Whether it be for studying, talking with friends, reading a book, or a caffeine fix to survive on only four hours of sleep, many students see coffee shops as a second home. From massive multi-billion dollar franchises like Starbucks to small stores only located in Brevard like Apocalypse, coffee lovers are bombarded with choices of where to spend their time and money. Despite all being built around selling coffee, not all coffee shops are created equal, with some popular locations being far superior to others.
Starbucks
The old and reliable. A Starbucks can be seen at any corner of the earth, but its ubiquity and popularity are both its biggest strengths and only flaw. Starbucks is by far the easiest coffee shop to access. Most store hours are around 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m, allowing people to get their coffee whenever they want while giving ample time to sit in the coffee shop. The Starbucks app is a big plus too, with it being very convenient to be able to order ahead and rack up rewards points. For introverted folks, it’s also nice to be able to just sit down and not have to tell the barista a complicated coffee order.
This convenience is a double-edged sword, with the store getting very busy at times to the point where it is difficult to get a seat depending on the location. The location is also crucial when it comes to the atmosphere. Most locations have at least a large table in the middle for ample seating, but others aren’t as lucky such as both the Eau Gallie locations, with one having little to no seating and the other recovering from a car crashing into it. For atmosphere and seating, the Babcock, New Haven, Wickham and A1A locations have warm lighting and large windows that provide for a calming space to relax.
In regards to the actual product of Starbucks, the taste and quality isn’t anything remarkable. Starbucks’ forte is their ability to offer a plethora of options and a first look on the newest trends such as the Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha of today or the “secret” Unicorn Frappuccino of the past. Past the gimmicks, Starbucks always has a strong lineup of classics and flavors that avid coffee-lovers can always rely on. This reliability is the reason why Starbucks has been a coffee tycoon for decades.
7 Brew
7Brew is a recently founded fast-spreading coffee shop that has made its way into Brevard. These shops appear out of thin air, literally being brought on the back of semi-trucks then plopped down onto the nearest empty plot of land. Most locations are often open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, which is very accessible and great for coffee at any time of the day.
Unlike other shops on this list, there is no place to sit-down at 7Brew as it is a drive through coffee shop. This makes this shop a bit less convenient for students as there is no place to study or unwind. The experience is similar to a Chick-Fil-A drive through, where the workers conversate and are physically outside to take the orders, giving a friendly experience. This level of customer service can also be a double-edged sword, with longer waiting times when it gets busy.
For variety, 7Brew definitely takes the cake as it offers many other options beyond coffee that other shops don’t have such as smoothies, shakes, teas, and lemonades. However, it lacks in food options as 7Brew only offers muffin tops for those looking for a snack. Some also say that the pre-made coffee flavors are too sweet, but the drinks are very customizable with many sugar-free options compared to other stores. In all, 7Brew is the perfect place for a quick morning fix if a drink is all you need.
Apocalypse
Founded and only existing here in Brevard, Apocalypse is a widely known shop amongst locals. Apocolapyse has two locations: one along US-1 close in proximity to West Shore, and the other being on Palm Bay road. Despite sharing the same franchise, the two locations differ immensely. The US-1 locations have odd hours, with Fridays and Saturdays being open 7-11 whilst the other days 7-4. This makes it almost inaccessible for students, as the shop closes as soon as school ends. On the other hand, Palm Bay is much more accessible, with hours of 6 am to 7pm .
The atmosphere of the locations also differs immensely based on location. The US-1 shop provides a much larger, open space which includes smaller, more private rooms with lots of space to ruminate and sit, with the Palm Bay one having a more enclosed traditional coffee shop layout. Both include warm lighting and a cozy atmosphere, making them great spots to study or just relax.
What makes Apocalypse stand out is its menu. The shops offer a fun menu of drinks with interesting flavors, often having a handcrafted seasonal selection of drinks along with their staples. Each drink tastes phenomenal as well with unique flavors that nearby shops just can’t compete with like the Banana Split Breve or the Churro Inferno Latte. For those who don’t think matcha tastes like grass, Apocalypse by far has the best tasting matcha in Brevard.
Foxtail Coffee Co.
For only being founded in 2016, Foxtail Coffee has expanded rapidly and has become a big hitter in the coffee stage. Starting in Florida, Foxtail has expanded to multiple states and has three locations in Brevard. The two that are close to West Shore are on US-1 across from Apocalypse and inside of Hotel Melby with the hours of 6 am to 7 pm and 6 am to 8 pm respectively making it decently accessible to students.
In terms of atmosphere, the layout of both the shops are traditional smaller coffee shops, but less table space as the seating is mostly just a small coffee table or bar seating making it hard to work if larger amounts of space are required. Both shops include large windows making the space feel open, but the location in Hotel Melby provides a better atmosphere due to being situated in the hotel lobby along the street. Another plus of this location is the fact that it is located in Hotel Melby and downtown, so after grabbing a coffee one could take in the views at the rooftop or walk around the downtown area.
The actual drinks and menu of Foxtail is subpar to say the least. The coffee, similarly priced to Apocolapyse,which is a bit more expensive than Starbucks, doesn’t include any special or fun flavors or any quality that makes it stand out. For this along with its average atmosphere, it would be better just to walk across the street to Apocalypse.