The Reno Scene - Exploring entertainment and nightlife in our fair city

Sarah Cook, reno.com
June 17, 2008

Alright, Reno. After scoping out nearly every coffee shop in the city, I’ve come to a conclusion – Se7en is by far the place you want to hang. I’d never heard of this little shop until recently, but after spending thirty minutes inside, it was clear that I’d been missing out.

Although Se7en caters more to the wonderful world of tea than it does coffee, they’ve still managed to compile a large list of espressos and coffee drinks just as good as you’d find at Starbucks, minus the corporate American craze that lingers inside each and every one of those franchises.

Se7en is not only a place for good tea, tiny espressos, and tasty snacks, but it’s also one of the few coffee shops in Reno that serves alcohol, for those who feel the need for a little afternoon kick in their latte.

I was really impressed when I got to this place. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by the friendly staff, who not only sat down at my table to hang out with me while I tried to decide what to order, but also provided myself and my buddy with a fresh fruit seltzer, on the house.

Let me tell you, it tasted amazing. A nice gesture and an all-around happy time for my taste buds. Not only that, but they didn’t charge me for my espresso. What’s free these days? Nothing, unless you go somewhere cool, in which case people know how to make you happy enough to ensure you’ll be returning later, and telling your friends.

So, what local competition is Se7en up against? First, you’ve got the dozens and dozens of Starbucks locations that are seemingly on every corner of this city. My favorite of these endless locations is the one on the corner of South Virginia Street and California Avenue. Although fun to hang out at and equipped with endless amounts of fabulously tasty coffee drinks, Starbucks is a place you can find anywhere you go, and everywhere. Personally, I prefer coffee shops that aren’t overplayed, locally owned and operated, or at least one-of-a-kind.

Dreamers definitely falls into that category. Dreamers is always fun because it’s right by the river, and located in the heart of downtown Reno. That’s always a plus, especially in the warmer months when you can sit outside and sip your coffee while listening to the Truckee River race by you. Plus, Dreamers has live music. Who could ask for more?

Alongside Dreamers, there’s Walden’s Coffeehouse, which is pretty much the same exact thing, just in a different location. Then, there’s the Purple Bean. Now this place has been around forever. When I was a kid, I remember thinking it was a jelly bean store that only sold purple jelly beans. When I finally went inside and found out what it really was, I remember always crediting it for its super cozy environment, best for those of us who like to take our time when relaxing with our caffeine.

Luckily, word on the street is that we’re getting a couple of Peet’s locations soon. Now this is going to be awesome, because although much like Starbucks, Peet’s is better quality, and as of today, our only chance at getting a fresh cup of it is when at the airport. And who wants to go there unless she absolutely has to? The only other option is buying it at the grocery store, but then you lose the whole coffee-shop vibe that really contributes to the experience of an afternoon jolt.

So, if you’re a huge coffee or tea fan and want to hang out somewhere that isn’t packed, isn’t trendy, and isn’t run-of-the-mill, I strongly recommend you give Se7en a try. I think it’d be pretty difficult to be disappointed by this place. After all, they have like, seven different types of green tea to choose from. And how!


Last week: Club Underground


Next week: Wingfield Park.