Blue Bottle Coffee — Restaurant in New York

Rude and unfriendly staff. Husband and I were taking a stroll and came in to warm up, go to the bathroom and have a leisurely coffee on a super freezing windy day this week, like 12 degree weather. I could barely feel my hands as I came in. We ordered two coffees, left a tip and I asked if there was a bathroom to use. They said no because of covid. Ok, a little frustrating, but I understand that's what most places are doing now. As I waited for my coffee I noticed all the tables had paper laid on top of them asking not to sit there. Ok, well I guess they're pretty much shut for covid and we will have to walk in the freezing cold with our coffees.. When my coffee came, I took it to the other side of the cafe, while my husband waited for his cup. The store was empty and I was a good 20 feet standing away from anyone and I took a sip of my coffee (pulling my mask down briefly for a sip as you do and then putting it back up). "Sir, put your mask back on immediately" in an unkind and condescending manner was belted from the barista who served me across the cafe. I was kind of shocked to be honest. We were still waiting for our second cup to be prepared and this is a coffee shop isn't it? I wasn't planning on loitering. I've been fully masked this whole visit and had it down for two seconds. It's like they were so trigger happy, waiting to yell at anyone who dared take a sip of their coffee on the premises. I was a little incensed so I turned the other direction and took another sip. "Put your mask back on now sir!" again was shouted from another employee behind the coffee bar. The whole cafe was empty and their whole demeanor was overly aggressive. I understand its stressful right now and I gather they're not happy to be working right now during Covid/Omicron (understandable), but I don't appreciate the attitude and being framed like I'm a Karen or something. So we left with our coffees and as you'd expect, 30 seconds later my expensive coffee was luke-warm from the cold. Ended up throwing it out 1/2 full. The shop needs signs on the doors saying "Only To Go" "No Sips of Coffee Inside". This is not clear. Why stay open during winter and Omicron if everyone needs to leave their cafe immediately and all employees are so on hair-trigger? I've been going to this Blue Bottle since their other location in Williamsburg and I don't see myself...

White people paradise. Especially the cook book where you can learn to bake cakes that looks like a Modern Art. Granola comes in a jar, which is cool and earthy.

I have to say tho, despite the earnestness, the coffee is EXCELLENT. The iced coffee after yoga one day nearly sent me through the roof. One of the best cold brews in town. Although possibly also one of the strongest too. Eeek.

It's not that comfortable a place to hang out, despite all the floor space. This is fixed in the summer when you can sit on the bench outside.

Come to think of it, I usually take my out of towners here to see how ridiculous we are about coffee in Brooklyn. It's good to get that outside perspective.

But beyond all the absurdity: the coffee is obscenely good. It's like a less milk is better type of place. You really wanna taste...

ordered some hot chocolate around 7pm and i didn't know that they were almost closed. i got my beverage, sat down and suddenly almost everyone went outside. just one white guy and i was at the store and staff said blablabla near him and i can't hear it cause i was texting and i was sitting far away. that guy went out and i stayed in there without any orientation till i just stood up to look around some coffee beans they sell, and one of the staffs told me they're closed and i can't look around the store, in a quite rude and firm manner. I got embarrased and just said okay and went out, and i heard some laughter behind. i don't know for SURE if they're being racists or not, but i felt kinda bad. So thanks for that blue bottle, plus the hot chocolate was just average for 3.75 and tip, which i definitely regret...