bank Square tee shirts greeted me. A man in line is having an animated conversation with the sole barista, a young lady with a relaxed demeanor and a pleasant smile. Locals seem to intersect here serendipitously. I was immediately comfortable. The coffee house is divided into two parts: one primarily for ordering and the other for relaxing and consuming food and drink. A brick wall with two ample walkways provides access to refills or the exit.. Each room had a large screen TV. Though the volume was low the TV Â still removed some of the vibe.
Local beers were lined up like a picket fence on the counter. Coffee and specialty drinks came in 12 and 16 ounce sizes. Other options included bagels, doughnuts, cookies, juices, sodas, and milk. Â I ordered a mocha latte and a Moroccan spice cookie.The latte was a work of art. Chocolate streaks made a pleasant pattern amongst the foam. It was smooth and delicious. The cookie was served on a small plate that upon further inspection turned out to be a saucer. It was delicious, but had a mixture of spices sufficient to make my stomach feel a bit weak afterward.
The adjacent room was set up like a living room complete with fireplace, old middle eastern rug, sofas, and comfy chairs. A small bookshelf stood in the corner. The floor was quite dirty and I saw a shard of glass laying on the floor. Gorgeous large landscape paintings from  a local painter adorned the walls, absent picture frames. Bikers, writers, retirees, and a few unsavory characters sat around with books, newspapers, laptops, or art portfolios. The clientele was a United Nations of cultural diversity. All of the tables suitable for laptops were taken, so I sat down at a small patio-style table without access to power. The wifi was free and sufficient, probably served by a cable provider. Despite the two-room organization, the frequent clanging of dishes, conversations in both rooms, impolite people using their cell phones to carry on business and the sound of the door frequently opening and closing all challenged my ability to concentrate.
11 am on a Wednesday. It was busy but there was still space to sit down. Service was quick, friendly and efficient. Drip coffee and bagel were good. Tea water was not very hot according to my wife. So was the temperature inside the coffeehouse. The bathroom needed a little cleaning.
#sbroadtrip2013
Visiting friends in the area, we stopped in for a quick cup'o joe. Â I ordered an Americano, and enjoyed it while sitting out on the lovely patio on a cool fall afternoon with great friends by my side.
I would love to try more of their great selection next time I'm in town. Â They had all sorts of delicious looking goodies and drinks!
Great atmosphere, consistent wifi, really delicious coffee. Not a place to eat... I haven't enjoyed the baked goods I have gotten there (two different cookies and a bagel), but it is a perfect place to meet with friends or get work done. Haven't been there in the evenings, but I know they serve beer and wine.
Review Source:Their coffee is strong, and their dirty chais are pretty bangin'. Their clientele is a mix of worker bees on their computers, to city folk escaping the NYC caffeinating up before their Hudson Valley hike, to random European visitors discussing art. There are comfy and decorative furniture that seemed to have been curated by the owner; and most of all -- the walls are painted yellow - my all-time favorite color - which makes me adore this warm place.
They serve a range of coffee drinks, and teas (as expected from a cafe), but what they also serve is alcohol (wine, sangria, and beer) which seems odd at first (when you're picking up breakfast in the morning). The later in the day that I visited, it didn't seem so odd. This cafe is what Starbucks is *striving* to be -- that cafe where you get your pick-me-up, and that lounge where you want to hang out and relax in. Support your local coffee shop! This place is a must-try.
Bank Square's baristas make the only real shot of espresso within 50 miles. Â If you are looking for that dense coffee with a rich crema, this is the place. Â They also have a full range of coffee beverages - all made exclusively with HV Fresh dairy - and a selection of unique beers. Â The baked goods are all very good and reasonably priced and the atmosphere is laid back and comfortable. Â I like live music and they have open mike weekly, bands on the patio outside on select weekends, and a bluegrass group has a meetup on Sunday mornings. Â Most important the staff are genuinely nice, witty and accommodating people. Â It's steps from the train and as a result can get busy on weekends - but is worth the wait in line.
Review Source:If you're in Beacon and in the mood for ANY kind of drink, this is the spot. Coffee, lattes, sodas, smoothies, beer- you name it, they got it. Not to mention a super chill and relaxed place to hang out inside or out on the patio. Delicious baked goods as well, with many vegan options. Servers are always nice and drinks are always perfect. Â Whether you're meeting with a friend or grabbing a quick beverage on the run.. this is the place to go.
Review Source:I love this place. Â Comfortable atmosphere, very friendly & helpful employees. Â Wonderful frozen coffee drinks & made-to-order iced tea. Â Delicious quinoa brownies & blueberry bars. Â I highly recommend this place. Â Skip Starbucks once in a while & support your local businesses!!!
Review Source:Bank square coffee sits on the edge of Main Street in the quaint and remote town of Beacon, NY. The quiet slow pace of the town lends itself as a weekend getaway from big city fast pace chaos. Visit Beacon to mellow out and be sure to stop at Bank Square Coffee for some journaling, creative writing or gentle reading on one of their comfy couches. The teas are made to order (meaning: they put a few spoonfuls in a baggie in your cup) and the coffee is good too. One of the bolt things in this town open mon-wed, if you find yourself here on one of those days Bank Square Coffee may just be your saving grace. Laptops and wifi. Modern exterior, old cozy interior. Some food options. Vegetarian and Vegan  friendly.
Cash only!
I really hate to bring down the reviews, but I yam what I yam.
First impressions are truly everything and I just couldn't shake mine out for a better rating. It looked like someone's garage/kitchen from first glance. It took me a while to even open the door (I even went to the door next door, because I thought I had the wrong door).
Through another opening (hard to call it a doorway) on the inside you get into a "living room" looking place. I think the designer, if they even consulted with one, was literally going for the garage sale atmosphere. I don't think I've seen two chairs that were alike, or that were from the same decade. The wall decorations ranged from coffee bean bags to actual holes in the wall (I am guessing there used to be a TV set mounted there before which would explain the holes). Sometimes this makes sense. In this place, all this randomness was just that, randomness.
The fancy coffees were decently priced, the latte was good, just as good as any other latte. Somehow I thought they would have a much bigger or at least better baked goods selection. I get all the healthy buzz, but healthy there just didn't look appetizing at all. I was hungry, so I made my way to the refrigerator section (that was the only sign of food besides that not so good looking cookie counter). My options were very limited and so I finally opted for a vietnamese roll. The roll ended up tasting for the most part like grass. I was literally chewing green grass, and the vermichelli tasted more like dried grass, with an odd sprinkle of a carrot peel and a spicy concoction.
I also opted for a last minute purchase of a fancy looking, but small shop made chocolate bar that cost $8. Ironically, the chocolate bar was made in Brooklyn, NY (exactly where I came from to be in Beacon for the day).
There are many things I love about this place: good coffee, tasty baked goods, tons of (very stylish & comfy) seating, along with lots of outdoor seating, convenient location, parking lot in rear.... It's basically my perfect coffee house! I wish my own neighborhood in Brooklyn had a coffee shop this inviting!
Review Source:A five star review has been awarded to the only coffee shop that has won our hearts and drove my wife away from Star-bucks. Â Not saying that Star-bucks SUCKS or anything like that, because they really do have a good product. Â Bank Square offers a friendly warm environment, and the staff really does love the owners because it is reflected on how we are treated as consumers. Â They offer a quality
Review Source:Another local business in Beacon that I am proud to support!
I tend to drink the tea here because there is always such a variety and depending upon my mood I'll order something different each time. Â Occassionally I'll get something to munch on as well. Â I've had good tea and good eats every time.
In the summer I can sit out on the outdoor patio with my dogs. Â When it's chilly I can sit inside and use the free Wifi. Â Recently I went there late on a Sunday evening and had some coffee with a friend. Â It was delicious.
I highly recommend Bank Square!
I am a huge fan of coffee shops, and especially ones that are cheap and spacious. I have pretty high expectations after falling in love with Two Doors Down in Corsicana, TX. But this place was just perfect, and impressed me.
$1 bagels is a good deal I'd say, crazy ass Dunkin Donuts wants $1.20 for ONE DONUT! WTF? And $4.50 for a good beer? Awesome-o! I live not too far from this place and it's just the only thing in Beacon I truly enjoy besides the library (which is usually just filled with people more interested in free movies than books). The counter person I met on my first visit was so awesome. She  talked to me for a bit, told me about some things in town I'd enjoy, and she was just plain old awesome. I really appreciate people who take the time out to talk to me and treat me like a person and not just a customer. Their seating arrangement is lovely and large, and the wifi flows well throughout.
In summary, this place is great. As a writer, I just want to live here. And throw back a beer with a mocha too.
P.S. To Reviewer Lee, don't drop off your damn teens here! People come here for quietness and relaxation, not to listen to stupid teens gossiping.
During my two visits to Beacon to check out the DIA, I've stopped in here for some coffee or tea. Â This spot is super cute, comfortable and spacious. The prices are good and there are a variety of conscious treats. Â Cute, comfy and spacious. Good prices, variety of conscious treats, what more
can you ask for in a coffeehouse?
Banksquare is one if coffee shops where you get a real feel of what Starbucks tries to accomplish. Â Arm and friendly staff. Â Doreen the manager is awesome and knows what you want or what you are in the mood for. Â She makes you feel like a true friend. Â
A true local owned business, Â with giving back and being part of the community is important.
This place is great. Their drinks are delicious and they have a lot of great priced/great tasting treats that you can eat and drink while doing whatever took you to the coffeehouse in the first place. I haven't gone there in the cold weather yet - but I plan to soon :). Their unsweetened iced tea is amazing!
Review Source:I wanted to give this place a few visits before I wrote my review just to make sure things were consistent and I am happy to report that they are. Â I never been to the Muddy Cup so I can't compare but I was excited to hear about Bank Sq taking over the space and brewing coffee from Coffee Labs in Tarrytown. Â I always enjoyed the drinks at CL so it's nice to have that here in Beacon. Â Out of the food menu, I"ve only had a blueberry muffin and that tasted pretty good, not dry thankfully. Â The space is great, very clean, bright, and comfy with friendly staff. Ideally located at the start of Main St (or end depending on where you're coming from), this is a spot not to be missed.
Review Source:When a huge snowstorm hit the region on Feb. 25, 2010, I had no electricity. Because the coffeehouse still had power and Wi-Fi, I could come here and work from home. So many people came to the coffeehouse to charge their phones and their laptops. We are all grateful.
I love the Chai latte and hot chocolate.
This is a coffeehouse done right. I'm a coffee drinker but ordered a chai latte that night - oh my god, so that's what it's supposed to taste like. As I watched the owner, Kendra, make frozen espresso drinks for our other guests, I noticed she actually made fresh espresso (two cups!) for each of the frozen drinks. Kendra is a coffee barista, totally.
And, not only that, I watched as she greeted people come in off the street. She totally knew them all.
The owners are definitely community involved, as well. The night I was there was the night of the Beacon Zombie Parade (sometime around Halloween). She had some local teens playing music there that night. This was a variety of loud rockin' music (think Led Zeppelin) and more mellow rock (think John Mayer/Jack Johnson) you wouldn't expect to see in a place like this. It was nice to see how they opened their establishment up to community in this way.
I enjoyed going here, for sure.
My parent's wanted to stop by a Gallery in Beacon that had an Exhibit open in conjunction with Pace University. The gallery was closed, but we came here for some coffee to re-energize ourselves for the drive back down the Hudson River Valley. Cute, cool little spot on Main Street that seems to provide a needed gathering place and internet cafe in town.
Good Latte, pastries, and plenty of seating in the exposed brick interior. Not quite sure what to make of the 2 giant mounted flat screen TV's, one playing 'Elf" with Will Farrell, and one had CNN on. My Dad couldn't restrain himself from reading the headlines and ad's as they played, even with mute on.....so that's where I get that annoying habit. : )
Support your local coffee shop!
Very nice, chill environment with big windows looking out on the street, a mixture of furnishings, very clean, colorful with mango-yellow walls and exposed brick, great wifi signal, two big plasma TVs with newscasts and refills. Main problem I have: coffeee is very weak! Have one blend for us mud lovers and you'll get a five star.
Review Source:Ah, nuts. Was hoping to be 1st review. Â I guess I gotta be faster next time.
Anyway, stopped in tonight after driving by and seeing that the Muddy Cup sign was gone (yay!) and the place actually looked brighter and inviting.
I had a great latte, closest to Ninth Street Espresso I've had in these parts.
It was so nice to actually have a freshly ground, freshly pulled shot of espresso in my drink made by someone who knew what they were doing and seemed to take pride in their craft as opposed to the last time I was in the Muddy Cup when there was a girl behind the counter who looked all of 14 years old who informed me that "I can't make that 'cause the espresso maker is broken or something."
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is that the TV was on a little too loud and with no music playing, it kind of killed the atmosphere.
Next time I hope to have time to stay for my cup and I'll see about that 5th star.