Starbucks is certainly a household name. As of 2018, there were 29,324 Starbucks locations around the world. There are over 14,000 in the United States alone and over 3,000 in China. Chances are that you’re a Starbucks customer, and if that’s the case, you’ll probably keep an eye on your local Starbucks’s hours.
You don’t want to wake up and be without your morning jolt of caffeine. There’s just something about going to your local coffee shop where the barista knows your name (even if it’s not always spelled right)!
What Is a Coffee Shop?
A coffee shop is a place to order coffee, tea, and food. Not only that, but they’re also often a place for work or connection.
Coffee shops generally open early in the morning. They are usually comfortable and might play relaxing music. Patrons are encouraged to stay and hang out longer than they might at a fast-casual restaurant. Sometimes local musicians play at coffee shops, or your shop might host game nights, open mic nights, or other community events. They may also serve as community bulletins.
Not all coffee shops have seating, though. With the growth of coffee shop popularity in the wake of Starbucks’ expansion, they’re almost as much a commodity as they are a secondary home. Some coffee shops are in grocery stores or department stores, and some have patios while others don’t. Some coffee shops, like Starbucks, are in bookstores such as Barnes & Noble.
Coffee shops also serve as “third spaces,” a concept coined by Starbucks themselves.
What Is a Third Space?
Think about it: you probably live your life between home and work. A third space is a place meant to carve out an area between those two–it’s where you go when you’re not at home or at work. Coffee shops are a great third place; they’re not just places to drink tea or coffee. Coffee shops and cafés provide a place to study, work, write, meet friends, read, talk to new people, and be part of the local community.
When people think of Starbucks, they think of comfortable chairs, soothing music, and just the right touch of classy ambiance, no matter how affordable Starbucks might be. Because of this, Starbucks is a top choice for meetings of all kinds. Some people even use Starbucks as their home office!
There are other reasons, of course, like food and drink options that appeal to pretty much everyone. Let’s also not forget the intoxicating smell of java that wafts through the air. That smell alone can make sure customers, not just baristas, log plenty of Starbucks hours when working or socializing.
Starbucks has inspired many imitators, but it remains one of the best.
Open Door Policy
Starbucks instituted an “open door policy” after an incident in May 2018. The company got bad press after a manager accused two men of loitering and the video went viral. Though Starbucks always strived to provide a third place for anyone, customer or not, this new policy ensures that anyone can use the seating areas or bathrooms whether or not they make a purchase.
After some controversy, Starbucks clarified that drug use, sleeping, and smoking are still prohibited behaviors. Of course, they might also ask non-customers to prioritize seating space for those who purchase a beverage, but everyone is welcome to soak in the scent of coffee and cool off (or warm up, depending on the season!).
More Inclusive
It’s safe to say Starbucks used to promote an air of exclusivity when compared to its rival Dunkin’ Donuts. With higher prices and specialty coffee roasts, Starbucks targeted customers with disposable income. Even just having sizes that aren’t just “small,” “medium,” and “large” intimidated people new to Starbucks; it’s not uncommon to hear people ask for a “tall coffee” only to receive a small one without realizing it.
Now that it has an open-door policy, Starbucks is no longer only for the rich. Anyone can go there even if they don’t have the means to purchase anything. Free Wi-Fi is now open to all. There are definite ways to save money at Starbucks, from sticking to brewed coffee (iced or hot) to taking advantage of their reward program, but explicitly creating an open door policy makes Starbucks a much more welcoming place than it may have been before.
Are Specialty Coffee Shops Like Starbucks Worth It?
Chances are you’ve seen or heard someone ask this. After all, many people are used to scooping out from a $3 tin of Folgers in the morning.
Truthfully, there isn’t a right answer to this one. It all comes down to preference and taste. Here are some reasons it might be worth keeping an eye on your local Starbucks’ hours.
In-Store Experience
One main reason people like Starbucks is because of the consistency. You can go to a Starbucks anywhere in the world and expect the same quality and similar menu items. All stores are company-run, so quality does not differ much across the board.
There’s also something fun about visiting other countries’ Starbucks; the products might be largely the same, but local tastes differ. Cherry blossom and red bean are popular in Japan alongside the java chip and white mochas, where Mexican Starbucks might offer you a churro-inspired coffee creation.
This creates a sense of safety and belonging no matter where you go in the world. Even if you want to experience the culture and foods of your destination, it’s not unusual to use Starbucks to get your bearings.
Starbucks provides a warm and welcoming in-store experience. No matter where you are, you know you’re at a Starbucks, whether it’s in Seoul or Chicago. The warm colors, friendly baristas, and nearly endless drink options make you feel right at home. We’re not afraid to admit that, while sitting in a Starbucks, hours have gone by before we even realized it.
Starbucks’s menu options are more extensive than other coffee shops, from their dalliance with sodas to blended drinks and coffee-extract fruit punches. Some Starbucks stores sell dinner or serve coffee in ceramic mugs. Baristas make you feel like you’re a friend by writing your name on the cup. (Trust us, they’re not misspelling your name on purpose—they serve a lot of people every day, and even the best baristas experience brain drain.)
Starbucks locations often offer free Internet and comfortable seating, encouraging to hang out and relax. Stores also offer an assortment of baked goods, sandwiches, and small plates. Some locations even serve wine and beer.
The exact offerings depend on the location. Smaller shops may not have seating or the full menu. Other items vary by region, too.
Mobile Ordering
Starbucks offers mobile ordering if you’re in a rush. Customers can place their order on the web or on the mobile app, and their order will be ready when they arrive. Mobile and online orders are put into the queue as soon as they’re received, so you don’t have to wait in line if you order from your office before walking over.
Customize, Customize, Customize
When customers come to Starbucks, they expect to get their drink exactly how they want it. Part of the fun is ordering off-the-menu, not from it.
The menu looks simple at first glance. There are four main categories: espresso drinks, tea drinks, frappuccinos, and simple drip coffee. Within these categories, though, there are billions of variations. Every drink follows a formula, whether it’s grande-sized flavored lattes always getting 4 pumps of flavor or a blended drink having the same amount of coffee every time. This makes it easy to swap flavors or make new combos—after all, that’s what sites like “Starbucks Secret Menu” are all about.
Starbucks can seem intimidating at first. The menu itself looks simple, but between the hype surrounding the franchise, the myriad syrups in plain sight behind the bar, and the potential for being unfamiliar with traditional coffee jargon, being nervous about trying new things makes complete sense.
We’ll let you in on a secret: customization is part and parcel of the Starbucks experience. If you really want, you can get a cup of plain black coffee, and nobody will judge you for it. Trying new things, though? That’s encouraged. Order your latte extra hot or with extra foam; get that cinnamon dolce latte with a little bit of hazelnut; throw some raspberry in your white mocha frappuccino; get your drink less sweet: the possibilities are endless.
As long as you’re not taking advantage of it, Starbucks will always make sure to make your experience right. If you’re used to a half-sweet vanilla latte but opt for the cloud macchiato and hate it, let your barista know (it helps to be kind). They’ll put your favorite drink right back in the queue, so you can find something new to love without having to worry about wasting your money.
Many of Starbucks’ customizations are unlisted. Customers learn the choices from friends, overhearing baristas, and return visits; even the “secret menu” sites give new combinations. Though there’s no true secret menu at Starbucks–make sure to order using the drink recipes provided on those sites!–a lot of options rotate off the menu boards depending on the season, even if they stay around all year.
For instance, the green tea latte is a core Starbucks drink, but it’s not always up on the menu itself. What this means for you is that you can have your barista toss some matcha into your tea year-round, even if the menu doesn’t show that option. All in all, Starbucks ordering is a highly personalized experience.
To some, Starbucks is an entirely different language. Instead of small, medium, and large, customers order their drinks in Tall (12 oz), Grande (16 oz), and Venti (20 oz) sizes. There is also a Short (8 oz) size for hot drinks and a Trenta (32 oz) size for iced brewed choices, neither of which are always on the menu.
Seasonal Items
Part of the fun of ordering at Starbucks is that not everything is available all year. Fall brings pumpkin spice lattes, winter brings cranberry bliss bars and caramel brûlée, and spring and summer bring the S’mores Frappuccino.
Starbucks Reserve Bar Stores
Reserve Bar Stores are a worthy addition to the Starbucks brand. You may have visited one if you see a black “R” and employees dressed in more casual uniforms. At Reserve Bar stores, you can try premium roasts and drinks before they are rolled out to the regular Starbucks stores. They also have carefully curated coffee blends available for purchase.
Reserve Bar stores are supplied by Reserve Roasteries.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Locations
If you have been to a Starbucks Roastery location, you surely knew it. You can find them in major cities like New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo. If you are a Starbucks fan and want to experience more after our breakdown of Starbucks’ hours and offerings, we highly recommend a visit.
Starbucks Reserve Roasteries are like coffee-making theme parks. They are grand, open spaces where customers can observe the coffee production process. In fact, these locations package, sell, and distribute the Starbucks Reserve Coffee for their areas. They offer the standard Veranda, French, and other roasts, but also have exclusive blends made specifically for them.
Try out different coffee drips and brews at the Experience Bar. There, you can taste coffee flights and learn about different coffees from the knowledgeable baristas. In fact, Starbucks Reserve Roastery jobs are the most difficult to get, so you know you’ll be in capable hands.
You will also find unique food options, caffeinated cocktails, and hard-to-find Starbucks merchandise.
Visit https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us/visit to learn more about Starbucks hours for these unforgettable locations.
Starbucks Hours
One reason people love Starbucks is because Starbucks hours usually start early. You don’t have to worry about not getting your morning latte. In most U.S. cities, Starbucks locations open at 5am.
Smaller towns’ locations, or stores in specialized areas may close as early as 6pm. In cities like New York City, popular downtown areas, or theme park shopping centers, stores can stay open until 11pm. In many places, stores stay open until 9pm during the week, until 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10pm on Sunday.
Each store’s hours could be different. Opening times are entirely up to the discretion of the manager, so if you aren’t sure of a particular Starbucks’s hours, it’s a good idea to check out their handy store locator here. (https://www.starbucks.com/store-locator)
Some stores are open on holidays while others aren’t. You want to check with your store on days like Christmas Day and New Year. Most locations open on those holidays will display a banner, but for smaller events, like Thanksgiving, there may only be a small sign.
Starbucks employees generally they work in 4-hour shifts. This isn’t always the case, especially for stores with longer hours; some baristas will work a full 8 hours where others might get their shifts cut short. Keep in mind that your favorite barista might not always be there at the same time every day; Starbucks hours for baristas are determined by store and personal need.
International Hours
If you find Starbucks hours too restrictive, check out Singapore: it has over 10 locations open 24/7. Not into all-night clubbing? No problem. You can meet up with friends, cram for an exam, or even just do some late-night Netflix binging at a convenient Starbucks locations near you.
Conclusion
Starbucks is a convenient choice with locations all across the world, a variety of choices, and long hours. Some stores are open longer than others, though, so make sure to check your local Starbucks’s hours so you can enjoy your favorite drink.
Finding Starbucks hours is as easy as using the store locator; finding the perfect drink might be a little tougher. There are literally billions of combinations to choose from, but no matter what, you can find something you’ll love.
