Cultivate Coffee And Tap House
| Address: | 307 N River St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198, USA |
| Phone: | +1 734-249-8993 |
| Site: | cultivateypsi.org |
| Rating: | 4.8 |
| Working: | 8AM–11PM 8AM–11PM 8AM–11PM 8AM–11PM 8AM–12AM 8AM–12AM 11AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 11
LE
Lena Reeves
This is a very trendy place with trendy prices. "All coffee prices are suggested donations" is a popular gimmick these days for businesses that want to appear to be more charitable than others and justify high prices while appealing to the goody two shoes crowd so they can feel righteous without actually being around the "lower classes" they claim to be helping. Gentrification at its best along with the ignorance of the able-bodied toward obstacles to the disabled customer including inaccessible seating (picnic benches) and a steep step from the door to the outdoor seating area (more picnic benches and the extra tall tables and chairs). Two genderless restrooms are kept clean and well-appointed but only one is actually wheelchair accessible, the other is a very tight squeeze, and both have the mirrors placed at head level of a standing adult. They have a bit of imagination in the naming of their drink specials. The Harbinger is my favorite, consisting of espresso, coconut milk, honey, and cayenne, but it can be hit-or-miss depending on who is making it on any given day. Today I ordered the chai latte after being assured it was made with the actual masala tea and not the boxed instant mix that most places use these days. However it arrived a little too quickly and was lukewarm with very little spice and a lot of sugar. It tasted like warm leftover cereal milk.
LA
Lauren Keilitz
Cultivate has something for everyone. Quiet coffee house thats great for studying or relaxing reading during the day. Energetic tap room that can be enjoyed by the beer nerd and the casual drinker by night. They have yoga Sunday mornings and live jazz on weekend nights. Their beer garden (which is open and heated during winter) is the dream backyard space. The place was built by a group of young couples with kids as a space for other parents and their children to enjoy. I often see young kids colouring with their parents or on quiet play dates in groups. You would think encouraging patrons to bring their children would spoil the atmosphere but it is a surprisingly positive presence. The beer rotation is consistently good with some Michigan classics and curious things to try (peanut butter Porter that is 16%? Why not!). They host a lot of events for beer lovers like tastings and tap takeovers. Lastly, the staff is awesome. They are always helpful and nice. There are a few volunteers who work the taps too as this place donates some profits to end hunger within the community.
OC
Occupational Therapy Student
Great Coffee. Good Service. Nice variety on tap. AWESOME TOAST! This place is the very best Ypsi has to offer, its shining star, so to speak. The Chai was extremely unique. I couldnt tell if the barista didnt have much experience making Chai, or if this was his artistic interpretation. It worked though! This is coming from someone who has had Yak Butter Chai in Nepal and Tibet, Masala Chai in India, Morning Glory in Seattle, and Naropa Chai and Bhakti Chai in Boulder. The Cultivate Chai was good! Not too sweet. Only thing I would change is ADD MORE GINGER AND CARDAMOM. They should "finish" the floor with some kind of glossy enamel. And the front taproom should have one very large custom community table instead of two picnic tables. But overall the place is awesome. Sadly, the prices are just too damn high for Ypsi... Lower them by .75 across the board and they would make MORE money.
PR
Priscilla Creswell
What I love most about this place is that it really does feel like a community. You know you can just pop in, have a cup of your preferred beverage, and enjoy the company of others. They may be hard at work on their laptop, sketching or painting by the window, or meeting with an old friend. Every day and night has something interesting planned- if you ever have a night free, you can swing by and experience new things and new people. There are people who have lived in Ypsi all their lives, and people who moved here a week ago. All are accepted. You might fear that its one of those pretentious shops, but really its practically a community center. I think this kind of hyper-local event-and-eatery zone is exactly what every community needs.
R
R L
Nice environment. Recently opened beer garden nice for warm weather. Hosts many cool events. I believe they just got a Crowley canning machine for beer. Everything is a dollar or two more than it would be at most other places, but you are contributing to charity. Coffee is good but can take a while depending on the barista and the current conversations theyre having with customers who came before you. Recently it took us 5 minutes to be able to place an order for pour over coffee...
AI
Aimee Cisler
I *love* Cultivate. The main draw for me is how community-oriented it is - their calendar is constantly full of fun activities and several groups are hosting meetings there every time I come in. Plus, I love having the option to have coffee or beer, depending on the mood. The outdoor area is very spacious with lots of seating. The only downside for me is the price (though everything is a recommended price - I just feel guilty doing less!) and I wish there were more tea options.
NI
nick Logoteta
I really love this place. Its not often (or ever for that matter) that I remember being able to grab a great beer get my wife a coffee and get my kids a juice box and a donut all at the same time. The prices are very reasonable and knowing that the profit goes to a great cause makes it even better. I have been here a few times and now they have added an outdoor beer garden and some outdoor games that will make you want to stay longer. I highly recommend.
MA
Mark Harburg
Awesome environment for a chill night with friends, or a deep philosophical conversation, or a little bit of both. What I love about cultivate is that youre supporting local. By supporting cultivate youre supporting the community. The other day I saw cultivate workers planting flowers in another part of Ypsilanti. This shows the impact of local support. Its a win-win. Go out and grab a delicious beer or coffee and feel good about supporting your community.
LI
Lily Phillips
I love this place! I come a lot to work on my computer, and its the perfect place to come, people watch, and get stuff done. I NEVER feel rushed to leave, which has been my experience at larger coffee chains. The coffe/drinks/food are quite expensive (between 5$ and 7$ per drink or food item), but for someone like myself who uses the *free* WIFI, I just consider it a tip for the positive atmosphere. Definitely a cool, relaxed spot! I strongly recommend!
JO
Josh McCullough
Its a great concept: a coffee/taphouse that gives its profits to food charities. The staff are friendly and recognize you, the hot chocolate is good, and its a great place for early morning or to bring some food to and grab a drink in the evening. They also host various groups and events like tutoring for kids, science talks for whomever, and musicians here and there. They just had their one year anniversary, and were really glad theyre doing well.
FR
Fred Estabrook
Deliciously unique coffee drinks, broad selection of craft brews, and a welcoming space focused around the community. The outdoor beer "garden" is coming along nicely complete with raised beds and plenty of covered seating. Theres always something going on there like yoga, crafts, knitting, a local artist performing, or running into friends. To top it off their mission to end hunger gives the place a very positive and purposeful vibe.
