The Starbucks on 31st and 6th is actually the first location I ever visited in New York City. The image on the banner of this blog was taken here in December of 2011 when I first visited the city.
We arrived very late on a Wednesday, and the following morning I woke up well before my friends. Getting a glimpse of the city from our hotel room on the 14th floor of the Hotel Pennsylvania made exploring NYC irresistible. So I descended into the city solo, while my friends slumbered. I walked aimlessly around crowded Midtown in the peak hours of business foot-traffic until I spotted this Starbucks. I think at that moment I knew that the rest of my visit would be spent finding a way to make this city my future home — and that’s exactly what I did.
Unfortunately, this Starbucks has not remained as I left it. The exterior is now burdened with one of those construction awnings. If that would have been the case in December of 2011, I may have missed this location entirely. But don’t let the lousy exterior full you — the interior of this location is beautifully decorated. It also has a decent amount of seating to help tackle the crowds that poor in. It is larger than most Midtown locations, and the design pushes the line toward the back to help eliminate congestion.
I definitely don’t remember the first Starbucks I ever stepped foot in, but this location is unforgettable.
The Good:
The Seating… A raised community table and a bench lined with small tables.
The Decor… Neat light fixtures, black & white photos, olive-green accent colors, and a unique cooling unit for their sandwiches and lunch packs.
The Bad:
The Crowd… Just south of Herald Square — too many tourists, crowds, and street vendors.
The Restroom… Just the one.
Barista Friendliness:
Drink of Choice:
Venti Iced Coffee w/ Sugar-free Caramel… an old favorite.
Overall Starbucks Rating:
Sentimentality aside, this a decent location.
Starbucks and the City 
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