Retreat

They are rude… The two black women that work in the coffee shop are the rudest people I’ve ever met and they are the ones who make the worst coffee of all time… The boys there seem to pretty good, but you can only do so much with the coffee they are provided with.
I am a regular there and not by choice, but lately every time I go there they are closed for a private party… Where’s their loyalty to there neighborhood regulars? I want my daily coffee yet they could give a shit less. They’d rather throw the private party.
I have also been to the restaurant upstairs… again the worst service with the rudest people… TO EVERYONE THAT WORKS THERE: DROP THE ATTITUDE SWEETIE, YOU ONLY WORK IN A RESTAURANT… Don’t forget that it’s me who snaps my fingers to beckon you… «Snap snap… oh miss can you get me a little butter?» I don’t see a red carpet being rolled in your path to get it.

I love Rebar upstairs but Retreat has absolutely the WORST service ever!
I came with a guide dog-​in-​training who, by law, has every right to be there. They threw an absolute fit and started screaming at me that I couldn’t have a dog in there. When I took the dog to a nearby doggie daycare so I could go to my morning meeting (a one hour meeting), I came back and tried to explain to them again that the dog was in training and «trumped» health code. They were not having any of it. Even the Starbucks down the street welcomes the guide dogs-​in-​training that I have with me…
And another time, I asked them for the bathroom key. They said I had to be a paying customer. Yes, I’ll be right back. Nope. So you want me to buy the coffee and take it in with me to the bathroom? Nevermind. You guys suck.

When I lived in Dumbo in an artist space above this thing (shhh) and before all the yuppies moved in to that monstrosity across the street, this place was freakin awesome. However, I havent been back in 2 years so I dont know what it’s like… apparently, according to that other reviewer its changed quite a bit and they dont let you sit anymore and just hang out. But when they did, man this palce was the best. Nothing like it in NY…

amazing how one of my favorite hangouts could go downhill so quickly… i mean the coffee has always been terrible… but i thought the atmosphere and freedom to sit and work for a few hours made up for that…
well NOT ANYMORE. i mean, really, i am SO done with this place.
i decided to give it one more chance today. and man do they make us ‘laptoppers’ (as the workers there say…) feel like scum!
i was actually turned away today, before i even sat down or had time to spit out my worthless coffee order.
peace out, retreat

Lounging comfortably in my wing backed chair sipping my delicious cocktail I was in vege-​mode heaven! Honestly this place made me want to move into «retreat» forever! It’s HUGE compared to most NY venues has quite a different feel! Yes it’s just one stop on the F train towards Brooklyn and honestly it’s worth dropping in.
So… bring your laptop and relax here in the cozy space during the afternoon, or bring a group of friends for some good eats and great music at night. These guys are even so versatile that they have breakfast! YUM YUM YUM!
Can’t wait to come back for an event! The DJ when I was there was great!
A well deserved rating:
5 Unilocal Stars for Retreat because it’s a TREAT!
Date Rating: 8
Pick up Scale: 7
Strong Suggestions: plan on spending some time here when you come. Definitely a great place to park yourself for a while!

Retreat takes the funky coffee shop concept to a new level. This quintessential DUMBO «space» combines a coffee shop, bar and art gallery. The Coffee Box offers great tasting coffee and H&H Bagels (not day-​olds). The newly opened reBar has a very cool scene and lots of tasty beer on tap. And in case the art doesn’t mesmerize you, there’s free WiFi for — according to their own website — even non-​customers. Take that Starbucks!