Espresso Art Cafe

Tucson, United States

3.8

Open now

24 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 520-624-4126
Website:
espressoartcafe.com
Address:
942 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85719
West University
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
230 ftMain Gate Square/University Boulevard
0.2 miOlive Road
0.4 mi3rd Avenue
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
No
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Brunch
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Music
Live
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Wed, Thu, Fri
Coat Check
No
Smoking
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Waiter Service
No
Caters
No
Good for Working
Yes
Has Pool Table
No
Accepts Apple Pay
Yes

Today

Today 7:00 am – 1:00 am
Open now
Local time (Tucson) 7:47 PM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday 7:00 am – 1:00 am
Tuesday 7:00 am – 1:00 am
Wednesday 7:00 am – 1:00 am
Thursday 7:00 am – 1:00 am
Friday 7:00 am – 1:00 am
Saturday 7:00 am – 1:00 am
Sunday 7:00 am – 1:00 am

Description

Specialties

Hookah and Fine Espresso Drinks

Whether you’re tired of waiting in long lines for overpriced coffee at Starbucks, want an alternative to the same old regular places to eat on campus, or are looking for a new place to hang out, read, study, or relax, Espresso Art is the place for you. Come warm up with a fresh cup of coffee during the cool winters, or cool off in the oppressively hot Tucson summers with an iced drink. Enjoy the unique, European atmosphere the shop provides. Rent out our spacious and charming upstairs study room for meetings. Hookah with your friends after a long day of work or class. People watch on the bustling street of University Boulevard from our outside tables. Or just read a book, drink some tea, and maybe take a cat nap in between classes. We have free Wi-​Fi access for our customers, so if you’re looking to surf the internet or do work or homework on your laptop, you’ve found the spot.

History

Established in 2004.

The founders of Espresso Art Café started this venue out of their love for literary café’s in Paris that provided inspiration and comfort to patrons.

Meet the Business Owner

Danny M.

Business Owner

Danny Manhiem, is an international traveler and engineer by trade. He started Espresso Art Café in 2004 after being inspired by the amazing café’s of Europe.

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24 reviews of Espresso Art Cafe

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Venice, CA
Relaxed atmosphere with Hookah. I can’t tell if it’s the same business or not. Regardless, they are quite merged and the crowd seems to be one in the same. Mixture of locals and college students. Pretty classic college café apart from the amount of space devoted to Hookah. Had the espresso which was fine. Really close to the university if you want a quick coffee.
Place rating: 4
Tucson, AZ
Friendly! Nice convenient location to U of A. Can sit outside and enjoy the day. Large variety of refreshments! Just had an ice coffee with a shot. Very good. Wi-​fi.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Great selection of shush a flavors, coffee, and usually good employees. Classic hangout for burnouts and odd hipsters alike.
Place rating: 5
Torrance, Los Angeles, CA
Awesome place to smoke hookah while studying or hanging out. Great drinks and super friendly staff!
Place rating: 4
Atlanta, GA
The name pretty much sums it all up. There’s a big bar right when you walk in. They serve espresso (and food and other stuff) at this bar. There’s art everywhere.
The place almost feels overcrowded by the art, but still somehow warm and homey at the same time.
The staff is lovely. The espresso is decent enough (not the best, nowhere near the worst). If you’re in the U of A neighborhood, definitely worth a stop.
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
Coolest place on University Avenue. Met so many new friends and Danny, the owner, is totally awesome! Check out the back room bar and as a 65 year old you’ll lost about forty years of age when you enter. College and eclectic’s rule at this really wonderful Tucson landmark!
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
Love this place, I used to come here often during my undergraduate career, and now I’ve been going back now that im in grad school! They offer Kombucha for around $ 4.00 and the coffees here are awesome as usual. Love the crowd here and the hookah smell that often circulates around the space. I often get a lot done here, and recommend this place to study or to kick it. Their hours and prices are reasonable, and the location is perfect. The only thing I’m not crazy about is the food offerings here, the pastries always look so sad, and the sausage biscuits they offer here are good, but not substantial enough for those long nights when you get hungry
Place rating: 1
Corona, CA
I have been there several times hookah is decent, service on the other hand!
Last time I was there charcoal ran out I asked the waiter he goes yeah give couple of minutes 45 minutes and asked again still not there!
Management it only takes couple of unorganized Waite’s busy smoking their own hookah to deter a customer from coming again!
Place rating: 2
Tucson, AZ
Perhaps this establishment should’ve chosen a name reflective of its strengths. While a great place to relax (although it can get loud on University), and a good place for hookah, their coffee is subpar. Acrid, overflavored, and just plain meh, it seems like coffee was not given the same level of consideration as given to their other products.
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
My favorite coffee shop in town. If you like a rich, flavorful coffee or mixed drink this is the place to go. They have a very comfortable bar in the back and the friendliest staff in town!
Place rating: 3
Tucson, AZ
Espresso café is a nice place to meet up with friends, have a drink and even have hookah (although I would say that their hookah is mediocre). Their customer service has increased in quality the last few years — great people. Three stars for lack of quality consistency in all they do.
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
Lovely atmosphere and a great place to get work done. The staff is incredibly friendly and inviting. The coffee is the best coffee that I have had. Very fun hangout.
Place rating: 5
Redondo Beach, CA
So much more than coffee. The perfect place to chill. The only place I know of that offers coffee, hookah, a full bar with skilled bartender crafting unique cocktails, all in a comfortable environment.
I especially like smoking shisha outdoors, so I was happy to see they have a patio. Let the bartender make the drinks his own way; I had a Dark and Stormy and he put Fernet and some other unique ingredients in. It was great.
Chill music that’s not too loud. Cozy chairs and couches.
Place rating: 5
Brooklyn, NY
Great atmosphere to smoke hookah or study, great place to meet new people and have some good conversation, and the staff there are very personable and friendly. Gotta love the unique feel and décor too.
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
Espresso Art has been a haven for me since my freshman year at the University of Arizona. The service and overall atmosphere are outstanding and it provides a home away from home with friendly people who are always ready for interesting conversation. The coffee is delicious and the international events provide a place to try new drinks inspired by worldly cultures. The only constructive criticism I have is that at times the hookah service takes longer than expected due to a packed house.
Place rating: 4
Tucson, AZ
Each time I went here I enjoyed myself. Generally the staff is friendly and will make great recommendations, (only once I couldn’t stand the hookah mix). It’s a great atmosphere here for students who want to study or relax, or just a few friends catching up. Outside or inside seating!
Place rating: 3
Baltimore, MD
Great in décor, location and overall curb appeal. Unfortunately what they lack is the coffee appeal. Pretty mediocre if you ask me on quality :-/
Place rating: 4
Tucson, AZ
Appropriately-​named Espresso Art occupies a cozy nook next to my go-​to art supply store, Posner’s. It must be nearly impossible as a harried student to bypass the aroma of baked sweets, espresso, and pipe smoke. If the latter is a turnoff, Espresso Art might not be your kind of coffee house. The smoothies are rich and delicious, although I wish they offered dairy-​free options. The sugary baked goods are unique — so unique that the counter girl didn’t, in fact, know anything about the lumpy, powdery pastry cup that caught our eye. She gave it to us for $ 1, and it was a delectable deal, whatever it was. The apple cider is fresh and hot, the coffee drinks strong and generous, and the service is strikingly thorough for a college joint.
Place rating: 4
Mesa, AZ
Espresso Art recently (that is, within this year I believe) obtained a license for alcohol. The back area has now been converted into a bar and lounge. My friends and I came here one afternoon and were delighted to find that beverages aside from tea and coffee were available. I really love their London Fog served in copper mugs. They also have punch cards for these drinks as well.
Place rating: 2
Lincoln, NE
I used to love this place about five years ago, but since then, the hookas have gotten much more popular. If you’re planning to go here for coffee, expect your clothes to reek of hookah smoke – even at 10 AM. While I’m all for supporting local places instead of Starbucks (also on University), I’d suggest making the extra walk to 4th Ave for the many quirky, local coffee shops there. Coffee drinks are so-​so.
Place rating: 3
Madison, WI
Mexican Mocha? Sold. Order/​get your drink process? Wah wah. It was a little confusing and even the line of people didn’t get the baristas to stop, say hey, we’ll be right with you. There’s ample seating though, so a plus for that, and a decent menu of beverages. I’m certain I’ll be back because my mocha (not as sweet as some) had just the right cinnamon-​y kick with a touch of cayenne.
Place rating: 3
Cincinnati, OH
Apparently it is normal for college students to sit in a hookah bar/​café and smoke hookah while studying and sipping coffee on a Sunday afternoon… who knew?! We arrived at Luce later than usual and couldn’t find a seat, so decided to waltz on over to University to try out Espresso Art. We decided to sit in the normal area since we don’t like complete silence, even though they do have a quiet-​only space upstairs just for studiers.
It was interesting to say the least and I found myself taking people-​watching breaks in between my studying. I just had a normal coffee, which was bitter but ehhh it’s coffee. The barista is also the same person who does the hookah (both girls when I went). The décor and atmosphere are interesting, and this place is definitely different from Luce.
Place rating: 5
Tucson, AZ
This is my favorite café in Tucson.
The lattes are good, inexpensive and the Wi-​Fi is free. No, it’s not the fastest place on the planet, but it’s worth the wait and the conversation with the baristas. Also, the pastries are delicious! And they serve sausage and egg muffins here.
Espresso Art is a darling little place on University — a great addition to the restaurant scene. Danny, the owner, keeps a rotating art gallery, allowing local folks to show their stuff for free. And it’s decent art, too! He doesn’t just throw anything up on the walls. And when we’re done with the summer, it is absolutely gorgeous sitting out front under the umbrellas. Really — this café seems plucked right from Europe.
The only complaints: The hookah and the piano. Hookah is served all day, but usually gets busy in the evening with orders. Beware those who have allergies or do not like hookah. The piano is open anytime the shop is open, which is so unfortunate. Nothing like a novice pounding away at 8:30 a.m. while many of us are just still waking up. Thanks for that. Customers here can be obnoxious sometimes. Perhaps its the location? But the staff is a cool bunch.
Place rating: 1
Melbourne, Australia
My typical Espresso Art experience:
Walk into a dirty coffee shop and wait at the counter for 5 minutes before a hipster comes out of the kitchen to take my order. Give order and then listen to said hipster try to also take the order of the person in line behind me. Hipster then goes to make or ring up my order and has forgotten it due to distracting him/​herself with the other customer’s order. Eventually I receive my chai and proceed into the dirty dungeon of the café and sit down on a mite-​eaten couch. Surrounded by more hipsters and their macbooks, I try to do work only to be interrupted by someone who wants to ask questions about what I’m reading.
I can’t get work done at this place, I can’t get a decent drink, and I feel dirty when I’m there. It’s awful. And if you go at night it’s even worse because they let people smoke hookah inside and it stinks the whole place up.