Victrola has rightly become wildly popular in a neighbourhood of Capitol Hill where you used to have to settle for Starbucks if you wanted decent coffee. It maintains a casual atmosphere reminiscent... More

Victrola has rightly become wildly popular in a neighbourhood of Capitol Hill where you used to have to settle for Starbucks if you wanted decent coffee. It maintains a casual atmosphere reminiscent of cafés that were common to the city about 15 years ago (anyone remember Espresso Roma?), with hip baristas playing their favourite bands' music, local art on the walls, and rickety chairs to sit in. The coffee they serve, though it takes a lot of patience to wait for (unless you get drip), is pretty good, and they also offer delicious pastries and sandwiches. And their taste in local art is dependable. Trouble is, Victrola has become something of a microcosm of Seattle, so depressive and introverted in its vibe that the management actually had to turn off the free Wi-Fi on weekends in order to get customers to talk to each other (it didn't work). It's unfortunately become another laptop farm in a city full of them (try Zoka in Wallingford for an even "richer" slice of Seattle café culture in this respect). Victrola is halfway to greatness. It just needs to cut the snootiness, turn off the Wi-Fi permanently, and learn to make coffee just a tad faster. Pros: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches Cons: Ambiance, attitude, atmosphere
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this is the best place to spend a sunday afternoon!! local artists' artwork adorn all of the walls, the staff are extra friendly and make you feel like you're at home! whether you are alone, with... More

this is the best place to spend a sunday afternoon!! local artists' artwork adorn all of the walls, the staff are extra friendly and make you feel like you're at home! whether you are alone, with friends, having a meeting, or just hanging out with your sweetheart, this is such a comfortable spot. there is plenty of outdoor seating in the sunshine! coffee is delicious, yummy pastries too!
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Victola is a good coffee shop in Seattle. They have a nice relaxed atmosphere, great coffees and assorted hot drinks and they usually have free wifi. Their space is large with plenty of tables... More

Victola is a good coffee shop in Seattle. They have a nice relaxed atmosphere, great coffees and assorted hot drinks and they usually have free wifi. Their space is large with plenty of tables (although it does fill up from time to time), and has just the right level of background buzz. I've found that I can happily camp out at Victrola for a few hours in the evening, and easily pull out my laptop or read a book. They frequently bring in local jazz and blugrass bands, which all add to the environment. I would love to see them expand their food offering beyond a few scattered baked goods. They do offer panini sandwiches, but there are only 4 types, and they are usually out of at least 2 of them. Update: I originally had rated Victrola with 5 stars, but after discovering that they turn off their wi-fi on weekends, I have to lower my rating. I also found this out the hard way. I was working on a few things when they turned off their wi-fi. I lost a whole bunch of work. I assumed that there was an error, but when I asked the staff to check on it , they told me they had intentionally turned it off.
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Our family has been coming to this espresso cafe since its inception, which was when our oldest was 6 months old and we love it. The baristas are hip, yet gracious. The owners are conscientious... More

Our family has been coming to this espresso cafe since its inception, which was when our oldest was 6 months old and we love it. The baristas are hip, yet gracious. The owners are conscientious about creating the kind of gathering place that reflects their community values. The coffee and pastries are stellar. But the best thing about this place is the customers. They are all intimate strangers. They tolerate our kids, they are great conversationalists and seem to care about the cafe and its community. I've purchased art at Victrola that I love. I go to other coffee places, since variety is the spice of life, but Victrola is the best among them--the warmest, with the best coffee and most stimulating atmosphere, reading material, etc. Great place to be alone, with family, or with friends. People even share seats when the place is full of afternoon laptop users.
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Victrola is one of a kind in all of Seattle. The coffee is the "The Best in Town". In addition to the great coffee, you will receive great service, and delicious pastries and sandwiches. Victrola... More

Victrola is one of a kind in all of Seattle. The coffee is the "The Best in Town". In addition to the great coffee, you will receive great service, and delicious pastries and sandwiches. Victrola is a great place to grab a quick latte, or sit and relax on comfortable couches and overstuffed chairs to visit with friends or read a book. There is new local art every month and music to enjoy on certain evenings. Very family friendly; actually it is a cafe for everyone! Pros: Great Coffee, A place for everyone, Great Customer Ser.
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