I come across places like this periodically when I travel, and it just makes me all the more sad to live in Indiana. I mean, this is great! Intimate little bar that happens to serve coffee and has free wifi. The beer selection is really good. They only have a few taps, but they have a lot of really high-quality bottles.
I sat at the bar and spent a lot of time talking with the bartender, who was just so adept at what he did, that he was entertaining to watch. He knew a lot about the beer, but also about the cocktails they serve, and could even talk up the coffee when people came out of the afternoon heat to get something on the other end of the sobriety spectrum. You don't see that very much.
I have to mention the cocktails a bit, just because I was so impressed even though I don't normally go that route. They had three jars for infused vodka, one of which contained green chiles. I asked about this and was told that they use it for the bloody mary. I don't like bloody marys, but I wanted one for a moment.
Prices are pretty reasonable. They have daily specials, but I don't think they have a happy hour.
Best part though: coffee shop + bar. I tend to review these places highly when I find them, but I think this may be the best one I've encountered. I could say "They could stand to be a little larger," but I think that would ruin the charm here. If they're full, TS, go somewhere else.
If I lived in Lawrence, I would probably in here at least once a week. And the fact that I live in the "cool college town" in Indiana and they can't get their junk together enough to put something even close to this up, makes it so sad. But I'm sure Kansas already knows they're better than Indiana, so I don't need to elaborate much.
This Bourgeois Pig sure is pretty. It's simple on all levels -- small space, great indoor and outdoor seating, coffee and breakfast cocktails in the day hours, all kinds of booze in the evening hours, emphasis on local art.
It's off the main street of shops and restaurants, but it's certainly not hiding from the steady stream of people, young and old alike.
I was almost swayed by the cheap bloody, but stuck to a macchiato. The order was taken and made by some severely apathetic folks behind the counter. It was either a late Saturday night the evening before or that's just how they roll since it sometimes coincides with the pulling of espresso. I always assume the former.
The seats out front are set up like another bar. It's very fitting for someone trying to get their study on and less for conversing with big groups of people.
Plus there is The Get Up Kids nostalgia if you're into that sort of thing. I am.
Finally! Â Someone who has figured out the art of a coffeehouse bar. Â A place to go to drink fine cocktails and have a decent espresso as well. A friend of mine from high school, random as that is, actually works here. Â After catching up one day after years of leading our own lives, she told me about the Pig and I seized the first opportunity I had to try it out. Â Her suggestion did not lead me astray!
The Pig is easy to find, just off Mass Street, and a quick walk from Liberty Hall. Â Perfet for pre-concert cockatils! Â I imagine this place gets pretty packed so I suggest going a few hours early like I did. The outdoor seating is perfect for people watching and the inside, even when it was at it's busiest during my visit, was quiet enough for anyone to focus on their work or studying. Headphones would be a good idea but I was able to concentrate on what I was doing without them.
Prices at the Pig were comparable to anywhere in KC or other bars like this in Lawrence. Â $9 or so for a cocktail but on Sundays, they run a sweet Mimosa deal! Â I think they were $5 or something but let me tell you, those are some very bubbly and not very orangey mimosas after seeing the ratio of OJ to alcohol. Â Just the way I like them! Â That will be my drink(s) of choice next time I'm there on a Sunday.
With the successful mix of lounge/coffee bar, The Pig is right up my alley. Â The drinks were great, the company of the other people at the bar was awesome and they even offered me suggestions of what to try while I waited for my friend to meet me there. With the outdoor seating and the benefits of the study/work-friendly inside atmosphere by day, this is my new Lawrence 'first-stop' location. Â I have not been here at night, which I have heard is way more busy, so I will also be sure to check this out at night.
I have loved The Pig for so long, my love has outlasted a college career, two grad school careers, three jobs, and more romantic relationships than I'll admit. Good coffee. Great drinks. Stellar front and back porches. Sure, you'll encounter your fair share of uppity snarky hipsters, but it's worth it for the quality and ambiance.
Also, great T-shirts. There's a Reuters journalist (my beloved friend Luis) that's been roaming the streets of Mexico City for the past 5 years proudly sporting his Pig t-shirt. He's never actually made it to Lawrence to visit, but the only reason he wants to visit our little corner of Gringolandia, which he generally disdains, is to make a pilgrimage to the Pig.
'll admit it took me a while to warm up to The Pig (as locals call it) because old habits die hard. Â before the smoking ban, this was THE place to get your fix. Â I'd walk into the place to drop off some newspapers and I'd literally hold my breath. Â The place was small and all that smoke stayed in. Â Even after the ban it took years to get that smell out there.
Once I ventured out there, I was glad I did. Â Now the Pig is one of the only coffee shops in town that focuses on pour over coffee. Â Sure they have drip, but they've worked with PTs of Topeka to create a Flying Monkey atmosphere here in Lawrence. Â It worked! Â
The other big draw of the Pig is an extensive liquor selection. Â Funky craft beers on tap as well as a variety of coffee and booze combos. Great stuff when you need something a bit more than coffee. The food selection is a bit spartan here with just some fresh fruits and cookies, but that's ok because beer is liquid bread right?
Seating is sparse European, meaning you can't scout out a table for yourself like you would at Starbucks. Â The front porch seating is great and smokers can rejoice here because you'll feel right at home, though if you really want to get your cancer sticks aflame, they heavy smoking is out on the back porch. Â I really wish it would be restricted there because I love sitting out front and watching Mass street...until someone starts illegally smoking and ruins it for me. Â The crowd overall here is quite unique and an eclectic cross section of everything Lawrence has to offer.
If you haven't been to The Pig in a while, it's worth another look because it's a whole new place.
I LOVED this place. Â It probably didn't hurt that I came here on a downright balmy (as in high 70s) Thursday afternoon with a great book and a fancy cocktail. Â Their patio is perfect for people-watching and there were quite a few dogs sitting by their owners, enjoying the day. Â As a non-local, I loved it that everybody here seemed to know each other. Â Literally. Â I get it that Lawrence isn't a huge bustling hub, but they seriously all knew each other, their parents and their dogs, etc.
The actual cocktails were really good, plus they had Delirium Tremens. Â So yeah, pretty much a win-win for me.
What?!
Would have sworn I've reviewed The Pig as we all call it around town. One of my regular hangouts for years and a favorite go-to place to suck wireless and java for work (true, my employer pays me to drink coffee--I'm self-employed doing web goop). Most of my time spent here is during the morning and early afternoon because it's some of very best coffee in town, but it's also a fine watering hole in the afternoon and evenings. At night it can be very, very busy and hard to get into due to the crowd. A good selection of mixed drinks and martinis although that isn't my thing, but they do have good beers on tap and a respectable selection of single malts that get my attention. With its proximity to 9th and Mass Street it's a great stop if you're shopping downtown or just need a break. And, in the summer, the covered back deck for smokers (usually unoccupied mid-morning, plus, I don't smoke) is a favorite place to be outside in the shade for coffee, especially if I have the dog along on a walk.
Props to the Pig for being the only coffee joint in town that I'm aware of that is offering individually single brewed cups of coffee, and predictably, it's quite fine. The Pig has become a downtown institution and a favorite place to hang, and for good reason. Make it a point to stop in and you'll see why many of us consider a favorite watering hole regardless of the time of day.
IMO I'd put La Prima Tazza and Henry's slightly ahead of Bourgeois Pig in the coffee/espresso category. But that's just me. Still, a fine little coffee/bar stop. Very good and subtle tones to their coffee nd espresso drinks. Reasonably priced and cool barista/bar tender usually on staff.
Only little complaint is BP has a $5 minimum credit card purchase requirement. Not a biggie as the employee will suggest you reach that mark by including their tip in the bill. Again, no biggie but might off put some.
Give the BP a look and stop in. Not a bad choice in Lawrence
The Pig is a Lawrence classic. It is a great little coffeehouse/bar that feels European (in the good way!) They are the only coffeehouse in town that also holds a liquor license, and the bar (which is a beautiful, old wooden thing that looks like it came from an Old Country pub) features both well-curated beer and wine selections and a wonderful assortment of mixed drinks, both with and without coffee. Of particular note are the bloody marys, made from scratch and the best in Lawrence. Get one on Sunday (when they are only five bucks each) and ask for it extra spicy!
The coffee side of the business is no slouch. Again unique to Lawrence, the Pig individually prepares coffee using the pour-over method. This not only insures an absolutely fresh cup of joe, but an extremely tasty one, free of the acidic and burnt overtones that often plague mass-produced drip coffee. I generally get the pour-over, but the espresso-based drinks are well done as well, although the mocha is a bit too sweet for my preferences.
The ambiance here depends on the time of day. Mornings are laid back, daytimes are relaxing (and when the weather is nice the huge outdoor seating area is wonderful), and in the evening it is a bit louder. I've never had a problem finding a spot to sit and read, although it isn't a huge space - don't be afraid to share a table with a stranger...european style.
Finally one last note, keeping with the European vibe, the Pig is friendly to smokers. As a non-smoker, this kept me away for years until the city finally passed its indoor smoking ban a few years ago. The inside if smoke-free, but nicotine addicts, do not fear, there is an enclosed back porch where you can puff away in style and comfort.
All in all, the Pig is an integral piece of Lawrence culture and a great place. Highly recommended.
I've frequented the Bourgeois Pig place a lot more regularly since my previous review and have come to call it one of my faves in Lawrence. They make the best Manhattan in town and have these incredible cherries steeped in their own juice (none of that maraschino crap here!). Plus, the bartenders are friendly and approachable if you have questions or special requests for your drink. I've decided that there are few things more enjoyable than sitting out on the patio on a warm summer evening with good company...maybe I've acclimated to the hipster climate here or maybe I'm now in the cool kid club, but I certainly feel legit enough to fondly call this place "the Pig" now.
Review Source:As good a bar as a person could ever ask for. The ambiance is quietly vibrant, the service friendly and knowledgable, the drinks adroitly mixed. Not somewhere to meet the frat bros and pound jägerbombs, but The Place To Go if you're with someone who appreciates good conversation and a well-made Manhattan. Almost reason enough on its own to come back to Lawrence.
Review Source:Ahh, the Pig! One of my favorite places in Lawrence. I feel like I need to point that out because I am not a hipster. I just like good drinks and coffee and The Pig does both pretty well.
I highly recommend the Moscow Mule here. Why? The Pig uses Gosling's Ginger Beer, which is especially good. It really sets off this delicious and refreshing drink! You will have to let the bartender hold your credit card and driver's license when drinking them. This is because people steel the copper mugs Moscow Mules are served in ... and this is pretty much an industry standard at this point.
In general, the bartenders at the Pig are solid. They are nice and helpful. If you have a question on a drink, they'll be able to give you an explanation because they know their menu. But if you see something on special called Unicorn Spit only order it if you have a super sweet tooth.
I also will say, the Pig is great for coffee and espresso drinks. Even the cups of coffee are made to order, which takes a little longer. But is totally worth it because of the level of freshness!
This is a great venue to hangout anytime of the day. Â They have any drink you would want: coffee, tea, alcohol, pop, wine, beer, ect. Â Most of the time I get their sport tea. Â Sundays they always have a mimosa and bloody mary's as the special. Â I personally love their pomegranate mimosa. Â
They also recently renovated and updated their cocktail menu. Â It has a much more clean feel. Â I have not tried any of their new drinks, but I am looking forward to it as they have added moijtos!
The outdoor patio is the best. Â I love sitting out here in the summer time and reading. Â I usually bring my dog to enjoy the walk-by traffic.
The service is stellar beyond words, the drinks are marvelous, and the ambiance is great. Â I have never been disappointed in any cocktail I have received. Â Being the indecisive type , i never know what to drink for the night. Â The bartender/ mixologist has always given excellent suggestions, and I always trust their judgement to try something new. Â I'm particularly fond of the cucumber infused gin in my martinis.
Review Source:Probably my favorite coffee shop in town. I don't get why more places don't have both a full bar and a lot of great coffee drinks.
The only negatives are that it's kind of expensive (which is kind of good, because it's small so that keeps a lot of n00bs out), and that the customers are pretty douchey (or pretentious as @Tracy V noted)... I like coffee shops and I like the pig, but i don't feel like i have to wear hipster glasses and get weird tattoos to come here.
This place is so charming. OK, so first of all I was drawn in by the name.. my go-to cafe in Chicago happens to share the same name (no affiliation though) so it was a must while stopping through town for a day. I had a lovely Americano and relaxed very well to the handpicked music of the bartender who was very warm and accommodating. They have an excellent selection of beers, many of which are Belgian. It's definitely on the small side but quite cozy and it's definitely quality over quantity. I will return!
Review Source:I really like the atmosphere in this place: music is relaxing, the decor is neat, and you can get alcohol or coffee under the same roof. Woo hoo! I want to love this place, I really do. But...
My ONLY complaint is that the people are pretentious. I'm not from the area and when I entered (and while I was there), the patrons made it very obvious that they knew I wasn't a regular customer at the very least.
My bad for not coming in with thick-rimmed glasses, a mustache, and other hipster features?
I remember hangin out at the Pig for cramming and coffee drankin hard core back before my Yelpin days. Â Now that I've had a chance to come back, I remember why I liked it so much.
It's cozy and comfy with an elegant bar area and great coffee. Â The outdoor patio is always a cool spot to visit and people watch.
I'll always be a fan of the Pig.
Easily my favorite place in Lawrence. In college I would go there to study during the day, and then go back at night to drink. The coffee is solid, bartenders skilled, and drink menu/beer list is superb. It's a small place, so when it gets crowded it can be a little annoying, but there is no better front porch to sit and sip when the weather is nice. One of the best things about the Pig is that the patrons are pretty good people. I've never had a problem or even seen a problem occur, which is rare for Lawrence bars. Â It's safe to say that the kind of people that I don't want to be around, don't go to the Pig. It's a meat-head free zone.
I'm not a big fan of Bloody Mary's, but I'm told they are the best in town.
When I'm in Lawrence, there is a good chance you'll find me at the Pig.
My favorite bar in Lawrence. Great brews, boulevard wheat and pale on tap, along with others including a russian imperial stout!! They also have a good selection of very reasonable bottles (my hoppy favorite is $4). For those liking the strong stuff they have a great cocktail menu and their own infused vodka's. Â
This is not a bar for frat boys and sorority girls. Always dark, and with offbeat music playing. I wouldn't say hipsters, just people who are laid back and a little off the beaten path.
I really really like this place for a number of reasons.
1. The coffee is just really delicious and not too strong.
2. The people that work here are always nice and interesting to talk to.
3. It's a little getaway from the world with good seating and a very funky decor
Get in here and try a little of everything, coffee or adult beverages you can't go wrong.
Cocktail night is a rare occurrence for me, anymore. Â Graduating and getting a job play a large part in this. Â When I do have the time to go out for a few drinks though, The Pig is the place.
Make sure you have the cash before you make a visit. Â The cocktails at The Pig are expensive compared to the boozy fare at most places. Â But make no mistake, they are all worth the price tag.
Their Manhattan--on the rocks, you heathen--and their Old Fashioned are two of my favorite drinks in all of Lawrence. Â They will cool you off in the summer and warm you up in the winter. Â The perfect year-round cocktails. Â
In the winter time, after a night out with friends, one of my group's favorite things to do is to cap it off with their Irish Coffee. Â It is very straight forward and will keep you warm for the whole walk home (you're not driving home after that, are you?).
Whether it is coffee or cocktails you are after, The Pig has you covered.
This update is for the coffee house aspect of BP. I prefer it as a bar, but the day/evening baristas are really top notch and prepare a good cup of coffee. This isn't somewhere I'd go for "to go" coffee (Z's next door would be that, but Z's next door is more of a laptop environment, and BP is more a "chat over a cup of coffee or glass of wine").
That said, there is nothing like sitting outside of BP on a late summer evening with a cocktail. Ah, I can't wait for those times again.
Back in 2000 I went to one of my first independent rock shows in San Diego. The line up was Koufax, The Anniversary and The Get Up Kids. Up until that point I had only heard one Get Up Kids song titled "Shorty" that was in the background of a BMX video. The show they played turned out to be awesome and I followed that band (and some of their side projects) for years until their breakup in 2005. They recently played Portland and the nostalgia came back. I associate The Get Up Kids (and about five other bands) with the awkwardness and the triumphs of growing up through High School then into (and out of) College.
So on this most recent work trip to Kansas City, MO, once glance at Google maps is all it took to realize how close I was to their hometown, or at least where they spent most of their time as a unit. I couldn't pass it up. Sure that's nerdy shit but I don't give a damn. I decided that driving out to Lawrence to have a look around would be the same as some die hard Eagles fan having his picture taken "standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona". Know what I mean?
Within' the first ten minutes in town, I found someone who knows Ryan Pope (their drummer) and he personally and filled me in on local businesses around town that certain members of the band still own now that they've moved (strangely enough) to where I'm living now, Portland, OR.
The Bourgeois Pig became a must visit with this new information. The Get Up Kid's drummer's bar? Shit yeah!
The funny part is that not one person in the place, other than the bartender of course, probably had any idea of this piece of information. The Pig receives a steady stream of corn fed looking folks in bright blue KC shirts asking for iced Americano's and random coffee selections.
Oh, yes, Coffee. Coffee and Spirits is the product. You can order all that fancy bean juice here or be like me, posted up at the bar ready to knock back a Pacifico and a well-poured whiskey rye and coke.
Outdoor seating is a nice touch. Random art on the walls, too. But come on, the main draw here for someone who isn't trying to study for a test at KU and/or doesn't live in town is the celebrity owner.
Let's hear it for Ryan Pope, he's got a nice place here.
The Pig is situated in a pretty good spot, you can enjoy the sun on the patio without getting too hot. As for claims of pretension, I think that's available at a few coffee spots downtown, not a peculiarity of BP, necessarily. Enjoy it for what it is, though. Caffeine or something stronger with some atmosphere.
Review Source:The pig is perfect because It serves coffee and booze. GOOD COFFEE AND GOOD BOOZE! Â The music on the ipod is always good and the bartenders are attentive, friendly, attractive, and a mix of folk.
Here is one thing I have learned about coffee shops in lawrence.
Aimee's(in general) is for punks, loners, gutter punks, lesbians, and anyone who loves buscuits and gravy.
Henry's(inGeneral) is for a bit of a younger crowd. Usually gutter punks, young artists, people that carry around accoustic guitars, and people that want to carry on philosophical conversations about topics they know little about. I liked hanging out here when I was 'figuring out who I am' when I was younger.
The pig is generally for a bit of an older crowd(over 25). You get established artists, musicians, townies, writers, and professionals.
During the day you can sit on the front patio and watch the crazies and transit system(always entertaining!!!!). Chain smoking, drinking Boulevard Wheat....summertime at the pig is great!
During the winter, the small back patio is great for your smoking and boozing.
Love the Pig. Miss the Pig.
What's up with all the pretention talk? Did anyone notice there's a college in Lawrence? What are people with PhDs supposed to sit around and talk about? Skateboarding?
Lawrence is a college town. Thus the excess of tragically hip college-age dufuses. Don't the profs deserve some props for molding their young minds? Or at least somewhere to congregate and meditate on the state of higher education in '08?
The outdoor seating gives the Pig some much-needed breathing space. And I admit when I've walked by I've heard "The other day in my intro class ..." Â But these conversations aren't any more pretentious that the youngsters who think they know everything about music, or raw foods, or whatever else you hear walking around Mass.
At least the Bourgeois Pig's clientele is probably in by 10 p.m.
Okay well, I don't agree with the Enkae's rating of the Pig. However, I do agree with her assessment that "the only reason you would come to this establishment because you want to be pretentious!" because frankly that's all I'm about. Or it could be because this place is also a BAR and I wanted to get drunk on top of be my usual pretentious self, which to me sounds like a match made in heaven.
My band was recording in Lawrence for two weeks and our producer steered us to this little place. It was cozy with a nice bar and some pretty cool art on the wall. We basically stuck out being four boys from California but by the end of the trip we walked in there like we owned the place (which we don't - Ed Rose and the Pope brothers from the Get Up Kids do).
Seriously though, the staff was extremely friendly. Every time we'd show up, they'd remember us. Jamie bought us shots - cool dude! Met Robbie Pope the last night and he invited us to his studio. It was a really memorable place for us as a group over those two weeks. And I can't say enough good things about it. Maybe I just have an affinity for places that make me feel comfortable, but I love the Bourgeois Pig. I get teary eyed thinking about it.
I was going to rate 4 stars instead of 5, but one night some jerkoff tried to take our table while my buddies were getting drinks at the bar. We had some words and he said he was just kidding and shuffled off elsewhere with his girlfriend following behind him. That ego boost puts the Pig over the top to a full 5 stars. Pretentious enough for you? I can drop obscure book titles for you too if you want.
This place is very small filled with intellectual perceived intellectual people. The coffee is alright, the only reason you would come to this establishment because you want to be pretentious! I have a couple of friends who filled that niche that have brought me to this establishment many times before hand! Â
FOOD - Coffee 8/10
AMBIANCE --- 6.5/10
SERVICE --- 7/10
OVERALL --- 7/10
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