The Starbucks on 92nd street and 3rd avenue is only the third Starbucks I’ve visited on the Upper East Side, but I am already seeing a pattern. If the Starbucks of NYC were a clothing line, the Upper East Side locations would be the formal wear. These Starbucks dress to impress.
Being up in the 90s, this location actually boarders on East Harlem, which may also explain the communal atmosphere I picked up on while sitting here. Several older patrons seem to frequent the location. They don’t bring laptops or iPads. They come with newspapers and paperback novels. They chat with each other and are on a first name basis with the baristas. Simply adorable — to say the least.
But all Starbucks come with their flaws. Yes this Starbucks may be beautifully decorated and clean — almost sterile, in-fact — it falls short in the practicality department. The small seating lounge is just a bit too snug. Causing people to shift around to let others pass in and out of seats or to the creamer station.
Also, this Starbucks doesn’t appear to have any public power outlets. Unfortunately this too is becoming a pattern I’m noticing. In-fact, I did a bit of research on the matter. Check out this article I discovered from 2011 that talks about the need for Starbucks to eliminate squatters in”extreme cases.” Now I’ve often been quoted saying that Starbucks is my “office” but apparently there are some that have taken that statement to the next level, turning Starbucks into their 9 to 5 workroom.
This begs the question: Is Starbucks cutting off New York’s power supply?
The Good:
The Seating… I’m a huge fan of those large work tables.
The Atmosphere… Very communal and friendly.
The Bad:
The Power Outlets… These ones are not covered up — they just don’t exist.
The Restroom… Just the one.
Barista Friendliness:
Quality service.
Drink of Choice:
Orange Mango Smoothie… The smoothies came to Starbucks just a few years ago in their attempt to branch out from their coffee-centric menu. This is actually my first time having one — and although I’m admittedly not a smoothie fan — this one wasn’t bad. I feared it would be too sweet but it wasn’t. Plus, bonus points for using a whole fresh banana and whey and fiber powder in the mix.
Overall Starbucks Rating:
A quality location if you can overlook the lack of power outlets.
Starbucks and the City 
You may be interested to know that a few years ago, two young men detonated an explosive device outside this location. It was over night so there were not any injuries, however the windows were blown out and the explosion was heard for blocks. Like all good criminals, they were seen on a surveillance camera and soon arrested.
That is an interesting fact indeed!