Kafe Kerouac in Columbus
Site: http://kafekerouac.com/
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:8AM–12AM
- Wednesday:8AM–12AM
- Thursday:8AM–12AM
- Friday:8AM–1AM
- Saturday:10AM–1AM
- Sunday:12–10PM
Friendly baristas and chill, comfortable atmosphere. Theres live music on weekends!
Absolutely the best Cafe in Columbus. I personally love the outside seats in the summer. You can enjoy all sort of interesting events throughout the week such as poetry nights, wine/drink tasting nights, open mics and so on... . Whether you want a lovely place to work, or hang out with your friends you should check out this place. I don’t understand why people should even consider places like Starbucks when there are local cafes like this one
This has quickly become my favorite cafés near campus. Its a great place to study, and they have a nice selection of coffee, alcoholic drinks, and small bites. I like looking at their record selection and books while Im in the shop as well, and its an especially nice environment when they have live music! I highly recommend it all around!
I was pleasantly surprised of how good the drinks are here. The atmosphere is super chill with great music. We got the J.R. Tolkien and loved it. They also have an assortment of Vegan Patty Cake Treats. The only reason I didnt give it five stars is because it is a little dirty.
Drunk powerpoint night is great! Ryan Branch does a good job and it is a fun night for all. We will be back for the next one!
A very accommodating and welcoming cafe and bar, very supportive to local artists giving them an opportunity to display their craft. A great place to bring your laptop work, write or read and have a coffee or tea, or maybe something a little stronger.
Friendly and helpful employees. Very quaint for its location. Love the selection of old books and music. Coffee is very good an prices arent bad. Only issue is it could be a little cleaner.
Great service, fantastic atmosphere, good prices, and my drink was exceptional. Highly suggest for your caffeine fix.
My top spot in town for bohemian culture, fantastic coffee, and booze. Books, records, games, zines, comedy, poetry, music shows, and more.
Very fun hidden gem. Cafe, bar, book store, record shop, etc. Staff were friendly and helpful. They offer vegan options (non-dairy milk, Pattycake cookies, VEGAN RICE KRISPIE TREATS). Free wifi, comfy seating, great place to hang out and work on your computer. Not loud like other cafes I have visited.
Loved this place! They had shelves filled with books all around and vinyls. People were playing chess and it was super chill. The iced latte I got was delicious, and as a bonus, they even serve beer. 10/10 would come back
I always enjoy looking through the books and vinyls. && the coffee is stellar!
Coffee spots that are open late are sadly rare in the US. They should be ubiquitous. I had a fairy to pretty good Mocha while I was here recently and hey, they have comic books. I recommend that you and I and all our friends patronize as many of these late night coffee spots as possible. They are fantastic, especially with comic books.
Comfy, not too busy or loud, decent selection of books at around $9.50 each for the larger ones & $2 for the small ones near the front entrance. Ive never had issues with parking & the coffee selection is super cool.
Ill be honest, its not the most amazing coffee Ive ever had, but theres a reason Kafe Kerouac is such a staple of the OSU campus area. Its always a great place to go study or hang out at. The people there (both workers and patrons) are very friendly too! I also really appreciate that theyre open so late - Id recommend going later as its usually slower and more chill by then as it can get busy in the daytime. Lastly, the atmosphere is just really cool! Theres books, records, etc for sale in addition to drinks. Its more gritty than your average hipster coffee shop, but also much more comfy and home-y feeling than most coffee shops. Their coffee itself isnt quite what youd get from some other specialty coffee shops, but its much more affordable, and theres a lot of really good drinks they can make - I recommend the Anne Rice! Id definitely recommend checking out Kafe Kerouac!
Oh! This place is just awesome. You get a good vibe entering this place. You have to grab a book and a coffee; just sip and enjoy your time.
The Best. Around. Nothins Ever Gonna Bring It Down.
It was nice to visit this Cafe, it is quite bohemian, and cafes like this are only rarely encountered in america. It is also a bookstore, it has local independent poetry offerings, the clientele and staff are quite unconventional and you can tell it is a closeness scene. But I did not feel unwelcome as an outsider. As a cafe it is wonderful, as a bookstore it is only so so but overall the combination works quite well.
The coffee and atmosphere are great. I had a Mark Twain, which is a latte with chocolate and peanut butter. Great idea. I cant rate the place highly, though. The pandemic is nowhere near over and numbers are going up because of an especially bad variant but nobody had any protection. I was the only one there with a mask. Even the workers were entirely unprotected. No masks or gloves. I look forward to going back but thats not going to happen until it is safe.
Nice little coffee shop with friendly staff. They have a study room with every wall covered in filled book shelves. You can browse and buy books and some old vintage vinyls. Theres couches, tables, and bar stools inside for seating as well as tables and benches on the patio. Their selection of coffee is awesome, and they also sell bagels, cookies and muffins. I highly recommend the jalapeno cheddar bagel
It was busy today with OSU in session. I really like the summer and the breaks when there are open tables. But you can usually find a seat at the bar or in a comfortable chair. I grabbed a Dubliner (Coffee, Irish creme, Whiskey) at the bar, it was great.If you are Covid cautious its probably not for you as its low ceilings and people can be close together.There is seating outside but there isnt shade to speak of... Would be a *great* addition to the place to have some sort of sun/rain shade option for the outside area (hint hint). Only on the area to the right of the front door (looking from outside).
A must visit spot that is always packed with people enjoying great coffee, conversation, literature, or music.
Have been going to Kafe Kerouac throughout all of my undergrad and I don’t see myself going to another coffee shop, even after graduating. Absolutely love the atmosphere. Not only is it a cozy, welcoming place to study and hang out with friends, I love the events that Kerouac hosts for example poetry night, drunken PowerPoint, chess tournaments etc etc.
Great prices! And a lovely book collection. But its a bit too dusty, and musty inside with lackluster customer service. The way the utensils/condiments are set out and the overly soapy taste of the glasses are unsatisfying.
Interesting vibe and good coffee. I got their orange and I think raspberry latte and it was good not amazing. Mostly the flavor not the preparation. Overall enjoyable experience.
Great coffee, nice people. I like the chill vibe. No super modern perfect furniture and decor like some coffee shops where you feel like youre in a real estate ad. Easy to focus. Baristas are always down to earth, helpful, and nice. A little bit over priced, and a little hipster.
Great little place. Amazing coffee. Great atmosphere. This is a good place to study or take someone on a coffee date.
Catholic is a little coffee shop that is on the side of North high Street theres a little place where you can congregate and have some coffee you can read you can have study time Bible time most college students go there they have live shows they have open mic night it happens I think every Tuesday like around 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. so yeah if you want to chill out relax have yourself a nice little beer and quiet time to yourself I will check out Cafe Kerouac
A solid 9 out of 10 (4.5 out of 5, rounded up because half stars arent a thing) ; A gem of a spot nestled in (longish) walking distance from OSUs Ohio Hall / Wexner Center for the Arts / et al, this little coffee/tea/beer/book/record shop is the sort of establishment that could only exist in a college neighborhood or the fever brain of a 90s-era film director. Interestingly, this strength is also its greatest flaw -- with wall art celebrating guys like Hemmingway and Kerouac, and many grumpy-faced patrons and barkeeps/baristas fully owning the vibe, it was like returning to a favorite 90 s film only to realize it didnt age QUITE as well as you expected, and as much as its still mostly great there are a couple of real cringe moments. Its a space where you can readily expect some unpublished writer to pontificate on their authenticness for not selling out, etc. STILL -- and this is important -- thats a lasting undercurrent, but its certainly not anywhere near the entire experience. The atmosphere is, in part, what you make it, and this is definitely one of those old school / Portland-esque cafes in which walking in to see a mohawked punk playing chess against a cardigan-wearing PhD while someone plays a banjolele over in the corner would be just another Tuesday. In other words, like any spot that caters to Lit nerds (like me and, hopefully, you), if you can discourage toxic pretension (from others or self), youre left with a magical unicorn of a fading scene, with great drink choices, plenty of books/games, and a hit-or-miss-but-always-changing record stock.
Aptly named coffee house that also serves alcohol, congenial staff, thematically organized book collection that one can pull off the shelf and peruse, a piano that is played impromptu by very talented customers, etc. In summary, a great place to hang out, drink coffee, read and have a few belts of adult liquids.
I’m really sad today because this is a cozy spot to get work and I’ve been coming here for 6 years and this man comes out of the blue after an hour saying if I’m not buying anything I need to get out. Sorry sir, nobody was at the counter and I’ve spent hundreds of dollars over the years here, don’t you remember me? This was the gentleman who on a previous visit didn’t believe me when I said I was vaccinated, so I remember you! I liked this place because it feels really welcoming, but I’m just a quiet, awkward white guy with Aspergers so I’m not to be trusted. I’m not cool enough for Kafe Kerouac, the place where everybody’s cool and outgoing and everyone knows everyone. I would always tell people Kafe Kerouac was the one place I’ll miss most about Columbus but now I just feel a little heartbroken. I’m just a stupid loser who can’t do anything right.
Masks were worn where they were supposed to be but its a small spot so I would have ordered curbside if possible. Very nice spot to be and in a diverse area and a really nice selection of coffee drinks. Loved my visit and the energy of the barista!
Always an amazing place. Its a great eclectic place - not just for studying, but also for socialising and finding out whats going on in your local community. I find it ti be a nerdy introverted paradise between the books lining the walls, the board games, study space, and the touch if home with the mismatched mugs they serve the coffee in.It has a little bit if my heart and i love going.
This place came in handy for a getaway study location. Coffee was mediocre. My biggest complaint is the bathroom. It was disgusting. Not it was a long day without routine checkups but they never sweep, mop, and disinfect. I’d be surprised if the toilet was cleaned daily. Even eclectic people like a sanitary restroom. There are 3 parking spaces. I was fortunate to get one. Doesn’t seem like there’s any close street parking. It was quiet so I was able to accomplish a lot. I like the books for sell.
This coffee shop has something for everyone and the book selection is quite expansive.
There is always something happening at Kerouac, be it music, poetry, or drunk PowerPoint presentations. On top of the plethora of events to partake in it is also a great and affordable coffee shop, bar, bookstore and record shop. Stop by sometime, you never know what you might find.
They will put tequila on your coffee. Free wifi pretty sick
Neat atmosphere, very comfortable spot if your looking for a place to grab a cup of coffee and read or talk. They had a decent selection of books, they could be priced a bit better for the condition of most of them but none the less not bad. Great for night owls !
Lovely little spot with a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We came for poetry night, and had a great time! The cafe/bar side has a variety of both coffee drinks and alcoholic beverages, as well as pastries and tea. The walls are lined with art and bookshelves. Its just an all around great hole in the wall little cafe - we will definitely be back!
Two coffees and a bagel for $8... take that big name coffee shops. Quaint little coffee shop on campus. The books, comics, and vinyl albums are a nice touch.
I attended a poetry slam here and it was incredible. The environment was warm and welcoming, not pretentious. The staff was friendly and had a great selection of beverages and small baked goods to choose from. I will definitely be back often. I saw they have a wine Wednesday with a special on wine by the glass and I cant wait to come back and try it out.
Probably my favorite place in Columbus. Ive come here every day this week to study for my boards and it has a very chill vibe. You also cant beat being able to immediately switch from coffee to beer when youre done working
Kafe Kerouac has carried the torch for all the previous, independently owned OSU campus hangouts that are long since gone. In addition to a fancy coffee or alcoholic drink, you can also buy used books, local art and LPs at a great price. The place offers a variety of live entertainment during non-Covid times.
Cozy used book store, with pretty good coffee, and BOOZE! definitely can do a lot of writing here@
Very low-key Bookish Hipster vibe. Good place to study and on occasion see live music and improv (Slumberjacks Ramshackle comedy) great coffee and alcohol
This funky book shop and Cafe is just what the soul ordered on a Sunday morning. With an eclectic view of literature and a small coffee bar its well worth the stop if you are in the area. Its first appearances on entering can be a bit much as its a very unique space, but the clientele, excellent coffee offerings and small food stuffs make it well worth it.
Go for the coffee. Stay for the nice atmosphere and the selection of books. I happen to walk by a lot, so it became a beloved spot for coffee, though I would happily go out of my way for the drinks here. Also, some nice alcohol in my coffee never hurt, even at 8:15 a.m.
Really unique place with coffee, books, boardgames, and original pieces of artwork. Accommodating staff and cozy atmosphere
Friendly staff, cozy environment, and often entertainment. There are also board games available to play with a friend or someone you meet. Customers also tend to be friendly and willing to start a conversation. My go to drink is the dairy free hot chocolate. It is also good with mint. In my opinion, its worth the experience! Favorite cofee shop on campus so far!
Cozy coffee shop also selling records and books. Quaint drinks named after famous novelists. Laid back atmosphere with interesting art on display.
I really love this neighborhood coffee bar! Great staff, great drinks, friendly customers...
An absolutely wonderful coffee shop. Delicious menu choices. The decor and space is very cozy and intimate. Perfect for a meetup or date. The library/ book store is very nice as well. Definitely would prefer to go here over Starbucks or Dunkin
Great drinks, and cool atmosphere. The space feels like a cool friend’s basement in good and bad ways. It’s a fun place to hang out, but is also a little dirty. My dust allergies were so bad I had to sit outside after 30 mins reading inside.
My favorite thing about this place is the names of their drinks, usually flavors you cant find other places. This is a great study spot, and hangout spot. There are also board games and books galore, and theyre open later than most coffee spots.
Love this place. Drinks are fun and delicious, and named after famous authors. Music is on spot. Books and music are available to browse while you enjoy your drink. Theyre like one of very few coffee places in cbus that are open late on a sunday evening.
Went there with our daughter. She has spoken highly of this coffee house. We were pleasantly surprised...great coffee, great energy, great prices. What a gem of a place right near OSUs campus. Enjoy!
Free refills on the coffee! Good for studying during the day. Solid wifi and lots of outlets. Gets a little loud in the evening for studying but then its a great place to hang out. Very diverse patrons with some interesting conversations.
Really cool little shop! great cozy environment. Lots of board games and people playing games, even though it was a friday night when I went. Also lots of people studying. So if you are looking for a new place to study and do not mind music while you study and/or people (again friday night) this is your place. Highly recommend! oh and did i mention: LIVE MUSIC :)
Great coffee and a chill place for students (or anybody) to sit and relax whilst reading a book or whatever. Seen people sit around and play board games here before. Its really pretty nice.
One of my favorite spots in town. A cozy place to read, work, play board games, and chat with friends. Often youll find events like comedy, poetry, and music happening here in the evenings.They have a variety of clever coffee drinks, a solid and ever-rotating beer selection, and the best bar staff.
Love this place. Super chill atmosphere. Full of interesting people, great spot to do homework or get a few boozy drinks. Sitting at the bar and just chatting with the bartender is a great time too. Really good coffee drinks as well.
Lovely tea and warm cozy atmosphere :)
A cozy, little coffee shop that provides me with an inspirational setting to get any writing project I’m working on finished through its charm. It’s super cute that all the beverages are named after authors. I would highly recommend taking the time to have your coffee there because they have a marvellous, random assortment of ceramic mugs to craft your coffee into. Best time to go is a little bit before sunsets, as you’ll be able to get your coffee and face the exterior windows to watch the sunset and its light shine through the cafe.
Nothings perfect, but, this place is both cool AND has Espresso drink prices that are only about 1/2 of what Starbucks charges.Coffee, teas, snacks, board games, and sometimes people playing chess.Im sure Id find a reason to take off a star if I go back a few times, but, they deserve a bonus star for not being a chain, so keep it at five anyway.Was not crowded when I went in the afternoon, but there were still a few attractive young hipsters - about 25% occupancy.They offer WiFi, but I didnt try it, I just heard them telling another customer what the login was.If youre in the North Campus area then definitely check them out.Further South, just NW of downtown, I recommend Luck Brothers Coffee shop.😁👍
I went for a horror reading which was excellent. I didnt buy anything though. They seem to serve coffee and sell books. Neat! I didnt check out the bathroom either. There was a little patio out front. There are meters on the side road, perpendicular to High St.
This is my happy place. I always come here to study and when I want a break from the hustle and bustle of campus life. Its a hole in the wall that is often overpassed. The environment is welcoming and has a very broad range of patrons from hipsters and students to construction workers and business types. Has a bar as well. Im trying to make it here on a Wednesday night for open mic poetry some time.
Fun local coffee shop; a lot of my friends are regulars here and it is very nerd friendly. People studying, reading, and playing board-games abound. KK regularly hosts events and seems to solicit ideas from regulars. One of the places in Columbus that really seems to have a sense of community built around it. This can make it difficult to grab a seat however, the place does get pretty packed at times.
Cool atmosphere. Split into 2 rooms: a main room with the counter and sitting area and a secondary room with a stage that doubles as a used bookstore / study room during the day (very quiet, the sound isolation from the main room is impressive). Free refills on black coffee are a nice bonus.
I thought everyone here was very nice. The coffee was also very pleasant. They have books for sale, so it has that going for it as well. The only thing worth pointing out is that it really does have a hipster vibe which might not be for everyone.
Great place to grab a coffee (or beer after class), study with friends or make new ones. Always great tunes pumping from the multi-room stereo. Retro video and board games always satisfy for those evenings you cant help close the text books!
We were invited here for a poetry night by a friend. Its nice that there is a venue for aspiring writers to try out their creations, and its cool that KK hosts the group. The space is a bit small, but it has the right atmosphere, and there were drink options for every palette. Kafe Kerouac has the feel of a cozy, cluttered old library. They have a fun variety of genres and books for purchase. They also have some local art on the walls. I dont necessarily think its everyones scene, but poetry night wasnt bad at all, especially for $5, and its so important to support local artists of all types!
Interesting and laid back coffee house offering alcoholic beverages and some food options. If youre above 40...youd consider it a hippie place. Great background music, cool range of albums and books available for purchase, and live music in the evenings.
Its cute! They serve alcohol and coffee. I.reqlly dont drink coffe but I had 2 of their house drinks and they were delicious. They had a nice selection of Rheingiest too. Its a great place to chill. There was an OSU game going on so a lot of people stopped in for coffee, but it didnt become another overcrowded OSU game day hoopla
This cafe/bar was super cool. I went there with my friends on a Friday night and it was crowded, but cozy. The prices are cheap for the coffee and the portions are pretty large. I was happy with the taste and the environment. Only thing that could be improved is parking.
The drink names are fun, staff is nice, environment is cozy, and theres beer for when you get bored with coffee. Love it here.
Love Kafe Kerouac!!! Very chill environment with lots of fun events going on throughout the week, from open mics to songwriting sessions to poetry readings to stand up/improv gigs. Good coffee with fun names based on famous authors. Lots of books to read, including some very obscure stuff! There are also board games to play. A great place to meet up with people or to go hang out by yourself. Hit up Kafe Kerouac Night at the end of each month!
I love this place. Its a super safe and inclusive environment. Lots of options for coffee and alcoholic beverages. Lots of books to read if you fancy. Comfortable, homey seating.
My favorite coffee shop and bar. Lots of board games, video games, books, beer, wine, whiskey, poetry nights, open mic, live music, and coffee.
Quiet place thats prime for studying, reading, and having quality time alone or with others. I love the library and the general cozy vibe the place exudes.
Certainly a hipster watering hole however, it is one of the few places you can get some studying done, grab a beer or a drink, and then see a show all in one night.It has a certain charm to it that just has to be experienced in person. So dont be afraid to start an impromptu game if chess with a stranger.
The last used book store cafe bar combo in town
This is one of the consistently coolest places in Columbus. The place is divided into two Chambers, the first of which houses the bar, coffee shop, and has a selection of board games. Spirited conversation and occasionally even debate are often occuring in this half. The second section houses a large and well appointed library and is often quiet and full of people studying or working. This section also houses a stage which at night houses open mics, poetry slams, and guest lectures. There is also a nice patio that is usually crowded and sometimes features chess matches. The only flaw in the whole operation is that it is not open 24 hours a day.
The place has a cozy atmosphere that makes it enjoyable to relax in and play chess/read/browse the web. The coffee is subpar so do not set your expectations too high. The bar is a plus though.
Really nice atmosphere and they have a bunch of different options. The staff was also very friendly and theres plenty of room to find a seat and hang out for a while. Theres also some fun board games to play there and different events.
This is the kind of coffee shop you dream of. The kind you see in movies. Except none of the corporate side of movies! Haha it’s amazing the people. The atmosphere, the vinyl, the books, OH YEAH! And the coffee! Haha it’s amazing! I love this place it litterally bleeds personality. And the hold poetry nights, and ugh. I can’t, go here guys.
Cute little spot! Wonderful and fun drinks! Not too expensive! Very kind and down to earth staff! Great study spot! Only downside is parking, but thats not the shops fault! :)
Baristas are all extremely nice in my experience, drinks are good, nice atmosphere. One star off for the patrons, some are obnoxiously hipster and some are just very very strange. Also I sort of question the cleanliness of the sitting areas but the area behind the bar and everything food related seemed very clean. Excellent playlist too for when Ive been in there.
This is one of my favorite local coffee shops. The drinks are creative, cozy environment, and there are board games, comics, and records. Also the zucchini bread is bomb 👌
I really like this place. Excellent brewed coffee that was personally chosen by the barista, and baked goods which I heard him say his mom bakes! Lots of space, power points, wifi, and interesting books to see and buy. Caters to OU crowd, but friendly to all.
Fun place to hang out to study, catch up with friends, or people watch. Always an interesting conversation to over hear ;) besides that, coffee is good and the drinks are creative. Plus they always have cool events!
Nice place. Went for coffee for the first time last weekend. The egg nog latte is 10/10. This place is pretty hipster. Also a nice place to go if you’re a book lover.
Kafe Kerouac is an alternative coffee house. Small and cozy, they have good coffee along with beer and wine. There are routinely students studying for finals, people on awkward first dates, and shows on the small stage. The walls are covered in books and they even have some indie comics for sale. All in all, a good egg.
Interesting dynamic, and they have live improv and stand up comedy one a month on a Friday, keep an eye out for that!
Pretty sure its the only place in Columbus you can get espresso drinks untill 1 AM. Everyone there feels like a friend. Cool drinks. College atmosphere. Cant beat it.
This is SUCH a cute kafe (lol). They have a whole room for books that you can just read or buy if you really like them. They also have vegan food available. I got a vegan rice krispy treat that was so GOOD. Def suggest this place!
The atmosphere and community is there, I just wish that they would make the coffee and espresso drinks a little stronger but that might just be me and my preference. Its always a good place to chill, talk to people, play board games, and get some work done.
I love the peanut butter pretzel bars. The guys mom home makes them! They are delicious. I love the coffee specials. The ambiance is nice and cozy and ecclectic, and the people who work are always friendly.
Theres a little bit of everything here. Coffee drinks are unique and delicious. Inexpensive. Book store. Games are provided to play. Its also a bar. Great snacks! I would highly recommend this place to any and everyone! (:
Kafe Kerouac is a unique find in Columbus. Not too many people have stumbled across it. It’s kind of like the coffee shop version, although it does also serve alcohol too, of the bar in Cheers. It has a tight-knit, liberal-minded group of regulars which help give it a distinctive welcoming feeling that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else in Columbus. It’s a great place to get a tasty beverage, play a board game or two, and hangout with your friends for awhile.
Kafe Kerouac is the neatest little coffee shop. Theres plenty of room to sit and hang out, theres free refills, and the drinks are all named after authors, like Kerouac. Great atmosphere; unique people.
I go here for the poetry events, that they have on Wednesday. I enjoy them. Only 4 stats because, I havent been in a while, and the time I did go, i was excited to go and I got all the way there, paid for a parking meter and the show was cancelled. Just wish it was a heads up on the website or something.
You can be yourself and feel welcome at this coffee shop. The baristas are cool, coffee is great, and they have a wide range of events from poetry to light shows.
Coffee shop & bar with free wifi. Grate freaking coffee in my humble opinion. Parking can suck to find. If you want to stay late and study or hang it can get a bit cramped so get there early, its still worth it imo.
Cozy little coffee spot. Has board games and books inside. The staff is very friendly. Has a comfortable atmosphere. Clientele is a lot of young college students working on homework
Good drinks, very reasonably priced, pretty quiet space. The butterscotch cookies are to die for. Wide book selection. Just not my particular vibe.
Ordered a large mocha latte (skim milk) this morning for $4.25. Very disappointed. Bland and watery, both in espresso and cocoa taste--much more so than the equivalent at Starbucks.
Free WiFi, music, books, and good customer service. A small and crowded place, but I still enjoyed my visit. It was also nicely decorated, and beverages were delicious than average. I mostly liked the fast WiFi.
So cozy!! i love coming here to study. its busy, so sometimes its hard to find a seat. if you like poetry there is a reading every wednesday for $5, highly recommend.
Drip coffee is not great, but there are free refills. Fancy drinks are pretty good though. This is a really good place to study if you dont mind being surrounded by hipsters.
Sick spot. Really cool place that hosts local music, poetry jams, and comedy shows. Friendly, welcoming staff and crowd. Cheap coffee & snacks + some really interesting retro books and vinyls for sale.
Fun atmosphere, free wifi, and good coffee. There‘s maybe not enough seating given its high traffic location but it’s a great place to get work done.
I like to get all my things out and setup before I order something to drink. When I asked for the wifi password, the barista was super snooty about it. I understand this policy and can accept it, what I cant accept is someone treating another person like garbage for such a small thing. I took my things and left, no reason to give my money to people who treat others like this.
Kafe Kerouac is my favorite cafe in Columbus. Friendly people, good music,a fun atmosphere and usually something or someone interesting going on. A good selection of cafe drinks and a full bar as well.
This place is awesome, such a cool atmosphere, with lots of decorations, books, and records throughout the store. Ample seating area. Beverages are extremely delicious and come in big sizes
College coffee shop/bar atmosphere. Good espresso drinks and affordable prices.
I come here to avoid my real life. Everything is so drab. My wife and son hate me. All I have its in the pocket of society. Here, I drink. Throw my butts on the ground and forgive my grandfather for his racism. I have heard they have coffee. Nobody cares. This place is surreal.
Imagine walking into a retro, semi hipster whole in the wall. You can order amazing drinks (my faves are iced chai and JRR Tolkien, which is mint, cinnamon, hazelnut, milk and espresso.) I am lactose-intolerant and appreciate their selection of delicious vegan cookies and soy milk being readily available.You may become addicted to this place.
I had no idea they had such a vast and expansive vintage comic book selection. Most people frequent kafe kerouac for its coffee and open Mic opprotunities. I go to shop for comics. Better than actual comic book stores, in my opinion.
Lots of books and really good drinks, alcoholic and otherwise. Really nice vibes, certainly different from most other coffeeshops
Ohio states true bohemian library... coffee drinks named after American authors, plenty of reading material, comfy, busy study spot with occasional live performances.
Truly unique. Concert venue, coffee shop, indie comics, records, bookstore, open mic poetry, AND a bar. Fast wifi too. One of my favorite places to hang on campus
Kafe is kind of like your best friend from middle school and even though you havent seen them in months they still give you the best hugs and advice. Kafe is kind of like your mom on her good days and your grandma on holidays. Kafe is home. Thanks for existing
Real low-key coffee spot.
Kerouac is the best coffee shop around campus. Perfect punksy-beat student atmosphere. Highest quality coffee, drinks and food. Great baristas.
Very good coffee always busy very crowded but your typical coffee shop scene. I go all of the time and get great ice coffee that isnt too expensive.
Great for coffee and checking out random books and albums. There is, on occasion, events called Drunk Powerpoint. Definitely check THAT out. Hilarity always ensues.
Awesome place, just stopped in on my way through town, to use wifi and have a bagel and coffee, and had a really nice time. Chill vibes and great coffee, food, and service.
Eclectic coffee bar with a great selection of drinks and pastries. Cozy sitting spots. Excellent used book store and wonderful nightly performances.
This place is great for working and good, affordable coffee. The atmosphere is very welcoming and homey. I love that it smells like books and coffee.
Fell in love on my first visit and have been coming back for the ladt few years. If its for a cup of coffee or a few shots and beers, this in an excellent, low key, place to relax.
The hipsterist of hipster coffee bars. Youll know of youll love it in the first 30 seconds. I sure do.
The coffee and atmosphere are perfect for relaxing, socializing with a friend or two, or working. Each drink is named after an author. The aesthetic is priceless.
V cosy (and quiet) cafe with super cheap drinks!!!!! (their house specials are $3 or so, and alcoholic drinks start around $5). nice baristas as well. write smth in their bathroom when you get the chance!
Great casual cafe house. Been there a few times, and havent had a bad drink yet. Great for quiet work, but also allows for conversation
Small low key coffee shop and bookstore. Perfect to study, read, play boardgames, or have a social gathering. Many super cool rotating events.
Great coffee by day and interesting events by night. You can buy a comic book, drink a coffee, play a board game, have a mixed drink, listen to socialists complain, and watch a band play all in the same hour.
Beautiful and calm. Coffee is good and the staff is nice. Perfect for a date, a place to study, or just a trip out.
Fun, hip atmosphere. Great place to chill with a friend or read a book. Good coffee and tea as well as mixed drinks
Love the coffee and vibes. Great place to study and read.
Creative interior, plenty of sitting space for students with extension cords next to each table, LP collections and clean glass cups for cool drinks.
Always incredible, best spot in the world.
Fantastic atmosphere for the hip person. Coffee is bottomless cup - but its not craft. Good beer, great entertainment
Just went for the first time and that man made me the best iced coffee i’ve ever had. my new go to!!
Great atmosphere, full of musty, eclectic perfection like a cool record store library where you can drink coffee and booze and tea day or night.
I love the fact that you can locate a local coffee shop near home. But do we have to battle the cigarette smoke trying to come into your establishment.
Very cool place! Definitely going back! And if you love chai like I do, theres is great!
Server was extremely rude during my visit and made me very uncomfortable. After taking a spoonful of honey, the man behind the counter proceeded to glare at me for the duration of my stay. Later, when I made eye contact with the man, I waved; no recognition, only a look of anger. The tipping point was when a friend I accompanied asked for the Wifi password, where the staff member told him not to share the password with me.Extremely rude and extremely unprofessional. Be warned.
Chill vibe, nice atmosphere to hang out, the drink menu is unique. The coffee is decent.
A supportive community gathering place that also sells coffee, alcohol, snacks, books, comics, and records. An extensive variety of performing artists frequent there.
A cozy atmosphere, great for reading first dates, and meeting up with friends. The favorite meet up place for the alternative creatives of Columbus.
This place is filled with lot of people who love talking about how much they love books. Coffee is fine, prices are fine, and its fun making fun of all the people.
Cool local coffee shop tailored for studying, games, coffee/drinks and college prices
Several of the games are old/beaten-up, but the coffee is decent and its a great place for a relaxing afternoon or hanging out with friends
This is my favorite place. Why open at NOON on Sundays though? I feel like youre missing out on 4 very prime hours to do school work.Need someone to work those hours? Ill do it.
Great close-to-campus coffee in a very bohemian atmosphere. Go-to spot to catch the ukulele club, a poetry slam, or open mic night!
Great coffee, beer, internet, books, music, atmosphere, and service. Honestly, one would be hard-pressed to find a cooler coffee shop this side of the Atlantic. Way to go guys :)
The owner and staff are supremely friendly, the coffees (and hot cocoa!) superb, and the environment cozy and conducive to great conversation.
A Coffee shop that doubles as a dive bar for beer? Yes please!!!!!Not sure how often the whole bean coffee cycles through, but everything else is as good as it gets.
Friendly staff, delicious specialty drinks, and a curiously good used book selection. Definitely a fan of this place.
I love this place: great atmosphere, friendly employees, bookshop inside, happy hour Monday through Thursday, good baked goods, and lots of fun events
I had a delayed flight that allowed me to spend the day here sipping coffee and working quietly in the library. Great customer service and great coffee.
Chill place with a really great atmosphere (books!). They have cocoa, coffee & craft beer too. How can ya go wrong?
Cozy little coffee shop. Cheap coffee, good muffins. Nice selection of used books. Low-key place.
Best spot on the block for a coffee, a beer, a book, a show, poetry, boardgames with the homies etc.
Excellent place for coffee, drinks and social gathering. Nice selection of books too.
I love the setup & staff, and the drinks are super fun!
Some of the hottest coffee I’ve ever tasted
Unique coffee shop with a wide selection of coffees, beers, etc. Interesting decor with books, records, and games. Also nice small porch to sit on
Great coffee and your choice of entertainment. Super chill spot to study or snooze
Lovely little event space. Cafe was bustling with young adults and some good live music.
Fabulous coffee shop with relaxed environment for casual visits or deep conversation. Always love coming here!
Wonderful combination of books, vinyls and coffee
It was my first time there because my cousin was performing and we had a great time. Bartender was awesome!!!!!
Came in the morning to order 5 coffees for my coworkers and I. Man in the morning was very rude and had an attitude the whole time. Coffee was great but some of the employees there are terrible!
The coffee selection is incredible, live performances, books and board games. Also serves alcohol.
Great place for local music, great drinks and cool coffee options. They also have used books and local zines for sale.
The drinks there are premium and the alcoholic coffee shots are delicious! Definitely try the Mexican Standoff
One of my favorite hang outs for years. Very casual, great place to study or meet people.
Fantastic spot, tasty coffee, friendly staff A+
My mocha was made with chocolate syrup, but dont underestimate the value of alcoholic coffee cocktails
Good atmosphere, separate rooms for studying versus chatting. Good coffee and muffin.
Pretty good coffee and pastries and a good place to study, especially for late night.
Cozy, friendly, good hang out spot, wifi. I think the cost can be a little steep for just a cup of coffee.
Hip low key coffee shop. Open late. Booze available. Games, books, music. Groovy baby
Really good drinks and very kind service. Also the live music is very nice.
Great spot for drinks of all sorts and people of all sorts. Fun to draw or study here
The venue seems a bit crowded, but thats only because they offered good products with good prices.
I love this place! Has a definite character! Good coffee, great atmosphere!
Just the best. Great drinks. Cozy, calm, and open feeling. Lots of events and meetups.
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Kafe Kerouac 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-08It was raining and we were looking for coffee. We saw this coffee place and stopped by. I got a cup of mocha, and my mum got a regular drip coffee. The coffee was decent, nothing fancy or extraordinary. The place looks super chill though. It was a Friday evening, and was fully packed. People were chilling and hanging out over coffee. I would love to go back to spend time there
Review №2
2022-02-24I really love this place. I hadnt been here since my college days (many moons ago), but upon visiting again I discovered that it is just as cool as always. I love the used books for sale and immediately found one I had to have. I tried an Earl Grey Latte with Lavender and some other syrup (cant remember the author the drink was named after, maybe Dickens?), but it was great. They had a nice collection of bagels and other baked treats as well as a number of special drinks and also regular drip coffee. The staff were fun and engaging.
Review №3
2022-06-08One of my favorite spots in the campus area! It has a unique charm to it and the people who work there are always super nice and welcoming. Love to go there when I want to read or get a little bit of work done. The hours are also fantastic, as I often like to hang out in coffee shops in the afternoon and many places close around that time. The fact that they have beer is also a plus.
Review №4
2022-06-11Delicious Author/Poet drinks, friendly youre home vibe. Chess along with absurd comedy. My new happy place.
Review №5
2021-07-17My friends and I were looking for a coffee shop and the ones we usually go to were closed, so we decided to give this place a try. If possible, come here and try their ice vanilla latte. It litterally tastes like the milk left after you eat the cereal. Its smooth, very delicious, and goes down easy. It was so good that after I finished my medium latte, I went back inside and order another large! And because it was so good I decided to get one of their T-shirts! Yes its that good.
Review №6
2021-10-18This cafe has great coffee, mixed coffee drinks, books, and atmosphere. It is a fantastic place to work between classes or hang out for an afternoon!
Review №7
2022-01-26Having been a transplant here in Columbus for the passed year, I have finally begun to venture out.Kate Kerouac is the perfect coffee house for chilling, reading, drawing, or painting. Love this place and am slowly turning it into a haunt.
Review №8
2022-07-04So cute!! love the bottomless coffee, the used books to read, and just overall warm feeling.
Review №9
2022-06-28College croud. Friendly staff. Indoor and outdoor seating. Enjoyable experience; I would recommend it. No on site parking; but there is parking in walking distance.
Review №10
2021-10-04Kafe Kerouac is a gem hidden in the city.Its understated facade makes it easy to miss. But dont miss out on a chance to go there at least once.Its a great place to sit and work for a few hours, to take your SO out for a coffee date or just go with a friend group for some games.The place is divided into 2 areas; the main areas with the actual coffee bar, music, books and tables to sit and drink and play the games. And the adjoining area is the silent study zone, with no music, bookshelves and tables to sit and work.They offer a series of specialty coffees named after authors. And even spiked coffees for the fun evenings. Whilst coffee connoisseurs might pick them apart, for the prices and occasions, I think they work pretty well.Cant recommend anything in particular, would say just try each one out with every visit.The staff are unfortunately a mixed batch. Ive had great staff whove been happy to have a conversation and keep the place open just a little over time for us. And Ive also had staff be unfriendly, unhelpful and somewhat rude about sitting as a group if everyone hasnt purchased something. So its just a bit of luck then.