bushwick cafes pt 1

Archive: 49 Bogart St

If the Archive was placed in, say, the lower east side, it’d just get an apathetic “meh” for a review. But in a neighborhood lacking multiple options, it’s a pretty essential staple to the area. The space is devoid of personality, but it does have two large communal tables in the center that make it easy to be obnoxious and take up too much space with your laptop, newspaper, weeklies and art pads. The only food besides standard bagels and pastries are prepackaged paninis and salads and soup. Besides Potion Café, it’s the only other place to get decent coffee until you trek into the real heart of Bushwick, a few blocks east. Just remember to take a dump before you head there because in order to use their bathroom, you have to get they key, have an employee unlock the first door, then you unlock the bathroom, then go down another hall and actually exit the building through a different door and then go back into the café and return they key. Wtf is that? It’s like labyrinth, without the benefit of David Bowie’s package. You can rent DVDs here too, but the selection is obviously based on hipster demand and film school must haves, which is kind of convenient when your friends come over to watch movies and all you from netflix is all the embarrassing chick flicks you drunk ordered last week. Plus there’s this one adorable barista with big curly hair is so hippie friendly that she makes me nostalgic for Northern California. I want to put her in my pocket and have her sing me to sleep.
Perks: Free wifi, good cookies, instant typecast upon entrance

Potion: 248 McKibben St

Potion is by far the most aesthetically pleasing café in Bushwick. Easily missed, it’s tucked into a warehouse across from the trendy McKibben lofts. They serve strong coffee, good pastries, mid range bagels and have  a small, but serviceable sandwich menu. (I’d recommend the cheddar and pesto on a croissant) There are couches, a bar and tables and they also serve mimosas, wine and beer. ($3 red stripes!) The artwork on the wall doesn’t make you want to gouge out your eyeballs and the high ceiling, brick walls and eclectic décor  make you feel as though you’re hanging out in your artist/musician friend’s studio but they ignore you every time you say “dude, those tribal drums gotta go. They are so 1996.” The downfall?  The space is really small and while the person next to you is describing in excruciating detail the climax of their next experimental student film, the person at the bar is writing the next great American novel. That said, the air is somehow surprisingly clear of pretension and it’s definitely the best café in the neighborhood. If you can find a seat.
Perks: Free wifi, 50cent refills, eyecandy