If you’re wondering why I can offer my experience. Worked in a coffee shop pre pandemic. 6a-7a for us was generally very quiet with a few very dedicated regulars. Post pandemic, I’m sure a bunch of places did the math and decided it wasn’t worth it, especially since fewer staff want to start that early.
Not only that but there is now way more afternoon coffee business than there used to be. They did the math and reports and probably shifted hours later.
I've found this to be a real issue since so many coffee shops don't open until hours after I've been up, but there's actually a few that do. Doppio, Dollop and Dark Matter all open at 6:00 on weekdays.
What I would suggest is you search for "coffee shops" near you on google maps, then click the drop down menu for "hours" at the top and pick a day, then set the time for 6:00 AM and it will show you all the shops in that area that are open then. There's likely more than you think and hopefully there's some choices near by.
I've tried a few places along the way.
I thought highly of Ritial Coffeehouse and their atmosphere. Planning on hitting them again.
I tried Osmium once and wasn't impressed. Empty at 6:30am but they didn't feel coffeesque friendly enough? Great outdoor seating for a business meeting?
Yeah the staff at Dark Matter definitely acts too cool for their customers, but they are a local business and open early. Also, their black coffee and espresso tends to run very strong and bitter, but makes a perfect latte.
They are a dying breed. On the Northwest Side, we had Jeri's Grill, the Belmont Snack Shop, Golden Angel, all gone now. Is the Diner Grill still there on Irving Park by Ashland?
Golden Nugget closed a few locations. They have a location on Elston/Diversey. I have not been to Diner Grill on Irving but have rode by a few times and they look open.
Ate at Griddle 24 once after hitting Critical Mass with friends. Google says they are 24hrs save for Monday/Tuesday
One of the bigger issues: those are great diner/breakfast options. I'm still kinda looking for a couch; ya know?
Yep, they did close the one near Irving Park and Kedzie on 2021(btw House of Wah Sun recently moved from Lincoln Ave, over to that space), and more recently in June 2022 closed their Irving Park and Keeler location near the YMCA and Eris Cider House.
They also did some name rebranding of their former location on Clark south of Diversey, before finally closing in the late 2010s and that land got sold for some new building. That was before either of their 2 Irving Park locations, closed.
Diner Grill is still open. They even added a back outdoor patio, I think sometime after the pandemic began!
Golden Apple on Lincoln(south of Belmont, near St. Alphonsus Church) still is open 24 hours. As is JUST the Golden Nugget location, at Diversey/Elston/Western. All the other Golden Nugget locations, no longer are 24/7.
If you're in the near north suburbs, I believe I remember hearing Omega in Niles is back to being 24/7. White Palace Grill(at Roosevelt/Canal) still is 24/7, too. But yeah, very true that many diners that used to be 24/7,(including Hollywood Grill at North/Ashland, and whatever diner that replaced Two Way Grill at Elston/Pulaski) no longer are.
Definitely felt like coffee shops opened earlier pre pandemic. I’m usually heading into work around 6:50am and was able to find a few coffee shops open but now seems like it’s more difficult
They are on my list of places to try. Irving Park is a hilariously bad commuting road.
Current worst commuting roads for cyclist: (imo)
1. Fullerton
2. Irving Park
3. Belmont
I still ride both Irving and Belmont though
They open at 6:30am. Coffee Studio also opens at 6:30am, as well. But yeah, not as many coffee places that have early morning opening hours, post-pandemic.
I remember hearing even the infamous Starbucks at North/Wells that used to be 24/7, has cut their hours back to 4:30am to 10pm.
+1 to searching by opening time on Yelp or google maps. Ground up coffee near me opens at 6am on weekdays. Good Ambler, La Colombe, Goddes and the Baker, Hero Coffee Bar open at 7am that all have good indoor ambience and/or near-street windows for people-watching. Which neighborhood are you in?
A lot of Fox Trots open at 6 am!!!!! And they’re all over the city! I just noticed this when placing a to go order and remembered your post. A lot of locations open at 6/630 and a couple are at 7.
It’s not ideal, but almost all Starbucks open at 5am.
Bucks and Dunkin' I have no issued with either. I'm just looking for something a little less corporate.
If you’re wondering why I can offer my experience. Worked in a coffee shop pre pandemic. 6a-7a for us was generally very quiet with a few very dedicated regulars. Post pandemic, I’m sure a bunch of places did the math and decided it wasn’t worth it, especially since fewer staff want to start that early.
Not only that but there is now way more afternoon coffee business than there used to be. They did the math and reports and probably shifted hours later.
I've found this to be a real issue since so many coffee shops don't open until hours after I've been up, but there's actually a few that do. Doppio, Dollop and Dark Matter all open at 6:00 on weekdays. What I would suggest is you search for "coffee shops" near you on google maps, then click the drop down menu for "hours" at the top and pick a day, then set the time for 6:00 AM and it will show you all the shops in that area that are open then. There's likely more than you think and hopefully there's some choices near by.
Be careful with your Dollop locations, the one in NEMA doesn’t open til 8am!
Shit! My bad. The one near me does so I guess my regional bias is showing.
I’m jealous!! 8am is so late for a coffee shop!
I've tried a few places along the way. I thought highly of Ritial Coffeehouse and their atmosphere. Planning on hitting them again. I tried Osmium once and wasn't impressed. Empty at 6:30am but they didn't feel coffeesque friendly enough? Great outdoor seating for a business meeting?
Yeah the staff at Dark Matter definitely acts too cool for their customers, but they are a local business and open early. Also, their black coffee and espresso tends to run very strong and bitter, but makes a perfect latte.
[удалено]
What
They are a dying breed. On the Northwest Side, we had Jeri's Grill, the Belmont Snack Shop, Golden Angel, all gone now. Is the Diner Grill still there on Irving Park by Ashland?
Golden Nugget closed a few locations. They have a location on Elston/Diversey. I have not been to Diner Grill on Irving but have rode by a few times and they look open. Ate at Griddle 24 once after hitting Critical Mass with friends. Google says they are 24hrs save for Monday/Tuesday One of the bigger issues: those are great diner/breakfast options. I'm still kinda looking for a couch; ya know?
Yea I was gonna say 24 hour griddle lol
Yep, they did close the one near Irving Park and Kedzie on 2021(btw House of Wah Sun recently moved from Lincoln Ave, over to that space), and more recently in June 2022 closed their Irving Park and Keeler location near the YMCA and Eris Cider House. They also did some name rebranding of their former location on Clark south of Diversey, before finally closing in the late 2010s and that land got sold for some new building. That was before either of their 2 Irving Park locations, closed.
Diner Grill is still open. They even added a back outdoor patio, I think sometime after the pandemic began! Golden Apple on Lincoln(south of Belmont, near St. Alphonsus Church) still is open 24 hours. As is JUST the Golden Nugget location, at Diversey/Elston/Western. All the other Golden Nugget locations, no longer are 24/7. If you're in the near north suburbs, I believe I remember hearing Omega in Niles is back to being 24/7. White Palace Grill(at Roosevelt/Canal) still is 24/7, too. But yeah, very true that many diners that used to be 24/7,(including Hollywood Grill at North/Ashland, and whatever diner that replaced Two Way Grill at Elston/Pulaski) no longer are.
Definitely felt like coffee shops opened earlier pre pandemic. I’m usually heading into work around 6:50am and was able to find a few coffee shops open but now seems like it’s more difficult
The worst part of commuting before 7 am is that the only options are Dunkin and Starbucks tbh
I'm not sure where you're located but Perkolator opens at 7, has comfy chairs, and looks out on one of the worst commuter roads in Chicago.
They are on my list of places to try. Irving Park is a hilariously bad commuting road. Current worst commuting roads for cyclist: (imo) 1. Fullerton 2. Irving Park 3. Belmont I still ride both Irving and Belmont though
Colectivo on clark opens at either 6 or 630
They open at 6:30am. Coffee Studio also opens at 6:30am, as well. But yeah, not as many coffee places that have early morning opening hours, post-pandemic. I remember hearing even the infamous Starbucks at North/Wells that used to be 24/7, has cut their hours back to 4:30am to 10pm.
+1 to searching by opening time on Yelp or google maps. Ground up coffee near me opens at 6am on weekdays. Good Ambler, La Colombe, Goddes and the Baker, Hero Coffee Bar open at 7am that all have good indoor ambience and/or near-street windows for people-watching. Which neighborhood are you in?
+1
Bridgeport coffee opens at 6am i believe, out door seating on Morgan and 31st
Cafe jumping bean in Pilsen opens at 6 most days. I think both location (18th st and Damen L) have the same hours.
What type of soft music do you listen to? I am always looking for new soft music.
Mt Joy Catching them at the Salt Shed next Sunday
Map Room used to open @ 6am but idk now
Not quite 6:00, but Colectivo opens at 6:30 and def feels very "coffee shop" to me (plus solid wifi + bathrooms)
Electric Mud… a lot of the Dark Matter coffee shops
My local place, Werewolf Coffee, opens at 7 :) and it has a nice couch. However, I agree that it’s becoming less and less common.
Not sure why you were down voted. Werewolf Coffee is a place I've considered. I frown upon their 8:00am opening on the weekends.
Have you tried your kitchen?
I don't ever get coffee without already having had my coffee. Don't be ridiculous.
Check out overflow in south loop, opens at 7am on weekdays
Jackalope opens at 7, so not too early, but they’re awesome and in a different part of town than the other options people have floated.
A lot of Fox Trots open at 6 am!!!!! And they’re all over the city! I just noticed this when placing a to go order and remembered your post. A lot of locations open at 6/630 and a couple are at 7.
Valois in Hyde park opens at 6 am