A half frozen, slightly stale scone from The Common Ground is a quick fix in your free 20 minutes between classes, but every avid coffee drinker hits rock bottom when they cannot force down the muddy looking campus coffee accompanying that delightfully tasty pastry. For those in the mood for a little more excitement, adventure or maybe just a decent cup of coffee, head over to Java’s, a hip coffee shop located in downtown Rochester next to the Eastman theatre on Gibbs Street.

When you enter the coffee shop, you might experience a sensory overload as you concurrently experience the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, various baked goods and the aesthetically mesmerizing wall to wall, ceiling-high paintings, photographs and other art which includes, but is not limited to, the attractive employees.

The unique allure of this coffee shop is holistic, coming from its many food and beverage options as well as its distinctive atmosphere. Amongst the enticing pies, cakes and muffins, the enormous cookies should by no means be overlooked – of which I highly recommend the “health cookie” as a perfect accompaniment to a cup of hot coffee.

The vast range of art that contributes to Java’s creative atmosphere can also be a perfect conversation starter for a potentially awkward first date or is great to just independently mull over.

Java’s attracts an eclectic crowd of enthusiasticw customers, which makes it a perfect environment to just sit back, relax, enjoy your beverages or baked goods and people watch – if you’re into that sort of thing. If you’re not, then you can venture downstairs and shoot some pool, sift through the large collection of magazines, explore the assortment of teas and coffees in the Tea Room or simply lounge on the cozy couches with some good company.

Live local musicians transform Java’s into an energized, social setting, but when there isn’t live music resonating off the walls, it can also be a peaceful place to escape and get some studying done.

Whether you go for the coffee, pastries, to listen to some live music or just to watch the world of Gibbs Street go by – if you haven’t already – Java’s is a spot in Rochester you should certainly try.

Putterman can be reached at

tputterman@campustimes.org.



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