Intelligentsia Coffee High Line Hotel Coffeebar

UPDATE 9.11.21: ordered a Cold Brew and told it was Iced Coffee after I paid for it. It’s a mix of hot brew, turned cold + concentrate. The acidity profile of hot brew doesn’t do well for my body - I wish they told me before paying & receiving my drink.

Cold Brew is good, not as bitter as I’d prefer. Large size & No straw cups.

Vibes are great. Cool “rooftop” bus seats.

~20 tables. Insanely fast wifi.

Great little coffee shop with a small indoor, and a large outdoor, courtyard area. Free wifi was available, and there was ample seating for laptop work (I went on a Tuesday morning).

We were walking along the Highline when this building caught our eye and we went to check it out. Beautifully situated in a historic building, its ambiance drew us in. Loved the interior and it smelled so good. We got chai tea and coffee. All excellent. There's a beautiful little sunken courtyard behind the coffee shop where you can sit outside and enjoy your beverage in the sun. I deducted one star on service because there's a little gate from the courtyard to a bigger grass courtyard and paved paths that doesn't have a sign saying it's private and not to enter. We observed some people walk through this gate and my two children (12 and 16) walked into this area to look around and were scolded by a young woman who was working in the coffee shop. She then proceeded to make a show of looking around where we were to see if we trashed the place. It was clear that we were on our best behavior and didn't mean to trespass and I tried to assure her that we hadn't taken anything into this area but she wasn't very understanding. Seems to me that there should be a sign if they don't want people walking into the courtyard through this small unlocked gate. Or at least be kind and explain it nicely. Regardless, it's still super cute and the coffee/chai was great. I'd go again and I'd probably still walk through the little gate. It was worth it to look at the architecture.

June 2022: It was constantly crowded in the morning with very long lines and lots of people coming in for a drink (it was a hot day), and so many flies constantly flying around the wooden beams and being distracting because they look like they could fall on your head. It's warm and there's no air conditioner but the doors are open on both sides for cross-ventilation, but it was a hot day so AC was needed.
Staff ignores most people coming in. I sat there on the couch indoors for almost an hour without any staff even looking in my direction, just walking by and entertaining people who carry luggage.
It seems that the small cafe is located inside a small hotel lobby so people are coming in with suitcases, checking into their hotel room while standing right in the middle of the small lobby/cafe.
It's just very chaotic and restless. Not fun to sit and watch (although I appreciate people watching, this isn't the place for it)
The hotel seems to be very old fashioned, 1920s theme, so it's nice to look around indoors. I love the 1920s theme but that's the only good thing I enjoyed here while sitting.
But if you are introverted or you intend to sit in this cafe and get some work done on your laptop/study with books, I don't recommend it, you won't be able to hear yourself think and it's very warm. I don't intend to come back, I was hopeful to enjoy this cafe and its 1920s theme but the cafe/hotel lobby combination was poorly managed and made it quite disappointing.

Be careful at this cafe. If you get burn, you’re on your own. Their barista gave me a hot coffee with a lid that was not properly closed which caused me quite a burn. I expected at least some napkins, ice and direction to bathroom where I can pour cold water over my hand. However, he totally ignored me and nearly threw napkins at me with attitude when I asked it the second time. Their managers are no better than their employee. They offered me free drinks as if I was there to get free stuff even before any proper apology. I wonder if all these happened cuz I am an Asian since I was the only Asian every time I visited there. 🤷‍♀️
Long story short, if you get injured in this cafe you will get nothing but perhaps free coffee. So, don’t forget to bring your personal first aid if you’re planning to visit them. You never know if you’re getting coffee to start your day or to get burn 🔥
Lots of thanks to Dro, the barista who is still working there yet didn’t bother to come out to say sorry till the end. Also, many thanks to Cat and Chris the managers who made my experience even more impressive than the pain on my hand. 🙏 Keep up the hard work, guys 😂 (One star is only cuz Google won’t allow me no star and for cute vibe which wasn’t worth of starting my day with an injury tho.)

Great place for coffee, especially for non-hotel guests, since so few people think to come into a hotel for this. Great space, and great coffee. You can work on your laptop on one of the comfy couches, or -- less comfy -- at the bar near the barista station.

Good stuff! Their beans don't come cheap but definitely worth trying. Also beautiful quiet courtyard with fast free wifi.

Great coffee, and friendly staff who were happy to tolerate me sitting with my laptop for a few hours.

Tough to find a place to sit on a rainy day. No good place for a laptop. Coffee is ok.