A great coffee shop is something to be treasured. More than a perfect place to pick up your favorite espresso-based libation, at their core coffee shops are gathering places. Often staffed by artists and creatives, they are usually where we go to find queer community in any new place we venture. These discoveries can come from a quick chat with the team that makes all that coffee possible or from a glance at a bulletin board showcasing the people, events and happenings that make each neighborhood unique.
That said, if you’re seeking some local caffeine and community here’s are list of the places that we recommend you check out.
The Crafted Kup (Poughkeepsie)
A long standing fixture in Poughkeepsie’s Arlington District, The Crafted Kup is the go-to choice for students, staff & faculty at nearby Vassar College. Owned by Tanner Townsend, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, the shop offers a full array of sandwiches, salads and baked goods. You can also sample a selection of beers, wines and locally produced mead if you’re looking for something a bit stronger than a double espresso. Take a peek at the walls: They’re often lined with Tanner’s photography and other exhibitions by local artists.
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Rough Draft (Kingston)
Anchored in Kingston, New York‘s historic Four Corners – the only intersection in America where the buildings on all four corners were built pre-Revolutionary War – Rough Draft complements their Counter Culture coffee brews with a wide selection of beer, cider and wine. Both a bar and a bookstore, their curated selection of new books of all kinds serve as a very popular backdrop for a local community that comes through their doors to read, drink, chat or attend an event (the large menu of offerings makes it an especially good spot to unwind with or without alcohol). While events of their normal format are on hold in the Covid-19 era, the venue is renowned for some very raucous evenings of Drag Bingo.
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Hartland on Hudson (Leeds)
Not just a coffee shop, Hartland on Hudson is a destination for a wide array of gifts, cards and handmade stationary. The Upstate outpost of Hartland Brooklyn, a walk through their dandelion yellow double doors is an instant transport to a more relaxed time as schoolhouse-style lights illuminate a collection of paper goods created by the owners (the “I Brake for Wildflowers” bumper sticker is a crowd favorite). Sip a cappuccino at the community table or have a moment to yourself along the bench in the front window: Both are a well-spent afternoon in this sleepy River Town.
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Village Coffee & Goods (Kingston)
A little off the beaten path, this unassuming store front is well worth the detour. In addition to their selection of coffees and baked goods, Village Coffee & Goods also boasts an extensive (and delicious!) food menu. Adorned like a classic American farm stand you can fill your tote with local produce, an ever-rotating selection of imported items, and specialty baked goods from local bakers (if they have them in stock, be sure to swipe a wholegrain rye bread from Kingston-based Jon’s Bread).
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Samuel’s Sweet Shop (Rhinebeck)
Samuel’s holds a special place in our hearts. Founded by Ira Gutner, a fixture of the Hudson Valley queer community and one of the first truly out and proud business owners we met in the Hudson Valley, the legacy of his beloved coffee and sweets shop has continued long after his passing in 2014. Celebrating 25 years in business in 2019, the shop is now co-owned by actor and Dutchess Country resident Paul Rudd who helps to keep the coffee rich and the shelves stocked with nostalgic treats.
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Bank Square Coffeehouse (Beacon)
Bank Square Coffeehouse has been a part of the Beacon community since 2009, their cheeky “Little Bigfoot” mural greeting visitors as they drive into the center of the city. Compliment your caffeine fix with a baked treat from local legends like Bread Alone and Fishkill Bagel – they even offer a variety of amazing gluten-free treats and lunch items from the local North Brooklyn Eats. Make the most of the experience by grabbing a seat in their outdoor courtyard and enjoying the smell of house-roasted coffee amidst the bustling hum of Beacon’s Main Street business district.
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Peekskill Coffee (Peekskill)
Nestled in a classic, unassuming flatiron building in the heart of the bucolic village, Peekskill Coffee has been serving the community for nearly 20 years. It has everything you’d want in a coffee shop: Great brews, eclectic staff, mismatched tables and a fun, unique vibe. Locals call their crepes legendary. You’ll have to try them and judge for yourself.
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The Black Cow Coffee Company (Croton-on-Hudson & Pleasantville)
If you’re passing through the Lower Hudson Valley, a detour to one of The Black Cow Coffee Company‘s two locations won’t leave you disappointed. Roasting their coffee in-house, this shop offers a departure from the majority corporate-owned coffee houses found in Westchester County. Grab a cup of Joe here and there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself striking up a conversation with one of the friendly local customers or walking out the door with a flyer from their booming community bulletin board.
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