It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe first stole our hearts with their weekly shenanigans, but these New Yorkers are still a staple of American pop culture. From Joey’s “How you doin’?” to Phoebe’s acoustic renditions of “Smelly Cat,” it seems like everyone who lived through the ‘90s speaks the language of “Friends.” And on “Friends,” the gang certainly loved their coffee. While Central Perk isn’t actually a coffee shop in New York City, we have a feeling the “Friends” gang would feel right at home hanging out at these five New York coffee shops. Check out these five Big Apple coffee shops where you can make like the cast members.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Stumptown Coffee Roasters has shaken up the caffeine scene across the country, and in New York City, you hang out with a cup of handcrafted joe at their West 29th Street cafe. Tucked away in the lobby of the Ace Hotel, Stumptown serves up its iconic beans in a discreet, cash-only spot. After admiring latte art you’d never expect from Rachel down at Central Perk, head back into the Ace Hotel’s lobby to hang out on one of the couches in true “Friends” fashion.
Brooklyn Roasting Company
One of the great things about Central Perk was that it was never too crowded. The “Friends” crew had full reign over their signature couch, and while this was merely Hollywood magic, the gang would have plenty of space to discuss the finer points of life as 20- and 30-something New Yorkers at Brooklyn Roasting Company. Here, a spacious, warehouse-like interior keeps the coffee shop welcoming, and plenty of couches and chairs offer ample room to sit around with your best friends for an afternoon of talking about, well, nothing.
Cafe Grumpy
You know what you never saw any of the characters doing on “Friends”? Spending their entire time at Central Perk with their eyes glued to a laptop screen. And you won’t see that at Cafe Grumpy in Chelsea, either, thanks to this coffee shop’s strict “no laptop” policy. That’s right: there’s a digital disconnect here, meaning the Cafe Grumpy experience is about enjoying coffee and company, just like they did on “Friends.” Don’t let the grumpy face on the exterior of the building scare you — the cafe is actually quite lovely on the inside, with ample seating for hanging out with your besties and dishing about awful dates or how much you hate your job. Plus, an outdoor garden makes for a pretty warm-weather hangout, too.
Koffeecake Corner
Any “Friends” fan knows just how much Joey loves to eat, and something tells us he could never turn down a decadent chocolate cookie called “Triple Chocolate Hug Pillow” at Koffeecake Corner. Wash it down with a Nutella milkshake and you have a combo we just might have to call “The Joey.” With plenty of seating for your posse and a seemingly endless menu of sweet treats to satisfy the Joey of your group, this neighborhood cafe is a likely hangout for the next generation of “Friends” fanatics.
Sweetleaf
Given Phoebe’s musical talents, she probably would have loved to hang out at Sweetleaf in Long Island City, a cafe that’s part coffee house, part old-school record collection. Hang out in the front with friends over a cup of the house’s “Rocket Fuel” (that’s cold-brewed coffee with chicory, maple syrup and milk) or head to the back room to browse the ample record collection and put your favorite selections on the turn table. We guarantee it’ll probably sound better than “Smelly Cat.”
Where do you and your friends hang out for coffee and conversation in New York? Let us know below!
(Main image: imcountingufoz)
