We Went to Saratoga's Most Popular Coffee Shops and Here's What We Think

Upcoming deadlines, piled-on readings, and rigorous writing assignments has forced coffee into the daily routine of each Skidmore student. Whether you are trying to get your afternoon caffeine intake, looking for a nice place to work for hours, or simply want to get some alone time, a coffee place is a staple in every college student’s diet. This Skidmore News reporter has taken the opportunity to wander around Saratoga and review your favorite coffee spots at the beginning of the year. In each review, I incorporated a 5-star rating to rank the “study vibe”, in terms of noise level, lighting, and of course, the abundance of power outlets for your laptop.

4. Kru Coffee:

The newest on our list, Kru has made a name for itself since its opening in 2016. The eco-conscious coffee shop only sells products that are fair trade, organic and anything in between, according to The Saratogian. The decor of the place has a certain appeal. Modern and slick, it resembles a typical New York City coffee shop. While the coffee and the vanilla latte I ordered were rich in flavor, they were quite pricey.

Study Vibe: ★★★★ Spacious, comfy, well-lit and has a great music playlist (in my opinion), but its business hours (6 am-6 pm) are not the most practical for a typical student schedule. Another disadvantage to Kru is the distance. It’s hard to access if you are a student without a car, and while you can take the bus to Marion Avenue, it took us approximately fifteen minutes to get there.

3. Uncommon Grounds:

Uncommon Grounds is the most frequented place by Skidmore students after the campus itself. I remember hearing about it the first week in my freshman year and since my first visit, studying at Uncommon has become a personal weekly routine. I have most likely ordered every item on the menu, but their vanilla latte is very close to perfection. Their iced Lattes especially are strong, favorable, and not drowning in excessive ice.

Study Vibe: ★★★★ Uncommon has solid lighting and almost each table is graced by a power outlet, which is ideal for a study spot. If you ever want to clear your head after finishing a long essay, I would highly recommend checking out the different art paintings and photographs. However, it is hard to focus when it is busy and it can become incredibly noisy. On another side note, I have spent hours in Uncommon Grounds, and too often, I left the place with an intense burnt-coffee smell struck to my clothing until I wash it.

2. Saratoga Coffee Traders:

Half-way during my first visit to Saratoga Coffee Traders, I have already converted. Saratoga Coffee traders is a great place to do your work off campus on a hectic Sunday afternoon. Its creative menu is full of specialty drinks, and their prices are quite reasonable compared to other coffee shops in Saratoga, especially since they offer a 10% student discount.

Study Vibe: ★★★★ ½ Relaxed and unpretentious, the atmosphere in Saratoga Coffee Traders is great for a long study session. The place, however lost a half-point for its small number of power outlets and their limited seating.

1. SPoT coffee:

SPoT coffee is underrated. They have a lot of great options and they are generous with their coffee cup sizes. They also have a great food menu, though it is slightly expensive. If in need of a caffeine free option, try their lavender lemonade on a warm day. They also have a discount on waffles during the weekends.

Study Vibe: ★★★★★ Though highly contested with Saratoga Coffee Traders, SPoT deserves the first spot (pun not intended). It offers a lot of comfortable seating, especially their large couch. SPoT also has the best natural lighting and large windows if you want to people watch when you are bored. In addition, it is often quiet and calm, making it personally easier for me to focus. In short, SPoT is bound to become your favorite new study space!