Starbucks

I always seem to end up in this particular Starbucks whenever I’m in London?
I’ve had meetings there, I’ve even had a job interview there, which was unusual (it wasn’t for Starbucks, though!)
This time I found myself at Starbucks as I had some time to kill before a gig at The Garage, and I was absolutely shattered. I popped in for a quick flat white.
What is there to say about Starbucks really, that people don’t already know? Yes I prefer my independents, but if push comes to shove and there’s only a Starbucks around, I will go there. The coffee is okay (I prefer it to Costa any way). One this particular visit, the staff member that served me was really chatty and polite, and engaged in conversation with me which is nice (especially for London!)

So, here’s what I like about this Starbucks.
1. The location which is right around the corner from the High & I station.
2. The bar-​style seating along the windows. It’s unique for a Starbucks.
3. The staff. They are friendly and they smile and there’s not much more I can ask for.
4. Great people watching from the bar-​style seating along the front windows, though, cigarette smoke does often waft into the store.
Here’s what I don’t like about this Starbucks.
1. The lack of table-​style seating. Note: I didn’t see any checkerboard tables, so perhaps these have gone away.
2. There appears to be a theft issue which means I can never work at this Starbucks longer than my bladder can hold my wee because I won’t be able to leave my laptop on a table and ask a stranger to watch it for me.
I’ve never been to a Starbucks where there have been signs posted stating things like, «Never leave items unattended.» That was my first clue about the possible theft problem. Then I read the Unilocal reviews which solidified my theft problem thoughts.
So, yeah, great spot for take-​away coffee but probably not the best spot for sit-​down and work coffee.

A much needed coffee with the Pie. This Starbucks is a bit of regular hangout for me…
It’s not the best of the Starbucks cafes, though I’m always happy with their service and the speed that they get through their morning rush.
This isn’t the best Starbucks to have a meeting though it is a great Starbucks to hangout and watch the passing crowd on Upper Street.
Enjoy!

This is a great Starbucks! To those complaining about having their items stolen, that’s not a reflection on Starbucks… dude, watch your stuff. I’m there 1−2x a day (don’t judge) and still have my phone, being used to bring you this review!
The staff are all fabulous! The managers are professional and still friendly, the baristas know me by name and remember my drink preferences, which is pretty amazing considering this is in a commuter location, just around the corner from a busy over/​under station.
The rare occasions that I have had a bad drink or pastry, they have offered immediate replacement or refund, with a smile.
Bathrooms are clean and smell fresh, always have loo roll… no small feat in the city!
Yeah, I’m a happy customer. :)

Don’t go. There are lots of thieves… My iPhone was stolen. My friend’s bag including her wallet, keys and laptop was also stolen there.

I’m a bit of cheeky, secret starbucks fan. Ok so maybe not so secret from using Unilocal as a way of getting my feelings out. The staff are always friendly, the frappachinos are EXCELLENT. yummy!

We swim at Highbury Grove School every Friday night which means jumping off the bus at Highbury Corner and grabbing a coffee for the walk up the hill. No cute independent coffee bars to hand which is why I end up in Starbucks. I don’t like Starbucks so we are off to a bad start. This one is grim painfully thin the few tables they have are squeezed along one wall which makes it awkward to get by the queue to exit. Slow, ordinary coffee and expensive. Trouble is I know I will be back next week. unless we are early and I have time to venture further down the road.

Its your usual run of the mill Starbucks but i dropped a few stars because there is simply not enough seating for this busy high street and in my opinion you are better off to nip next door to Costa Coffee which is just a few shops down.

Den. of. thievery. My iPhone was stolen here by a man that staff allowed to just wander around from table to table harassing people.