Espresso Vivace Sidewalk Bar has been in town for over 20 years, giving it plenty of time to make a lasting impression on the neighbors. More recently, this Seattle staple opened Espresso Vivace Bar at Brix, much to the delight of dedicated regulars everywhere. With over 100 reviews on Yelp, most of them positive, I decided to venture out and see if Vivace lives up to the hype. One of the first things you notice when you walk into Vivace is that it’s huge (over 2000 sq. ft) and that it’s trying to hark back to a time when people talked in person instead of over IM. The wrap around counter with handcrafted under-counter mural and hanging menus give this place an old-school diner feeling, complete with shiny steel legged bar stools and tables. I don’t know if Vivace succeeds in transporting me back to days gone by but it does a decent job of making it’s expansive space fairly comfortable.
Stay for awhile and you’ll notice that Vivace is busy! The line was consistently 5 people deep at any given time and though there are tables as far as the eye can see, you’d be lucky to snag one around 4PM. So why do people keep coming back, year after year? For one thing, the espresso is right on the money. It’s smooth and rich and the caramel latte is sweet without being sickening. The pastry selection in the glass case is stocked full of yummy looking treats and *surprise!* gluten-free snacks like cinnamon coffee cake and lemon poppy loaf.
If you’re looking for a place to work, I wouldn’t recommend Vivace’s main room. Conversations meld into some serious noise and the music is a touch on the loud side. However, there is a smaller room in the back that’s specifically for meetings and concentration, if you’re into that sort of thing. Get there early to snag some quiet space – it fills up quick. Also, don’t count on toting your laptop here on weekends. The free wi-fi policy expires on Friday night and doesn’t re-open until Monday morning.
Discouraged by the no wi-fi policy on weekends? Don’t be – Vivace carries a small selection of board games like Trivial Pursuit. Perfect when you run out of that thing…what’s it called again? Oh yeah, good ‘ol conversation.
Espresso Vivace at Brix is located at 532 Broadway Ave E.
Phone: 206.860.5869
Other locations include Alley 24 at 227 Yale Ave N., and the Vivace Sidewalk Bar (walk-up only) at 321 Broadway Ave E.