I spent the weekend in Washington DC. I think I visited three different Starbucks over the course of my trip, and I must admit I was still shocked at how large and spacious non-NYC Starbucks tend to be. They have space that goes on for days, and seating a-plenty. Not to mention two-gender specific bathrooms. But still — no city in the world can boast as many locations as good ol’ New York, New York.
Everybody that lives or has lived in NYC is aware that space is gold. Space cannot go wasted. And wasted space will only be discovered and then eaten up by something-or-other. But there are some indoor ‘spaces’ in the city that are actually meant to cater to a crowd that means to linger — and no I’m actually not talking about Starbucks.
Scattered throughout the city, exist a few “Public Seating” areas for the general public. Usually filling the bottom floors of large office buildings, these public seating areas are filled with tables and chairs and function as indoor parks, no nature or swing sets required.
This Starbucks on the corner of 47th & 5th is actually directly attached to one of these public seating areas. It has a street entrance as well as an entrance into the seating area. Therefore, one can get there coffee (or whatever) and take it just a few steps to this climate-controlled area. Large groups can meet here with ease without worrying about the limited seating of the over-crowded lounge areas that exist in most Starbucks.
The seating area alone makes this a unique and accommodating Midtown treat.
The Good:
The Location… Right off of 5th Avenue and all the shopping pleasures that accompany it.
The ‘Public Seating’… It’s a very convenient add-on to what would have otherwise been a not-so-great location.
The Decor… A cute padded green bench sits in the window with four natural wood-carved mini tables scattered in the small seating area.
The Bad:
The Size… The Starbucks itself is actually quite small.
The Restroom… None in the Starbucks, but apparently there was one located as part of the public seating area.
Barista Friendliness:
On par service.
Drink of Choice:
Grande Iced Green Tea.
Overall Starbucks Rating:
The Public Seating area turned this would be 2-Cup into a 4-Cup.
Starbucks and the City 
I visited this Starbucks earlier this week in between two doctor’s appointments in the area. Since it was mid-morning (rather than rush hour or mid-afternoon), it was quiet at that time – a steady flow of customers, but most going to that public area you mentioned.
As for me, I wanted a place to plug in/re-charge my phone, and the small bench area with the natural wood tables has a four-gang outlet, so I was very happy to sip my iced venti soy chai and read Philipa Gregory’s “White Queen” on my phone Kindle while said phone charged. A great place to kill mid-morning time, no doubt! Unfortunately, the music was kind of loud, which made it impossible for me to do what I had originally planned/hoped to do, listen to a webinar that I had downloaded to my phone. But overall, a good SB experience!