JJ Bean Coffee Roasters — Restaurant in North Vancouver

I recently visited JJ bean, a spot that seems to be a popular hangout for students, judging by the number of laptops, textbooks, and notebooks scattered around the tables. At first glance, the atmosphere is vibrant, and the cozy décor gives off a welcoming vibe, perfect for grabbing a coffee and diving into a study session. However, there’s one major issue that kept me from fully enjoying my time there—the music.

The café plays loud, upbeat party songs that can only be described as… distracting. While it’s clear that the café aims to create a lively environment, the volume of the music makes it nearly impossible to focus on anything, let alone concentrate on studying or have a conversation. The energy was more like that of a club than a café.

I decided to ask the staff if they could turn the music down, as it was really interfering with the quiet ambiance I was hoping for. To their credit, they did lower the volume momentarily, but soon enough, the music was back up to its original, almost overwhelming level. I’m not sure if this is a regular occurrence or if they just prefer to keep the mood up at all times, but the inconsistency of the volume made it difficult to settle into the space.

To make matters worse, I even tried using noise-cancelling headphones, thinking that would do the trick. Unfortunately, they didn’t help in the slightest. The music was so loud that even the best noise-cancelling technology couldn’t block out the bass-heavy beats and party anthems that seemed to be playing on repeat.

For students looking for a place to study, this may not be the best choice unless you can tolerate loud music. I understand that the vibe is meant to be fun and energetic, but a more balanced approach to the music might actually make it a better spot for studying or just relaxing. The choice of party songs, while fun, just doesn’t fit the general tone of a café, and it really detracts from the experience.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a place to focus or enjoy a quiet cup of coffee, JJ Bean might not be the best fit. But if you’re after an upbeat, social environment with high-energy music, this could be your spot. Just be prepared to study with a beat in the background (and not one that’s easy...

Don't like the prices. Starbucks is the benchmark in this industry. Pastries are so much better than your competition. Definitely winning in that category. Everything else is average at most. How could the prices be higher than Starbucks. Your coffee's caffine content is much lower than let's say Starbucks but tastes better. The price of a large dripped coffee ( dark or light roast ) costs more for the amount you're getting than your competition. A lot more flavour and boldness though. If this was McCafe, than totally justifiable. Costs less and less caffine but if you're inputting your company into the prestige category in the coffee business, than isn't viable. Take your seating of instance! It's very uncomfortable and not engineered for comfort. This review isn't directed towards this location, but the entirety of every other location of your company. As I have visited many over the years. Dont take it personal. Many entry level coffee shops share the same issue. If a few of the concerns get addressed, many of us would definitely be more inclined to think about JJ bean more often than other coffee shops, when in need. It isn't like your ROIs & ROAs are in the negatives. You source to 40% of the independent or chained coffee shops in British Columbia. Not to mention restaurants, etc. Cost of raw materials for your sake is definitely not in the negatives or diminshing either. Why the mark up then? Rent & salary is your biggest overhead expense. Yet the shops using your products charge less for the exact same items ( large drip coffee ) when ordered. Yes it is true you can't control their prices but still...

I'd like to visit the shop as I genuinely enjoy going there. Today, however, my experience was ruined due to the behavior of one of your staff members.

I arrived at the store around 11 AM in a cheerful mood. Although the atmosphere was busy, it felt pleasant. While waiting to place my order, I noticed that all the staff members were smiling brightly.

When it was my turn to order, I approached the counter, and the staff member’s expression suddenly turned emotionless. After completing my order for a croissant and a coffee, she handed me the croissant in a manner that felt as though she was tossing it at me. Then, without saying a word, she disappeared somewhere, leaving me without a receipt.

Since we were eating inside, I had also tipped, but I found this behavior extremely rude. This is the first time I’ve encountered such an issue at any shops in Canada, and I felt disappointed. If I had received the receipt, I might have been able to get her name. Instead, I’ll describe her appearance: she had long brown hair, with the top portion styled in a perm, and she was wearing a denim vest today.

I do not think the owner is really caring about the feedback. I will probably leave this comment on JJ bean's...