The Laughing Goat — Restaurant in Boulder

I am a grad student who studies here frequently. TLDR: this is the best option all around for studying and chill people who will sacrifice "optimal" for "no problems." Drinks: I don't like coffee, but the chai latte is solid. DRINKS: You can order a beer or wine & it's averagely priced. Food: Nothing special, but it's serviceable. Bring your own if you need to, but find another way to give this place business. Tables: There are many tables chaotically crowded within the space, but a coveted bench booth + outlet perimeter spot is optimal for studying. If you stay for a while, one will likely open up. The tables are notably small and circular. Wifi: It's great. Atmosphere: Sometimes the music and/or chatter can be a bit much if you're trying to focus, but you deserve it if you're going anywhere without headphones and expecting peace and quiet. Hours of Operation: Open till 8 PM daily. The only place that beats it (Trident) is chaotic, crowded, and not worth it if you're looking to study. If you come and it's crowded, just give it a moment it ebbs and flows. Least crowded in the evenings. Staff: They're all sweet, cool, and tip-worthy. Personal Addendum: I'm from a big city. I like that this place lets you dissolve into the clamor of life. Nobody bugs you or judges you. The staff will never bother you if you don't bother them. The bathrooms are solid. The people-watching is decently stimulating. If you need some wifi and a place to exist while remembering you're not alone in this ever-taxing life, no place in Boulder...

Love the acoustic music every night. The Booker does a great job getting quality local, regional, & national acts. I've even bought a number of cd's at the shows, and over & over am surprised how good they are... Variety is good too, most are folk rock style singer songwriters, or bands, with great singing, harmonies & fine guitars, but there's also a monthly jazz rock fusion instrumental band that is dazzling, Brazilian vocal music, monthly, that I love, and a revivalist 20's to 50's swing jazz old timey band that's fun, along with occasional classical, klezmer, & other styles. But most of the music are just good folk rock performers.

I always love the tea selection, high quality, and the coffee drinks are very good. I eat there too, as they serve good yogurt, quiche, and chicken or Turkey salads, for quick meals that are healthy & tasty, & affordably lower priced. This combo of goodness forces me to hang here, for a while, plug in my laptop to get chores done, & be happy! Best of all, people are friendly here who come here, and the baristas are always kind, helpful, nice, & some are even very good for short sharing enlightening, & inspiring, conversations, showing their inside is bright & good, giving us a lift, when the night is...

I do not recommend the Spicy Chai. When I ordered a chai and learned that they were out (sad day), the barista offered the "Spicy Chai." I ordered that instead, thinking it would be like any other "spiced chai," including spices called ginger, clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. I was sorely mistaken. This "Spicy Chai" was made with CAYENNE! YUCK! Even the two men in our group who love spicy food were grossed out by the flavor of the "spiced chai" at The Laughing Goat.

Since The Laughing Goat was out of the original chai so I couldn't taste it, and I had no interest in the unsweet option, I can't speak to how good those taste. But based on my experience with the "spicy chai" - it was not only misleading, but disgusting and highly disappointing.

Everyone who drinks chai thinks of the term "spicy chai" as a normal chai including ginger, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, and the like, without a flavor like vanilla or caramel to downplay the flavor of the spices. NO ONE who drinks chai expects CAYENNE IN THEIR CHAI latte! If The Laughing Goat insists on keeping this nasty drink on the menu, I would encourage them to market it as "Cayenne Chai" or "Flaming Chai" or something...