The Grind Coffeehouse

Listed telephone number not in service (360-696-0206). Website not operating. I'm questioning whether this place is still open. If so, someone at The Grind Coffeehouse please respond with updated information....... If it is, I'll happily visit and upgrade my one star rating.

My friend and I frequent this quaint house that has been converted into a coffee shop. The husband and wife team are a couple of old souls that slowly make your drink and genuinely hope you enjoy the fruits of their labor.

You pay about the same price as Starbucks and the quality is about the same as well. There are comfy couches and chairs to lounge about in while sipping your delicious treat. The times that I have visited, my friend and I have usually been the only patrons. On the walls, there are paintings from local artists that are for sale. During the week, local bands play free shows.

This coffee shop has an earthy charm. Yet, it never seems to be popular. I think that can be attributed to the fact that it is across from the Vancouver jail and is surrounded by multiple bail bond places.

I went here to meet a friend for coffee because it's one of the few coffeehouses which stays open late in downtown Vancouver.  I give The Grind Coffeehouse 2 stars, only because the drink was OK and they are open late. The atmosphere and service was lacking, to put it nicely.  Please don't get me wrong, I'm all about helping the little guy, but only when they deserve it.

The shop is nestled between two Bail Bonds offices and features a pixelated logo on the door that looks like it was done in MS Paint or something.  There was little to no artwork on the walls.  Junk piled in the back.  Loud techno/trance music.  Not a welcoming environment, especially for a coffeehouse.

I was too nervous to order something from their large menu because the place was practically empty and I didn't think it would be fresh.  I had a Chai Tea Latte that was decent, a little on the bland side and chalky.  Low price.

But the straw that broke this camel's back was the music.  The owner was playing some techno/trance music so loudly that I couldn't read my book while I was waiting for my friend to show up.  I seriously got like only 2 pages in half an hour.  Ridiculous.  I knew that there was no way we could carry on a conversation there, so I texted my friend, downed my latte, and bailed.

On my way out, I tried to chat up the owner, but to no avail.  The only thing that I got from him, which really really suprised me, was that they will have been open for 2 years next month.  

Maybe the food is good, or maybe the live music is good, but the feeling I got last night was, "Meh. I've experienced better."