Indy Coffee Club — Restaurant in San Antonio

how did the hipster burn his tongue? he drank his coffee before it was cool.

vibe: hipster. perfect if you'd like to escape san antonio for an afternoon and pretend you're in austin. :]

volume: loud. pretty heavy rock-ish music that you kinda have to almost-yell to talk over. definitely need to step outside if you need to take a phone call. not ideal if you prefer quieter study environments. i'd say this is more of a hang out or causally get some busywork done kind of place vs. a hardcore cramming for finals type of coffeeshop.

temperature: unfortunately, freeeezing cold. :[ even with a fleece jacket. this + volume are probably the main reasons i can't really study here. otherwise, i'd probably visit a lot more!

internet: slow-ish. might have been bc there were a ton of people there when i visited. and it kept kicking me off the network-- maybe every 15-30 min (and would take multiple attempts to reconnect).

seating: limited, especially during exam weeks. i got lucky and walked in just as someone was leaving-- otherwise, i would have had to get my drink to go and head home bc literally every other chair was taken! soo popular.

outlets: good amount near the tables but not in the couch area. there are outlets in the bookshelf area, so if you're sitting on the couch, you can keep an eye on your stuff as it charges, but can't really use your laptop while it charges.

drinks: coco loco (vanilla latte + coconut oil) was definitely good-- smooth espresso with a subtle and unique flavor profile and not overbearingly sweet. i was trying to enjoy it but i guess i didn't down it quick enough bc the oil soon separated out and looked super gross, and then hardened bc it was so cold inside the coffeeshop... (also bc the drink wasn't all that hot to begin with, but i didn't mind bc i like getting my drinks at a temp that is immediately drinkable!) they offer a good number of other unique-sounding drinks that i'd like to eventually try. wish their menu would explain their drinks a little more though, so i wouldn't have to ask what half of them were haha. i also asked about any specials but they didn't have any that day.

latte art: yup!

price: $$$$ (especially given that the drinks are fairly small) so not super student-friendly, but hey, nobody said the cool factor was free. oh and no prices on the menu, so not so ideal if you're on a budget.

location/parking: kinda weird that it's located sorta in an apt complex, but upside is plenty of parking in the garage out back. would love it if they opened a location in the med center!

overall: a welcome addition to the sa coffee scene! not quite a good place to study, but the espresso drinks are definitely unique and on par with the best...

TL;DR Version - This is an impressive Craft Coffee Shop right near UTSA Campus. This was an excellent experience with great espresso drinks. A great place to grab coffee and study or have a small conversation. I would definitely say this would impress a few people. Midrange pricing means that this is a craft experience still affordable to most, which is something to be lauded.

Coffee - Well prepared espresso coffee, price point is normal for craft espresso drinks. They have a good selection of drink options including drip and cold-brew for those who are interested in those versions of coffee. The selection is a little smaller than some craft shops, don't expect to be selecting between beans from different locations, this is a more straightforward craft coffee experience. Baristas seemed well versed in their different coffee mechanisms.

Vibe- By the name Indy Coffee Club you're likely expecting something that is hip and maybe even exclusive. What I found is that I don't think exclusive is correct, it was fairly packed with adults in their mid-20's, which gave it a very cosmopolitan vibe. It also has a slight grunge and garage vibe going on, which I really appreciate. Seeing as it is by a University I wonder if during the week (I visited on Sunday) that it gets a little younger. There is music but it wasn't too loud for a conversation, though it has a small front patio with a bar height seating. A great place for studying or a small conversation, I wouldn't bring like 5 or more people in here and expect to have a lot of space.

Design- Coffee places and design go hand in hand, but I think this place has excellent design. I was a little surprised not to see the logo or the well-designed marks that I saw on the on the cup. I don't always note this, but the interior design of the shop is well done, there are quite a few sitting spaces for a space that has the architectural feel of like a covered alley. The modern (almost Scandinavian) wood and industrial go together well in this space. The design brings the space down to a human level, and that...

☕️ My experience at Indy Coffee Club was one of the best I've had in a long time. Located off UTSA Boulevard, Indy Coffee Club is a specialty coffee shop and espresso bar that carries a culture with their name, which is probably why I felt so at home. From the art work of many featured artists on the wall to the styling of the merchandise, it all carried a sense of community and common culture - a club. The coffee was great, but it's the experience that's going to be bringing me back next time I'm in San Antonio.

Food: Though it was a bit windy that day, I still opted for an iced drink and ordered their Vanilla Cold Brew. It did not disappoint. The Vanilla Cold Brew is a made from their house-made vanilla, cold brew concentrate, with a milk of choice, and always served cold. My wife ordered a simple latte, which is a 2oz double shot espresso with 10oz micro foamed milk of choice. Then to go, we ordered my BIL an Iced Americano.

Service: When we ordered, we got to chat with one of the barista's for a bit, asking about their history. She was very friendly and knowledgable. When we picked up the drinks, we were able to ask a little bit about their merch, and ended up buying a hat and a shirt from them.

Atmosphere: The vibe is definitely a younger crowd - young adults, college-aged, UTSA students. But very welcoming. Like I mentioned before, it carries a club culture to it, and not in an exclusive way. It makes you feel like you belong and are a part of their little tribe. Great place to sit and chat, or to work and study. Limited seating inside; however, if it wasn't so windy, we would've sat outside.

Overall, we really loved our experience at Indy Coffee Club. When we visit San Antonio again, this is definitely one of our spots to stop at. Thanks Indy for the great coffee and merch! We're repping you guys...