Bar Nine

TLDR: For serious caffeine aficionados, this is the best bang for your buck on the west side Lily and Isaac know their coffee and everything bar nine. It can be easy to mistake it for a regular coffee shop, but this is an incredible experiment in new age coffee. They moved away from an expansive menu to a minimalist approach. Gone are the pour overs and regular coffee, and instead they have become the best at espressos, barrel aged espressos that are batch brewed. Get the best beans, roast it in their in house roastery, use a patented oxygen free process to extract liquid espresso that’s concentrated, and boom, store it in a steel cask, and boom you can make any drink from this delicious concoction. They also serve a very limited number of pastries from Michelin awarded Gwen. The crew is super friendly and knows the LA coffee scene. The place is relatively big (think warehouse) where a lot of laptop warriors are working peacefully, drinking incredible caffeinated drinks and occasionally enjoying Michelin pastries at a great price (yes I compared for you and it’s a deal compared to the source). The ambiance is that of a chic modernist co working space meets the wake up and savor the smell of coffee at a European coffee shop (think Rome on a Sunday morning). The best part is the friendly crew who will patiently explain and recommend drinks. Tip: Parking for 2 hours is free on the street but there is relatively low cost metered street parking. They are moving away from selling coffee beans to focusing on batch brewed espressos, which you can buy and make at $1.50/drink at home (1oz =1 shot). If you are looking for a home away from home, a place to feel welcome, a place to work away from distractions, with possibly some of the best coffee (I loved their super smooth americano, try the premium Ethiopian guji), Bar Nine is one the best secrets on the west side. Tip: Why bar nine? The best espressos reveal their beaniest best flavors when extracted with 9 bars of pressure.

Came here right at opening. Super spacious, clean and quick service. Tons of street parking all around. We got an iced americano and a mocha. Both amazing! Highly recommend. Will definitely be back.

This place is def not for a to-go coffee. The vibe is minimalist, the staff are super friendly, and the coffee is very tasty. Order "for here" and enjoy the vibes. There's no menu and no prices listed, which is a little intimidating. My cold brew was $6 but comes with a free refill. This place is a vibe, great for hanging out.

The pastry selection was surprisingly good! I didn’t get their coffee, but the baked goods were exceptional! I got the spam and kimchi croissant, white miso kouign amann, and chocolate chip cookies. Will need to be back to try their coffee sometime

If you aren’t familiar with Bar 9’s flawed philosophy, they seem to think the convenience of espresso concentrate and lack of true espresso machine is innovation. They make all their drinks with espresso concentrate that they stick the steam wand into to warm up. I’m still pondering the deeply thought out artwork on my Gibraltar. Shocking lack of care for quality. The espresso didn’t taste atrocious but you could get a better drink at Starbucks if you know how to order right. I don’t know if the barista could have cared less about the drink she was making, which seemed to fit with the philosophy of convenience and newness. Some things (like the espresso machine) are old inventions and have remained how we make espresso-based drinks for a reason, because that was true innovation and it has the capacity of producing quality drinks. To put it concisely; simply not good coffee. You’ll find far superior options at any of the many shops available in the area.

Very nice place in a quiet area. The guys were really courteous and the service was quick. I liked the relaxed seating and the peaceful atmosphere of the cafe. Everything is very clean. I had Americano and i felt the aroma and taste can improve. I will definitely go back again.

I loved being at this coffee shop so much 🙀. If only I didn’t also have all of my luggage with me... but no matter. It was an experience. I have to tread carefully with my description. There was a heavy pretentiousness pervading the Shop, but not in the way I’ve experienced it before. Everyone was so nice and willing to have a conversation and share a smile. But there was also this implicit waiting that everyone seemed to accept as normal. Every coffee drink was about 100% longer to prepare then the average of any cafe I’ve ever been to. I think the pretense was simply the expectation of perfection and craftsmanship. All aspects of the process were transparent- the bar, the kitchen, the roaster, the packaging. Everything could be inspected and scrutinized by anyone. All drinks were served in glass save the filter coffee which was presented in a glass carafe with a ceramic mug (no handle, thick walls, wide mouth). I need to go back!

Probably the best coffee shop for work around culver area. I have come here multiple times and coffee is always good their pastries are great. Very spacious. Good for work and chill

I always regret when I missed Bar Nine. Although parking was a bit of a hassle, the ambiance of this place is definitely worth to stay-long. The service was confusing at first cause you'll walk into a place filled with people but not in a sense of noisy. you'll be greeted with a long table coffee bar and order there. Coffee was on the stronger side, cappuccino & cortado are my absolute fav! Would love to try their filtered coffee next time when I'm in LA this December!!

TLDR: For serious caffeine aficionados, this is the best bang for your buck on the west side Lily and Isaac know their coffee and everything bar nine. It can be easy to mistake it for a regular coffee shop, but this is an incredible experiment in new age coffee. They moved away from an expansive menu to a minimalist approach. Gone are the pour overs and regular coffee, and instead they have become the best at espressos, barrel aged espressos that are batch brewed. Get the best beans, roast it in their in house roastery, use a patented oxygen free process to extract liquid espresso that's concentrated, and boom, store it in a steel cask, and boom you can make any drink from this delicious concoction. They also serve a very limited number of pastries from Michelin awarded Gwen. The crew is super friendly and knows the LA coffee scene. The place is relatively big (think warehouse) where a lot of laptop warriors are working peacefully, drinking incredible caffeinated drinks and occasionally enjoying Michelin pastries at a great price (yes I compared for you and it's a deal compared to the source). The ambiance is that of a chic modernist co working space meets the wake up and savor the smell of coffee at a European coffee shop (think Rome on a Sunday morning). The best part is the friendly crew who will patiently explain and recommend drinks. Tip: Parking for 2 hours is free on the street but there is relatively low cost metered street parking. They are moving away from selling coffee beans to focusing on batch brewed espressos, which you can buy and make at $1.50/drink at home (1oz =1 shot). If you are looking for a home away from home, a place to feel welcome, a place to work away from distractions, with possibly some of the best coffee (I loved their super smooth americano, try the premium Ethiopian guji), Bar Nine is one the best secrets on the west side. Tip: Why bar nine? The best espressos reveal their beaniest best flavors when extracted with 9 bars of pressure.

I first learned about Bar Nine from a writeup in the Los Angeles Times, and I decided to visit when I was nearby in the not so distant past. At the time, they had a coffee flight available, and I enjoyed sampling the various beverages in the open and industrial setting. During a more recent visit, I learned that they no longer offer coffee flights but you still have your standard menu of brewed coffee and espresso-based drinks. I ordered an Americano, and I thought it was smooth and tasty. The service was quick and efficient, and I could see myself revisiting in the future.

The atmosphere is incredibly relaxing--perfect for working in peace and quiet. The perfect blend of minimalism, tranquility, and high-quality coffee beans. This coffee shop is tucked away off the main streets--only true coffee lovers or locals will know about it! The espresso envelops your palate and melts in your mouth--absolutely stunning. The service is excellent, and the baristas are delightful--you can tell they genuinely love what they do! 100/10.

A true coffee lover will never settle for a quick coffee if it compromises flavor and quality. You can for sure almost never find a true coffee snob visiting a fast food chain for their dose of caffeine. Here you go, coffee snobs. I see you.

I've only tried the pastries here and the pastrami croissant is delicious. Their ham and cheese croissant is also good. The chocolate chip cookie is big and thin. The staff are friendly and there's plenty of seating inside this warehouse coffee shop.

I saw in previous reviews that service was very unfriendly, but the two baristas who working while I was there were very friendly and welcoming - memorably so! The space is very bright and open and spacious, and I saw a lot of people doing work here. I was sad that there weren't many pastries left (I got there around 11AM on a Monday), but apparently they were just having a particularly busy day. The cinnamon roll was huge and tasty, and the americano I got was fantastic, one of the best I've ever had. Location is a little out of the way, but only about a 10min walk if you're coming from Platform. Would definitely return!

I was so excited to try this place but so disappointed. This was probably the worst coffee I've had an LA. It was bitter and tasted old. We couldn't even get ourselves to finish the drinks. 2 star because I like the openness of the space and feel like it's a bit different than others in the area.

Bar Nine is unique and recommended! They don't use espresso machines. Rather, they pour premade espresso shots from a glass bottle filled with their own roasted and blended beans. They have a menu of four different flavor blends. You can choose to have the drink hot or cold, lattes, cappuccino, etc. the most interesting part is the drinks, including to go, are served in mason jars with lids you keep, or the shop can reuse. I suggest if you get a hot drink ask for it extra hot. I'm going to return to try another blend and get a bottle of espresso to make cold drinks and maybe an expert martini at home! The barista was extremely friendly and explained the process. As others have said it's not a fast Starbucks process. It's very relaxed, hipster in a good way place. It's a destination coffee shop. If you don't live or work within walking distance, or it's along your drive path, it takes effort to drive there and find parking in its residential neighborhood. Thankfully it's not hard to find parking. I enjoyed Bar Nine and will return.

Ambiance: it's super spacious inside the establishment, high ceiling, office and storage in the back, and coffee shop upfront, which serves as a combined mass production manufacturer for coffee beans and cafeteria for simple food, cozy and relaxing vibes Service: very friendly and patient with questions Drink: simple menu for seasonal specialty BONBON - **** Gerba, Natural Guji, Atitian, Guatemala Washed, interesting flavors, recommend FLORA - *** Idido Washed Yirgacheffe, sour taste Price: each coffee costs about $6, credit card payment only

Super aesthetic coffee spot where you can either grab & go or sit down. Free WiFi + bathrooms as well which is always a MAJOR plus. I got the iced vanilla matcha latte and it was fantastic. Of course, they are known for their coffee- they prebatch their espresso and the ambiance is comparable to a bar: you see your drink made in front of you. My barista for the day was Austin, and he was full of positive energy that honestly made my day. He walked me down the process and concept of the place. So glad this is around the corner from my office- I'll definitely be back!

Meh. From start to end... Parking is hard there. No smile from the staff. Espresso is poured from a bottle not made fresh? I don't get why some places find it so hard to do the bare minimum hi how are you thanks for coming and explain why the place may be a little different to other coffee shops. Didn't enjoy the coffee at all. Might be for you. Won't be back.

I've been coming to Bar Nine for a couple years now and it's one of my favorite coffee shops in LA and especially around Culver. Not many places are able to do chai, coffee, AND matcha really well but they seem to knock it out of the park each time. The quality is incredible for the coffee (roasted in house!), matcha (try it with the lavender), and chai (they were prepping the spices while I was there and it smelled amazing). The vibe of the space is great and all the baristas are friendly but a special shout out Isaac! Truly the best neighborhood coffee stop

Not my thing. Super spacious with bathrooms and a good amount / variety of seating. Brutalist interior, very fitting as I think it is literally a repurposed warehouse. Menu is simple and you can also buy roasted coffee beans here. I've heard good things about their pastries, but I didn't get to try. Reason why it wasn't my thing is the espresso and pour over brews are sour and bitter. Granted it could've been the beans used (I had Bon Bon), but I personally don't enjoy a sour coffee. It looks like they pay a lot of attention to sourcing beans and roasting in-house which is great, but it wasn't my cup of tea. Or cup of coffee I suppose. It did the job though, barely finished half of my iced brew before I finished working and left. Service was splendid, one of the staff reset the server when we asked about the wifi being down. That fixed it for the rest of our time there. All drinks, for here and to-go, come in small glass jars. Once people leave tables, someone came and sanitized the table. Not too good for working - there are two outlets I could see and they were next to each other. It also ended up being pretty far from where I was seated. Noise level is quiet with some conversation.

TLDR: good coffee, not the best for studying. Street parking also. Pretty cool spot! Coffee was solid, I got just a latte, but the espresso tasted really good. I was a little skeptical about the premade espresso in the bottle, but you can tell they take great care and precision in making the espresso. I don't know how good of a study spot this is though, as they did not have a lot of charging spots for laptops. Lot of seating tho. Cool local place to visit tho!

Bar Nine, which was used to be known more for Chemix specialty pour-over, is now focusing on espresso-based drinks. You choose beans Bonbon (chocolatey), Fruta (fruity), Flora (floral), or decaf by Pure Espresso to order your espresso drink (shot of espresso, latte, cappuccino etc.). They also have espresso flight to taste the different beans. Matcha is Nekohama brand. Con: I am more of a pour-over person and sometimes occasional creative sweet latte, so their offerings are bit different from what I usually like to order from a coffee shop. The atmosphere is very industrial and warehouse-like, which I found it to be too open for my liking. Pro: Gratuity-free model! To-go comes in a jar with deposit system. A variety of beans to select for espresso-based drink is something I haven't heard before (usually you see it for pour-over). If you are into espresso-based drink but with good beans, they offer latte, cappuccino, or other espresso drink without tons of frills and sugar, this place must be a great place to explore your taste buds!

Love the ambiance of the space and the coffee is solid. They also serve ceremonial grade matcha. As someone who values aesthetics the ice cubes are very visually pleasing. If you order your coffee to go you get it in a glass jar and if you bring back the jar they will waive the $1 glass jar fee on your next order.

Do not come here if you've never been here before. As an ex-barista and full-blown coffee lover, this place made me sad. I love trying new specialty cafés, and was excited to visit for the first time. Walking in and seeing how open and spacious the café was, as well as stopping to take a look at the menu, was fun and enjoyable, but the joy stopped there. A small Hispanic tattooed barista did not say hello to us, did not smile to us at all while taking our order, did not thank us after our order, did not thank us for the $2.00 tip, nor did she say goodbye or thank you to us as we were leaving. When we asked if we could have our Cortado in a glass, she said, "I could put it in a glass if you want." No warmth at all. What hurt the most was watching people who seemed like return customers receive the warmth that was absent from our experience. The coffee itself was tasty and extremely interesting; it was done in a way I've never seen before, and I'd have loved to learn more about the process, but I did not feel welcome in any way.

I don't understand the concept here. The coffee and tea are poured from a bottle, the staff is unfriendly, and they don't even have AC on (it was 95 degrees when I visited). There are better options around.

Woman behind the counter this morning appeared ageist, disrespectful, and rude. After watching her for a while, it was clear that people under 30 received smiles, proper interactions, and warm customer service. She was very rude even when simply asked for a spoon and a napkin. Before this, she told us where the line started and ended in a abrupt fashion. The coffee was not that great either but perhaps the customer service made it tase differently than it would have if served with kindness. Not sure why a company would tolerate such employee behavior. Eye contact means something. From an environmental perspective, due to their already brewed espresso (which I do for myself at home), I suspect their coffee is filled with BPA's and PFAS. It appears they allow liquids (temperatures unknown) to sit in plastic tubs before bottling and serving. They invented something called stainless steel a long time ago if coffee must be prepared this way. Oh...and they were out of food by 11am.

Excellent friendly service. This made the visit memorable and makes me want to return! The ambiance is open modern and warehouse feel because of the very large space and high ceilings, but more polished. I appreciate that they know their art and even answered questions about my espresso making at home. So appreciated and I really respect the roaster, Josh, both for his knowledge and kindness. Also the house made cashew hazelnut milk is delicious.

Tasty coffee, lovely reusable glasses, and delicious homemade pastries + treats. I'm glad to see they cover their savory foods now. Though, I wonder if the flies still get into the sweets pastry case. The frittata I had was pretty good. I thought it was a quiche (or crustless quiche I guess) but was told it's a frittata. Why don't my frittatas taste like that? The only thing I'd skip is their chai, it seemed more sweet and milky than spiced with anything. The matcha latte is pretty good with oat milk.

Pro: great and welcoming service, good lighting, aesthetic. Grow: outlets for working, parking. Bar nine has been on my bucket list for quite some time. I finally got to visit at 11 am on a weekday. I had such a hard time finding it as a delivery truck was covering the entrance. Once I arrived I was surprised by the amount of space and natural lighting. The baristas were very welcoming and I enjoyed my stay overall. There were very few outlets which makes it difficult to work from here for more than a few hours. There is street parking for 2 hours and some metered parking spots which were hard to find! Drinks: they have three different varieties to choose from (check blackboard). I opted for a cappuccino with a floral forward taste. The coffee did not disappoint as it was well balanced and strong. I am actually really sensitive to caffeine but love coffee. This coffee kept me up all night so you know it was strong! Overall, this is a nice and welcoming cafe to enjoy a nice coffee.

I thought I already wrote a review for this place, but I guess I have to write a new one since they reopened. It's OK, it's an easy one. 5 stars. Best chai latte in the city since I moved here in 2018, and I've been all over this city trying those chais. Consistently the best, every time I come. The baked goods are fantastic, my man says the coffee is top quality, and the space is minimal and at the same time is everything it should be.

室内宽敞 装修很像工厂 又是一家咖啡师做好饮品再付钱的店 可以按照口味选择豆子 对比传统的意式浓缩机 枱底式的出品更稀 油脂不够丰富 店里用的燕麦奶也是偏稀的质地 Cortado 喝起来像冲煮咖啡+奶 风味是有的 口味也很平衡 不会过酸或者过苦

My friend introduced me to the bottled take home espresso and I am OBSESSED. I had one in the store served in a jar and I'm watching my bottle go down at home wondering how quickly I will need to go get another!! This espresso frothed with oat milk needs no sweetener it has a natural sweetness from the combo that is SO GOOD! Definitely not your traditional coffee shop! We spread the love to our kids teacher and school principal for part of teacher appreciation week and the parents that saw it for pretty excited too. Love the sustainability, the space, the coffee the flavors and the patented way they brew this even though I don't quite understand it lol. You will see me again soon!

Was craving for caffeine before heading to the Grove and I remembered the route so I told my husband to swing by Bar Nine. Ahhhh, neighbourhood parking is always "nice" to find. Haha, we came here early enough so we found a spot. I had ordered a cappuccino togo so we can go grab lunch and they still do the same thing. No paper cups so instead, they put our drinks in a glass jar. My cappuccino was delicious, it had a nutty flavour to it. Seating can or cannot be plentiful. It's a huge place but much of it is used for their roasting.

I had a really great whole milk cappuccino here! I had it sweetened with some simple syrup. I got it to go and they gave it to me in this glass cup. Super cool coffee joint!

I wanted to like this so badly. the Baristas were so kind and informative, but I'm just not a fan of their patented "Pure Espresso". It's essentially premade espresso that's been bottled and it doesn't taste fresh to me at all. Some may love it. I prefer a quality, traditional extraction.

Yummy + Pleasant. Great customer service! Spacious venue with a chill ambiance. Very ideal for meet-ups, meetings or even just a coffee date. I had: - Iced Chai w/ Cashew Milk + powdered cinnamon - HIGHLY RECOMMEND - sweet, rich, creamy heaven in a cup. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered a second one! (make sure you shake it to mix) - Olive Oil cake - HIGHLY RECOMMEND - the texture and taste reminds me of some very yummy banana bread. Looking forward to coming here again!

Very cool location and friendly baristas. Having coffee in a jar is different but it works. Ordered an Americano but it lacked flavor. Might have to try something else.

This place is very cool with an industrial look and the people are kind and welcoming. The huge disappointment for me was that they do not serve fresh espresso. The pre-bottled that they make is strong but tasted nothing like an espresso, more like cold brew. Maybe I'm just an old school Italian...

This place sucks. Our barista was too cool to acknowledge our existence while she took our order. The honey lavender latte was not good. The vibe of the place felt real pretentious.

As an espresso enthusiast, I really wanted to like Bar Nine! But was a bit baffled by my experience ordering a hot cappuccino. The espresso was served cold (no crema) with steamed oat milk in a jar. Net net, the cappuccino was lukewarm, felt strange to drink out of jar (you pay for the jar too) and tasted very sour and bitter (bonbon taste profile). Glad I tried Bar Nine but will be sticking with traditional coffee shops moving forward.

This charade of a coffee shop is proof that reality is stranger than fiction. Comical. The jar thing is completely absurd. If you must with the jars, get straight ones without a bottle neck for those of us who aren't contortionists. I'm actually offended by the shape of the jars they chose - the whole top foam of my cappuccino just stuck to the glades and got trapped at the bottom. I was fooled by the pictures with paper cups. And don't try to pretend that you're being sustainable or hip - you're just being pompous. I actually liked the aesthetic and ambiance of the place when I first walked in, until the jar came out - waste of potential. And those saying the service is friendly are in on the charade. The service here is not service.

Extraordinary service! I was looking for a good non-dairy milk. Lily gave me a sample of their Flora coffee with their house-made hazelnut milk. It was delicious. I got more, and then the roaster (whose name I dare not try to spell) gave me a glass of their BonBon coffee to try cold tomorrow. I haven't posted on Yelp in years, but this place is special.

Lovely, urban minimalist coffee shop that is SO worth the hype. The ambience is so cool. The baristas are actually well trained and well informed and the coffee is so so so good. Can't recommend enough

LOVE Bar Nine. Has consistently had the best coffee in LA. Coolest spot on West Side. Please bring back chocolate for hot chocky and mochas. Vegan chocolate preferred. Today there was a young girl who came in with her dad. Sad because her gym class was cancelled. All she wanted was a hot chocolate. I think there was a tear in her eye when she walked away with only a glass of milk. Her dad also probably wanted a pourover. Bring those back too please. All the best to Zade, Kevin, Adriana, etc.

Their signature espresso process, ambitious, but i felt like I was drinking something reheated than a fresh brewed coffee. Despite that the coffee was fruity and less acidic. Less important but there wasn't the glorious pictured avocado toast and more food options than pastries made by an outside bakery. Maybe it was the weekend, an anomaly, or? The barista was happy to shut me down when I asked where's the food menu. We left feeling shorted.

Just lovely. Finally got to try Nine after going to Ten a lot. Super nice space and a great hidden gym within the community. Coffee is fantastic and the staff are like friends you want to talk to all day. Great place to work.

Sweet, chill spot to stop for an iced coffee and snack. Best iced coffee I've had in Culver. Dog friendly Open space with great design. Quiet and comfortable. Great service from the staff.

Not your standard LA coffee shop, but better than most of them. With every coffee/espresso drink, you can choose from three bean varieties (chocolatey, fruity, and floral), along with tasting flights of all three. Their unique espresso is made in a patented batch form that tastes almost indistinguishable from fresh shots. Great industrial chic vibes with good music and super friendly baristas to boot!

Customer service was amazing at Bar Nine. They give a lot of information and make your coffee experience delightful. We got the espresso flight in which it was explained to us very well. We also got the coffee cake which super yummy. I definitely recommend everyone to come here.

Wow. The coffee. I had a DECAF cappuccino and was blown away by how good it was. The beans they use are incredible. Didn't even get to try the pistachio milk since they didn't have it that day (they just reopened). The only thing was it was pricey for a small serving size, much smaller than the massive mugs we are used to. Didn't see many food options (which has deterred me from coming back despite wanting to find a new place for weekend cafe breakfast) but maybe that will change? The space itself is industrial, not the most comfortable chairs, but good wifi.

3.5/5 - Good coffee, nice ambiance, vegan cream cheese (yesss!), no outlets near the seating areas and the parking is rough.

BEST iced latte I've ever had. Also, they don't let you tip, which is kinda cool. Takes the pressure off.

The espresso here is really strange. They seem to pull really long, and the crema is really light and airy. The flavor is also very light. Espresso here is almost a "hot nitro pourover". It's not bad, per se, but if you're looking for traditional espresso, you will get a surprise.

Holy hell this was a freaking good coffee!!!!! Got an iced latte with hazelnut milk, and it will definitely be my new addiction!

I have come here frequently enough now where I think I can honestly say I'm not sure if the friendly service and the tastiness of the food outweighs the price + super dainty portions. I get that it's all about minimalism but every time I order food it's like, a surprise when it comes and it's barely three bites for 6-15 dollars. Coffee is great and I opt for the extra $1 for the hazelnut milk but also kind of expensive. Also I ordered an omelette and I asked if it was American or French style so I could manage my expectations and what I got looked nothing either. Looked like a slow scramble that was formed into a donut shape. Yeah I get it, it's the west side, big ass space, not too crowded on sat morning, can I really complain? I guess I just did.