Excellent back atmosphere and people. Drinks are worth it... GO! I also love the two old school video games (Galaga and Ms. Pac Man). Pros: Video Games Cons: Not enough outlets for laptops

Excellent back atmosphere and people. Drinks are worth it... GO! I also love the two old school video games (Galaga and Ms. Pac Man). Pros: Video Games Cons: Not enough outlets for laptops
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The coffee quality here is uneven and certainly not up to Peet's standards. The staff pays minimal attention to cleanliness and keeping the coffee fresh.hot. They do have a great variety... More

The coffee quality here is uneven and certainly not up to Peet's standards. The staff pays minimal attention to cleanliness and keeping the coffee fresh.hot. They do have a great variety of beverages not all of which are generally available at coffee sources. Personally I like the Yerba Mate. It's the only hangout place on Piedmont Ave. open until midnight and also early in the AM, so you can stop by before work OR after an event. Being the only place to hangout means there's really great people watching, especially groups of attractive women. While the work ethic may not be strong among the baristas, they tend to be cute and giggle when you pinch them when you have to squeeze by them to get to the rest room in back. One of the few places you won't be threatened with arrest for flirting with the staff, although I've heard that's changing.
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Gaylords is pretty much a Piedmont landmark! Open late, midnight everyday, you can count on crowds, chatter, local art or photographs decorating the walls, and great coffee! The mexican mocha and... More

Gaylords is pretty much a Piedmont landmark! Open late, midnight everyday, you can count on crowds, chatter, local art or photographs decorating the walls, and great coffee! The mexican mocha and the milky way are my all time favs... PROS: Coffee and atmosphere CONS:
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Gaylord's is a warm and friendly coffee shop perfect for doing work (they have WiFi) or for hanging out with pals. It is a bit noisy, but that does not seem to discourage the numerous laptop users,... More

Gaylord's is a warm and friendly coffee shop perfect for doing work (they have WiFi) or for hanging out with pals. It is a bit noisy, but that does not seem to discourage the numerous laptop users, note takers, and book readers that are there every night. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is far superior to the Starbuck's across the street. One word of caution: Gaylord's is often quite full so be prepared to share a table with a stranger. PROS: fun, great selection, friendly CONS: sometimes overheated, crowded
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A very diverse coffeehouse that is open late with a variety of brewed coffees as well as snacks and espresso. Gaylord's deserves it's popularity. Good quality and outside seating as well.

A very diverse coffeehouse that is open late with a variety of brewed coffees as well as snacks and espresso. Gaylord's deserves it's popularity. Good quality and outside seating as well.
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I have tried them all and I believe the Gaylord's Mocha to be the best! Bring back the coffee bean candy on top! Pros: Quality, Price Cons: , Crowded, Long wait time

I have tried them all and I believe the Gaylord's Mocha to be the best! Bring back the coffee bean candy on top! Pros: Quality, Price Cons: , Crowded, Long wait time
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...I just live a couple blocks away and should really come here more often. It's cozy, bustling, and has good strong coffee. Certainly has a much better atmosphere than any chain coffee shop!

...I just live a couple blocks away and should really come here more often. It's cozy, bustling, and has good strong coffee. Certainly has a much better atmosphere than any chain coffee shop!
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Gaylord's has it all: organic coffee, bagels, pastries, light meals, and Double Rainbow ice cream. And while you're waiting for your coffee (it takes longer than the assembly-line Starbucks across... More

Gaylord's has it all: organic coffee, bagels, pastries, light meals, and Double Rainbow ice cream. And while you're waiting for your coffee (it takes longer than the assembly-line Starbucks across the street), you can even play Ms. Pacman! They have this great idea for iced coffees as well: coffee ice cubes. Yum. This place is not for the faint of heart, however, and this can be a drawback depending on your style. Many who work there seem to be a little too full of goth angst to give you cheerful service. Then again, if you're willing to forgo supporting a local shop to avoid the "Berkeley-tude" (even though this is Oakland), the previously mentioned Starbucks is near at hand. Give Gaylord's a try--collect their lovingly hand-crafted latte art (they taste good too) and have the peace of mind knowing you're not drinking pesticides with your fantabulous mocha. Pros: good organic coffee, reasonable prices, Ms. Pacman! Cons: attitude (sometimes), can take a while, can be crowded
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