Though the school year has just begun, AU students are already eagerly -- and sometimes even aggressively -- lining up at their favorite coffee places around campus. With several venues serving up the liquid energy, there is certainly no shortage of caffeine to be found on American's campus. However, with addiction comes preference, and every java junkie at AU has their favorite place and drink of choice. For those of you who are new to campus, here are a few of the coffee places you are sure to become very friendly with this coming year.
The Davenport Located in the School of International Service building, the Davenport, more frequently called "the Dav," certainly has the most academic and funky feel of all the coffee places on campus. Continuously playing all genres of music and packed with comfy couches, newspapers and magazines, the Dav is not only a great place to meet friends and catch up, but also prime for typing up last-minute assignments.
The Dav offers an immense variety of drinks from various lattes to straight shots of espresso, as well as the classic fair trade coffee. But with its great reputation comes crowds, and the Dav can be packed between classes. Make sure to leave yourself some time if you want to grab a coffee on your way to class. The Dav is open 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Mudbox Found deep in the basement of Bender Library, the Mudbox is notorious for providing fuel for AU students into the wee hours of the morning. Open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, the Mudbox becomes especially packed around midterms and finals while students study with friends or forge ahead on their term papers. With lots of space, computers and a convenient location inside the library, the Mudbox is a common meeting place for study groups. For those who must work in silence, it's smarter to grab your coffee and head up to the silent floor of the library. The Mudbox offers a range of drinks including coffees, sodas and Redbull, as well as many snacks. Though it's one of the more expensive coffee venues on campus, that's the price you pay for late night availability.
"I absolutely love the Mudbox for late night coffee needs," said Sam Sabol, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs. "They have basically everything I'd get at Starbucks, and my friends and I can usually be found hanging out there during stressful nights in the library."
The Perch Tucked in the location of the old admissions office is AU's newest coffee place, The Perch. Furnished with sleek couches and modern lighting, the Perch has a unique atmosphere. Open seven days a week from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., it is accessible to any South side resident as it is connected to the Centennial dorms. In addition to its late-night appeal, the Perch is alluring to AU environmentalists since you must provide your own mug or buy one of the Perch's reusable thermoses for $3. Be sure not to bring cash, as only Eaglebuck$ are accepted. Though the Perch is cheap -- charging only $1 per drink -- it is self-serve, and thus coffee or cappuccinos from a machine are the extent of drinks available. If you are just looking for a simple late-night jolt and live on the South side of campus, the Perch is highly recommended.
"The Perch seems like a cool new coffee place that I don't even have to leave my building to get to," said Caitlin Langfitt, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs. "I also like the fact that there is none of the paper cup waste that you find at most coffee places."
Megabytes Café Perhaps known more commonly for its Indian food, Megabytes Cafe is one of the more eclectic coffee places on campus. Situated under the tunnel, Megabytes is a common stopping point for AU students who need their coffee quickly on the way to class. Less crowded than the Dav and serving Starbucks coffee, Megabytes will get you your caffeine fix in a pinch. However, it certainly lacks the ambiance of other places on campus.
"Megabytes has pretty decent food, but is not the most inviting place to hang out," said Carol Foster, a sophomore in SPA. In addition to classic coffee, Megabytes offers other frozen drinks, snacks and sodas as well as Indian and Asian food. Megabytes is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
You can reach this staff writer at ostitilis@theeagleonline.com.
