COFFI — Restaurant in Liverpool

As a regular at Coffi, spending over £100 annually, I was deeply disappointed by my recent experience. At 9:40 AM, my partner and I arrived to work at the designated workstation—a bar top—but one customer sat squarely in the middle, making it too cramped to use. With no viable space there, we moved to a coffee table, despite the “no laptops” sign, as all three large tables (18 seats total) were completely empty.

Within five minutes, a staff member informed us we couldn’t use laptops at the table, offering only the cramped bar as an alternative. As we considered our options, two people took the remaining bar spots, leaving bags and coats to claim other seats, rendering the workstation unusable. I spoke to the staff member, who rigidly enforced the policy. Left with no workspace, we were forced to return home.

This inflexible policy, despite empty tables and our regular patronage, felt unfair and unwelcoming. I’ve since heard others have stopped visiting Coffi due to similar treatment. Targeting a specific clientele shouldn’t mean alienating loyal customers—a disappointing way to run a business.

Reply to owner:

Response to Owner:

As you weren’t present during our visit, I can only assume your version of events is second-hand via your staff.

In response to the idea that “we didn’t want to sit anywhere else”: there were only three people upstairs in a 20-seater space, and we were pointed to a single option—a cramped bar where someone was already seated in the middle.

Given that the rest of the space was completely empty and all three tables nearby had “no laptop” stickers (with no clear signage indicating any one of them was okay for laptop use), we naturally sat at the table closest to us.

The situation could’ve been resolved with a little flexibility or pointing to the other free table asking us to sit there (that categorically did not happen), but unfortunately that...

Picked this for coffee with colleagues so we could have a quick chat before a meeting. I dared to whip a laptop out to point something out on-screen, and was immediately told "sorry, we don't allow laptops". Struck me as an odd policy for a coffee shop, but it would be fair enough, if it wasn't expressed in such a rude way, as though we were being disruptive and violating an obvious rule.

From some of the other reviews, it appears there's apparently signage about this policy, but I don't recall seeing any - nor was I directed to anywhere I where I'd be "allowed" to keep the laptop out. Felt a bit rude and disproportionate to have to leave the shop - shame as its a lovely location. Coffee etc. otherwise fine but average. In response to Coffi's rather obnoxious reply - this is the first time I've talked about laptops in relation to your, or any other coffee shop - if you're getting negative feedback on this policy, perhaps it is something you might want to look at. Either way, talking down to your customers isn't the way.

I wasn't advised there were other parts of the shop where my laptop may be used, just that it wasn't allowed. So yes, it did come across that we weren't welcome.

You've no idea whether I was told politely/nicely or otherwise as I hadn't said when this visit was. The rudeness was entirely to do with how the message was delivered not that it was a message I didn't want to hear - what a patronising suggestion.

Thanks for confirming I should...

Small coffee shop on two floors. Large tables upstairs which will need to be shared if it gets busy. Reasonable quality latte but below average size and in a handle-free mug which looks great but isn’t wonderful when the coffee is really hot. Small selection of cakes, the muffin I had was fine. Very restrictive on laptops, there are a few tables (or maybe it’s the downstairs bench) where you are allowed to use them. Not clear if this restriction extends to iPads. No signs restricting phone conversations. Hard for me to judge the atmosphere as I went in the dead zone of 10AM when the breakfast crowd have gone but before the shoppers and lunch drinkers arrive.

Lovely location, pleasing decor, in an area with dozens of coffee shops. I can see that some people would become loyal customers here as it’s petit and different, but in this part of town it’s possible for most to find a place that’s exactly what they want, and if this isn’t it then a walk along Hardman Street and Bold Street should deliver what you want....