Leuchtstoff - Kaffeebar und Bakery — Restaurant in Berlin

No laptop rule being not enforced (others were sitting there with laptops open). Suddenly I get told “no laptops, thank you.”

I saw people studying there with books, pens and calculators open (sitting alone). I saw people on their phones (sitting alone). And here I am to make an educated guess why they said it to me.

I come to the conclusion that their team has their culture not set strongly enough as they are not clear enough in their communication. Realizing this while I am still eating my sandwich felt uncomfortable. Since I already felt uncomfortable let’s see if I can help with it. They don’t want people like me (digital nomads), let’s make sure they communicate that so I would not have paid 15 euro’s afterwards. And I pay that much precisely because I know that a 3.50 euro drink is not enough for them, I pay it out of politeness with the implicit expectation that I can sit there.

But they have a no laptop rule, while there were people on their laptops.

I raise the issue with the staff. The staff was clearly busy, by this point I felt so uncomfortable about the situation that I didn’t care. They needed to ban me at the gate. They made me go through this, their culture needs to be fixed now.

I raise it, purely talking on what I am observing. The woman in front of me doesn’t let me finish my point. I interrupt her and ask her to finish my point. She allows me to do that. Clearly this was such a triggering issue that they don’t allow a customer with a calm tone of voice to raise their concern. I make the point. She says they don’t want people with laptops on the weekend because it ruins the weekend atmosphere.

Cool, I am fine not being here. I wish you guys would’ve told me upfront.

I got emotional after that comment, because I can’t help but think it’s a weird form of discrimination, but that’s something I have to think deeper about to see if it is. Unfortunately, I did get emotional because of it, so did she. Well, she already was emotional when I raised the concern. I could see why, other than it being a triggering issue they were under a lot of pressure and it seems like there is no time allocated to talk about how to set a culture to both employees and customers (that’s my guess, I don’t actually know that). But her being emotional wasn’t helping in keeping my cool.

So why not 1 star?

Coffee was okay (and I am critical, okay means top 20%) Sandwich was good

And a guy stepped in (from their staff) to resolve the situation and listen to my feedback.

Not 3 stars, because digital nomads aren’t welcome. I am not welcome. The place gave me the idea that I was and then mid-bite in my sandwich I get told in a very subtle way that I am not with “no laptops, thank you”

If you’re not a digital nomad: clearly a 5 star place, enjoy. It’s worth it :)

And to the coffee place: sorry for giving a 2 star rating, but you can clearly take the hit. Moreover, anyone reading this review will realize you’re a cool place to stay, except for digital nomads needing to get work done. If anything, I am helping you to enforce the rule of no...

The staff acts constantly annoyed. Being in Berlin doesn’t excuse being petty. They better get a job without customer relation if they are too cool to smile.

I would recommend exercising basic kindness, like saying "hi", or "you're welcome", when thanked. When there is only one customer at the counter, instead of shouting their order, like they are not right in front of you, try to say „here you go, enjoy your coffee“.

I’ve seen a waiter going through the rooms shouting “we don’t allow this many laptops“ twice, then returning behind the counter and being cheered by their colleagues, leaving to the customers (both with and without laptops) puzzled.

A word of advise: if you don’t want your the coffee place to turn into a co-working place (which I totally understand and support) instead of naming the Wi-Fi „notyourcoworkingspace“, turn it off, or give 1-hour disposable passwords. There are better solutions than rudeness.

(edited after owner‘s reply) David, Denying a customer's feedback is up to you. Be open...

While at first I was hesitant to classify this shop as "Third Wave", this shop has proven itself to me in the last year that I have been visiting. Though I could be wrong, they are in the midst of trying and experimenting their roasts and origins in their drinks. This alone shows that Leuchstoff cares about their product, and is working hard to care for the coffee community by being informed! While I don't particular like the roasts I've bought from there (not the Leuchtstoff roast themselves), I wouldn't say the roast was "bad". It was just not to my flavor profile, and that's okay!

What I will say about Leuchstoff is they are one of the warmest, most welcoming shops in the entire city. Nestled off of the corner of the Hermanstrasse S bahn station, I always find my way to Leuchtstoff to have a dirty chai and sit in the loft. This shop will always hold a special place in my heart. Ich liebe...