Starbucks is transforming coffee shops into bars - here's what it's like to go to one
This Williamsburg location at 154 N 7th Street opened in 2014 and has a Starbucks Reserve coffee bar as well, offering micro-lot coffees and fancy brewing techniques.
![Starbucks is transforming coffee shops into bars - here's what it's like to go to one](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-48565104%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-4703629%2Fthis-williamsburg-location-at-154-n-7th-street-opened-in-2014-and-has-a-starbucks-reserve-coffee-bar-as-well-offering-micro-lot-coffees-and-fancy-brewing-techniques-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Only two hours into the evening menu offering and the place was pretty busy. A large group had reserved a table and seemed to be enjoying the wine selection.
![Only two hours into the evening menu offering and the place was pretty busy. A large group had reserved a table and seemed to be enjoying the wine selection.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565106,width-700,height-525,imgsize-2390106/only-two-hours-into-the-evening-menu-offering-and-the-place-was-pretty-busy-a-large-group-had-reserved-a-table-and-seemed-to-be-enjoying-the-wine-selection-.jpg)
The space boasts ample seating with large and small tables, a long communal bar, and comfy coffee tables and chairs.
![The space boasts ample seating with large and small tables, a long communal bar, and comfy coffee tables and chairs.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565107,width-700,height-525,imgsize-3705403/the-space-boasts-ample-seating-with-large-and-small-tables-a-long-communal-bar-and-comfy-coffee-tables-and-chairs-.jpg)
The wine menu offers most varieties of whites and reds, as well as prosecco. There are four selections of Brooklyn Brewery craft beers as well. It's definitely a shock to be carded at a Starbucks.
![The wine menu offers most varieties of whites and reds, as well as prosecco. There are four selections of Brooklyn Brewery craft beers as well. It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565108,width-700,height-525,imgsize-3157931/the-wine-menu-offers-most-varieties-of-whites-and-reds-as-well-as-prosecco-there-are-four-selections-of-brooklyn-brewery-craft-beers-as-well-its-definitely-a-shock-to-be-carded-at-a-starbucks-.jpg)
In such a big location, it's easy to find a table for a big group of friends, or to find a secluded spot for yourself. It's busy, but not crazy.
![In such a big location, it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565109,width-700,height-525,imgsize-2950885/in-such-a-big-location-its-easy-to-find-a-table-for-a-big-group-of-friends-or-to-find-a-secluded-spot-for-yourself-its-busy-but-not-crazy-.jpg)
My food promptly arrived, served on a tray by a server who somehow knew where I was sitting. I ordered a salumi plate, truffle mac n' cheese, and a glass of Chardonnay. Everything comes with a bowl of sunflower seeds as well.
![My food promptly arrived, served on a tray by a server who somehow knew where I was sitting. I ordered a salumi plate, truffle mac n](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565111,width-700,height-525,imgsize-3995010/my-food-promptly-arrived-served-on-a-tray-by-a-server-who-somehow-knew-where-i-was-sitting-i-ordered-a-salumi-plate-truffle-mac-n-cheese-and-a-glass-of-chardonnay-everything-comes-with-a-bowl-of-sunflower-seeds-as-well-.jpg)
Most importantly: the wine. I'm certainly no sommelier, but it seems like pretty good wine to me. Glasses run from $9 to $12, while beers cost between $4 and $5. And sorry, no "venti" option on the wine glasses.
![Most importantly: the wine. I](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565113,width-700,height-525,imgsize-3002433/most-importantly-the-wine-im-certainly-no-sommelier-but-it-seems-like-pretty-good-wine-to-me-glasses-run-from-9-to-12-while-beers-cost-between-4-and-5-and-sorry-no-venti-option-on-the-wine-glasses-.jpg)
The salumi plate comes with sliced salami and perfectly thin slices of prosciutto. The portions aren't huge - think tapas sized.
![The salumi plate comes with sliced salami and perfectly thin slices of prosciutto. The portions aren](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565114,width-700,height-525,imgsize-2972632/the-salumi-plate-comes-with-sliced-salami-and-perfectly-thin-slices-of-prosciutto-the-portions-arent-huge-think-tapas-sized-.jpg)
The truffle mac n' cheese was... impressive. The cheese was rich and hot under the crispy breaded crust, and the truffle flavor was subtle, not overpowering. Not bad for a Starbucks meal, and even better at $6.
![The truffle mac n](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565115,width-700,height-525,imgsize-4111184/the-truffle-mac-n-cheese-was-impressive-the-cheese-was-rich-and-hot-under-the-crispy-breaded-crust-and-the-truffle-flavor-was-subtle-not-overpowering-not-bad-for-a-starbucks-meal-and-even-better-at-6-.jpg)
Along with the salumi plate comes little bread sticks and sweet drop peppers in oil, which add a nice splash of color.
![Along with the salumi plate comes little bread sticks and sweet drop peppers in oil, which add a nice splash of color.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565117,width-700,height-525,imgsize-3132488/along-with-the-salumi-plate-comes-little-bread-sticks-and-sweet-drop-peppers-in-oil-which-add-a-nice-splash-of-color-.jpg)
I also ordered a goat cheese and artichoke flatbread pizza for $7 because I was pretty curious. A Starbucks pizza?
![I also ordered a goat cheese and artichoke flatbread pizza for $7 because I was pretty curious. A Starbucks pizza?](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565118,width-700,height-525,imgsize-3594204/i-also-ordered-a-goat-cheese-and-artichoke-flatbread-pizza-for-7-because-i-was-pretty-curious-a-starbucks-pizza.jpg)
It's decent - not bad, but nothing spectacular, and a tad skimpy on toppings. Luckily, the glass of Sauvignon Blanc I had with it was good enough to make up for it.
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565119,width-700,height-525,imgsize-2923019/its-decent-not-bad-but-nothing-spectacular-and-a-tad-skimpy-on-toppings-luckily-the-glass-of-sauvignon-blanc-i-had-with-it-was-good-enough-to-make-up-for-it-.jpg)
Can Starbucks redefine the evening gathering spot as hugely as it redefined coffee? With sophisticated food options and a relaxed night atmosphere, they just might do it. Plus, offering wine and beer definitely helps.
![Can Starbucks redefine the evening gathering spot as hugely as it redefined coffee? With sophisticated food options and a relaxed night atmosphere, they just might do it. Plus, offering wine and beer definitely helps.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48565120,width-700,height-525,imgsize-2400834/can-starbucks-redefine-the-evening-gathering-spot-as-hugely-as-it-redefined-coffee-with-sophisticated-food-options-and-a-relaxed-night-atmosphere-they-just-might-do-it-plus-offering-wine-and-beer-definitely-helps-.jpg)
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