After hearing good reviews, I finally had the chance to visit Stella's Coffee House (Coffeehaus) on South Pearl Street.
From the street, Stella's Coffeehouse is deceptive, as it looks very small, tucked away in the trees, with a nice deck in front. Inside, Stella's has 5 different seating areas, with bookshelves, tiles and hardwood floors, and exposed brick walls, decorated with childrens artwork and the work of other local artists. The back room or "Amsterdam room" is available for groups to rent for meeting space, but right now is serving as a nice spot for me to sit and work.
Overall, the atmosphere here is great! They have managed to make it comfortable, fun and eclectic. They have Pablo's roasted coffee, which I've had before and is always great. The barristas are friendly and helpful...
EDIT: According to a post below, Stella's does now offer free WiFi! the ONLY bad mark I have for Stella's is my big coffee shop pet peeve: NO FREE WIFI!! They use Cafe.com, which costs $6.95 for a 24 hour period. As mentioned in this post, there are options out there to offer good 
Wi-fi at a reasonable cost. I believe the added cost will pay for itself, and I doubt the revenue sharing programs offered by Cafe.com and Surf and Sip (which does have a service to offer free wireless) make up for lost revenues from people like me who won't be back as often. Despite all of the other 'perks' of this place, this one lacking feature will make my future visits few and far between.
PERKS: Great atmosphere, relaxed, eclectic decor, excellent coffee, great location on South Pearl street, a lot of room, outdoor seating, friendly staff.
Stella's CoffeehausWebsite: http://www.stellascoffeehaus.com
26 comments:
Thank you for posting about Stella's. I spent years lounging there...reading, doing homework, socializing. Now that I have moved out of the Denver area, I was feeling a bit nostalgic when I found your site. The pictures gave me such a warm feeling...just like when you drink of their cup of their coffee. Thanks!
http://forums.sirstevesguide.com/showpost.php?p=346000&postcount=195
und zen: http://forums.sirstevesguide.com/showpost.php?p=400932&postcount=398 :)
RE: Stella's CoffeeHaus
Stella's is one of the best Coffeehouses between L.A. and Chicago. I've spent much time in Coffeehouses over the years. One of the best things about Stella's is their hours. Its important to be open late! Very Important!
2nd.Music, Stella's has music every Friday & Saturday night, starting about 8:30 P.M.
I could go on & on why I choose Stella'a over the others. Stella's is home to many of us. Weather your a Professional business person, Goth freak or a bored housewife everyone drinks at Stella's. By the way, I drink Coffee all over town. I meet my clients at Coffeehouses all over the Denver area.
Hunter Harms
Coldwell Banker
Denver, Colorado
I must dissent--I really dislike Stella's. The coffee is crap, the wireless is expensive, and it always seems to be overrun by high school kids. It could be a good place to study, if there were every any empty seats, and if it was quiet. It really baffles me why this place is always so full! I suppose if you would like to socialize and sit on the porch, Stella's would be a good destination--just have tea instead of coffee.
I agree with AJ that this place is overrated. I use to go all the time and have steadily seen the service and coffee go downhill. Use to love the eclectic people who worked there, then it became almost too young...kids who couldn;t make a drink and just wanted to play their new CD's as loud as they could. I think the location works since So. pearl has all those restaurants and DU is close but don't go for the coffee.
grace: "just wanted to play their new CD's as loud as they could"
-good point :) ATTENTION ALL COFFEESHOP OWNERS! i don't patronize your places cuz i have any interest whatsoever in being subjected to the Dubious musical tastes of your barrrristas, so if you don't make sure they keep it down i'll go elsewhere :p
Stella's is THE BEST place in denver. The coffee is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and people are always freindly. I am at Stella's for at least an hour a day. it is a great place to socialize, and to study. Live music is provided usually once or more a week. If you like a nice place to sit and talk with your freinds this is the place to be. One other thing. It is not over run by high school kids. I am in high school and i feel in the minority when I go there. And many of the usuall people that i talk to are college kids, or out of college. I dont know what I would do without this place!
let's be realistic here: the coffee really isn't that good. i'm not sure what's different about pablo's when it's brewed there, but stella's manages to screw it up.
having said that though, i can't endorse the place enough. over the past seven years, i have varied my number of weekly visits from five to ten. that atmosphere is conducive for just about anything you want it for, from writing papers in the early morning to lounging all night. or simply reading under the limited light.
the staff have varied widely over the years, and some have been downright obnoxious. they tend not to last long, often driven out by peer pressure more than anything else. others are merely quirky. and yes, they sometimes play the music too loud in the front room. you can always find a quiet corner, though.
and to wrap up, i have to note that they have finally, finally fixed the wifi problem. it's there, and now it's free. no more cafe.com insanity. for years this was my one gripe, and my one reason to go to st. mark's or (god forbid) paris. give it another shot.
Yea, After a lot of buzz from friends about Stella's, we went there an hour and a half before it closed, and was told we couldnt have mugs, becuase they we closing soon. The barista's there were pretty mean. And the chai was watered down.
Great place, excellent coffee; however, the quality can fluctuate dramatically depending on the barista in charge. Kate is by far the best, both with the customers and the coffee creations. Avoid the tall guy with the dark, curly hair - he is barely qualified to work at Starbucks and recently slipped me regular milk instead of soy, yet insisted he'd give me soy. I write this comment as I'm sitting in the bathroom doubled over experencing the unpleasant biological side effects of drinking regular milk from the SOY latte I ordered this morning(which is why I pay extra for the soy!).
Are you sure the wi-fi is free at Stella's? I'm here now and can see the access point, but it's encrypted. Maybe they have a WEP key posted somewhere -- I haven't looked.
David - August 7, 2006
I asked about the wi-fi, and it turns out that there is indeed a WEP key that you need to get from the barista before using the internet.
David - August 11, 2006
The coffee house itself is cute, with nice decorations, and atmosphere. Having to ask for a key to use the internet is a HUGE turnoff. I don't even know if it's free or not, but if I have to ask, I assume it's not free. So that really turned me off to Stella's.
Also, I wasn't too wild about the coffee. It had a "Starbucks" like taste, like the guy running the machine was pouring weak shots.
So good feng shui, so-so coffee and freaking just let people use the internet there already. I'd probably return and visit if they even just did the internet.
I just went last weekend for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. The coffee was good, the crowd was mixed, it was not loud, it was fairly full with people, but seats could still be had. The internet is free, you just need to ask the barista for the WEP key. No biggie.
It's a heck of a lot more eclectic than the major coffee chains!
Stella's is a great little coffee house in S. Denver. The barista's know their stuff, the regular coffee is fairly priced, and in my experiences getting espresso drinks they make them fast and good. The Wifi is free, but password protected to keep leechers from using it. Just ask the barrista or any other surfer about it. There are plenty of tables and spaces in the shop, and most tables are close to power outlets. It can get busy evenings and weekends.
too many young kids runnin around, the barrista couldnt make a drink to save her life , rude service, dirty tables, and too loud to study! take control of ur shop!
Well, it has been at least 5 years since I've been to Stella's. I loved that shop when I lived in Denver. The people were always nice, and the coffee always gave me the shakes. When I lived there, that was where I went to socialize. I must have spend 3 to 4 hours a day there on the weekdays. I admit that on the weekends the place was completely packed with high school kids, but that didn't bother me at the time because I was in the same age group, even though I had already taken the GED and had a full time job.
I was actually going to write a little about Stella's on my website, but I decided to do a search on dogpile.com to see what else was already out there. That is how I ended up here.
I don't know what Stella's is exactly like now, but it certainly earned a place in my heart when I was able to visit on a daily basis. I had a lot of friends there too.
In short, Stella's is the best coffee shop I have ever been to, and it sounds like it has gotten even better. I can't wait to visit again, and I guarantee that the next time I visit Denver I will be there.
James Humig
I'm a fan of Stella's, having made it a destination on dog walks for years (they're very dog-friendly! Water bowls, bones, tie-up post). Stan, the owner, is very dedicated to the neighborhood and the Old South Pearl business district; he's been a big factor in making the neighborhood what it is today. He helps out local musicians and artists by letting them perform or show in his space.
I like the coffee, though I usually get a latte, so I'm not really qualified to judge how it tastes unadulterated.
I came here because I was looking for the Stella's website, but it appears the URL you have has been poached. Oh well.
To all the haters out there, you couldn't find a better place to buy one drink, sit there for hours, relieve yourselves numerous times, and not tip the barista who served your coffee, whiped the toliet seat, and washed your cup! I go to Stella's ever day and have been going there for years. Although, Stella's has been through rough times the staff there is strong and better than ever. Perhaps, within the last year and half, I have never recieved a bad drink, it is consistant ever day. As for the "loud teenage music" has not been around since the mohawk pierced gargoyle creepy guy got fired and the nasty grill guy got canned. Now the music, the baristas play in the front room is cultured and inspiring. Yes, they play it a little loud sometimes, but that is why they make my drink perfect and fast evertime I'm in there. So all you haters, go to Stell's now and see how it has evolved!!!
I must say, they do play their music way too loud in the front, but if you go outside or in the back room it isn't that much of a biggie. The coffee itself is so-so but the atmosphere tends to overcome that.
What happened to Stella's coffee? A few months ago, it seemed to go downhill - fast. Plus, unless Kate is there, it just seems that it is completely hit and miss as to whether the drink is remotely decent.
I've spent many a nights relaxing at Stella's. The atmosphere of this coffee shop is unbeatable. I've been to just about every other coffee spot in colorado and I'd have to say, none of them are as welcoming as Stella's. At this point, I can't stand the thought of actually spending time at another other coffee shop like starbucks or even paris on the platte.
This is the only coffee shop I know of where you don't even have to buy anything the hang out. Seriously, if anyone knows one I'd love to hear about it.
For some strange reason, I always look forward to the coffee, even though it's not that great. The atmosphere and the friendly staff make everything that much better.
Anyone that hasn't tried it yet should do so. But just a little heads up, don't go there if you're not comfortable around a VERY diversified group of people. Stella's has all kind of customers, from goths, preps, skaters, businessmen, hippies and just about anyone you can think of.
Check it out.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Once again, there is no finer CoffeeHaus anywhere. Coast 2 Coast or Canada 2 Mexico.
Stella's Rules !
By the way most of the younger people some of you complain about, are really students from the University of Denver. If you don't like go back to your Corporate CoffeeSHOPS !! Your to old !!
I haven't been to Stella's much, but I plan to go a lot more- including today. It reminds me so much of home! It is a great spot to sit and study and chat with friends. And if you don't like the coffee, try the Dream Tea. It's awesome! I don't know the barista's name who made it for me last time (tall guy, dark hair), but it was awesome! As for the complaints about too many high school kids, go in the afternoon when there are fewer people, or on weeknights. I go to DU and haven't had any issues with high school kids. It's not like they're running around yelling and playing tag. It's been really busy every time I've gone, but you can't really complain about that... It's a great spot!
Oh, and the Internet thing... If it's too much trouble to ask the Barista for the password, leave. You don't belong in an eclectic coffee shop like Stella's if you are too uptight to ask for Internet use.
Nicole
Austin, Texas
My friend and I enjoy Stella's. The coffee's fine and we enjoy the funky, ecletic atmosphere. In fact, we much prefer that to the bland corporate alternative (the S word). It's true that there's a broad range of people who frequent the place, although some days it seems there are more DU students. That doesn't bother me or my friend who owned a coffe kiosk for awhile. She was an independent who couldn't compete with the corporate giant. I love the Pearl Street area and the neighborhood. I haven't had a problem with the help, although they could be a bit friendlier, but I wouldn't call them mean. I like Stella's....much prefer it over the bland corporate alternatives. It's everything a local coffehouse should be and more..
The Manager was extremely rude and it seemed as though I was a great inconvenience to have been a customer at all. It’s sad when business owners forget the importance of being friendly and helpful to those who are new to your menu. Unfortunately, it was my first and last time.
Best of luck!
MJW
Rolling Stone Magazine
Post a Comment