Study Spot #5: Birch Coffee

"What began as an idea and as two individuals’ desire to love what they did for a living has quickly turned into some stomping ground for people and cultivate an environment of ideal-seeking. We care for people first and coffee is a very close second."

Meet some of Birch's people and have a look inside their Financial District location with this promo shot for Suzy's Study Spots by the illustrious Marina Barham! @marinaelise


Situated in the lobby of the US's tallest residential building, Birch Coffee's petite rustic-minimalist coffee shops have me wishing their designer would decorate my own apartment! With friendly baristas in its eight locations within the New York City area, Birch really does care for its people first. I especially like the Financial District location on Spruce Street, just off of Fulton Street.

Birch Coffee, Financial District

The spacious Birchwood table in the center of the coffee shop allows plenty of room for me to spread out my corporate finance notebooks. Or I can opt for a smaller, single person table in the back for some privacy while I recite the definitions of macroeconomics to myself. With plenty of natural sunlight from the two window walls and an assortment of low-hanging overhead lights, I'm sure to feel nice and cozy while working. Birch also stays open pretty late (8:00pm) so its ideal for those nights when you've got to meet a morning deadline! (Or when your rowdy roommates are hosting a party in your apartment.)

Birch has a punch card program; get 9 punches, get a drink free! Take a friend out to coffee a few times and be rewarded with a large hazelnut latte with an extra shot!

Beware, because Birch Coffee seeks to foster relationships and serenity, they do NOT offer WiFi. Come here when you've got some reading to do, a creative writing paper to type, or a group of friends to study with.

Take a book, leave a book

My favorite thing about Birch is the library shelf that hosts a number of books free for you to exchange for. I've seen this done at nice hotels around the world, but never at a coffee shop. More than a few of these books have tempted to distract me from my work! But hey, they say a study break is good for you! Just remember, its an exchange program so be sure to trade in one of your books when you take one so that there are some left for others.

Coffee, Books, and Sticks

Birch's simple menu is painted on extra large sheets of recycled paper and taped to the counter. Prices range from $3 espresso to a $4.5 mocha. Ask for your coffee to stay and the barista will serve it in a mug, showing off his art skills with a design in the foam. If you're lucky, maybe he'll make you a heart. Wink wink.

Speaking of winks, Birch Coffee also doubles as a great spot for a date. The small table in the back is semi-closed off with a wall, providing a little privacy. Who knows, maybe your study buddy could become something more???

Birch on Spruce Street is frequented by Pace students either dropping in for a morning espresso on their way to class, or doing some school reading. What a great place to meet some new friends!



INFORMATION:
http://birchcoffee.com/
212.686.1444

LOCATION:

8 Spruce Street
New York, NY 10038

HOURS:
MON - SUN 7:00AM – 8:00PM

BONUS:
- No WiFi
- Comfortable seating and large tables
- $$
- Water Closet
- Bakery
- No power plugs
- Large windows