Equal Grounds Community Cafe

Equal grounds is such a cute and convenient location! I stopped by here this morning with my mom and ordered the spring bunny special latte. I’m a sweet drink lover, however, this one was a bit too sweet for me. I do know that the barista had said that she can make them less sweet - which if I have the ability to come back in the future, I may take them up on it. My mom ordered the dirty spiced chai with a shot of espresso and it was unreal. It was literally a snickerdoodle cookie in drink form. This drink easily earned a 10/10 rating. As for the Easter special, I would most likely lean towards a 5/10 or 6/10 just based on my preferences. It definitely earns extra points for aesthetics and a peep on top! I also loved the fact that you’re able to sponsor a “pay it forward” meal for someone who may need it. I purchased a grilled cheese and chips for someone who may need a warm meal in the future. You tell the barista and you’re able to pick what you want to order for someone and then put it on the cork board in the front of the restaurant. It’s a great opportunity to give back to others! The aesthetics and kindness of this place is so warm. It feels comfortable sitting in the atmosphere of everything. There was even a little therapy dog with his family when I came in! He’s there every Friday morning.

All the workers are warm and welcoming when you come in. There’s so much to do while you sip your delicious coffee whether hot or cold. There are many events that happen so whether you’re looking for a place for a chill meeting with friends or a night out with experiences, this is a place to check out. Great prices as well, matches the quality of the drinks you get.

Visiting Eastman School of Music. Stopped in. The special coffees were spot on, and the steak bagel was delicious. The server was very friendly and great service. Such a welcoming place. Happy we stopped by.

I haven't been here extensively, but the several times I've tried the food it was underwhelming. The chicken and hummus wrap had very little flavor and the serving size was smaller than I had expected. The breakfast sandwich I ordered on a different occasion also didn't have great flavor. The ambiance is lovely and I love the local art. Staff is friendly. I have yet to try the drinks, but I don't think I will be ordering food again. I'm hoping with a few small changes they can improve some food menu items.

My girlfriend and I went to this cafe to try something new. And after going, I know where to avoid. Every time we went to order something, they said they were out. Asked for a mocha chino? They were out of chocolate. Asked for cheddar on your breakfast sandwich? They were out of cheddar. Wanted an English muffin for your breakfast sandwich? They were out of English muffins. How can you be out of so much on a Sunday morning? Aren't you a cafe? I ended up ordering a smoothie, but the smoothie was more of a slushie. I was told I had to wait 10 minutes for my breakfast sandwich. But after 10 minutes went by, I heard a microwave go off. The croissant breakfast sandwich I got was this mangled sandwich which looked like it was put together by people who clearly didn't care. While i was waiting, a woman with her son came up to the counter asking where their food was. She said they've been waiting for 20 minutes, but the guy at the counter said he had 3 tickets in front of her, which is absurd. By far the worst cafe in Rochester. Definitely avoid.

Had amazing iced latte (perfect amount of coffee for me) and heated danish. Was a perfect evening! I generally rate coffee shops based on how good my pee smells after having the drink. The 5 stars for that smell. 😂 (Don't judge me :p)

Love the atmosphere, my partner took me here on a whim and we enjoyed it. It's a very accepting place! Coffee is quite good too!

The coffee was ok. They were possibly training someone and they forgot about us. Waited a bit and got to look around. Love the place itself and the board games. My cappuccino was subpar. I was disappointed. My friend's coffee was also mid. The place was nice. Really great and safe space. The bathroom alone was worth the experience of visiting. Their little setup was really cool and smart.

On a friend's recommendation, I made a point to stop in for coffee during my last trip, and I'm so glad I did. The café was charming and decked out for Pride Month, with colorful decor, posters for community events, and plenty of information on local resources. I also noticed a great selection of drink-related merch and add-ons. I ordered an iced shaken espresso with pistachio syrup--it was fantastic. This spot is officially on my list of must-visits anytime I'm in Rochester.

Equal grounds is such a cute and convenient location! I stopped by here this morning with my mom and ordered the spring bunny special latte. I'm a sweet drink lover, however, this one was a bit too sweet for me. I do know that the barista had said that she can make them less sweet - which if I have the ability to come back in the future, I may take them up on it. My mom ordered the dirty spiced chai with a shot of espresso and it was unreal. It was literally a snickerdoodle cookie in drink form. This drink easily earned a 10/10 rating. As for the Easter special, I would most likely lean towards a 5/10 or 6/10 just based on my preferences. It definitely earns extra points for aesthetics and a peep on top! I also loved the fact that you're able to sponsor a "pay it forward" meal for someone who may need it. I purchased a grilled cheese and chips for someone who may need a warm meal in the future. You tell the barista and you're able to pick what you want to order for someone and then put it on the cork board in the front of the restaurant. It's a great opportunity to give back to others! The aesthetics and kindness of this place is so warm. It feels comfortable sitting in the atmosphere of everything. There was even a little therapy dog with his family when I came in! He's there every Friday morning.

Cute little coffee shop thats always packed! Decent selection of drinks to choose from and limited food options. There are small tables scattered about as well as a few large ones for bigger parties. A lot of events are hosted here such as poetry nights. I've seen a lot of people work on their laptops in there, although I think the noise from everyone talking would be distracting.

This place gets a A+++ for its welcoming vibe, great values, and ability for customers with laptops to hang out for hours and get some work done. Unfortunately, it gets a C- for service. It used to be that you could get your order in less than 15-20 minutes, and that is no longer the case. It's also frequently out of many menu items, and it seems very understaffed. I hope this place survives, but to do that, it's going to need a big turnaround.

Really really wanted to enjoy this place more and support this business, but had a pretty mediocre experience. It was very very hot inside when we came to visit (no AC) and there are limited outlets in the shop so not a great place to do work in the summer. Tried an ice spiced chai which was a bit disappointing. It was mainly whole milk. They do have wifi though which is great.

New discovery of a coffee shop ! Love their coffee, tea and desserts! Staff are super friendly, and helpful! A must try place, morning, afternoon or evening they are open and great to visit !

I've been here more than once hoping each time would be better than the last, but it's honestly pretty mediocre. It's not a bad place to work if you can ignore the super wobbly tables/booths. The drinks are usually pretty sub-par, but mostly drinkable. The staff is fine, not super friendly or helpful, but most everyone hates their jobs nowadays, so whatever. However, the last time I went in, the girl who made my drink was holding a dog in her arms while she poured my tea in the prep area. I'm an animal person so it wasn't a super big deal, but I was a little grossed out that the dog was just inches from my drink while she was making it. Granted, this was when they were training new people a few weeks ago, so maybe they've tightened up about it, but honestly I haven't wanted to go back since.

we try and support this local coffee shop but the poor service and their overly laid back attitude toward doing business professionally makes it difficult to continue to do so. As much as I dislike the Seattle based chain coffee shop it may be the best option, all things considered. I went in recently early one Sunday Morning to get 2 coffees and breakfast sandwiches for my husband and me before we left Roc for a trip out of town. The cook was apparently late to work that day and the lone counter person was a bit overwhelmed. It took nearly 45 minutes to get my order filled and be on my way after the cook finally arrived and apologized to anyone who would listen for being late. The rest of the customers seemed to be content just hanging out, not ordering or eating but using the WiFi and socializing at the house's expense. I don't usually hang out there or eat in, I get my orders to go. This was one of the few times I was there for a bit and the ambiance of a bunch of GenZ leeches hanging out and sucking off the good will of a hard pressed local business was not my cup of tee. HOWEVER, i recognize to some this may be exactly what you are looking for! and the food and coffee are quite good.

Dark roast coffee with half a sugar packet--what I needed for the next 1.5 hrs of driving. The atmosphere here is super welcoming and vibrant. If I lived in Rochester, I'd hang out here all the time. Looks like there are regulars hanging out in the spacious main room on cool eclectic furniture. Super friendly staff.

I've passed this place enough times and I finally went in. A few of us wanted a little pick me up after our late afternoon visit and this place hit the spot. Inside is lighter woods and lots of space to stretch house out, bring your laptop to work or grab a table or the couch and lounge with your favorite hot beverage or a cool one too. I had a hot chocolate and I liked it, maybe I should have asked for whipped cream. Hot & cold drinks are well made and tasty. We all shared a piece of the chocolate bomb (or whatever it's called cake) an excellent chocolate cake with different layers of chocolate mousse inside. The guy behind the coffee bar was pleasant and accommodating. Everyone who came in was chill and we ever got to meet a customers very cute doggie Barney. They have a line of their own coffee. This place is open and welcome to everyone. It's a nice spot I'll for sure visit again. Street parking but dear reader they do have parking in the back a good to know tip. Cheers

Great spot - sat outside and enjoyed the vibe. The staff always seems friendly and I've enjoyed several different brews. Always hot - iced coffee puzzles me

It's like a second home. They always have great drink menu. I do love their salad too. The baristas quickly become your best friends and leave you wondering how you've been living without their banter in your life. It's a spacious spot so you can either pick a corner to huddle n stare at your computer wondering what's life or pick a big table to have a great time with friends or keep it all for yourself.

Small coffee house with great vibes and a warm atmosphere. Staff were all super kind and friendly, and now that I've gone a couple times are starting to remember my name :) They have a good, wide selection of drinks, a handful of pastries, and a few coffee-shop-style food items (salads, wraps, egg sandwiches). I love their chai smoothies specifically. Prices are pretty standard for an independent coffee shop ($3-$6 per drink depending on size and type), but everything I've had is worth the money. The business is also LGBT+ friendly and has a lot of queer staff, so it's a business I'm happy to support. They also often host LGBT+ evening events, including an open mic/poetry night, so beyond the food Equal Grounds also is a good place for queer nightlife that doesn't involve a bar. They have free wi-fi as well which makes it a great spot to stop by, hang out, get some work done, etc. I'm starting to become a regular and couldn't be happier with a small coffee shop.

Coffee was good, but I just have no tolerance for incompetence behind the counter. If you can't remember what we've ordered, then write it down.

Perfect work/study spot! The WiFi was reliable and fast. When I was there it was also pretty quiet which was great. I got a americano. I'm not a big coffee drinker so can't give in-depth reviews about the quality of the coffee but I can definitely say that I enjoyed it. It had depth of flavors and was very smooth.

I wanted so badly to love this place. But was a little disappointed. The woman at the register acted like I was bothering her by being there. Not very welcoming. I just ordered an americano but would have gotten a muffin or croissant if she was nicer. The barista who made my coffee was pleasant.

Cute little coffee shop. I prefer the mom n mom or pop n pop shops! See how inclusive I was there?! The syrup menu is extensive and they have milk other than cows. There is plenty of space for seating and a lot of people were there enjoying coffee. Overall a great favorite little place to visit when you need a caffeine fix. They also remember their customers and their orders.

Stopped by here today and ordered the iced chai with oat milk! It's so delicious the flavor tastes just like how fall should taste.

This place is everything you want in a coffee shop!! My boyfriend and I had our first date here and we decided to return to reminisce. There are plenty of tables to sit at, and my favorite seats are in the front of the shop, that look like thrones. They have great coffee, and seasonal coffee specials. I usually splurge and go for something a bit fancier. My boyfriend ordered a breakfast sandwich which he devoured. There are tons of board games in the back on a shelf which we picked up scrabble and had a quiet morning of coffee and games. Doesn't get better than that.

Good coffee, prices, and service. I ordered an Americano and it is hot, fresh, and delicious. The staff 8nteract appropriately with customers. Also, it's a comfortable walk from Highland Hospital.

Describe your ideal work/study space; does it have free wifi? AC? perhaps a delicious Iced Chai? Some tasty treats to fuel your studies? I found myself in a panic when my wifi at home crapped out while studying for some major exams I have coming up. That, combined with my desire to escape the heat in my apartment led me to Equal Grounds. I purchased a vanilla iced chai (one of 3 flavors of chai they offer!) And found a good spot to set up for the long haul. Grateful to have found a bright, clean, cool space with nice vibes to work in that I will likely make a regular spot! Customer service was also great and bathrooms are clean- always a plus.

Equal grounds is a welcoming and home-like location.. they have great coffee and chai along with baked goods that are. to. die. for!! The value for what you get is tremendous... if you are in the wedge make sure to stop by...

Surprisingly big space, not very busy or loud. Would be great to work from here on a regular basis. I got an iced caramel latte and it was very good. As a heads up for non-dairy folks they only have almond milk as an alternative to regular milk.

This is my squad's preferred meet up spot. Open late, friendly staff. Reasonable prices. Sometimes the cake is a little dry, but that's how cake is. There is lots of space to spread out. Local artists work is usually displayed and available for sale.

The best part about Equal Grounds is the ample space for hanging out and getting some work done. The space is gigantic and very easy to spread out. Service could be friendlier, but not a big deal. We got a half pound of coffee to go and found it to be serviceable, but nothing noteworthy. If you need a place to post up for a bit or meet up with friends, this seems like a good spot.

After attending an all-day Red Cross volunteer training and having eaten, I wasn't quite ready to leave Rochester but also needing to take the long (or short) drive back to Buffalo I wanted a sip of coffee and maybe a sweet. After reaching out to some locals I was pleasantly surprised by this recommendation. I hadn't thought much of the name and honestly didn't look at the Yelp listing so when I pulled up and saw this to be a queer/lgbtq cafe I was thrilled. I haven't had been in a space like this since I lived in Providence, RI and that cafe closed even before I left there over a decade ago. Walking in there is a step so it is not necessarily handicap friendly, they do have a 2nd door in the front and I don't recall if there was step but it wasn't open at the moment. As I recall it had a ramp so maybe it is more accessible. Either way, coming in the door you will see the counter to right and you essentially come in right to where the line forms. This cafe uses both sides of the space and like the coffee shops and cafes of my late teens and 20's they have a sofa seating area but also numerous large and small tables. There is also a raised dias which I assume can be a stage when needed. The menu behind the barista area lists both hot and cold items, I being now boring old man coffee drinker just drink black coffee so I didn't really pay much attention. However for my snack I glanced into the pastry case and saw biscotti so I ordered two and lucked out at getting three because one broke while being bagged. I'm not sure if they are made in house or by nearby bakery but they were crisp and delicious, perfectly soaking up some coffee and not crumbling or breaking into my cup. This was really the perfect way to end the night and prepare for my drive home. I honestly hadn't realized how I missed having a safe queer space in the community like I had in my 20's and this took me back to that. Next time in Rochester I totally plan to come back and support this business again. Thank you for this little refugee in our hectic world.

Great coffeeshop to work for a few hours. Reasonably-priced and offer a student discount.

In the past I've ordered coffe at Equal Grounds and it was fine. This time it was really hot outside and I was sitting at an outdoor table so I ordered iced tea. I understand this is a coffee shop but if you offer iced tea it needs to be drinkable This was basically tasteless water with ice. Totally undrinkable. Also if you say you have vegan pastries your response shouldn't be that you thought you had a vegan brownie somewhere. Again, if you can't provide what you advertise don't offer it. This was a total disappointment.

Stopped here as we were passing through Rochester. This was a great spot to get some coffee and a pound of beans to go. If we lived in Rochester I could see us coming here a lot because the space is so cool and welcoming. The staff were very friendly and patient when they were slammed with a ton of orders. Would recommend this place to anyone! The coffee is excellent too, Jamaican blend and house blend were tasty.

I got the carmel cappuccino and it was amazing. The employer/owner who served us was extremely nice. The location is good and and inside was cool. I'll definitely be back.

How can a business be open during a pandemic, and have such a unsanitary conditions? Im shocked and upset. I attached photos I took before I left, holding my breath and stomach. All of this on top of being treated with disrespect from the staff. They made me feel so unwelcome.

Wonderful cafe! The staff was so friendly, thorough, and just all around welcoming. The coffee was also delicious! I'm a bit of a snob so 5 stars says a lot. My cappuccino was perfect! Wish I lived closer so that I could frequent. Lots of space inside to meet up with friends or go study.

A great coffee house. Between the great selection of coffee and teas, the tasty wraps and sandwiches, and of course something sweet, a great low key place to hangout and meet friends. I just edited this to give more stars. I forgot to change those when I wrote the revue. I also forgot to mention the great staff too!

1st time to Rochester, NY. Visiting my college daughter. Had some time before heading to airport and needed some breakfast and coffee!! Punched in my GPS another coffee house and on the way I passed Equal Grounds. Slammed on the brakes, parked and went inside. Amazing vintage style coffee house. The interior is absolutely beautiful. Ordered a coffee plus a breakfast croissant sandwich with cheese, sausage and egg... sooo good! Thank you, Equal Grounds... a perfect end to my trip. Be back again, Steve.

I have been to Equal grounds a few of times now for meetings, and have enjoyed it. The staff aren't always the friendliest, but are never rude, and they make great sandwiches and smoothies. I enjoy how busy but welcoming the wall decor is, and they have a wide selection of games to enjoy while you meet with friends or want a distraction from work. There is ample table space, though they're close together so you're pretty on top of people. I would probably not work in the space, but I definitely enjoy spending time here with other people.

As you can probably tell from my previous posts, I love checking out coffee shops around Rochester. This place is great and has wonderful coffee. The desserts are good/but not out of this world. They don't make their desserts on site and they are probably bought within the last 1-3 days. After trying Glen Ediths waffles or Cafe Sassos peanut butter sandwich, it is hard to give Equal grounds a 5/5. The coffee is good but I think the other two I mentioned are better and have selection.

Brought my two queer friends here for the experience. I came here before and got great service. Today, 6/18 We waited 45 minutes for a smoothie. We politely asked several times and were told it's coming. Not great service today for my friends.

I met up with a friend at this coffee shop because they were the only one open at 7 on a weeknight. I ordered a vanilla iced coffee and it was delicious but we had to leave because there were no bathrooms! I am pretty disappointed that a cafe doesn't have a bathroom open to paying customers. I will probably not bother going back if I know I can't stay to hang out for too long - the point of a cafe is to lounge for a while and you can't really do that here if there's no bathroom.

I had an appt at highland hospital and wanted to grab a local cup of coffee before heading in and came upon this gem. After a 24hour shift this cozy and welcoming atmosphere is just what you need. The customer service was amazing-friendly, down to earth and personable. I didn't believe it when they said this is the best coffee in the area until I had it for myself. I tried one of their summer specials chocolata- chocolate coconut ice coffee and it tastes like an almond joy. Just the happiness I needed to start my day.

I'm always looking for good coffee shops to get my work done. Some are very noisy and some are very quiet, some do not have good seating and some have, some do not have good coffee (none so far) and some have the best coffee. Equal Grounds lands on the positive side of all the three criteria. I'm not a tea person but I can vouch for the coffee here, the baristas are super friendly and the theme of this coffee shop, as suggested in the name, is treat everyone equally. You can choose from a bunch of board games to play or books to read or just chill. However, one downside I experienced at Equal Grounds was that the couches were pretty beat up and dirty and had a mild case of dust allergy after sitting for about 15 minutes. Apart from this I think the cafe is a really cool place to hang out and get some serious studying done.

I like the selection of board games and the service (the man who works at the counter is very nice and friendly, and he even sometimes brings my drinks/food to the table even though it's a counter pickup). However, the drinks, even the specials that they recommend, are sometimes not drinkable. Once I stayed for a few hours playing board games, so I ended up ordering a lot of different drinks and snacks/foods to justify my stay. The syrups they add sometimes make a drink completely undrinkable. The hazelnut syrup was ridiculously strong in my iced latte; I took one sip and could not continue. The frappes they sell are ok but are usually way too sweet and don't pair with their dessert options at all (as it's just sweet with more sweet). The hot latte and cappuccino I had were fine. I've liked all the cakes I've tried here, though apparently they just buy cakes from somewhere else and sell them by the slice. I'm happy to support a local business like this that also boldly takes a stance on something. I also love the board game cafe vibe, but I am not at all a fan of the drinks they have. I like to think of it as a cover charge to pay in order to sit there and do work or play board games, even if it ultimately gets thrown out in its entirety.

Afternoon knitting get together with friends. Comfortable vibe in an old but awesome space. Your usual mismatch mix of seating, high and low, large and small, some couches and some arm chairs lots of light from the front windows. Outdoor seating on the sidewalk in front. The vibe of Equal grounds is love you will see some rainbow merch and decor promoting love and inclusivity. One woman was running the show this afternoon and she was busy. I ordered a Vanilla Chai Latte and it was good not super special. They do offer some sandwiches and light fare as well as sweets. I didn't have any food so I can't comment. We hung out for about 2 hours and enjoyed the comfy setting. Others were there doing work, socializing, reading and playing games. There is a good selection of games, books and magazines available.

I've tried coming here 4-5 times and each time I'm hoping for a warm welcoming atmosphere but I have only received cool to ice cold service. I don't need much for what I consider normal service.... just a transactional purchase would even be fine. The drinks were ok, but I tell my guests visiting Rochester to avoid coming here even though it is the closest to my house. They still came and the service they received was also subpar borderline rude. This is now the running joke with a friend who keeps coming back to see if maybe it was his imagination... I noticed recent high reviews, I'd be willing to try again in the future to see if anything has changed but I do want to like this place....

Friendly, inclusive coffee house. Good coffee, I had a decaf latte - very tasty. Good location with street parking. Great, fast wifi. Everything I look for in a coffee house.

Great place, serve a special community, and also just a great all around coffee shop. It's definitely got the vibes of being an eclectic space and does a great job in making everyone feel welcome. I wouldn't say that it is amazing, artisanal coffee - but that's not usually what I want anyway. I want something good, for a good price, and to be able to sit and chat with friends. They also host a lot of very important meetings and events. So, visit them even when you aren't thirsty/hungry.

PROS +nice ambiance +comfy chairs for lounging +plenty of tables for doing work +finding parking is not too difficult +one of the few places you can get a green tea chai latte CONS ... .. . none

THIS PLACE IS AWESOME! The ambiance is so warm, welcoming, and comfortable, and is the perfect place to meet a friend for coffee or to spend the day working on your computer (which is what I did). I'm not a coffee drinker so I loved that they had such a great selection of lose teas. I also tried one of their vegan pastries, which was tasty.

My 1st time there the coffee and the muffins were soo good I would totally recommend this place!!!

I have nothing but praise for a welcoming community space. In a world of third wave coffee and ultra cool, ultra craft everything, Equal Grounds stands out as a place where you can have the "Central Perk" Friends type coffee house experience. They can't tell you the acid content of your coffee or tell you about the family that grew the coffee beans or the hipster that roasted them. I'm giving a lot of shade to craft coffee (which I actually like) to highlight the difference you'll find at Equal Grounds. It's at one time a traditional coffee house and a LGBTQ+ community safe space. I went for a meeting there on Sunday and ran into a number of friends who were studying, working and attending a knitting group! The menu is your standard coffee house fair with tea, coffee and cocoa made to order and a few quick sandwich choices. I had a egg and cheese sandwich on a bagel, it was basic with a pre-made egg but it got the job done. If I wasn't watching my waistline I would have went for one of the giant muffins in the pastry case. There were a number of choices and a beautiful cake. Swing by in the summer for some ice cream. This is a South Wedge staple that is worth a stop for sure.