If you thought coziness was a subjective, indefinable quality … well, you’re right, but that’s not going to stop us from trying to measure it. We’re visiting Denver coffee shops, cafés and tea houses neighborhood by neighborhood to do it.
We’ll award points in several categories: Temperature, comfortable seating, decor, music and menu. Shops can earn bonus points for things like having a working fireplace. To be as fair as possible about the temperature, your intrepid reporter will wear the same thing to every spot.
This week, we sipped around the University neighborhood.
Full disclosure: It was very warm out when we visited these places, so the temperature ratings might be skewed.
Kaladi Coffee Roasters
1730 E. Evans Ave.
Quiet chatter and (at the time) soft classical music make Kaladi a solid place to study, though your butt might hurt if you sit on those wooden chairs for too many hours.
So, no, there are no comfy chairs to sink into, but there's a ton of natural light and (again, at the time of our visit) charming artwork made by kids. Plus: Kaladi has a huge variety of its own beans.
Temperature: 8
Comfy seats: 3
Decor: 7
Music: 7
Menu: 7
Bonus: 0
Total score: 32
Keith’s Coffee Bar
2450 S. Downing St.
Keith's is kind of odd because it's independently and locally owned, but feels just a little bit corporate.
That's not to say it's unpleasant. There's a lot of natural light and a good-sized patio (for when you need fresh air, not coziness), fairy lights and several overstuffed leather love seats. It's just that the decor, music and menu are a little "meh."
Temperature: 7
Comfy seats: 9
Decor: 4
Music: 5
Menu: 5
Bonus: 0
Total score: 30
Le Belle Rosette
2423 S. University Blvd.
Tucked into a little space next door to The Pioneer along a busy street like University, Le Belle Rosette could easily go unnoticed. But if you live in the neighborhood, you probably know what's up: warm lighting, homey art, specialty espressos, a couple soft couches, jazz and an appetizing menu of panini, salads and wraps.
Bonus points, as always, for offering wine and cocktails.
Temperature: 8
Comfy seats: 8
Decor: 7
Music: 8
Menu: 8
Bonus: 2
Total score: 41
And if you're looking in other neighborhoods, we've also got:
