Espresso Vivace Sidewalk Bar

Cute sidewalk coffee bar in Capitol Hill. Rock is awesome and made me a fantastic iced americano. Definitely one of the better coffee drinks I’ve had during my trip to Seattle.

Yeah, I practically feel like I do not even need to add my 2 cents because everyone else has already covered it. Ha! Anyway, this area’s java is freakin’ amazing. The milk and shots are consistently perfect. I do not get lattes when I go out for coffee anymore (had to cut down my java budget so I Have downgraded to drip :*() but when I am really willing to spend the four dollars for a soy latte, I go here.

This is definitely my favorite coffee in all of Seattle. It’s consistently delicious and the staff always makes me laugh and is super friendly. It’s in a great area with lots of shopping and parks. A must try!

12 oz white velvet is about $ 4.5 after tax. It’s decent and the environment here is quite laid back.

I came here with my fiancé on Tuesday May 17^th, 2016 after our airbnb hosts recommended it, at about 9am in the morning. We politely ordered our coffee, and while waiting for it, I chose to stand to the side a bit next to the building to get out of the way of the cream/​sugar/​lid station because the line was building up and I didn’t want to be in the way and block the street. There were 2 people behind us, not blocking the street at all, and the cashier said «excuse me please don’t block the street» while looking at me mostly, when I was doing all that I could to NOT block anyone or the street. Then, as my fiancé pays, he didn’t leave a tip because the guy was a jerk and also because you absolutely do not have to tip for a cup of coffee, the cashier says «Thanks» in the most sarcastic voice he could muster. And to top it off, he turns to his coworker and says «I KNEW that was going to happen.» What a jerk! Your company needs to work on your customer service. The coffee was good but you can go hundreds of other places in Seattle for just as good coffee without the bull crap. And, tell the guy who was working at 9am on Tuesday that you get a good tip for good service.

My main goal while visiting Seattle was to try as many coffee shops as possible. This was definitely one of the best experiences I had on my tour.
I’m fairly certain 75% of my love was due to the location and «sidewalk bar» concept. There were a few tables in front, of which only one was occupied, and it was a beautiful day to sit down and enjoy a break from the grueling experience of vacation. The wait staff were pleasant and the espresso was wonderful.
For what it’s worth, I read a review or two suggesting that this was better than the actual coffee shop itself — to which a statement I would be inclined to agree, solely due to the fact that I felt extremely unwelcome at the shop. Maybe just the day I went in, but given that this is open air and has a much more relaxing vibe, I would take the sidewalk bar any day.

I know. I know. The baristas aren’t very friendly and sometimes they act like they’re doing you a favor… BUT I find the espresso is always good at the Sidewalk Bar. It’s got a classic Italian espresso flavor, not too dark, a bit sweet. I also appreciate the small latte size. I’m a fan.

Tried this place loved it, had the desert coffee it was the best coffee I have ever had.

One of the best walk up espresso bars I have tried in the city. The service was quick and on point. I will definitely be returning when I am in the area.

When I was in Seattle, I have to say this was the best coffee I had in the city. I tried both their cappuccino and white velvet. Anyhow, don’t let the hole in the wall coffee shop fool you. This blows Baked and Wired here in DC away. This is good stuff coffee. Service was awesome and the baristas are nice and not pretentious, which is always a good thing.

The best coffee I’ve tried in Seattle so far.
Also, for some reason the stand is much better than the actual shop a couple blocks up.
Iced white velvet with a bit of caramel is the best thing after a night out or when walking around Cap hill during the summer.

I want to thank the guy who decided to finely grind coffee beans, tamp it and then use high pressure hot water to extract what we now know as espresso! Making the pilgrimage to the holy coffee city of Seattle, we wanted to try as many places as possible!
Vivace is classic Italian espresso, darker roasted beans, not my favorite choice but whilst in Seattle, do as Seattlites.
My cappuccino was executed well, taste was as expected, slightly on the burnt side as is typical with dark roasted beans. I would lean more on a 3.5 star, but we can only go up or down, I like to think myself as a review philanthropist so I’ll round up on this review.
Solid Seattle espresso, not great just good.

This was our last stop in Seattle after someone in our group stated that she had heard good things about this place. We were expecting long lines, but I guess we got there at a good time since it wasn’t too crazy but started to pick up after we had ordered. I’d say the space itself is nice and quaint and the staff are all on top of things coffee-​wise (they could do a better job keeping the tables clean). I got a latte hoping for some coffee art and, to my surprise, the barista made it right in front of me instead of just delivering the finished product. The coffee itself was delicious so I decided to get a bag as a souvenir for my coffee-​fanatic bf (he loved it). The bag had a built-​in filter of sorts to keep the beans fresh and ended up getting vacuum packed from the plane ride back. Overall, this is a great spot for some coffee and conversation that is well worth the wait.

In my opinion, best coffee in town. Gotta love the latte as the everyday staple, but also the White Velvet when I’m feeling something sweet. The baristas are great and super energetic (I’d hope so! They work for an awesome coffee shop!). And the latte art is really nice.
If you’re looking for something more sit-​down with this top notch coffee, there’s a full coffee shop a couple blocks north of this sidewalk bar on Broadway.

This place is like the famed Weiner’s Circle in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood except the staff isn’t supposed to be grumpy to the customers as part of the appeal. I know that I am a backwater Midwestern hillbilly. Treat me with some respect. The coffee is good. The attitudes stink. Drink the espresso shot with the quickness and dip out like veggies in ranch.

This no-​frills sidewalk coffee bar is exactly what my imagination characterized as a «Seattle» coffee shop.
It was a long walk from our AirBnB, but the White Velvet coffee drink hit the spot to kick off the morning. Try the White Velvet, because you can get a coffee, cappuccino, and espresso anywhere else. Also, the small is very small — size up!
Pretty sure this place is cash only, but that can’t be much of a shock considering the two baristas are crammed behind a counter with less room than a bathroom to maneuver around to make coffee.
It does take some time to get your drink, so make sure you aren’t trying to ensure that you will board the right bus while still not exactly sure where the bus stop is. The coffee jitters will only boost this anxiety that one should never endure while on vacation!

I love Vivace. This is one of the very few places where I’ll order straight espresso. The baristas are so skilled at pulling delicious shots, and they care about perfection.
Just now I ordered an espresso and the barista pulled six different shots before she got one she was happy with. When most cafes would have simply served up one of the first six shots, she kept trying and then comped me the cup because it took so long (which wasn’t really that long to me). That’s great service!

Their iced white velvet was one of the best espresso drinks I’ve ever had, blend the coffee with the condensed milk & w/​e else was in there and we have perfection. Caffe nico had the most delicious hint of orange, is it really still coffee? Gems.

By far my favorite coffee place in the city, hands down! I’m a sucker for a perfect cappuccino and they definitely passed the test. On a hot day I really enjoy hanging out in the neighborhood and hitting this place up for an iced mocha. Even if there’s a line, it is worth the wait Every Time.
Try it if you haven’t. You won’t regret it!

I remember my first time at Vivace, it was the old Denny location before it was torn down to make way for the light rail. I was introduced by my cousin who is and always has been my all knowing about anything amazing in Seattle. Even though I have this gigantic love for Vivace, I sadly live too far away, Puyallup to be exact, that I always try to grab an iced White Velvet before leaving the city. My go to’s are always the iced White Velvet as I had mentioned earlier or the iced Café Mocha. I can’t recall ever getting the drip which I now know is a must on my never ending, ongoing list of things to do while in Seattle.
The Sidewalk Bar is just a nice quick stop on the hill to get my Vivace fix without having to trudge to the larger café at the north end of Broadway (the new location on the hill). The staff are kind for Seattle folks (as I am now a country bumpkin and no longer the hip, city chic chick I once was), was able to place my order, give a tip as I normally do and hit the road once I pick up my order.
If you’re going to get coffee on the hill, please please please just head to the nearest Vivace and get your coffee there. If you want your Starbucks drinks, go if you must. But don’t come here expecting bubbly, green apron wearing staff, frappuccinos, smoothies etc… Please do come if you want AMAZING coffee roasted at the main café, artisanal and artfully crafted coffee beverages, and actually want real coffee flavor in your daily cup of joe.