This weekend I did something I can’t say I’ve done in over a year: I spent an entire weekend without any Starbucks. This was not by choice but an inadvertent reality I had to face when visiting Provincetown, MA. Luckily, what this small town on the tip of Cape Cod lacks in Starbucks, it makes up with culture, beaches, bars and quirky shops to visit. This was my first time in Ptown, and I must say, I’m a huge fan. In a way, it’s the anti-New York, and I even enjoyed sampling the local cafes.
However, after a long weekend away from NYC, sometimes it feels good to return to the fast paced streets and active lifestyle of a New Yorker. At least there’s Starbuck here.
Today, I’m spending some time in a Starbucks on the corner of 27th and 6th Ave. This area is on the border of both Chelsea and NoMad, yet it hardly resembles either neighborhood. This strip of 6th Ave is inundated with quick service lunch restaurants to service the nearby business crowds of the Flatiron district.
The Starbucks itself is designed well, but tiny. It’s placed directly on the corner and constructed like the cutout of a circle. There’s no restroom, and — even worse — no seating. Yes, there are plenty of Starbucks in either direction on 6th Ave, but I still see no reason why 8-10 stools can’t be placed facing the window-bar.
The Good:
The Crowd… Hardly a line and virtually no one interested in staying in a Starbucks with no seating.
The Decor… The only Starbucks I’ve seen with a wall of real tree limbs.
The Bad:
The Seating… It doesn’t exist. There is one circular bar lining the window but nothing to pull up to it.
The Size… It’s one of the Starbucks mini-stores so just enough room for a wrap around line during peak hours.
The Restroom… None for public use.
Barista Friendliness:
Drink of Choice:
Grande Vanilla Iced Latte… 5 days left of Treat Receipts.
Overall Starbucks Rating:
A mini Starbucks on the border of Chelsea and NoMad.
Starbucks and the City 
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