Bitter End Coffee House

The Bitter End is my favorite GR coffee shop, even though the drinks are a little pricey. (Think Starbucks or Biggby.) The best thing about it is it’s open ²⁴⁄₇ and is perfect for getting late-​night work done. I personally have never had trouble getting a table, though occasionally the outdoor tables are all full.
My preferred snack here is one of the big croissants, about $ 2.50 with tax. Lattes run around $ 4 or $ 5, and are very unique and creative, especially their seasonal beverages. If you stop in frequently, make sure to use your punch card to save up toward a free drink. They also hold business card drawings for free drinks, and I’ve won before! Last little bit of love: their take-​out containers are compostable, but if you’re dining in, request a house mug to cut down on waste!

We read the reviews and we were mentally prepared. It is so sad when a place lives up to the bad reviews when there is so much positive to be said.
We were in Grand Rapids late on a Friday night and needed to get coffee to hit the road. Found this open on Unilocal.Saw the signs as we walked in, no outside food, must purchase something to stay. My daughter had a small box of fudge from the shop in town, I told her to put it away. We walked in and saw only 3 tables empty, this is like 10pm, all students on lap tops. I feel for the owners this is a dilemma. I asked about table service, in case someone wanted to make extra tips, the girl at the counter said,“no this is a coffee shop” I said, «ok, some coffee shops have table service», she said, «I have never seen one», I nicely said,“you should come to Chicago some time, we have them there”, that finally shut her up. I felt like she was the soup nazi at this point and if we did not order correctly we would get kicked out. We ordered some expensive Ghirardelli chocolate coffee drinks and they were really good! I tipped her anyway. She was nice then and told me where the lids and straws were. We sat and sadly in a few minutes we witnessed her asking a young woman to leave that came in and sat with the guy on the computer next time us. The whole situation is unfortunate. I feel for the workers but it’s just not enjoyable for anyone. Maybe they should switch to table service and limit time to an hour or so during certain times. By stopping at the table periodically it would drive the one drink loafers out. They would increase their turnover and maybe sell more product. They have a great selection of food and drink and the atmosphere is really dramatic and dark. Like you are in the ancient art gallery library of some old crazy eccentric. I guess if your a regular at some point you can endear yourself to the employees. But then again if your a regular your probably one of those buying one cheap cup of coffee and sitting at a table on your computer for 4 hours. All I can say to the owners and employees is, good luck with that.

.Awful service. Worker was very rude and short. Felt rushed and like we weren’t welcome, after a minute of waiting a d reading the menu the worker asked if we were going to order or leave. So we left.

Me and my boyfriend came here to study on a very snowy day, but when we walked in all the tables were full so we stood to the side to look up other places to study. After being there for no more than 1 minute the barista asked us if we were buying anything and we told her no we are thinking about leaving. She said «okay then you can leave right now.» We were not using the wifi, bothering other customers, or making a scene.
Other customers heard this remark and commented to us about how rude she was being. This was my first time being here and I am never coming back. We are extremely disappointed with the customer service and how the barista acted toward us in front of other customers.

Twenty-​four hour coffee shop. Make sure you buy something or else they won’t mind asking you to leave even if you are with someone who bought something.

Took my wife here for a cup. The barista was fun and informative. The coffee was good. Better than the chain places. Very eclectic group of folks in here. I would definitely come again and try something different.

This place is an experience. Fully packed on weekends at night — in an almost uncomfortable way. But it’s culturally interesting. Very different from any other coffee shop in town. 24/​7, and the time blurs by… Lots of young people. Great coffee.

I was in the area, looked up local coffee shop/​roasters online, and thought I would stop in.
The interior is really nice, décor wise. It’s a fairly tiny shop, long and narrow, so if it’s busy, I can see it being a bit of an awkward squeeze. This is exacerbated by the fact that there are a lot of tables crammed in, three deep, on the one side.
Opposite the seating, they have a nice selection of roasted coffees, in ½ bags available, with several single origin, some blends, and some flavored coffees.
The bulk of the regular coffee served is via a dual row of gleaming air pots along the wall, but after a bit of light quizzing to the barista working, they offered up a poor over option. I don’t know what the bean was, it was described as «Java Estate», and roasted at Full City +.
The poor over, while smooth enough, was bitter and over roasted, and probably would have benifited from a better poor over technique. I drink my coffee black in order to catch the various subtleties, but anything roasted at Full City or more is more suitable for loading it up with cream/​sugar/​flavorings/​etc… in order to mask the burnt taste that comes from that high a roast level.
Since I was there, I got a bag of the Costa Rican Tarrazu Estate. Looking at it, it seems to be roasted at least to Full City, if not to second crack. This is too bad as the Costa Rican Tarrazu is supposed to be a good bean, from a good estate, and benifits from a lighter and more nuanced roast profile.

So I was a regular at bitter end for almost two years but my latest trip has left me bitter and ended my interest in ever returning to this malignant establishment.
The baristas are the main problem with this café. I went to order a coffee and I was told not to be on my phone while ordering. I understood and let the other people behind me order as I sat down at a table. After the line cleared I was about to get up and order when the barista placed a sign at my table crossed his arms, scoffed, and looked down at me. The sign read «customers who have not purchased a beverage are not welcome at our establishment and you are welcome to leave».
Not a word was spoken to me by the barista and I do not believe will be spoken ever because I will not be returning. (To let the owner know you are losing $ 5/​day 5x a week for probably 30 weeks=750 dollars/​year but not to worry I will get my caffeine fix elsewhere)

The signature latte (spotted owl) and the coffee here are so good! But most of all, I’m struck by the kindness of the barista here. Our car died in front of the coffee shop, and the barista kindly offered to help jump our car. It’s a great place with nice atmosphere and kind barista! A perfect little spot!

I’ve only been here once, my coffee was excellent & it seems like a cool place. I love the fact that it’s a 24 hour cafè. The only staff member that was there when I went, a young man, was kind of rude & not very helpful but I can’t speak for the place when the other staff are there instead. I would definitely go again!

I have a very sentimental connection to this coffee shop– my boyfriend (of almost 3 years) and I had our first date here, and MANY more dates after! It is perfect for romantic date nights (especially late nights when alcohol is not involved), study nights (I’ve written many papers here), and a great stopping point before you hit downtown. The staff has always been friendly to us– including one barista who memorized my order for my boyfriend (I bring him coffee at work on my days off). I feel very connected to this place, and will always come back for their unique lattes.

I used to come here to study for finals when I was in law school. it has changed tremendously since then. not sure if the espresso machine has always been this loud, but ok whatev. I’m a little out of the coffee shop loop, but aren’t they supposed to «intimate?»
My issue, it’s loud as hell in here right now. Maybe because it’s the Friday night before 4^th of July. I should have taken heed to the Unilocal reviews saying the place was too live.
In sum, if you need to study, this is not the place for you. But if you want to play cards with a person who shuffles the deck as if they have OCD, listen to people yell obscenities across the establishment, or people watch, come on down!

It’s nice that this place is open 24 hours and the lattes are decent, but the customer service is ridiculous. I always have to initiate the conversation with the barista and it’s typically an uncomfortable conversation. As a barista myself, I get that tips are important. However, the fact that the bitter end felt the need to put out a sign that says «tips are expected» is extremely tacky. I will probably never return.

The staff here is rude every time I come here. The coffee tastes like watered down maxwell house, and the first thing I was told when I walked in the door were things I couldn’t do. I walked in with a drink and the barista made a scene and told me it was a health violation and I had to throw it out immediately. I think them having the heat turned up to 90 degrees on a cool night is a health violation! This place is awkwardly quiet for a studying place, and the heat is oppressive. I can’t think of one good thing to say about this overcrowded hole in the wall.

We stopped in the other night after visiting the Hookah Lounge. It was deathly quiet, even though there were a good dozen people in there. The atmosphere was very relaxed, and all of the good coffee smells were there.
It’s not a large place, so I would expect it would get crowded during the day. The barista on staff was a little edgy, and she didn’t seem to care to explain the menu to us. However, she was extremely talented and our drinks were amazing. Our friend who is a regular later told us that she takes some time to warm up to people, but if you treat her politely she’ll do the same. He also told us that she loves to experiment with drinks, so he’ll occasionally ask her to surprise him. He’s never been disappointed.
Prices are average for a nice coffee shop, my hot chocolate was cheaper and tastier than Starbucks.

This has been my favorite go to hangout spot since moving to Grand Rapids! The fact that it is open ²⁴⁄₇ is awesome for insomniacs like me :-) I will say, tables are super cramped and when it’s busy, it can be super overwhelming due to lack of elbow room. It’s also crazy overpriced! And you have to order a drink if you stay, which makes sense to me, but still costly. I always get a small cup of coffee, with so many choices of coffee, I’ve almost tried them all! My absolute FAVORITE is their organic Peru blend. My roommate who hates straight black coffee even loved it!

Very cute coffee shop! When you walk in, you’re immediately in the main shop– it’s one big room with tall ceilings & lots of natural light from the front windows. The counter to order is at the back of the room. The shop is filled with small tables that are quite close together and lots of eclectic art on the walls. We were lucky enough to get a table over top the heating vent to warm our toes; it also included a small table lamp! The vibe was chill– some young students studying, some meeting up to talk, and some older men just in for a hot cup o’ joe. This is a place where I’d feel comfortable coming by myself or with friends to study, read, or surf the net. It’s not too loud (at least on a Sunday afternoon). The music is kept low, but most people are talking, so it’s not library quiet. They have an extensive coffee menu with hot & cold drinks, and a small food menu that includes 3 sandwiches, soup, and an omelet. I applaud any coffee shop with an almond joy latte (I love coconut!). This trip I had a dirty Chai (small was $ 4.50)…it was very good! Not too sweet like some can be! The barista even stenciled a cinnamon snowflake on the top!
They have free wifi and a free parking lot across the street!
The only reason I’m giving them 4 stars and not 5 is because the barista wasn’t very friendly (maybe they had been working all night since it is open ²⁴⁄₇), and there are no free refills on coffee! Top offs/​refills, etc are $ 1.40! I think that refills should always be free or cheap with regular coffee!

I went to Bitter End this afternoon. It was the first time I had been to the location and it was not what I expected. The scene was chill and the environment was pleasant but I cannot say the same for the coffee.
I stated that it was my first time at the place and the person did not really give me a good explanation of the establishment when I asked. He did not seem to care about explaining about the different options when I asked. I was still okay with that but when I finally got my coffee I was disappointed. I did not feel that I got a great choice or great help on what choice to make.
I would not rule them out but I wanted to share my first experience at this location. One of the biggest niches that stuck out to me was the fact that they are open 24 hours. That one reason will probably have me come back to give them another shot. I will remain open to them but they will for sure not be my first choice.

Looking for a place other then Denny’s which is open 24 hours? Come here.
They have good coffee, decent food and treats. The atmosphere is fun, with its dark wood-​paneling and cool artwork on the walls. Over the years, the staff continues to be friendly.
The only downsides are that there’s a weird humidity issue, which makes it a bit humid inside and steams up the windows. With this comes a slightly weird smell.
Th wi-​fi can be touch and go.
Don’t let the humidity and wi-​fi issues keep you away. This coffeehouse is worth hanging out at.