By now I’ve visited Starbucks within banks, Starbucks in business lobbys, Starbucks in airports, and Starbucks in retail stores. And today I add one more type of Starbucks to my hitlist: a Starbucks in a bus station. Not just any station though, this Starbucks is the latest addition to the giant Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown between 4oth and 41st street on 8th avenue.
This Starbucks is one of the newest additions to the 200 plus locations on the island of Manhattan and wasn’t here when I started this blog over six months ago. Unfortunately, that means it wasn’t hear a few years ago when I first visited Manhattan and ran through this labyrinth of a bus terminal in search of a friend who had taken a bus into the city. If it had been here, then the terminal may have been a little more welcoming.
As it is, this Starbucks is on the main concourse level of the bus terminal and is only a couple of yards from the exit onto 8th avenue and cab service. According to a New York Times article (whose headquarters is conveniently located across the street) around 250,000 people pass through this terminal each day, and I’ll bet half stop at this Starbucks. So of course, there is no need for a doorway or wall to limit traffic; the Starbucks simply opens up into the terminal, and the distinction between cafe and bus station rests in floor tiles, music (jazz, currently) and aroma. The Starbucks does gather quite the crowd, but my hat goes off to the baristas who try to stay on top of who’s sitting here enjoying a coffee and who’s just looking to loaf.
Would I recommend this Starbucks as a “Go-To Starbucks” to catch up with a friend over coffee? No… But it certainly is convenient for tired travelers in and out of NYC.
The Good:
The Location… Conveniently located within the Port Authority Bus Terminal, just off Time Square, and a few blocks north of Penn Station.
The Size… Surprisingly this Starbucks is pretty spacious and offers a good amount of seating.
The Hours… Open til Midnight on weekdays and 11pm on weekends.
The Bad:
The Crowd… 250,000 people flow through this terminal each day, so yeah — it’s pretty crowded.
The Line… Not short — let’s just say that.
Restroom… None in the Starbucks itself, but rest assured you can find one in the Port Authority somewhere.
Barista Friendliness:
Drink of Choice:
Grande Iced Coffee
Overall Starbucks Rating:
A convenient stop off Starbucks before catching a bus.
Starbucks and the City 
Leave a Reply