Siphon Coffee

Siphon Coffee is hands down one of my favorite coffee spots in Houston. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between laid-back and refined — ideal for working, catching up with friends, or just relaxing with a good cup. Their siphon-brewed coffee is something special: smooth, rich, and full of unique flavor notes you don’t get with standard brews. Beyond coffee, their food menu is thoughtful and fresh. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, happy to make recommendations or explain the brewing process. Definitely a place I keep coming back to. If you appreciate high-quality coffee and a great environment, Siphon is a must-visit.

Siphon is my go to coffee shop, not only because of proximity/location, but also because of the quality of the brews and the options. It has a kitchen so you can order breakfast foods or sandwiches. There are several baked goods, and better yet, empanadas. My favorite coffees are the drip, Americano, and iced snickerdoodle latte. There’s a good amount of seating but it can be hard to find an open couch or indoor seating because of how many people come to siphon. Also parking is limited but there’s parking around the residential area nearby

Fair prices, great coffee, and fast Wi-Fi—what more could you want? Oh, wait… a cute stranger asking for your number? Because that happened too 😅 Definitely wasn’t expecting it, but it made me feel like the star of my own little movie.

Busy place for busy people. The only place with outlets, though, might be at the bar seats and some of them are a bit loose. Other than that it's a great place for hanging out. They are often full house so get there early.

I enjoy coming here for breakfast. If anything, I recommend any of their delicious taco grande.😋 I also enjoy their breakfast sandwich and empanadas. Their hangover fires are the best. It's definitely a must try. 😍 I love the atmosphere here. It's definitely a good place to study 📖 during non busy times. (Which it does get busy on certain days.) If you're in the area and are looking for good breakfast food, stop here and give them a try. 😃

The customer service was nothing special the guy barely interacted with us. The food took a very long time and they were serving no espresso drinks. The chicken and pesto sandwich was on a very soft under toasted bun, very bland and the “fries” weren’t fries but that could be a mistake on my part for not reading the fine print. Regardless, the food was underwhelming and the service was slow. I would not come back here and I’d definitely say it’s over priced for what you’re getting. Atmosphere was well set up and aesthetically pleasing as you can see from the photos.

Came here to do some remote work with a friend. There's a good amount of seating inside but it was quite packed on a Thursday afternoon. We decided to sit at the outside booths. I ordered a rosemel latte and a chicken empanada. The latte was quite sweet and caramel heavy, I did not detect much rose or cardamom flavor. The empanada was alright, the crust was flaky and buttery while the inside was generously stuffed with chicken. It was a nice little snack to keep me satiated. I did like how there was a decent sized parking lot.

Very aesthetic location. Peaceful and good location for studying or group events. Plenty of food options from breakfast, snacks and dinner. As well as coffee, teas and other hot drinks!

Absolutely love this cafe. I've come here a few times and their coffee is consistently delicious. I've have not yet tried the actual food but I've grabbed some pastries that are great. Staff is always friendly! There is a good amount of of seating inside and outside. There's good wifi and enough quietness to study or work from there, but also chill enough to just have a good hang out with others. They have a few items like chess on the piano near the restroom. Parking can be tricky as the lot fills up quick but there's usually street parking available. Will absolutely come back!

I've been wanting to check this place out for a while. Finally made it in and ordered their signature siphon coffee and a taco with bacon and chorizo. Let's talk food: The taco was good. Generous portion but for $5 (plus $1.75 extra for bacon and chorizo), it felt a bit steep. Same with the coffee. The siphon was $11 a cup. That's $22 total for just me. A bit pricey for what it was. Taste-wise? Not bad. Nothing mind blowing, but solid. The siphon prep was cool to watch, but I probably wouldn't order it again. Same with the tacos. Now the space itself? Beautiful. Great ambience, lots of people hanging out, and definitely a good vibe overall. My quick breakdown: Ambience: 4/5 Taste: 4/5 Pricing: 2/5 Would I come back? Maybe to try their other coffee options. But as far as the siphon experience? Glad I tried it, don't need to do it again.

Don't know why I've never been here, but it might be my new favorite place to study or grab coffee! My friend and I had some modules to finish for our licensure renewal and wanted to find a cool place to do them. After a little search, we decided on this place! Parking is good because it has a lot. We came at the perfect time because it wasn't too packed yet. But after we actually sat down, people started to pour in! I got the snickerdoodle latte and kolaches and my friend got a regular latte! Service was super good and they were very friendly! The lattes were good, not too sweet and the kolaches were cute too! I really like the vibe of the coffee shop and the bustling energy is good for working on things. Definitely will be coming back here!

Good coffee. Terrible service. The guy at the counter had the worst attitude--passive aggressive and yelling across the shop. He messed up my order and blamed me. Plenty of places in Houston serve great coffee without the ego.

Came to Siphon Coffee because I was looking for a coffee shop in the area where I could get some work done for a couple of hours, and this place had a lot of seating, both inside and outside, but it was also PACKED! I had to sit outside, which was a very nice and cute area with comfy booth seats. My coffee and empanada was ready within 2-3 minutes of sitting! I ordered one of their holiday/seasonal drinks for Valentine's day, called Cupid Love (can't remember what flavor it was exactly, but I believe it had rose!). The latte was fairly decent, on the sweeter side but could have had a stronger coffee taste. The latte set was really cute too! I also got a beef empanada, which was very flaky and flavorful, but a bit hard to eat because it was really soft and fell apart -- would recommend using a fork next time!

The coffee is a bit strong for me, and parking can be an issue. However I do love visiting and just chilling out. They have a pretty good menu for food as well, something that's not always reliable at coffee shops, and everything always looks delicious. There's ample seating, and the WiFi is strong. I see plenty of folks working from here.

We visited this place at the hearty recommendation of a friend who loves siphon coffee, and we had to see what the fuss is all about. We made it in on Father's Day Sunday just after 3pm, and were dismayed at finding out the kitchen closes at 3pm. Being that both of us had built up quite a hunger, we opted for eating elsewhere and returning for coffee, and boy, did that prove to be the right choice! Between two of us, we tried siphon coffee, a cortado, an iced latte, and a muffin, and I can confidently say that besides the magnificent cortado I had in Spain, the cortado here as well as the other coffee we tried easily tops the list of the best coffee we've had in the Houston area. We will return again not only for the coffee, but for the excellent service Jay and Robby gave this afternoon.

Came here to do some remote work with a friend. There's a good amount of seating inside but it was quite packed on a Thursday afternoon. We decided to sit at the outside booths. I ordered a rosemel latte and a chicken empanada. The latte was quite sweet and caramel heavy, I did not detect much rose or cardamom flavor. The empanada was alright, the crust was flaky and buttery while the inside was generously stuffed with chicken. It was a nice little snack to keep me satiated. I did like how there was a decent sized parking lot.

Came during our lunch break and we really enjoyed it! I really liked the snickerdoodle latte it was plenty sweet if you like sweet drinks. I couldn't really taste any coffee really. The honey bee was also good with a good cinnamon flavor. My coworker said they really felt the coffee. They also tried the empanadas and they were really good and had lots of flavor. Parking was a bit crowded and we parked on the side street. Inside is really nice and cozy. I like the feel they have in there. There are a lot of seats to study, but I feel like the seats are a bit tight and crowded. They also have a cute seating area outside. The servers were nice and friendly.

Remote working review! Came here on a Friday afternoon to cowork with a friend. It is busy with people that had the same idea but it is relatively quiet, no music today! There is ample seating but not many outlets accesible for those not sitting by the walls. I ordered a Jamaica iced tea, it's delicious, refreshing and less than $5 after a tip, nice! M Service was quick, kind, conversational. I'd come back to try the cold brew or other offerings on tap!!

Siphon is hands-down my favorite coffee spot in all of Houston, Texas. The lattes are consistently delicious, and the staff is always friendly and professional, making every visit a great experience. The cozy vibe of the shop makes it the perfect place to relax, catch up on work, or meet with friends. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or just need a great spot to unwind, Siphon never disappoints.

First time coming here and i won't be returning. The cashier was kind of rude (made me a little nervous for the rest of the interaction) , i understand sometimes the place is busy but it was me and someone else behind me. They cut me off and just rushed everything. Again i understand wanting to get through people and i do apologize if i misinterpreted the interaction. The snickerdoodle latte was good but the cold brew was terrible, but then again that might be my fault as it may not be what they are known for. I like the pastries !! muffins are definitely boxed cake but that's alright they were still yummy and croissant was great !!!

Came here on a random Thursday and it wasn't quite busy, we ordered the Snickerdoodle latte and the Baristas choice, I love how they have multiple milk options and they make sure to ask before making your drink. With the baristas choice they ask you a couple questions before they make your drink and I really enjoyed it! The Snickerdoodle latte was on the sweeter side but it was still very enjoyable. The outside seating area was very nice and it wrapped around one side of the building. They have wifi if you want to come around and study and do homework as well, plenty of tables to set up which I think was very convenient!

I went to siphon coffee on an early Tuesday morning to study for an exam. I got there early around the time they first opened and it quickly got crowded after us. I got a honey bee latte which is made with honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. The latte was on the sweeter side and now that I've tried it, I don't think I'm a fan of cinnamon in my coffee. It makes me feel extra thirsty and wanting water afterwards, more than coffee by itself. Other than that, it's pretty solid, the drink is a little on the sweeter side due to the honey and vanilla as well. They have really nice outdoor seating here as well. If I come back here I'd try a different drink, I just feel like cinnamon and coffee are not for me

This place was a really cool spot to go sit down and enjoy a warm or cold drink. I went in Sunday and they had the NFL games on screen and the employees were really nice and helpful. I'd definitely go back and take friends. The food isn't too bad and the prices are really fair. My hot honey chai latte was decent, only thing that would've made it better is if they had whip cream.

Absolutely disgusted. I will NEVER spend another dollar at this place again. This morning, I was approached by a homeless individual who politely asked for a black coffee and a muffin. That's it. I agreed because it's basic human decency. As I walked toward the entrance to pay, some employee storms out, blocks my way, and tells me I'm not allowed to buy anything because it's for a homeless person. Seriously? He refused to let me in and denied me service. Not only is that humiliating it's heartless. As a regular customer, I'm beyond angry. That worker showed zero compassion, and if this is how your business treats people trying to help others, I want no part of it. Shameful.

Awesome Coffee! Siphon coffee is a process that creates smooth, hot coffee. We didn't try any food, but they offer much more than the average coffee shop! Indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of relaxing spaces. Their baked goods are discounted after 5... Back to the coffee. The water is heated to boiling. Then the water is boiled up, coffee added to steep for 150 seconds. After that the heat is turned off and the coffee is pulled back down. Be careful not to sit close when they add the top piece when the water is hot, it can slash!

Visited Siphon Coffee for the first time to get caffeinated. The shop has a really nice honey aesthetic to it with really aesthetic furniture. The staff were polite and nice. I ordered a small iced honey bee latte with oat milk. The honey bee has honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. The coffee was tasty (a tad bit too sweet for me, but that's the specialty beverage I ordered). Overall, the small drink was around $7 which was on the pricier side (with oatmilk), but was a nice experience!

At the counter I was referred to try the Rosemel Latte with whole milk, y'all, so delicious! The staff and ambiance 10/10 as well. Try the Rosemel if you're a latte enjoyer!!

If you want a place to sit down for a light brunch with coffee this is a good place because they have a menu of foods to select from plus different baked goods. The seating is cute both indoor and outdoor. Service was kind but a little low staff it seemed. I got the vanilla latte and a breakfast sandwhich. In my opinion, the breakfast sandwhich just tasted like a microwaved jimmy deans breakfast sandwhich so I would get something else. Coffee was typical.

We stopped for a quick breakfast Saturday morning and got two breakfast sandwiches and a cold brew and matcha latte! Service was great and quick - food and drinks out in less than 15 minutes for everything. Breakfast sandwiches are made with egg, sausage and aoli - super yummy! I think a little veggie - tomato would be a good addition to the sandwich but overall delicious. My fiancée got a cold brew and loved it, said it went down real smooth. The inside is super cute and well decorated. There is also a patio outside - dog friendly!! Matcha was good, could use some sweetener but overall still a good deal.

Meh. I think in terms of space, it's feels cramped even when it's only half full. I felt like I had to squeeze through spaces anytime I wasn't seated. The coffee was okay. Nothing special. Not a lot of outlets either, at least not for the spaces not against the wall. EDIT: I actually do enjoy going to the library to study, but I also enjoy going to coffee shops with adequate space to move around and outlets to charge. Not sure what a library has to do with the space being super cramped and having 'meh', coffee, but okay, go off. Obvi not every space is for everyone and based on your response, obvi this space isn't for me or anyone who wants to give honest thoughts, no biggie.

With all the coffee options Houston has to offer, Siphon Coffee is truly a standout. Nestled in the Montrose area, it boasts a great selection of food options and exceptional coffee. The outdoor seating is a big plus--spacious and inviting--and the ample parking in the strip center adds to the convenience. A must-visit for coffee lovers!

I came here specifically to try out siphon coffee because you don't see this anywhere. I am a huge coffee enthusiast (roast my own beans, espresso etc) and I will say this was easily one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. You hear about blueberry notes or comments like that and with this method/coffee (an Ethiopian) those kinds of flavor notes came through. Kudos to the team, highly recommend!

Fast service and amazing chai! The best I've had in a while and the avocado toast was good nothing to write about. Nice atmosphere, the sitting area was a little small but there were plenty of seats.

Although I'm no stranger to Siphon, I found myself here unexpectedly, after realizing I had 0 desire to wait 2 hours for coffee at a packed new hotspot in Montrose. But this visit exceeded my expectations because Siphon now offers food...and I don't mean the empanadas from years past (no shade to the empanadas, they're pretty dang good), but I'm talking chicken pesto sandwiches, tacos, avo toast, chicken and waffles- a stacked menu, and it's giving :D I tried the chicken sandwich and...wow, all I can say is that they're serving restaurant quality food! If you're new to Siphon, I'd advise visiting during off hours, and they're incredibly popular and space is limited. During these times, parking can require a walk, but I use it as an excuse to walk off the chicken sandwich calories.

Chill coffee shop with cozy couches and tables for working/studying. I love the atmosphere. Good food and great coffee. Get the big siphon coffee and you will be wired! Also free WiFi.

Its a lovely coffee shop, and I do like coming here. The place is relaxing, they have a killer turkey / swiss croissant here that I like, that I get quite often. So the food is great!!! The coffee is unique, and not too expensive either.

I came here with some friends on a bustling Saturday morning and enjoyed a tasty snickerdoodle latte. Some highlights of this place are a diverse menu, which includes not just coffee but also beer, wine, and actual breakfast food, ample seating, and its status as a place for community events like trivia and live music. The prices are comparable for the area, if perhaps $1-2 higher.

Great place with reliable coffee and good service They have an outside area with booths that are super cute and great for outdoor studying on the rare nice day in Houston. Honey bee coffee 5/5 Cinnamon toast coffee 4/5 - the cinnamon can sink to the bottom so you need to mix it really well Decently price, size, and quality which is a rarity these days! The only thing is parking can be a challenge and hard to find a spot to sit so get here early for good spots.

Loved the atmosphere of this coffee shop! I'm not the most avid coffee drinker so I can't say too much about the drinks (I got a free cold brew upon check in which was good, my friend got the drip coffee which was room temperature which wasn't great). The outdoor area is very nice for a date or to relax a with good shading, inside is great for studying, pretty quiet.

Mid just like the town. I wouldn't come back here. Coffee was a miss and hangover fries were greasy.

I got a decaf iced vanilla latte really good, the space had comforting feel to it, music is great jazzy vibes really loved it. Service was good. Would come again ! Next time I'm trying their scones

Overall meh. Great atmosphere inside. The two times I have been (weekend days) it has been packed. Line can be very long to order and very very slow moving. Overall nothing that I have tried (both food and coffee) is good enough to warrant the long wait, but not terrible either. Staff are all very friendly. Outdoor seating available.

Really like this coffee shop as a study/chill hangout spot. It can get busy at times, but usually not too bad in the mornings on the weekdays when I go. Feels like it usually packs up closer to 10am. Parking lot usually is a good indicator of how busy it is since I feel like most of the other businesses on the strip don't draw as many people haha. Food/drink-wise my fiancée and I usually split a bottomless drip ($5). Occasionally will get an oat milk latte or their siphon coffee. Both are fine, their namesake siphon coffee looks pretty cool and very picturesque, but for me not something I'd order regularly. If I'm hungry I'll order a breakfast taco which I think is very solid. The standard taco is just eggs and cheese, but I usually add-on potatoes and a meat and it comes out to around $7. Definitely a little pricey imo, but they tacos definitely hit and are probably my favorite in the city. Other things worth mentioning are: - There are a good amount of outlets, but they're mostly on the tables close to the window so I'd still recommend making sure your laptop is fully charged if you wanted to work. Also the outlets are facing downwards which is a bit weird so... if you have a heavy charger keep in mind sometimes it'll just fall out. - Service is fine, coffee comes out promptly and I have no complaints for that. - The owner or maybe manager (?) is a pretty chill dude. He's usually around making sure everything is running. He likes to play his sneaker reviews on the big tv which is wholesome - There is actually a lot of outdoor seating which is mostly shaded, but due to my lack of heat tolerance I do not sit out there. I think the outside is also dog friendly. - Yes WiFi is free and pretty good for my work meetings Tl;dr: Good spot to work/study/hangout at, food and drinks are solid (albeit a little pricey). Probably the best option in the area.

Let's go back to basics! Siphon style or not. This place provides a great catch up, co-working or dating space. When they're busy, orders can take slightly longer. But still friendly to me! It serves various coffee styles, hot or cold, , savory and sweet items. Their wifi is great! I really enjoy the high seating facing the large window. It's in the direction that provide great natural light and somehow, that's my source of joy and motivation. Great for dreaming and people watching too! New community table I see? Wooden one, could easily fit 8. I keep forgetting they also have seating outside. Today's drink choice was their rose cardamom, very smooth. They carry Amaya coffee too! One low is the parking. A little tight at times. Overall, still enjoying the quiet yet busy and studious ambiance of this place.

One word: raisins. We were so excited to see empanadas on the menu, and instantly disappointed at the first bite when we tasted the raisins in it. $6 for that size felt too high. Yuck! Just why?? The chimichurri was flavorless and had too much oil. I did like barista choice speciality latte...they ask three questions: what type of milk? Iced or hot? Mid-sweet or sweet? I was satisfied with the lavender drink flavor. The outdoor and indoor spaces are very cute for co-working.

This coffee place was so cute!!! Super cozy but also spacious cafe!! There were a lot of people inside studying and working and also a good amount of outdoor seating. I got an iced latte with oatmilk. Very refreshing and exactly what I needed for a mid-afternoon pick me up! The customer service was great! The coffee came out very quickly considering how many people were inside and ordering. I would definitely come back and bring friends who like coffee!

It's been awhile since I've gone back to Siphon Coffee. I'm a latte type of gal, so I never really crave any coffee without milk. I recently came back just to grab a quick coffee and breakfast, and I'm glad I did! It's gotten a lot busier, so it's harder to find seating around prime times. A lot more people come here to do work or study so it's quieter than I last remembered. I would recommend coming during off hours to find better seating. There are outdoor seating as well. FOOD/DRINK: Beef empanada ($6) - 5/5 - flaky and amazing goodness. Comes with chimichurri sauce. El grande taco ($4) - 5/5 - great value for the price and portion size. It already comes with eggs and cheese. I added potatoes and beans (60 cents for each extra topping). Try it with the creamy habanero sauce, and you'll never turn back! Cereal milk latte / snickerdoodle latte / gingerbread latte ($5.95) - 4/5 - fun drinks to try but nothing special or memorable. PROS: -Food and drinks are always great -Chill atmosphere CONS: -Difficult to find seating, shop is small -They blast the AC to an ungodly temperature so your hot drinks cool too fast and you're left shivering

Coffee is decent! I feel like this spot is quite overpriced tho for the quality. When you're paying close to $10 for an oat milk latte with syrup, I expect the quality to be decent. I find that the flavored syrups barely taste like anything. Like a hint of the flavor. Especially the rosé cardamom - do not recommend! I am a big rose flavored anything person but this syrup does not taste like rose at all! or cardamom. The one thing Siphon has going for them tho is their food. They have great breakfast tacos and pastries. Pastries are half off during their last hour also! Also love their outdoor seating area on a nice day. Beautiful tables plants. The inside seating is ok - not many plug points tho.

Nice coffee shop with plenty of savory and sweet food to choose from as well as impeccable service. I initially wanted to try their burger but the kitchen was closed when we came around 4pm so beware of that. However, the beef empanada really made up for that in every way possible. Thin crust, thick beef filling, bursting with flavor. The chimichurri dipping sauce is also very delicious, and I ended up eating it by itself after finishing the empanadas. As for coffee, we got the Siphon Coffee for 2. It did take a bit longer than the other coffees, but the process was pretty cool to see. The baristas actually stopped midway to make sure that I was able to take pictures which was so sweet of them. The coffee itself was light and easy to drink, but by no means lacking. Halfway through drinking the caffeine kicked in and I was energized for the rest of the day.

The vibes in this place are super chill. It was pretty packed but it's understandable. I didn't get the chance to go outside but from what I could see through the window it was pretty nice out there just wouldn't go out there when it's super hot outside. Honestly the temperature inside was pretty warm as well so would've liked some AC action but it wasn't unbearable. The blueberry muffin was sooo good, especially would recommend trying it warm. Wine was good too just would like for them to offer the option of taking the wine bottle home if you don't finish by incorporating a wine bottle sealer, or selling wine by the glass which I didn't see/or get offered the option to do.

Cutesy coffee shop with wine options and food. Unusual coffee made with milk soaked in the cereal du jour. The mocha coffee is very much like a hot chocolate. Lots of seating.

Haven't been back here in a long while but the empanadas are just as good as I remember and they have some great sauce for dipping or pouring on top- with a kick of spice and yum

Cute little coffee shop that has a pup friendly patio. They had a funny sign on the door when we walked up that I appreciated (not going to post bc some people are aggressively loyal to their sports teams and I don't want to give anyone a reason NOT to drop by. They had a pretty solid menu of food, but I had already eaten! I chose to get a lavender latte with oat milk, and while good, it was a thicker consistency than I'm used to. I'll be back, I'm sure.

My brother and I went here last week for the first time and we will not be back. I'm not a fan of dogs being inside of restaurants. As we were enjoying a cup of coffee while getting some work done...a guy sits next to us and pulls a dog out of his bag. He has the dog sitting ON the table while he feeds him food from his hands. We lost our appetite and left after that. This place is small and the tables are stuffed in there. There is barely room to walk. The lady taking our order was not friendly. We informed her it was our first time visiting then she started talking a little bit. Overall, our experience was not great.

First time here after driving by it so many times. Unfortunately, I think I'll be going to other coffee shops instead. First interaction was walking in and seeing the entire staff eating candy away from the front. My partner and I stood by the register for about 3 minutes before someone came up. To which my partner and I were greeted with: "What do you want dude?" To take the order. My partner ordered. Then as she looked to me for me to order the cashier completely turned away from us 180 degrees, took two steps away, to continue a conversation with another employee. Confused, I stood there waiting while he joked with another employee, and grabbed a candy out of a bag of Halloween candy they had on their side of the register, for about 30 seconds. Then when he finally turned back around, I ordered. When we were finding a place to sit, probably 4/5 of the open seats had either food debris on it, empty dirty plates, or were otherwise unclean. Then after everything, the coffee was... fine at best. I got the Honey Bee and yet it tasted exactly the same as my partners Chai Latte. Which should be alarming enough as to the disorganization of this place. The barista didn't even know what I ordered when I asked for which drink was drink. Overall, I can't say anything about the food as we didn't try it. But otherwise. Steer clear.

Vibe- Cozy coffee shop in Montrose with plenty of inside and outside seating. This would be a good spot to study, work, and/or hangout. Customer service- Great! The barista was very patient with me and my order. Food/drinks- I went with a hot matcha latte with oat milk and I also ordered the vegan taco trio that came with 3 tacos. I got 2 with black beans and potatoes and one with vegan chorizo. Everything I ordered was delish! *chef's kiss* Parking- It's in a shopping strip so there's about 30 parking spots and some street parking available too.

A chill spot to grab coffee and get some work done. Very spacious interiors with plenty of tables and seats. They have their own private parking lot but it does get fill up quickly during busy hours. You can also do street parking. They have a lot of unique coffee options as well some of the regular. There's also a variety of baked goods as well as breakfast items to choose from. I ordered the avocado toast and much to my surprise was better than expected. Also had the blueberry white mocha and iced chai latte. Both were also delish. Services were friendly and quick. Overall, a nice coffee shop in the area to hang with friends or study/work.