There’s no denying that New Yorkers love their coffee, and there’s a festival to prove it.
The second annual New York Coffee Festival will be bringing caffeine aplenty to the 69th Regiment Armory, located at 68 Lexington Ave. in Manhattan, from Sept. 16 through Sept. 18, 2016.
But this festival is more than just your average cup of joe. In addition to more than 70 vendors, coffee enthusiasts will be treated to free tastings, workshops and demonstrations (we know you really want to learn how to make that cool latte art). You can even sip on a coffee cocktail while listening to some live music or appreciating some art.
Following the success of his London Coffee Festival, founder Jeffrey Young said part of the reason he chose New York was because he wanted to bring the festival to cities where coffee is “the center of the world.”
“And there’s no better city in the world for coffee – especially in terms of consumption – than New York City,” he added. “New Yorkers absolutely love coffee.”
According to Young, the artisan coffee industry is rapidly growing.
“This is the right time for craft coffee in New York City,” he said.
Even in a city where there is a Starbucks on every block, Young said artisan coffee shops are taking a foothold in the market because they provide a choice, and “New York City is all about choice.”
Smaller shops provide a more personalized, high-end experience, Young said, that you can’t find in a larger chain of coffee shops. Plus, the smaller chains and shops keep the larger ones on their toes, which improves the industry as a whole.
While the New York Coffee Festival hosts shops from around the state, there are also a number of vendors representing their home turf of NYC. Scroll down to learn more.
This small batch roaster based out of Brooklyn prides itself on scouring the world to find the best quality beans for your brew. Toby’s Estate believes in roasting coffee to “highlight its unique sweetness,” and even has a Brew School. (Multiple locations, tobysestate.com)
When you walk into a Bluestone Lane café,
When you walk into a Bluestone Lane café, be prepared to experience more than just a good cup of coffee. The company strives to create a coffee culture in each of its shops that will make even the most out-of-town tourist feel at home (Multiple locations, bluestonelaneny.com)
Café Grumpy likes to keep things simple and
Café Grumpy likes to keep things simple and straightforward – just like most New Yorkers. The company’s website succinctly explains what you need to know about Café Grumpy: “Our goal is to serve you a delicious and socially responsible cup that highlights the nuances inherent in each coffee we roast.” (Multiple locations, cafegrumpy.com)
If you’re looking for good conversation to go
If you’re looking for good conversation to go along with your caffeine fix, then any one of Birch’s eight NYC coffee shops might be the place for you. Birch looks to not only provide quality coffee, but also a break from the constant on-the-go mentality of the city.
What started out as a small coffee shop
What started out as a small coffee shop in the West Village has now grown into 10 cafes (including an expansion to Philadelphia) and a roasting operation in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Not only does Joe serve up quality coffee, the shops also offer classes for coffee enthusiasts that range from brewing methods to milk crafting and more. (Multiple locations, joenewyork.com)
Laureen Cook
