Among issues of anxiety procrastination and maybe even drool one of the most challenging dimensions of completing college level homework is finding a study space that gets students in the zone. Santa Monica’s 18th Street Coffee House serves as a delicious remedy to this dilemma.
After a 20-minute head-clearing car ride down PCH students will find themselves in a situation not commonly encountered in Santa Monica – free parking. The 18th Street Coffee House’s lot in the back has several spaces reserved just for its patrons.
The cafe is a diamond in the rough on Broadway. With large green potted plants flanking the wooden doors and deep red pillars the restaurant’s façade has an aura of comfort and warmth.
Inside visitors will find burgundy leather booths mosaic tile-topped roundtables white lace curtains brick walls and a high vaulted ceiling made of wooden planks.
Operations Manager Angus Farrowe calls the vibe of the coffee house “traditional Americana.”
“[The coffee house has] been here 13 years Farrowe said. This building has been here a long time. It’s a nice homey atmosphere. My boss picks out the music that’s played which covers a wide variety of genres.”
In addition to the chill mood-setting music an eclectic selection of artwork is displayed all over the interior of the café including photographs of The Beatles Marilyn Monroe and a large canvas painting of George Washington Carver and other blacks from the post-Civil War era.
“We don’t know the artist of this painting Farrowe said pointing to the Carver painting. We think it came out of the Work Project era in Chicago around the 1930s.”
However visually-appealing the space is studying is a common pastime inside the 18th Street Coffee House.
“It is not a crime to spend all day here said Farrowe. Also there are no cell phones allowed here so it’s very good for studying. People start trickling in and often they’ll be here three to four hours. People also share tables quite often.”
The final contributor to the ambiance is the outdoor courtyard. Ivy winds along lattice providing a private magical environment. A fountain and various plants set the stage for a garden-like setting and several multi-colored tile-topped roundtables provide plenty of studying space.
The drinks and food at 18th Street Coffee House are equally as enjoyable as the scenery. Coffee dispensers hold different brews such as “Organic Black Gold Organic El Salvador El Espino Organic Mexico Chiapas” and “Organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe.”
“We go through Groundwork Coffee Co. which is local Farrowe said. It’s organic fair trade and all that good stuff.”
In addition to the coffee which is inspiring the 18th Street menu features traditional café food including sandwiches bagels soups scones muffins and croissants. The restaurant makes its own hummus and will soon be making its own peanut butter. All of the food is priced affordably sticking around the $5 range.
If one is stuck in Malibu with no wheels opt for a more affordable option and take a bus to the coffee house. Visit www.bigbluebus.com to find routes and bus schedules.
The 18th Street Coffee House is located on 1725 Broadway via the 20th Street exit. It is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. and is closed on Sunday. For further information call 310-264-0662.