The Alley Cat Cafe
120 1/2 W Laurel St, Fort Collins, CO, 80524
The Alley Cat Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Fort Collins for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
120 1/2 W Laurel St
Fort Collins, CO, 80524 - Phone (970) 495-0123
- Website https://www.alleycatcoffeehouse.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Good for Working : Yes
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Ben S.
This is my favorite coffee shop in the world and I have traveled all over stopping at coffee shops everywhere!!! Part of it has to do with the hours since it is open 24/7!!! Another part is the staff as all of them are super nice and great at making super tasty drinks! Another amazing part of this place is the ambiance as it is one of the coolest looking shops there is!! And it has been a while since I have been here but all the improvements make this place even better than it used to be!! Finally is the drinks and food as all their drinks are great, my personal favorite being their Chai! Their sandwiches are great too, again my favorite being the porch swing! Another nice thing is the fact that they like to be creative and if you want to try something they are always down to try it out!
(5)Justin G.
This place is a true fort Collins landmark. Thank god for this place!!! It's the good people that make it outstanding
(5)Abby S.
After going to the Alley Cat for breakfast this morning, I left feeling completely satisfied. Walking upstairs and into the cafe, I immediately fell in love with the vibe of this place. It's different than most coffee houses (in a good way!) My friend ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate-chip and almond muffin. The homemade muffin was delicious. I ventured for the vegan spicy Chai Latte which was superb-very spicy but that's how I like it! Even though the wait was a little long, the man making our lovely drinks was super helpful and we didn't mind the wait at all. I also ordered the homemade granola-fantastic! I'm usually an impatient person, but didn't mind waiting for our drinks because the atmosphere was so cozy and warm. I will be coming back for some caffeine and late night studying!
(5)Jack E.
I likee this place. Not super stoked I'm in the breezeway writing this near a window with my hands so cold it's absurd because there is no seating available indoors (you know, the REAL indoors). But the baristas seem cool and nice enough, there are several wifi signals so it doesn't get bogged down too badly, there are some really cute girls here, drinks are a-okay, and I like the art and general ambiance (it's a little hippie style, but I'm down with that - I've been called a hippie once or twice before :) ). Second time here, today, and I know I'll be back again. And hearing it's 24 hours is DOPE.
(4)Michael B.
Accepts bitcoin as of today, I am pretty sure I am the first person to have paid with bitcoin for anything in Fort Collins. Thank you Alleycat! (oh, and of course, great coffee, friendly staff)
(5)Samantha E.
I studied a lot here in undergrad. It attracts a very diverse clientele, everyone from business owners to sleep-deprived college students to homeless sleepers to pretty much anything you can think of. It's generally pretty empty on weekend mornings, and packed every night of the week. The baristas make excellent coffee, and it generally will have a pretty design in the foam. Their sandwiches are a good deal as well, and I remember ordering a BLT with avocado a lot. Wireless is free, which is always a plus (although it sounds like shopping online while you're there is a bad idea). If you want to people-watch or just need a random middle-of-the-night coffee, this is the place for you.
(4)Amanda G.
This place is awesome super close to my other favorite place in fort Collins, Algiers. It's open 24 hours and offers a wide array of sweets and coffee the chai is my absolute favorite. I love coming to study or read a book there is something for everyone!
(4)Nick S.
Chai tea here is the way to go. I like this place because I work nights and this place is open 24/7 so on my days off this is a place I can actually go. Just to Let you know if you come here late night you Will see homeless people sleeping on the couches. I think it's very nice of the staff and owners to do that. Was here the other nIght when it was 1 degree out and hated just walking to my car let alone the thought of staying out there all night. Good job alley cat. Thank you for caring
(4)Ron B.
I love the place. There's just no way to explain it. I almost don't want to tell you how awesome it is, because you might go there when I want to go and get in my way. Friday night open mic nights here is the first place I went where someone singing didn't annoy me. It's just got an ambiance on it's own and while it won't appeal to the masses, that's just how I like it. Also, I love that they never close. That's just a bonus, though. It's worth your time and money.
(5)Shane P.
Just finished up a killer double espresso from this coffee bar and enjoyed every second of it. Shots are pulled from a Rancillio spring lever machine and were spot on. I'm from outside this area and anyone who travels knows how hard it is to find great coffee on the road. The staff was beyond helpful, the atmosphere is super relaxed, their food is fresh and delicious. It's obvious that a majority of the patronage is student based, but the joint is also permeated with local professionals and is family friendly. I will recommend this place to every person I know coming to Ft. Collins area. Thanks for the hospitality and service Alley Cat!
(5)Solomon W.
This hip coffee shop fits right into this odd, quirky neighborhood in FoCo. It is located next to some local institutions... inside of an alleyway...above a bakery... with lots of construction... and it is 24/7. The Alley Cat Cafe provides a good cup of joe that is very affordable. The baked goods come from downstairs, and they are pretty tasty. The zucchini chocolate muffin was moist with crumbly top and not too sweet. If you need a cool little buzz joint in this little college town north of Denver, check ACC out. Cool vibe, good food, and solid service.
(4)Nicole B.
I was here on a Sunday night after having a drink. I had my laptop with me and was looking for a place that was open. It had to be around 11 pm. Found this place through my phone, on college and laurel. At first I couldn't find it, but finally saw it in the alley. Hence the name alley cat. I stayed probably for an hour or so, and had ordered a cup of chamomile tea. It was pretty crowded in there for being 11 pm. I think I had left around midnight or so, and it was still pretty crowded in there. I found a quite spot downstairs. I thought this place was just okay.
(3)Elfi M.
Five stars for yummy chai tea latte, relaxed atmosphere and eclectic selection of music. I heard about Alley Cat Cafe through my daughter. Her high school history teacher in So Cal, told the class if they were ever in Fort Collins, Colorado, this was a place they had to try. Fast forward 2 years, she is enrolled in CSU and I'm in town for a visit. I love trying local coffee shops and looking for a great soy chai tea latte. This place is a hit in my book. The house chai is on the sweet side, but very delicious and comforting. Reminds me of pumpkin pie (which I love), with flavors of nutmeg and vanilla. On a cold Colorado day, this is a wonderful place to sink into a comfy chair with a good book or friend and spend a couple relaxing hours. It is a very funky, college type feel, but because it is a little out of the way, it is never very crowded when I am there. The music is great and adds to the eclectic ambiance. I think they are open 24/7 which is very cool.
(5)Miguel A.
I realized that I didn't include many details, so I thought I would update my review The positives about Alley Cat Cafe --- 1. AMBIANCE --- this place has one of the best coffee shop ambiances I've ever seen, including a bar with stools and tons of nooks and crannies, where artists can hide, feel vulnerable, and sip good coffee - kinda what a coffee shop is all about 2. PATIO --- they have a great patio deck outside, if you and friends wanna hang out 3. COFFEE & TEA --- the coffee and tea is excellent! Overall, this is one of the finest coffee shops in the world! Fort Collins is lucky to have them! ENJOY ALL!!!!!
(5)Matt F.
Great tea selection.
(4)Dee J.
only had a smoothie from them. my first impression of the place was hippy, but the drink was actually quite good, and priced well. it really did taste like a 100% real fruit smoothie (they claim its 100%). ill be sure to return for their coffees and sandwiches sooner or later!
(4)Katie G.
This place is seriously like home. This is my favorite coffee shop in the entire world. It's open 24/7 and is in a great location tucked away from the road. There are always wonderful people inside the ally cat. I always get the red eye cat, a chai latte with a shot or two of espresso. I have gotten some SERIOUS homework done in this place. It's the best in the world. I could go on and on about this place forever and ever. Go there.
(5)Blair W.
When I first moved to town, this was my second home. The barista was always welcoming, the coffee always strong, and the burritos satisfying. It's a great place to meet up with a friend or browse the net.
(3)Astrea S.
Even before I moved to Fort Collins, I heard murmurs of this near-legendary, hidden coffee gem. I hear people drive from all over the front range to find this spot... Then again, i've got some pretty pretentious, indie-seeking friends. The fact that it's in a random ally way, with only a giant hand to point you from the road; makes it sort of a pseudo-rabbit experience to discover. They've got some open mic events, which are ok, I guess. Lots of semi obnoxious, 'unique' looking high school kids flock here, since it's the only nightlife they're parents probably allow. Plenty of students drown themselves in coffee and computers at all hours of the day (or night,) some lovely homeless folk snooze on the chairs in the corner. The ceiling is full of "local art" tiles, the tables are creaky and unsteady, the food is hippy-chic, the chai homemade, there is a bakery downstairs that releases yummy smells, good music over the speakers... To conclude, it speaks heavily to that "alternative" young person... with insomnia. I dig.
(4)Bill E.
The Alley Cat made an excellent place to grab an iced latte, sit outside on the upstairs deck, and get some work done over their free wireless internet. Eclectic but not weird, the Alley Cat was surprisingly spacious (though the building looks old, small, and in rough shape from the outside). The barista was friendly, and my iced latte was pretty good. There's a diverse food menu, too, but I was only there for the coffee. The fact that this place is tucked in an alleyway half a block from the street helps reduce the noise of cars that would otherwise pass by.... but there is no getting around the train whose tracks are also a half-block away! I will definitely keep Alley Cat in my rotation, especially on nice days where I'd rather study/work and enjoy my coffee outside.
(4)Alden C.
I went here again recently and had ginger milk and my partner got something else gingery. Very relaxing and soothing drink to have! Better than that silly Sleepytime Tea anywhere and anytime! Mmmmmm!
(5)Trenton T.
Good coffee, cool staff, hip young crowd. Best cafe I've seen in fort Collins although it was very busy
(4)DasHunterMan X.
I like the Alley Cat, however I find myself steering my friends to Starry Nights when we go out for coffee. You see while my friends drink several different things, I drink Black Drip Coffee and The Alley Cat does not have a good refill policy. I can get a free refill at Starry Nights, Mugs, Daz Bogs and several other coffeehouses in town. So if we all need coffee, I push for somewhere else, only because of the poor refill policy!
(3)Anita K.
My favorite coffee shop in Fort Collins! Comfortable couches, mostly good music on the radio from M. Ward to MIA to classical.. A GREAT tasting americano. Nice and friendly staff. And two internet networks. The ceiling is filled with boring old styrafoam panels that many people have creatively and tastefully painted. I love it here.
(5)Kent S.
I had long heard of the Alley Cat from a fellow traveller and former employee of. When I finally had made my way out to FoCo, I was quite surprised to find what I saw. I mean, it was what I expected, but I just couldn't have imagined it to be so glorious. Plus, 24 hour coffee shops are something that every community to use. We in Chicago, have none. And none of you out there better tell me the Starbucks locations that are 24 hour operations. Those don't count. But anyway, if you're a traveller and you appreciate a well-trained barista, check out the Alley Cat.
(5)katy b.
i'm all about the ginger tea/ginger milk. as in i've had 3 in the last hour. they also have a lot of other good drinks, and a pretty good cafe/snacky/sandwichy menu. one time i had hummus with kettle chips because they didn't have pita, and it was actually awesome. i guess it was lucky, but delicious. anyways. the patio is nice, except for the chairs that devour you (like the one i'm sitting in now) and the train whistle (like the one that's happening now). but that's circumstantial, and all in all, the patio's an awesome place to study a ridiculous amount of homeworky things on a nice, autumn day. i like it here.
(4)Samantha M.
went here once because i had a coupon for a free coffee...not going back. it was hot, and there were flies everywhere.
(1)Eric W.
I love this place. great atmosphere, friendly service, open 24 hours!
(4)Meg d.
The Alley Cat Cafe, located along the alley bordered by College Ave, Laurel, Mason and Myrtle, is an eclectic, artsy cafe with a wide variety of seating, from booths, to classic cafe tables, to overstuffed couches and rocking chairs. Art work is not only rotationally on display on the walls, but the ceiling tiles have been painted by various customers over the years as well. There are lives plants in every room (there are 3 upstairs rooms as well as a porch and one downstairs room that can be reserved for meetings), giving the place a cozy feel. I'm a big fan of the Alley Cat chai, a homemade blend of spices, milk and tea. They also carry a wide variety of loose teas as well as the usual coffee drinks. Sandwiches, bagels and other munchies are also available. There are guitars and notebooks scattered around the cafe for general use as well as a piano that seems to have a mind of its own because every few months you'll find it resting in a new location. In fact, much of the furniture in the Alley Cat is that way. There have been times when every week that I've visited, the entire look of the place had been rearranged, adding a feeling of movement and spontaneity even if I've arrived when things are slow. I hear the place gets packed on Friday nights, however, when they have an open mic night. Mondays are poetry night. And the Alley Cat is always open 24 hours so it's a great place to hang out when you're cramming for a test or pulling an all nighter to write a paper.
(5)Christy U.
Love this cafe. Found it during a morning run and went back each morning for a latte. Great artsy ambiance, friendly staff, and good coffee to kick back and relax.
(4)J W.
I like the Alley Cat for its grubby and well worn atmosphere. The coffee is good and it is comfortable. It's a great place to watch hordes of ironic/scene/emo/hipster kids doing whatever it is that they do. I guess I'm just not cool enough to understand. Alley cat is the best in the winter months.
(4)Joel T.
Hippies! Emo Kids! Trendy Hipsters! This is Fort Collins, not LA. My espresso was decent, but the atmosphere is exceedingly creepy.
(1)Michelle S.
The baked goods are very mediocre. Often dry, flavorless (except for "sweet," which just doesn't cut it), and they become very overheated during the summer because they don't have proper AC. I ordered a breakfast sandwich the other day and it was like getting one from a fast food joint-- pretty pathetic. It can be very hard to study with the heat and often overly-loud music playing, even though they sell themselves as a chill place for students. The staff is great, but in terms of coffee, food, and atmosphere, they really don't have much going for them.
(2)Lauren R.
I'm a fan. How can you not be a fan of a 24 hour coffee shop that has house guitars hanging for their customers to play? I've spent many, many days and nights there studying. I'm mainly a fan of black coffee(and a fan of theirs), but have tried their teas, chai latte, cookies, PB&J, sandwiches, and muffins. All which were delicious. If their food is not your fancy, there's a taco shop downstairs that will bring food up to your table :) There's also a semi-outdoor seating area where you can bring your dog and hanging bike racks outside. I've seen some reviews saying the staff was unfriendly but I've never met anyone there that wasn't nice and smiling so it must be old staff. When school is in session it's SUPER busy, so if you're with a group of friends on a Friday night it might be hard to find a table. And for those saying it's a hipster hangout...it's a coffee shop, what in the hell do you expect?
(5)Brianna K.
My boyfriend and I climbed the stairs and entered Alley Cat Cafe at 1am on Thursday night, and he explained that "you'd have to be a lunatic to come to Alley Cat during the day." Though we were the only two people in the cafe on that night, it was immediately apparent that he would be correct. The quirky painted ceiling tiles encourage customers to tilt back their heads and admire the art, creating immediate fodder for conversation. Friday night at 11pm, the atmosphere was starkly different with every table playing host to three or four people; girl behind me played a ukelele and serenaded her friend. During both my visits to Alley Cat, I was overwhelmed with affection for the place. It has a defined character and welcomes the artsy, quirky, and the sleepless.
(5)Jordan F.
CINNAMON ROLLS!!!!!!!! This spot has it going on. We stopped in for a good ole cup a joe and some baked snacks to start the day, and it was perfect. Alleycats is a perfect name this hip little joint. It feels like you were sucked into The Aristocats movie when all the cool cats are playing piano and dancing. With maps and lamps and cool ceiling tiles decorating the walls, this place makes you want to curl up for the day. We got a coffee, mocha, cappuccino, muffin and cinnamon roll and it cost us $15. Heck yeah!!! Oh and the cinnamon roll. Beware. This baby is worthy of an addiction. All in all, this place gets an A+ from this guy.
(5)Brian K.
Unique place, fun atmosphere, a little claustrophobic if full of people.
(4)Mollie H.
This place is so cute. Everyone is so friendly. My only complaint is parking... Which is non-existent.
(5)Ryan D.
Super eclectic, cozy, working cafe. This place hit the spot for a late ish nite coffee fix. If I need to get some late night work done this could be my new out of the house place. Good speedy service, descent prices and plenty of seating, even tho most tables were taken, I think you could squeeze in with a stranger (gasp!!!). We'll be back.
(5)Kristin M.
One of the strangest feelings I've ever felt was watching the sun rise and listening to the birds sing their good morning songs at the crack of dawn...after not sleeping the entire night. For a few months of a very rough time in my life, I was an insomniac. There were nights that I tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling or watching late night infomercials. If this had been during the time we lived in Vegas, I probably would have left the house and had some insomniac adventures of the likes of Dave Attell. Living in Fort Collins, it never occurred to me that anything was open past 10:00pm other than 24 Hour Fitness and Wal-Mart. Then I found out about the Alley Cat Cafe. I really enjoyed our morning there. The Alley Cat is a very comfortable, friendly place to hang out. I'd come back for meetings or to focus on writing with a latte in hand and if I should ever become an insomniac again, The Alley Cat will be where I watch the sun rise and listen to the birds sing their good morning songs rather than from my couch watching infomercials.
(3)Jamie P.
This one is simple- Best Vanilla Chai Ever. The alley they're on is under construction, so it's a little hard to get to the store, but it's really worth it. Quirky ambiance.
(5)L B.
The pour-over coffee is (in my humble opinion) the best cup in town. I spend a lot of time in coffee shops and whenever I get sick of lame carafe coffee that tastes astringent, bitter, burnt, or stale I head straight to the Alley Cat to get my fix of delish real joe (just writing this is giving me a hankering). I give them 3-stars because I am just not in love with grungy coffee shops. The place is older and feels dirty -- which to some is atmosphere and to me is not exactly a recommendation. They are doing renovations right now so hopefully in the next few months it will feel fresher. Although if you love the worn out questionable furniture and dirty creaky floor thing, then this is probably your place. But beware visiting during exam/midterm times because it will be crazy busy and you probably won't find a seat to park in. As for the food: I've had mixed experiences. First, the good: The egg/cheese sandwich is AWESOME ... IF the bread is freshly baked. I think I got a stale one once and that kind of put me off them for a while. I had the hangover cure (is that what it's called?) smoothie once -- I liked it as a change of pace from other smoothies in town, but don't expect your smoothie to taste like Freshens or Jamba Juice. The less good / bad: They serve their bagels with Philadelphia cream cheese. So lame. A lot of their sandwich ingredients come of out a prepared bag (hummus, guac) and taste like it. I had the veggie breakfast burrito and I would describe it as less than mediocre... bordering on bad. Conclusion: Get the pour-over coffee (yes it is more expensive, but it's hella more delicious) and if you are feeling noshy find out what the fresh bakery items are and venture from there!
(3)Mike P.
The Alley Cat Cafe is basically the Fort Collins embassy for Hipstertopia. I am neither a hipster nor a regular, but I find myself going there maybe 3 or 4 times a year at the insistence of friends or some other meeting-up-with-someone type of reason. The interior is artsy and grungy, and so are the customers. Service-wise it's randomly very good or very bad. I have had really good service from the baristas, and I have also had the kind of service where I had to wait for the barista to end their heart-to-heart chat with a regular before they'd even acknowledge that I exist. In these cases I tried to get their attention but catching the eye of a barista deep in the middle of a philosophical discussion over the sound of the severely underground electronica on the sound system is a bit like trying to hail a taxi because you got tired while swimming across the Atlantic Ocean. Price-wise it's basically the same as going to Starbucks. They do have a prime location, so they can't afford to charge too little, understandably. Mentioning Starbucks in a review for the Alley Cat would probably make the average Alley Cat regular glare at me in haughty dismissal, so if any of you are reading this, I understand. You can't help it. Give me your best hipster-stare and go back to writing your screenplay about your magic dog or whatever it is you're doing behind that laptop. The drink selection is quite nice. They have a good combination of standard international teas and unique beverages. They have a specific drink called the "Red-Eye Cat" that I got last time and to be honest the after-effect made me feel afraid of what I'd just done to my adrenal system. It tasted good, but afterward I felt like my body was running on battery acid. I was jittery and it seemed like everyone and everything was yelling at me. Apparently I'm just not cut out for handling that amount of caffeine. However for those of you coffee and sugar junkies out there who don't have much left in the way of adrenaline, it would probably be a mild pick-me-up. The sandwich I had was very tasty, but small. I should give that comment some perspective by admitting that I was extremely hungry, had been at the engineering center doing homework all weekend and hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. I gave the Alley Cat 3 stars because it is good at being what it is, even if it's not my favorite. To be honest I think it deserves 4 stars but I didn't give 4 because when I selected all 4 the text said "Yay! I'm a fan!", and I'm just not hipster enough for that.
(3)Ashwin D.
Nice and cozy coffee place. Great coffee, decent sandwiches and board games to go with it. The occasional music is good too.
(5)Amanda B.
Home away from home when I was in college. I've been back a few times since graduating, and it's still as charming and quirky as ever. I recommend the spiced chai and their cookies. Beyond that, I was always too poor to buy anything else. :) Take a look up from your book and see the painted ceiling boards. You can even request to paint one yourself. Live music here happens all the time, and is _good_. If you're around, hit it up. If you aimlessly wander in, grab a board game. Scrabble has most of the letters. All in all, a favorite place to spend several hours reading, doing homework, and catching up with friends. The good: great tea and coffee. The bad: not wheelchair accessible. Bummer.
(4)Cooper R.
I have traveled all over the world, and through my travels, in the back of my mind, is a specific mission: find a chai better than Alley Cat's. And while I have had some spectacular chai, and some not so spectacular (there was one in London that may have possibly have been toothpaste), I still think Alley Cat's is the best. I personally always order their Red Eye Cat, which is their chai with a shot of espresso, it's the only study drink you will ever need! Pros -Their drinks, in addition to chai they have espresso drinks and ginger milk and ginger Tea. Suffering from allergies? Their ginger tea can solve all your problems. -The food! Fairly cheap, delicious, large portions, and your choice of chips. No Lays potato chips here, they serve the yummy ( and kind of local) Boulder chips. I highly recommend the sea salt and vinegar chips. -Smoothies! Try the Midsummer Night's Dream Smoothie, you can thank me later -Great wi-fi, considering how many people study here the wifi holds up really well -Open 24 hours! -Friendly staff Cons -Open 24 hours. A few times I've made the mistake of getting up early (like 3am) to cram for a test and thinking that it would be a good idea to head to Alley Cat. It was incredibly sketchy, the barista was completely incoherent, and it seems to become a haven for drunk homeless people. But then again I'm not completely sure what I was expecting at a cafe called the Alley Cat at three in the morning... -Finding a place to sit- Can be just as bad as the library during finals week, especially if you need a seat with an outlet! -Noise level- After about 10pm it gets crowded with the under 21 crowd who frequent the hookah bar downstairs. Not exactly conducive to getting much studying done but I remember loving it as a freshman. Alley Cat is amazing. Someone please go get me a chai!
(5)Karen P.
Poor signage made for a confusing walk down the alley - and no coffee to speak of. I think it may have been up some side stairs but that also may have been someone's house :(
(1)Morgan J.
Don't get me wrong I love the alley cat but the last couple times I have been in there the coffee literally been so bad that it is not even worth drinking. If that had been my only two experiences at the cat it would definitely get one star, but I have had so any 5 star visits and that's what keeps me going back. I love to just sit in here and play cards and have good conversations. It's overall just a great place to be.
(3)Sharon N.
Place is too confusing cluttered and get plain weird. This is where you go to find all the 'interesting' people of Fort Collins. Not my cup of tea, but I love their house made chai. Yummy. I also tried the lemon zuchinni bread. Excellent!
(2)Mila G.
Decent coffee place, its usually crowded so there isn't much room to hang out. They serve drinks in mismatched mugs and there's all sorts of paraphernalia on the walls. Some students camp out and take up entire tables with their laptops.
(3)Hannah S.
Love love love this place! Its the perfect place to hang out with your friends while sipping on an amazing Chai smoothie. The music is awesome and the atmosphere is exciting! Definitely will be back.
(5)Amy O.
I had 45 minutes to kill before an event at the Mayor so I popped in to do a little work and grab a coffee. I like that this shop had lots of seating options. You could sit inside near a window if you wanted natural light, or tuck yourself into a corner booth in the back. They also had a closed in porch as well. My latte was great, too! Nice little spot!
(4)Erika B.
I love the alley cat it's open all night and it's a great place to get away and spend alone time. It's warm. Not overpriced. And the people and art are always different and weird.
(5)Susan Y.
The Alley Cat is, as one might infer from its name, located in an alley, specifically the alley between College and Mason just north of the CSU campus. Having recently undergone gentrification (brick pavers, flower boxes, public art displays and so forth) the alley is no longer accessible by automobile from Laurel St., so it's probably best that you come by foot, bicycle, skateboard, or insert your favorite alternative conveyance here. Alternative transportation certainly fits with the Alley Cat ethos ... But I digress. While much about the Alley Cat seems to be targeted at the nearby student population, they do produce some delicious cafe drinks. Their chai lattes are exceptional -- no boxed concentrate here. They brew not one but two of their own concoctions, a sweet chai and a vegan chai. I prefer the vegan chai not because I am vegan but because it's not overly sweet; you can request cow's milk rather than soy. If you are beyond your student years and don't need to stay up all night, give one of their ginger drinks a try -- their ginger brew packs quite a bit of heat so take it with milk to take the edge off. The funky vibe isn't really my thing so I normally get my drinks take-out, but the patio is nice and I do believe the atmosphere will only improve as the Mason corridor project is completed ...
(4)Eliza D.
Very cool spot to hang out, play games, and have drinks. Had an iced sweet chai, which was a bit too sweet for me, but I suppose that was to be expected! Awesome ceiling art :)
(4)Mohsen H.
I first went to the Alley Cat when I was either 15 or 16, and after a long absence of not going back for quite a few years, the place is still as homely and inviting to guests of all backgrounds and all occasions. No sophistication here, Alley Cat sticks to the basics: Great hospitality, great coffee/teas, great service, great atmosphere. My personal favorite is either the Hazelnut or Cinnamon latte (hot), sometimes I mix them both! The baristas here are prompt, polite, and personable. They all perform equally well, and will take great care of anyone and anytime. 5 thumbs up for the Alley Cat.
(5)Kristie S.
My favorite place in Fort Collins. The Alley Cat has personality like none other. Alley Cat has the best chai in the city of Fort Collins and I've tried a lot. The ceiling tiles are only one of the many unique characteristics of of this coffee shop and it is open 24/7. There are many fun activities including open mic nights and board games available at your disposal. The staff is knowledgable and friendly.
(5)Megan C.
This is the coolest coffee shop! It's my favorite place to meet up with fiends and has good coffee/chais. I also love the variety of tea flavors that they have. It's usually pretty quiet in there. My only complaint is that it is ALWAYS so hot in there that I feel like I have to order an iced drink just to keep from burning up. But It's still one of my favorites coffee shops in FoCo!
(4)Meagan B.
I watched the sun come up here many, many times while I was a CSU student. Free wireless Internet, sweet +spicy CAFFEINE PACKED CHAI LATTES, and a chill ambiance for writing and studying. Unless you're easily distracted, then that's another story. People of Fort Collins, you are lucky to have this little gem. I MISS IT! :( Especially when I'm writing on a deadline for work . . . as in, RIGHT NOW. Not a whole lot of 24-hour coffeehouses like this in Phoenix.
(4)Taylor S.
Pretty much my home away from home. I love the atmosphere, the quirky decorations, it's definitely its own place- no where else like it. It's open 24/7, which is awesome because I usually want coffee at three in the morning. Great music is always playing, service is always great. HUGE mugs. Tons of options from coffees to sandwiches to muffins to smoothies. I come here all the time to study, or just to do nothing. Seating is sometimes pretty difficult to find, especially around finals for the college students. This is my go-to place.
(4)Brian K.
Unique place, fun atmosphere, a little claustrophobic if full of people.
(4)Mollie H.
This place is so cute. Everyone is so friendly. My only complaint is parking... Which is non-existent.
(5)Mike P.
The Alley Cat Cafe is basically the Fort Collins embassy for Hipstertopia. I am neither a hipster nor a regular, but I find myself going there maybe 3 or 4 times a year at the insistence of friends or some other meeting-up-with-someone type of reason. The interior is artsy and grungy, and so are the customers. Service-wise it's randomly very good or very bad. I have had really good service from the baristas, and I have also had the kind of service where I had to wait for the barista to end their heart-to-heart chat with a regular before they'd even acknowledge that I exist. In these cases I tried to get their attention but catching the eye of a barista deep in the middle of a philosophical discussion over the sound of the severely underground electronica on the sound system is a bit like trying to hail a taxi because you got tired while swimming across the Atlantic Ocean. Price-wise it's basically the same as going to Starbucks. They do have a prime location, so they can't afford to charge too little, understandably. Mentioning Starbucks in a review for the Alley Cat would probably make the average Alley Cat regular glare at me in haughty dismissal, so if any of you are reading this, I understand. You can't help it. Give me your best hipster-stare and go back to writing your screenplay about your magic dog or whatever it is you're doing behind that laptop. The drink selection is quite nice. They have a good combination of standard international teas and unique beverages. They have a specific drink called the "Red-Eye Cat" that I got last time and to be honest the after-effect made me feel afraid of what I'd just done to my adrenal system. It tasted good, but afterward I felt like my body was running on battery acid. I was jittery and it seemed like everyone and everything was yelling at me. Apparently I'm just not cut out for handling that amount of caffeine. However for those of you coffee and sugar junkies out there who don't have much left in the way of adrenaline, it would probably be a mild pick-me-up. The sandwich I had was very tasty, but small. I should give that comment some perspective by admitting that I was extremely hungry, had been at the engineering center doing homework all weekend and hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. I gave the Alley Cat 3 stars because it is good at being what it is, even if it's not my favorite. To be honest I think it deserves 4 stars but I didn't give 4 because when I selected all 4 the text said "Yay! I'm a fan!", and I'm just not hipster enough for that.
(3)Jake L.
An alley cat is "a cat that lives wild in a town", or so says Google. I feel that this coffee house lives up to that name. While it probably derived its name more from its location that its alley-cat like characteristics, there is still an interesting correlation. The Alley Cat has a free spirit. You can definitely tell it is in close proximity to a college campus because the atmosphere speaks to that eclectic soul-searching period of life. Everything here is colorful, unique, and interesting. While I'm not usually a fan of mismatched furniture and random wall art, it seems to work well for this place. Put simply, this place is fun. Persuaded by reviews and the advice of a friend, I tried the Sweet Chai. It is absolutely delicious. Based on the numerous positive reviews I've read, I'm happy to say it lives up to its reputation. I would highly recommend giving it a try. While this place may not be the best 'study-centric' hangout in town, it's a cool place to meet with friends, kick back and relax, and drink some sweet chai.
(4)Michelle S.
The baked goods are very mediocre. Often dry, flavorless (except for "sweet," which just doesn't cut it), and they become very overheated during the summer because they don't have proper AC. I ordered a breakfast sandwich the other day and it was like getting one from a fast food joint-- pretty pathetic. It can be very hard to study with the heat and often overly-loud music playing, even though they sell themselves as a chill place for students. The staff is great, but in terms of coffee, food, and atmosphere, they really don't have much going for them.
(2)Lauren R.
I'm a fan. How can you not be a fan of a 24 hour coffee shop that has house guitars hanging for their customers to play? I've spent many, many days and nights there studying. I'm mainly a fan of black coffee(and a fan of theirs), but have tried their teas, chai latte, cookies, PB&J, sandwiches, and muffins. All which were delicious. If their food is not your fancy, there's a taco shop downstairs that will bring food up to your table :) There's also a semi-outdoor seating area where you can bring your dog and hanging bike racks outside. I've seen some reviews saying the staff was unfriendly but I've never met anyone there that wasn't nice and smiling so it must be old staff. When school is in session it's SUPER busy, so if you're with a group of friends on a Friday night it might be hard to find a table. And for those saying it's a hipster hangout...it's a coffee shop, what in the hell do you expect?
(5)Brianna K.
My boyfriend and I climbed the stairs and entered Alley Cat Cafe at 1am on Thursday night, and he explained that "you'd have to be a lunatic to come to Alley Cat during the day." Though we were the only two people in the cafe on that night, it was immediately apparent that he would be correct. The quirky painted ceiling tiles encourage customers to tilt back their heads and admire the art, creating immediate fodder for conversation. Friday night at 11pm, the atmosphere was starkly different with every table playing host to three or four people; girl behind me played a ukelele and serenaded her friend. During both my visits to Alley Cat, I was overwhelmed with affection for the place. It has a defined character and welcomes the artsy, quirky, and the sleepless.
(5)Jordan F.
CINNAMON ROLLS!!!!!!!! This spot has it going on. We stopped in for a good ole cup a joe and some baked snacks to start the day, and it was perfect. Alleycats is a perfect name this hip little joint. It feels like you were sucked into The Aristocats movie when all the cool cats are playing piano and dancing. With maps and lamps and cool ceiling tiles decorating the walls, this place makes you want to curl up for the day. We got a coffee, mocha, cappuccino, muffin and cinnamon roll and it cost us $15. Heck yeah!!! Oh and the cinnamon roll. Beware. This baby is worthy of an addiction. All in all, this place gets an A+ from this guy.
(5)Ashwin D.
Nice and cozy coffee place. Great coffee, decent sandwiches and board games to go with it. The occasional music is good too.
(5)Amanda B.
Home away from home when I was in college. I've been back a few times since graduating, and it's still as charming and quirky as ever. I recommend the spiced chai and their cookies. Beyond that, I was always too poor to buy anything else. :) Take a look up from your book and see the painted ceiling boards. You can even request to paint one yourself. Live music here happens all the time, and is _good_. If you're around, hit it up. If you aimlessly wander in, grab a board game. Scrabble has most of the letters. All in all, a favorite place to spend several hours reading, doing homework, and catching up with friends. The good: great tea and coffee. The bad: not wheelchair accessible. Bummer.
(4)Megan C.
This is the coolest coffee shop! It's my favorite place to meet up with fiends and has good coffee/chais. I also love the variety of tea flavors that they have. It's usually pretty quiet in there. My only complaint is that it is ALWAYS so hot in there that I feel like I have to order an iced drink just to keep from burning up. But It's still one of my favorites coffee shops in FoCo!
(4)Ron B.
I love the place. There's just no way to explain it. I almost don't want to tell you how awesome it is, because you might go there when I want to go and get in my way. Friday night open mic nights here is the first place I went where someone singing didn't annoy me. It's just got an ambiance on it's own and while it won't appeal to the masses, that's just how I like it. Also, I love that they never close. That's just a bonus, though. It's worth your time and money.
(5)Shane P.
Just finished up a killer double espresso from this coffee bar and enjoyed every second of it. Shots are pulled from a Rancillio spring lever machine and were spot on. I'm from outside this area and anyone who travels knows how hard it is to find great coffee on the road. The staff was beyond helpful, the atmosphere is super relaxed, their food is fresh and delicious. It's obvious that a majority of the patronage is student based, but the joint is also permeated with local professionals and is family friendly. I will recommend this place to every person I know coming to Ft. Collins area. Thanks for the hospitality and service Alley Cat!
(5)Meg d.
The Alley Cat Cafe, located along the alley bordered by College Ave, Laurel, Mason and Myrtle, is an eclectic, artsy cafe with a wide variety of seating, from booths, to classic cafe tables, to overstuffed couches and rocking chairs. Art work is not only rotationally on display on the walls, but the ceiling tiles have been painted by various customers over the years as well. There are lives plants in every room (there are 3 upstairs rooms as well as a porch and one downstairs room that can be reserved for meetings), giving the place a cozy feel. I'm a big fan of the Alley Cat chai, a homemade blend of spices, milk and tea. They also carry a wide variety of loose teas as well as the usual coffee drinks. Sandwiches, bagels and other munchies are also available. There are guitars and notebooks scattered around the cafe for general use as well as a piano that seems to have a mind of its own because every few months you'll find it resting in a new location. In fact, much of the furniture in the Alley Cat is that way. There have been times when every week that I've visited, the entire look of the place had been rearranged, adding a feeling of movement and spontaneity even if I've arrived when things are slow. I hear the place gets packed on Friday nights, however, when they have an open mic night. Mondays are poetry night. And the Alley Cat is always open 24 hours so it's a great place to hang out when you're cramming for a test or pulling an all nighter to write a paper.
(5)Christy U.
Love this cafe. Found it during a morning run and went back each morning for a latte. Great artsy ambiance, friendly staff, and good coffee to kick back and relax.
(4)J W.
I like the Alley Cat for its grubby and well worn atmosphere. The coffee is good and it is comfortable. It's a great place to watch hordes of ironic/scene/emo/hipster kids doing whatever it is that they do. I guess I'm just not cool enough to understand. Alley cat is the best in the winter months.
(4)Joel T.
Hippies! Emo Kids! Trendy Hipsters! This is Fort Collins, not LA. My espresso was decent, but the atmosphere is exceedingly creepy.
(1)Kent S.
I had long heard of the Alley Cat from a fellow traveller and former employee of. When I finally had made my way out to FoCo, I was quite surprised to find what I saw. I mean, it was what I expected, but I just couldn't have imagined it to be so glorious. Plus, 24 hour coffee shops are something that every community to use. We in Chicago, have none. And none of you out there better tell me the Starbucks locations that are 24 hour operations. Those don't count. But anyway, if you're a traveller and you appreciate a well-trained barista, check out the Alley Cat.
(5)Cooper R.
I have traveled all over the world, and through my travels, in the back of my mind, is a specific mission: find a chai better than Alley Cat's. And while I have had some spectacular chai, and some not so spectacular (there was one in London that may have possibly have been toothpaste), I still think Alley Cat's is the best. I personally always order their Red Eye Cat, which is their chai with a shot of espresso, it's the only study drink you will ever need! Pros -Their drinks, in addition to chai they have espresso drinks and ginger milk and ginger Tea. Suffering from allergies? Their ginger tea can solve all your problems. -The food! Fairly cheap, delicious, large portions, and your choice of chips. No Lays potato chips here, they serve the yummy ( and kind of local) Boulder chips. I highly recommend the sea salt and vinegar chips. -Smoothies! Try the Midsummer Night's Dream Smoothie, you can thank me later -Great wi-fi, considering how many people study here the wifi holds up really well -Open 24 hours! -Friendly staff Cons -Open 24 hours. A few times I've made the mistake of getting up early (like 3am) to cram for a test and thinking that it would be a good idea to head to Alley Cat. It was incredibly sketchy, the barista was completely incoherent, and it seems to become a haven for drunk homeless people. But then again I'm not completely sure what I was expecting at a cafe called the Alley Cat at three in the morning... -Finding a place to sit- Can be just as bad as the library during finals week, especially if you need a seat with an outlet! -Noise level- After about 10pm it gets crowded with the under 21 crowd who frequent the hookah bar downstairs. Not exactly conducive to getting much studying done but I remember loving it as a freshman. Alley Cat is amazing. Someone please go get me a chai!
(5)Karen P.
Poor signage made for a confusing walk down the alley - and no coffee to speak of. I think it may have been up some side stairs but that also may have been someone's house :(
(1)Morgan J.
Don't get me wrong I love the alley cat but the last couple times I have been in there the coffee literally been so bad that it is not even worth drinking. If that had been my only two experiences at the cat it would definitely get one star, but I have had so any 5 star visits and that's what keeps me going back. I love to just sit in here and play cards and have good conversations. It's overall just a great place to be.
(3)Sharon N.
Place is too confusing cluttered and get plain weird. This is where you go to find all the 'interesting' people of Fort Collins. Not my cup of tea, but I love their house made chai. Yummy. I also tried the lemon zuchinni bread. Excellent!
(2)Mila G.
Decent coffee place, its usually crowded so there isn't much room to hang out. They serve drinks in mismatched mugs and there's all sorts of paraphernalia on the walls. Some students camp out and take up entire tables with their laptops.
(3)Hannah S.
Love love love this place! Its the perfect place to hang out with your friends while sipping on an amazing Chai smoothie. The music is awesome and the atmosphere is exciting! Definitely will be back.
(5)Ben S.
This is my favorite coffee shop in the world and I have traveled all over stopping at coffee shops everywhere!!! Part of it has to do with the hours since it is open 24/7!!! Another part is the staff as all of them are super nice and great at making super tasty drinks! Another amazing part of this place is the ambiance as it is one of the coolest looking shops there is!! And it has been a while since I have been here but all the improvements make this place even better than it used to be!! Finally is the drinks and food as all their drinks are great, my personal favorite being their Chai! Their sandwiches are great too, again my favorite being the porch swing! Another nice thing is the fact that they like to be creative and if you want to try something they are always down to try it out!
(5)Justin G.
This place is a true fort Collins landmark. Thank god for this place!!! It's the good people that make it outstanding
(5)Ryan D.
Super eclectic, cozy, working cafe. This place hit the spot for a late ish nite coffee fix. If I need to get some late night work done this could be my new out of the house place. Good speedy service, descent prices and plenty of seating, even tho most tables were taken, I think you could squeeze in with a stranger (gasp!!!). We'll be back.
(5)Amy O.
I had 45 minutes to kill before an event at the Mayor so I popped in to do a little work and grab a coffee. I like that this shop had lots of seating options. You could sit inside near a window if you wanted natural light, or tuck yourself into a corner booth in the back. They also had a closed in porch as well. My latte was great, too! Nice little spot!
(4)Erika B.
I love the alley cat it's open all night and it's a great place to get away and spend alone time. It's warm. Not overpriced. And the people and art are always different and weird.
(5)Kristie S.
My favorite place in Fort Collins. The Alley Cat has personality like none other. Alley Cat has the best chai in the city of Fort Collins and I've tried a lot. The ceiling tiles are only one of the many unique characteristics of of this coffee shop and it is open 24/7. There are many fun activities including open mic nights and board games available at your disposal. The staff is knowledgable and friendly.
(5)Solomon W.
This hip coffee shop fits right into this odd, quirky neighborhood in FoCo. It is located next to some local institutions... inside of an alleyway...above a bakery... with lots of construction... and it is 24/7. The Alley Cat Cafe provides a good cup of joe that is very affordable. The baked goods come from downstairs, and they are pretty tasty. The zucchini chocolate muffin was moist with crumbly top and not too sweet. If you need a cool little buzz joint in this little college town north of Denver, check ACC out. Cool vibe, good food, and solid service.
(4)Susan Y.
The Alley Cat is, as one might infer from its name, located in an alley, specifically the alley between College and Mason just north of the CSU campus. Having recently undergone gentrification (brick pavers, flower boxes, public art displays and so forth) the alley is no longer accessible by automobile from Laurel St., so it's probably best that you come by foot, bicycle, skateboard, or insert your favorite alternative conveyance here. Alternative transportation certainly fits with the Alley Cat ethos ... But I digress. While much about the Alley Cat seems to be targeted at the nearby student population, they do produce some delicious cafe drinks. Their chai lattes are exceptional -- no boxed concentrate here. They brew not one but two of their own concoctions, a sweet chai and a vegan chai. I prefer the vegan chai not because I am vegan but because it's not overly sweet; you can request cow's milk rather than soy. If you are beyond your student years and don't need to stay up all night, give one of their ginger drinks a try -- their ginger brew packs quite a bit of heat so take it with milk to take the edge off. The funky vibe isn't really my thing so I normally get my drinks take-out, but the patio is nice and I do believe the atmosphere will only improve as the Mason corridor project is completed ...
(4)Meagan B.
I watched the sun come up here many, many times while I was a CSU student. Free wireless Internet, sweet +spicy CAFFEINE PACKED CHAI LATTES, and a chill ambiance for writing and studying. Unless you're easily distracted, then that's another story. People of Fort Collins, you are lucky to have this little gem. I MISS IT! :( Especially when I'm writing on a deadline for work . . . as in, RIGHT NOW. Not a whole lot of 24-hour coffeehouses like this in Phoenix.
(4)Taylor S.
Pretty much my home away from home. I love the atmosphere, the quirky decorations, it's definitely its own place- no where else like it. It's open 24/7, which is awesome because I usually want coffee at three in the morning. Great music is always playing, service is always great. HUGE mugs. Tons of options from coffees to sandwiches to muffins to smoothies. I come here all the time to study, or just to do nothing. Seating is sometimes pretty difficult to find, especially around finals for the college students. This is my go-to place.
(4)Eliza D.
Very cool spot to hang out, play games, and have drinks. Had an iced sweet chai, which was a bit too sweet for me, but I suppose that was to be expected! Awesome ceiling art :)
(4)Mohsen H.
I first went to the Alley Cat when I was either 15 or 16, and after a long absence of not going back for quite a few years, the place is still as homely and inviting to guests of all backgrounds and all occasions. No sophistication here, Alley Cat sticks to the basics: Great hospitality, great coffee/teas, great service, great atmosphere. My personal favorite is either the Hazelnut or Cinnamon latte (hot), sometimes I mix them both! The baristas here are prompt, polite, and personable. They all perform equally well, and will take great care of anyone and anytime. 5 thumbs up for the Alley Cat.
(5)Abby S.
After going to the Alley Cat for breakfast this morning, I left feeling completely satisfied. Walking upstairs and into the cafe, I immediately fell in love with the vibe of this place. It's different than most coffee houses (in a good way!) My friend ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate-chip and almond muffin. The homemade muffin was delicious. I ventured for the vegan spicy Chai Latte which was superb-very spicy but that's how I like it! Even though the wait was a little long, the man making our lovely drinks was super helpful and we didn't mind the wait at all. I also ordered the homemade granola-fantastic! I'm usually an impatient person, but didn't mind waiting for our drinks because the atmosphere was so cozy and warm. I will be coming back for some caffeine and late night studying!
(5)Jack E.
I likee this place. Not super stoked I'm in the breezeway writing this near a window with my hands so cold it's absurd because there is no seating available indoors (you know, the REAL indoors). But the baristas seem cool and nice enough, there are several wifi signals so it doesn't get bogged down too badly, there are some really cute girls here, drinks are a-okay, and I like the art and general ambiance (it's a little hippie style, but I'm down with that - I've been called a hippie once or twice before :) ). Second time here, today, and I know I'll be back again. And hearing it's 24 hours is DOPE.
(4)Michael B.
Accepts bitcoin as of today, I am pretty sure I am the first person to have paid with bitcoin for anything in Fort Collins. Thank you Alleycat! (oh, and of course, great coffee, friendly staff)
(5)Samantha E.
I studied a lot here in undergrad. It attracts a very diverse clientele, everyone from business owners to sleep-deprived college students to homeless sleepers to pretty much anything you can think of. It's generally pretty empty on weekend mornings, and packed every night of the week. The baristas make excellent coffee, and it generally will have a pretty design in the foam. Their sandwiches are a good deal as well, and I remember ordering a BLT with avocado a lot. Wireless is free, which is always a plus (although it sounds like shopping online while you're there is a bad idea). If you want to people-watch or just need a random middle-of-the-night coffee, this is the place for you.
(4)Amanda G.
This place is awesome super close to my other favorite place in fort Collins, Algiers. It's open 24 hours and offers a wide array of sweets and coffee the chai is my absolute favorite. I love coming to study or read a book there is something for everyone!
(4)Nick S.
Chai tea here is the way to go. I like this place because I work nights and this place is open 24/7 so on my days off this is a place I can actually go. Just to Let you know if you come here late night you Will see homeless people sleeping on the couches. I think it's very nice of the staff and owners to do that. Was here the other nIght when it was 1 degree out and hated just walking to my car let alone the thought of staying out there all night. Good job alley cat. Thank you for caring
(4)Nicole B.
I was here on a Sunday night after having a drink. I had my laptop with me and was looking for a place that was open. It had to be around 11 pm. Found this place through my phone, on college and laurel. At first I couldn't find it, but finally saw it in the alley. Hence the name alley cat. I stayed probably for an hour or so, and had ordered a cup of chamomile tea. It was pretty crowded in there for being 11 pm. I think I had left around midnight or so, and it was still pretty crowded in there. I found a quite spot downstairs. I thought this place was just okay.
(3)Elfi M.
Five stars for yummy chai tea latte, relaxed atmosphere and eclectic selection of music. I heard about Alley Cat Cafe through my daughter. Her high school history teacher in So Cal, told the class if they were ever in Fort Collins, Colorado, this was a place they had to try. Fast forward 2 years, she is enrolled in CSU and I'm in town for a visit. I love trying local coffee shops and looking for a great soy chai tea latte. This place is a hit in my book. The house chai is on the sweet side, but very delicious and comforting. Reminds me of pumpkin pie (which I love), with flavors of nutmeg and vanilla. On a cold Colorado day, this is a wonderful place to sink into a comfy chair with a good book or friend and spend a couple relaxing hours. It is a very funky, college type feel, but because it is a little out of the way, it is never very crowded when I am there. The music is great and adds to the eclectic ambiance. I think they are open 24/7 which is very cool.
(5)Miguel A.
I realized that I didn't include many details, so I thought I would update my review The positives about Alley Cat Cafe --- 1. AMBIANCE --- this place has one of the best coffee shop ambiances I've ever seen, including a bar with stools and tons of nooks and crannies, where artists can hide, feel vulnerable, and sip good coffee - kinda what a coffee shop is all about 2. PATIO --- they have a great patio deck outside, if you and friends wanna hang out 3. COFFEE & TEA --- the coffee and tea is excellent! Overall, this is one of the finest coffee shops in the world! Fort Collins is lucky to have them! ENJOY ALL!!!!!
(5)Matt F.
Great tea selection.
(4)Dee J.
only had a smoothie from them. my first impression of the place was hippy, but the drink was actually quite good, and priced well. it really did taste like a 100% real fruit smoothie (they claim its 100%). ill be sure to return for their coffees and sandwiches sooner or later!
(4)Katie G.
This place is seriously like home. This is my favorite coffee shop in the entire world. It's open 24/7 and is in a great location tucked away from the road. There are always wonderful people inside the ally cat. I always get the red eye cat, a chai latte with a shot or two of espresso. I have gotten some SERIOUS homework done in this place. It's the best in the world. I could go on and on about this place forever and ever. Go there.
(5)Astrea S.
Even before I moved to Fort Collins, I heard murmurs of this near-legendary, hidden coffee gem. I hear people drive from all over the front range to find this spot... Then again, i've got some pretty pretentious, indie-seeking friends. The fact that it's in a random ally way, with only a giant hand to point you from the road; makes it sort of a pseudo-rabbit experience to discover. They've got some open mic events, which are ok, I guess. Lots of semi obnoxious, 'unique' looking high school kids flock here, since it's the only nightlife they're parents probably allow. Plenty of students drown themselves in coffee and computers at all hours of the day (or night,) some lovely homeless folk snooze on the chairs in the corner. The ceiling is full of "local art" tiles, the tables are creaky and unsteady, the food is hippy-chic, the chai homemade, there is a bakery downstairs that releases yummy smells, good music over the speakers... To conclude, it speaks heavily to that "alternative" young person... with insomnia. I dig.
(4)Bill E.
The Alley Cat made an excellent place to grab an iced latte, sit outside on the upstairs deck, and get some work done over their free wireless internet. Eclectic but not weird, the Alley Cat was surprisingly spacious (though the building looks old, small, and in rough shape from the outside). The barista was friendly, and my iced latte was pretty good. There's a diverse food menu, too, but I was only there for the coffee. The fact that this place is tucked in an alleyway half a block from the street helps reduce the noise of cars that would otherwise pass by.... but there is no getting around the train whose tracks are also a half-block away! I will definitely keep Alley Cat in my rotation, especially on nice days where I'd rather study/work and enjoy my coffee outside.
(4)Alden C.
I went here again recently and had ginger milk and my partner got something else gingery. Very relaxing and soothing drink to have! Better than that silly Sleepytime Tea anywhere and anytime! Mmmmmm!
(5)Trenton T.
Good coffee, cool staff, hip young crowd. Best cafe I've seen in fort Collins although it was very busy
(4)DasHunterMan X.
I like the Alley Cat, however I find myself steering my friends to Starry Nights when we go out for coffee. You see while my friends drink several different things, I drink Black Drip Coffee and The Alley Cat does not have a good refill policy. I can get a free refill at Starry Nights, Mugs, Daz Bogs and several other coffeehouses in town. So if we all need coffee, I push for somewhere else, only because of the poor refill policy!
(3)Kristin M.
One of the strangest feelings I've ever felt was watching the sun rise and listening to the birds sing their good morning songs at the crack of dawn...after not sleeping the entire night. For a few months of a very rough time in my life, I was an insomniac. There were nights that I tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling or watching late night infomercials. If this had been during the time we lived in Vegas, I probably would have left the house and had some insomniac adventures of the likes of Dave Attell. Living in Fort Collins, it never occurred to me that anything was open past 10:00pm other than 24 Hour Fitness and Wal-Mart. Then I found out about the Alley Cat Cafe. I really enjoyed our morning there. The Alley Cat is a very comfortable, friendly place to hang out. I'd come back for meetings or to focus on writing with a latte in hand and if I should ever become an insomniac again, The Alley Cat will be where I watch the sun rise and listen to the birds sing their good morning songs rather than from my couch watching infomercials.
(3)Jamie P.
This one is simple- Best Vanilla Chai Ever. The alley they're on is under construction, so it's a little hard to get to the store, but it's really worth it. Quirky ambiance.
(5)katy b.
i'm all about the ginger tea/ginger milk. as in i've had 3 in the last hour. they also have a lot of other good drinks, and a pretty good cafe/snacky/sandwichy menu. one time i had hummus with kettle chips because they didn't have pita, and it was actually awesome. i guess it was lucky, but delicious. anyways. the patio is nice, except for the chairs that devour you (like the one i'm sitting in now) and the train whistle (like the one that's happening now). but that's circumstantial, and all in all, the patio's an awesome place to study a ridiculous amount of homeworky things on a nice, autumn day. i like it here.
(4)Samantha M.
went here once because i had a coupon for a free coffee...not going back. it was hot, and there were flies everywhere.
(1)Eric W.
I love this place. great atmosphere, friendly service, open 24 hours!
(4)L B.
The pour-over coffee is (in my humble opinion) the best cup in town. I spend a lot of time in coffee shops and whenever I get sick of lame carafe coffee that tastes astringent, bitter, burnt, or stale I head straight to the Alley Cat to get my fix of delish real joe (just writing this is giving me a hankering). I give them 3-stars because I am just not in love with grungy coffee shops. The place is older and feels dirty -- which to some is atmosphere and to me is not exactly a recommendation. They are doing renovations right now so hopefully in the next few months it will feel fresher. Although if you love the worn out questionable furniture and dirty creaky floor thing, then this is probably your place. But beware visiting during exam/midterm times because it will be crazy busy and you probably won't find a seat to park in. As for the food: I've had mixed experiences. First, the good: The egg/cheese sandwich is AWESOME ... IF the bread is freshly baked. I think I got a stale one once and that kind of put me off them for a while. I had the hangover cure (is that what it's called?) smoothie once -- I liked it as a change of pace from other smoothies in town, but don't expect your smoothie to taste like Freshens or Jamba Juice. The less good / bad: They serve their bagels with Philadelphia cream cheese. So lame. A lot of their sandwich ingredients come of out a prepared bag (hummus, guac) and taste like it. I had the veggie breakfast burrito and I would describe it as less than mediocre... bordering on bad. Conclusion: Get the pour-over coffee (yes it is more expensive, but it's hella more delicious) and if you are feeling noshy find out what the fresh bakery items are and venture from there!
(3)Blair W.
When I first moved to town, this was my second home. The barista was always welcoming, the coffee always strong, and the burritos satisfying. It's a great place to meet up with a friend or browse the net.
(3)Anita K.
My favorite coffee shop in Fort Collins! Comfortable couches, mostly good music on the radio from M. Ward to MIA to classical.. A GREAT tasting americano. Nice and friendly staff. And two internet networks. The ceiling is filled with boring old styrafoam panels that many people have creatively and tastefully painted. I love it here.
(5)Jeff O.
Yep it's true, their chai is amazing. I got the sweet / spicy chai mix with almond milk and it was quite possibly the best hot chai I've ever had. 24 hours too so great study spot! Fun vibe. Great service. Affordable coffee. You can tell they're going for the student crowd. I've only been there to study so yeah that's me too.
(5)Eliisa T.
I ordered a chai shake thinking it was going to be the same as the first time I ordered it. When I saw that it was an ice cream based shake instead of the same "frappe" style drink I got the first time, I went up to the counter and asked for just a regular chai. The guy working there responded with an "I guess, but next time make sure you read the menu before ordering. Now this is going to go to waste, and that sucks." I can confidently say that there won't be a next time! Oh well, maybe my "wasteful" personality isn't wanted there anyway. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars instead of one is because their drinks are just slightly above average. Other then that, I always feel very out of place there. It is always filled to the brim with college students. Even though I am a college student myself, there is an odd, uncomfortable air to the place that makes me feel old and displaced.
(2)Charisse O.
Alley Cat I'm very disappointed with you! I came over to study like usual, and there was LOUD techno/clubbing music playing. Why? Why! This is a coffee shop that is known for the chill atmosphere. I loved coming here to study at night or just hanging out with friends, but when your music is playing louder than I can think, we have a problem. We even asked them to turn the music down a little.. but that barely helped. Once "Like a G6" came on, I swear I heard it pump up again. I am giving this place 2 stars, not because I hate this place but in hopes that the employees see this rating and vow never again to play this kind of music ever again. I don't think I'll be coming back here for a while.
(2)Jen E.
This little coffee shop is so adorable. Their coffee and goodies were delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience. It's a great place for college students to study and have a snack. I decided to try their Vanilla Milk Latte. I loved that it had a pretty design in the foam, somehow that makes it taste better, lol. No, really it was delicious! Then we shared a large chocolate chip cookie. It was so fresh and yummy, I will go back just for this cookie. They offer a menu that looked amazing. Next time I will go hungry so I can try a few different things. It's located right above Damn Good Tacos near campus and I cant wait to visit again very soon.
(4)George L.
Open 24/7 and everything you could ever want from a cool, hipster and funky coffee bar. You have coffee drink made to order by heavily inked hipsters, solid pastries and the ceiling is a series of hand done art murals, what is not to love? Bring a book, grab a mug of hot something and just stick back and absorb the local culture or get a group and play one of the variety of board games they have on hand for patrons. :-)
(5)Katharine C.
This place is a great study spot. Although it's always pretty crowded, I always manage to find a table or booth in the (covered) patio room - which has lots of outlets and natural light. It's the perfect place to go and get some work or studying done! The drinks are great and reasonably priced. I love the Chaco sandwich - turkey, cream cheese, pesto and sprouts! In addition, you can order from Dam Good Tacos (beneath the Alley Cat) and have them deliver it to your table upstairs. Since construction is going on next to the building, parking is a problem. Plan on walking or biking instead!
(4)Susan L.
No complaints! Great prices. Great coffee. Great service. Great spot. Only had an iced coffee but spent some time there doing work. Free wifi and lots of space to find a spot. Win!
(5)Jake L.
An alley cat is "a cat that lives wild in a town", or so says Google. I feel that this coffee house lives up to that name. While it probably derived its name more from its location that its alley-cat like characteristics, there is still an interesting correlation. The Alley Cat has a free spirit. You can definitely tell it is in close proximity to a college campus because the atmosphere speaks to that eclectic soul-searching period of life. Everything here is colorful, unique, and interesting. While I'm not usually a fan of mismatched furniture and random wall art, it seems to work well for this place. Put simply, this place is fun. Persuaded by reviews and the advice of a friend, I tried the Sweet Chai. It is absolutely delicious. Based on the numerous positive reviews I've read, I'm happy to say it lives up to its reputation. I would highly recommend giving it a try. While this place may not be the best 'study-centric' hangout in town, it's a cool place to meet with friends, kick back and relax, and drink some sweet chai.
(4)Morgan J.
Don't get me wrong I love the alley cat but the last couple times I have been in there the coffee literally been so bad that it is not even worth drinking. If that had been my only two experiences at the cat it would definitely get one star, but I have had so any 5 star visits and that's what keeps me going back. I love to just sit in here and play cards and have good conversations. It's overall just a great place to be.
(3)Sharon N.
Place is too confusing cluttered and get plain weird. This is where you go to find all the 'interesting' people of Fort Collins. Not my cup of tea, but I love their house made chai. Yummy. I also tried the lemon zuchinni bread. Excellent!
(2)Mila G.
Decent coffee place, its usually crowded so there isn't much room to hang out. They serve drinks in mismatched mugs and there's all sorts of paraphernalia on the walls. Some students camp out and take up entire tables with their laptops.
(3)Cooper R.
I have traveled all over the world, and through my travels, in the back of my mind, is a specific mission: find a chai better than Alley Cat's. And while I have had some spectacular chai, and some not so spectacular (there was one in London that may have possibly have been toothpaste), I still think Alley Cat's is the best. I personally always order their Red Eye Cat, which is their chai with a shot of espresso, it's the only study drink you will ever need! Pros -Their drinks, in addition to chai they have espresso drinks and ginger milk and ginger Tea. Suffering from allergies? Their ginger tea can solve all your problems. -The food! Fairly cheap, delicious, large portions, and your choice of chips. No Lays potato chips here, they serve the yummy ( and kind of local) Boulder chips. I highly recommend the sea salt and vinegar chips. -Smoothies! Try the Midsummer Night's Dream Smoothie, you can thank me later -Great wi-fi, considering how many people study here the wifi holds up really well -Open 24 hours! -Friendly staff Cons -Open 24 hours. A few times I've made the mistake of getting up early (like 3am) to cram for a test and thinking that it would be a good idea to head to Alley Cat. It was incredibly sketchy, the barista was completely incoherent, and it seems to become a haven for drunk homeless people. But then again I'm not completely sure what I was expecting at a cafe called the Alley Cat at three in the morning... -Finding a place to sit- Can be just as bad as the library during finals week, especially if you need a seat with an outlet! -Noise level- After about 10pm it gets crowded with the under 21 crowd who frequent the hookah bar downstairs. Not exactly conducive to getting much studying done but I remember loving it as a freshman. Alley Cat is amazing. Someone please go get me a chai!
(5)Karen P.
Poor signage made for a confusing walk down the alley - and no coffee to speak of. I think it may have been up some side stairs but that also may have been someone's house :(
(1)Hannah S.
Love love love this place! Its the perfect place to hang out with your friends while sipping on an amazing Chai smoothie. The music is awesome and the atmosphere is exciting! Definitely will be back.
(5)Meg d.
The Alley Cat Cafe, located along the alley bordered by College Ave, Laurel, Mason and Myrtle, is an eclectic, artsy cafe with a wide variety of seating, from booths, to classic cafe tables, to overstuffed couches and rocking chairs. Art work is not only rotationally on display on the walls, but the ceiling tiles have been painted by various customers over the years as well. There are lives plants in every room (there are 3 upstairs rooms as well as a porch and one downstairs room that can be reserved for meetings), giving the place a cozy feel. I'm a big fan of the Alley Cat chai, a homemade blend of spices, milk and tea. They also carry a wide variety of loose teas as well as the usual coffee drinks. Sandwiches, bagels and other munchies are also available. There are guitars and notebooks scattered around the cafe for general use as well as a piano that seems to have a mind of its own because every few months you'll find it resting in a new location. In fact, much of the furniture in the Alley Cat is that way. There have been times when every week that I've visited, the entire look of the place had been rearranged, adding a feeling of movement and spontaneity even if I've arrived when things are slow. I hear the place gets packed on Friday nights, however, when they have an open mic night. Mondays are poetry night. And the Alley Cat is always open 24 hours so it's a great place to hang out when you're cramming for a test or pulling an all nighter to write a paper.
(5)Christy U.
Love this cafe. Found it during a morning run and went back each morning for a latte. Great artsy ambiance, friendly staff, and good coffee to kick back and relax.
(4)J W.
I like the Alley Cat for its grubby and well worn atmosphere. The coffee is good and it is comfortable. It's a great place to watch hordes of ironic/scene/emo/hipster kids doing whatever it is that they do. I guess I'm just not cool enough to understand. Alley cat is the best in the winter months.
(4)Jeff O.
Yep it's true, their chai is amazing. I got the sweet / spicy chai mix with almond milk and it was quite possibly the best hot chai I've ever had. 24 hours too so great study spot! Fun vibe. Great service. Affordable coffee. You can tell they're going for the student crowd. I've only been there to study so yeah that's me too.
(5)Eliisa T.
I ordered a chai shake thinking it was going to be the same as the first time I ordered it. When I saw that it was an ice cream based shake instead of the same "frappe" style drink I got the first time, I went up to the counter and asked for just a regular chai. The guy working there responded with an "I guess, but next time make sure you read the menu before ordering. Now this is going to go to waste, and that sucks." I can confidently say that there won't be a next time! Oh well, maybe my "wasteful" personality isn't wanted there anyway. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars instead of one is because their drinks are just slightly above average. Other then that, I always feel very out of place there. It is always filled to the brim with college students. Even though I am a college student myself, there is an odd, uncomfortable air to the place that makes me feel old and displaced.
(2)Charisse O.
Alley Cat I'm very disappointed with you! I came over to study like usual, and there was LOUD techno/clubbing music playing. Why? Why! This is a coffee shop that is known for the chill atmosphere. I loved coming here to study at night or just hanging out with friends, but when your music is playing louder than I can think, we have a problem. We even asked them to turn the music down a little.. but that barely helped. Once "Like a G6" came on, I swear I heard it pump up again. I am giving this place 2 stars, not because I hate this place but in hopes that the employees see this rating and vow never again to play this kind of music ever again. I don't think I'll be coming back here for a while.
(2)Jen E.
This little coffee shop is so adorable. Their coffee and goodies were delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience. It's a great place for college students to study and have a snack. I decided to try their Vanilla Milk Latte. I loved that it had a pretty design in the foam, somehow that makes it taste better, lol. No, really it was delicious! Then we shared a large chocolate chip cookie. It was so fresh and yummy, I will go back just for this cookie. They offer a menu that looked amazing. Next time I will go hungry so I can try a few different things. It's located right above Damn Good Tacos near campus and I cant wait to visit again very soon.
(4)George L.
Open 24/7 and everything you could ever want from a cool, hipster and funky coffee bar. You have coffee drink made to order by heavily inked hipsters, solid pastries and the ceiling is a series of hand done art murals, what is not to love? Bring a book, grab a mug of hot something and just stick back and absorb the local culture or get a group and play one of the variety of board games they have on hand for patrons. :-)
(5)Katharine C.
This place is a great study spot. Although it's always pretty crowded, I always manage to find a table or booth in the (covered) patio room - which has lots of outlets and natural light. It's the perfect place to go and get some work or studying done! The drinks are great and reasonably priced. I love the Chaco sandwich - turkey, cream cheese, pesto and sprouts! In addition, you can order from Dam Good Tacos (beneath the Alley Cat) and have them deliver it to your table upstairs. Since construction is going on next to the building, parking is a problem. Plan on walking or biking instead!
(4)Susan L.
No complaints! Great prices. Great coffee. Great service. Great spot. Only had an iced coffee but spent some time there doing work. Free wifi and lots of space to find a spot. Win!
(5)Jake L.
An alley cat is "a cat that lives wild in a town", or so says Google. I feel that this coffee house lives up to that name. While it probably derived its name more from its location that its alley-cat like characteristics, there is still an interesting correlation. The Alley Cat has a free spirit. You can definitely tell it is in close proximity to a college campus because the atmosphere speaks to that eclectic soul-searching period of life. Everything here is colorful, unique, and interesting. While I'm not usually a fan of mismatched furniture and random wall art, it seems to work well for this place. Put simply, this place is fun. Persuaded by reviews and the advice of a friend, I tried the Sweet Chai. It is absolutely delicious. Based on the numerous positive reviews I've read, I'm happy to say it lives up to its reputation. I would highly recommend giving it a try. While this place may not be the best 'study-centric' hangout in town, it's a cool place to meet with friends, kick back and relax, and drink some sweet chai.
(4)Michelle S.
The baked goods are very mediocre. Often dry, flavorless (except for "sweet," which just doesn't cut it), and they become very overheated during the summer because they don't have proper AC. I ordered a breakfast sandwich the other day and it was like getting one from a fast food joint-- pretty pathetic. It can be very hard to study with the heat and often overly-loud music playing, even though they sell themselves as a chill place for students. The staff is great, but in terms of coffee, food, and atmosphere, they really don't have much going for them.
(2)Lauren R.
I'm a fan. How can you not be a fan of a 24 hour coffee shop that has house guitars hanging for their customers to play? I've spent many, many days and nights there studying. I'm mainly a fan of black coffee(and a fan of theirs), but have tried their teas, chai latte, cookies, PB&J, sandwiches, and muffins. All which were delicious. If their food is not your fancy, there's a taco shop downstairs that will bring food up to your table :) There's also a semi-outdoor seating area where you can bring your dog and hanging bike racks outside. I've seen some reviews saying the staff was unfriendly but I've never met anyone there that wasn't nice and smiling so it must be old staff. When school is in session it's SUPER busy, so if you're with a group of friends on a Friday night it might be hard to find a table. And for those saying it's a hipster hangout...it's a coffee shop, what in the hell do you expect?
(5)Brianna K.
My boyfriend and I climbed the stairs and entered Alley Cat Cafe at 1am on Thursday night, and he explained that "you'd have to be a lunatic to come to Alley Cat during the day." Though we were the only two people in the cafe on that night, it was immediately apparent that he would be correct. The quirky painted ceiling tiles encourage customers to tilt back their heads and admire the art, creating immediate fodder for conversation. Friday night at 11pm, the atmosphere was starkly different with every table playing host to three or four people; girl behind me played a ukelele and serenaded her friend. During both my visits to Alley Cat, I was overwhelmed with affection for the place. It has a defined character and welcomes the artsy, quirky, and the sleepless.
(5)Jordan F.
CINNAMON ROLLS!!!!!!!! This spot has it going on. We stopped in for a good ole cup a joe and some baked snacks to start the day, and it was perfect. Alleycats is a perfect name this hip little joint. It feels like you were sucked into The Aristocats movie when all the cool cats are playing piano and dancing. With maps and lamps and cool ceiling tiles decorating the walls, this place makes you want to curl up for the day. We got a coffee, mocha, cappuccino, muffin and cinnamon roll and it cost us $15. Heck yeah!!! Oh and the cinnamon roll. Beware. This baby is worthy of an addiction. All in all, this place gets an A+ from this guy.
(5)Brian K.
Unique place, fun atmosphere, a little claustrophobic if full of people.
(4)Mollie H.
This place is so cute. Everyone is so friendly. My only complaint is parking... Which is non-existent.
(5)Megan C.
This is the coolest coffee shop! It's my favorite place to meet up with fiends and has good coffee/chais. I also love the variety of tea flavors that they have. It's usually pretty quiet in there. My only complaint is that it is ALWAYS so hot in there that I feel like I have to order an iced drink just to keep from burning up. But It's still one of my favorites coffee shops in FoCo!
(4)Matt F.
Great tea selection.
(4)Mike P.
The Alley Cat Cafe is basically the Fort Collins embassy for Hipstertopia. I am neither a hipster nor a regular, but I find myself going there maybe 3 or 4 times a year at the insistence of friends or some other meeting-up-with-someone type of reason. The interior is artsy and grungy, and so are the customers. Service-wise it's randomly very good or very bad. I have had really good service from the baristas, and I have also had the kind of service where I had to wait for the barista to end their heart-to-heart chat with a regular before they'd even acknowledge that I exist. In these cases I tried to get their attention but catching the eye of a barista deep in the middle of a philosophical discussion over the sound of the severely underground electronica on the sound system is a bit like trying to hail a taxi because you got tired while swimming across the Atlantic Ocean. Price-wise it's basically the same as going to Starbucks. They do have a prime location, so they can't afford to charge too little, understandably. Mentioning Starbucks in a review for the Alley Cat would probably make the average Alley Cat regular glare at me in haughty dismissal, so if any of you are reading this, I understand. You can't help it. Give me your best hipster-stare and go back to writing your screenplay about your magic dog or whatever it is you're doing behind that laptop. The drink selection is quite nice. They have a good combination of standard international teas and unique beverages. They have a specific drink called the "Red-Eye Cat" that I got last time and to be honest the after-effect made me feel afraid of what I'd just done to my adrenal system. It tasted good, but afterward I felt like my body was running on battery acid. I was jittery and it seemed like everyone and everything was yelling at me. Apparently I'm just not cut out for handling that amount of caffeine. However for those of you coffee and sugar junkies out there who don't have much left in the way of adrenaline, it would probably be a mild pick-me-up. The sandwich I had was very tasty, but small. I should give that comment some perspective by admitting that I was extremely hungry, had been at the engineering center doing homework all weekend and hadn't had anything to eat since the night before. I gave the Alley Cat 3 stars because it is good at being what it is, even if it's not my favorite. To be honest I think it deserves 4 stars but I didn't give 4 because when I selected all 4 the text said "Yay! I'm a fan!", and I'm just not hipster enough for that.
(3)Ashwin D.
Nice and cozy coffee place. Great coffee, decent sandwiches and board games to go with it. The occasional music is good too.
(5)Amanda B.
Home away from home when I was in college. I've been back a few times since graduating, and it's still as charming and quirky as ever. I recommend the spiced chai and their cookies. Beyond that, I was always too poor to buy anything else. :) Take a look up from your book and see the painted ceiling boards. You can even request to paint one yourself. Live music here happens all the time, and is _good_. If you're around, hit it up. If you aimlessly wander in, grab a board game. Scrabble has most of the letters. All in all, a favorite place to spend several hours reading, doing homework, and catching up with friends. The good: great tea and coffee. The bad: not wheelchair accessible. Bummer.
(4)Ben S.
This is my favorite coffee shop in the world and I have traveled all over stopping at coffee shops everywhere!!! Part of it has to do with the hours since it is open 24/7!!! Another part is the staff as all of them are super nice and great at making super tasty drinks! Another amazing part of this place is the ambiance as it is one of the coolest looking shops there is!! And it has been a while since I have been here but all the improvements make this place even better than it used to be!! Finally is the drinks and food as all their drinks are great, my personal favorite being their Chai! Their sandwiches are great too, again my favorite being the porch swing! Another nice thing is the fact that they like to be creative and if you want to try something they are always down to try it out!
(5)Justin G.
This place is a true fort Collins landmark. Thank god for this place!!! It's the good people that make it outstanding
(5)Ryan D.
Super eclectic, cozy, working cafe. This place hit the spot for a late ish nite coffee fix. If I need to get some late night work done this could be my new out of the house place. Good speedy service, descent prices and plenty of seating, even tho most tables were taken, I think you could squeeze in with a stranger (gasp!!!). We'll be back.
(5)Amy O.
I had 45 minutes to kill before an event at the Mayor so I popped in to do a little work and grab a coffee. I like that this shop had lots of seating options. You could sit inside near a window if you wanted natural light, or tuck yourself into a corner booth in the back. They also had a closed in porch as well. My latte was great, too! Nice little spot!
(4)Erika B.
I love the alley cat it's open all night and it's a great place to get away and spend alone time. It's warm. Not overpriced. And the people and art are always different and weird.
(5)Kristie S.
My favorite place in Fort Collins. The Alley Cat has personality like none other. Alley Cat has the best chai in the city of Fort Collins and I've tried a lot. The ceiling tiles are only one of the many unique characteristics of of this coffee shop and it is open 24/7. There are many fun activities including open mic nights and board games available at your disposal. The staff is knowledgable and friendly.
(5)Ron B.
I love the place. There's just no way to explain it. I almost don't want to tell you how awesome it is, because you might go there when I want to go and get in my way. Friday night open mic nights here is the first place I went where someone singing didn't annoy me. It's just got an ambiance on it's own and while it won't appeal to the masses, that's just how I like it. Also, I love that they never close. That's just a bonus, though. It's worth your time and money.
(5)Susan Y.
The Alley Cat is, as one might infer from its name, located in an alley, specifically the alley between College and Mason just north of the CSU campus. Having recently undergone gentrification (brick pavers, flower boxes, public art displays and so forth) the alley is no longer accessible by automobile from Laurel St., so it's probably best that you come by foot, bicycle, skateboard, or insert your favorite alternative conveyance here. Alternative transportation certainly fits with the Alley Cat ethos ... But I digress. While much about the Alley Cat seems to be targeted at the nearby student population, they do produce some delicious cafe drinks. Their chai lattes are exceptional -- no boxed concentrate here. They brew not one but two of their own concoctions, a sweet chai and a vegan chai. I prefer the vegan chai not because I am vegan but because it's not overly sweet; you can request cow's milk rather than soy. If you are beyond your student years and don't need to stay up all night, give one of their ginger drinks a try -- their ginger brew packs quite a bit of heat so take it with milk to take the edge off. The funky vibe isn't really my thing so I normally get my drinks take-out, but the patio is nice and I do believe the atmosphere will only improve as the Mason corridor project is completed ...
(4)Meagan B.
I watched the sun come up here many, many times while I was a CSU student. Free wireless Internet, sweet +spicy CAFFEINE PACKED CHAI LATTES, and a chill ambiance for writing and studying. Unless you're easily distracted, then that's another story. People of Fort Collins, you are lucky to have this little gem. I MISS IT! :( Especially when I'm writing on a deadline for work . . . as in, RIGHT NOW. Not a whole lot of 24-hour coffeehouses like this in Phoenix.
(4)Taylor S.
Pretty much my home away from home. I love the atmosphere, the quirky decorations, it's definitely its own place- no where else like it. It's open 24/7, which is awesome because I usually want coffee at three in the morning. Great music is always playing, service is always great. HUGE mugs. Tons of options from coffees to sandwiches to muffins to smoothies. I come here all the time to study, or just to do nothing. Seating is sometimes pretty difficult to find, especially around finals for the college students. This is my go-to place.
(4)Eliza D.
Very cool spot to hang out, play games, and have drinks. Had an iced sweet chai, which was a bit too sweet for me, but I suppose that was to be expected! Awesome ceiling art :)
(4)Mohsen H.
I first went to the Alley Cat when I was either 15 or 16, and after a long absence of not going back for quite a few years, the place is still as homely and inviting to guests of all backgrounds and all occasions. No sophistication here, Alley Cat sticks to the basics: Great hospitality, great coffee/teas, great service, great atmosphere. My personal favorite is either the Hazelnut or Cinnamon latte (hot), sometimes I mix them both! The baristas here are prompt, polite, and personable. They all perform equally well, and will take great care of anyone and anytime. 5 thumbs up for the Alley Cat.
(5)Abby S.
After going to the Alley Cat for breakfast this morning, I left feeling completely satisfied. Walking upstairs and into the cafe, I immediately fell in love with the vibe of this place. It's different than most coffee houses (in a good way!) My friend ordered a cappuccino and a chocolate-chip and almond muffin. The homemade muffin was delicious. I ventured for the vegan spicy Chai Latte which was superb-very spicy but that's how I like it! Even though the wait was a little long, the man making our lovely drinks was super helpful and we didn't mind the wait at all. I also ordered the homemade granola-fantastic! I'm usually an impatient person, but didn't mind waiting for our drinks because the atmosphere was so cozy and warm. I will be coming back for some caffeine and late night studying!
(5)Jack E.
I likee this place. Not super stoked I'm in the breezeway writing this near a window with my hands so cold it's absurd because there is no seating available indoors (you know, the REAL indoors). But the baristas seem cool and nice enough, there are several wifi signals so it doesn't get bogged down too badly, there are some really cute girls here, drinks are a-okay, and I like the art and general ambiance (it's a little hippie style, but I'm down with that - I've been called a hippie once or twice before :) ). Second time here, today, and I know I'll be back again. And hearing it's 24 hours is DOPE.
(4)Michael B.
Accepts bitcoin as of today, I am pretty sure I am the first person to have paid with bitcoin for anything in Fort Collins. Thank you Alleycat! (oh, and of course, great coffee, friendly staff)
(5)Samantha E.
I studied a lot here in undergrad. It attracts a very diverse clientele, everyone from business owners to sleep-deprived college students to homeless sleepers to pretty much anything you can think of. It's generally pretty empty on weekend mornings, and packed every night of the week. The baristas make excellent coffee, and it generally will have a pretty design in the foam. Their sandwiches are a good deal as well, and I remember ordering a BLT with avocado a lot. Wireless is free, which is always a plus (although it sounds like shopping online while you're there is a bad idea). If you want to people-watch or just need a random middle-of-the-night coffee, this is the place for you.
(4)Amanda G.
This place is awesome super close to my other favorite place in fort Collins, Algiers. It's open 24 hours and offers a wide array of sweets and coffee the chai is my absolute favorite. I love coming to study or read a book there is something for everyone!
(4)Nick S.
Chai tea here is the way to go. I like this place because I work nights and this place is open 24/7 so on my days off this is a place I can actually go. Just to Let you know if you come here late night you Will see homeless people sleeping on the couches. I think it's very nice of the staff and owners to do that. Was here the other nIght when it was 1 degree out and hated just walking to my car let alone the thought of staying out there all night. Good job alley cat. Thank you for caring
(4)Shane P.
Just finished up a killer double espresso from this coffee bar and enjoyed every second of it. Shots are pulled from a Rancillio spring lever machine and were spot on. I'm from outside this area and anyone who travels knows how hard it is to find great coffee on the road. The staff was beyond helpful, the atmosphere is super relaxed, their food is fresh and delicious. It's obvious that a majority of the patronage is student based, but the joint is also permeated with local professionals and is family friendly. I will recommend this place to every person I know coming to Ft. Collins area. Thanks for the hospitality and service Alley Cat!
(5)Solomon W.
This hip coffee shop fits right into this odd, quirky neighborhood in FoCo. It is located next to some local institutions... inside of an alleyway...above a bakery... with lots of construction... and it is 24/7. The Alley Cat Cafe provides a good cup of joe that is very affordable. The baked goods come from downstairs, and they are pretty tasty. The zucchini chocolate muffin was moist with crumbly top and not too sweet. If you need a cool little buzz joint in this little college town north of Denver, check ACC out. Cool vibe, good food, and solid service.
(4)Nicole B.
I was here on a Sunday night after having a drink. I had my laptop with me and was looking for a place that was open. It had to be around 11 pm. Found this place through my phone, on college and laurel. At first I couldn't find it, but finally saw it in the alley. Hence the name alley cat. I stayed probably for an hour or so, and had ordered a cup of chamomile tea. It was pretty crowded in there for being 11 pm. I think I had left around midnight or so, and it was still pretty crowded in there. I found a quite spot downstairs. I thought this place was just okay.
(3)Elfi M.
Five stars for yummy chai tea latte, relaxed atmosphere and eclectic selection of music. I heard about Alley Cat Cafe through my daughter. Her high school history teacher in So Cal, told the class if they were ever in Fort Collins, Colorado, this was a place they had to try. Fast forward 2 years, she is enrolled in CSU and I'm in town for a visit. I love trying local coffee shops and looking for a great soy chai tea latte. This place is a hit in my book. The house chai is on the sweet side, but very delicious and comforting. Reminds me of pumpkin pie (which I love), with flavors of nutmeg and vanilla. On a cold Colorado day, this is a wonderful place to sink into a comfy chair with a good book or friend and spend a couple relaxing hours. It is a very funky, college type feel, but because it is a little out of the way, it is never very crowded when I am there. The music is great and adds to the eclectic ambiance. I think they are open 24/7 which is very cool.
(5)Miguel A.
I realized that I didn't include many details, so I thought I would update my review The positives about Alley Cat Cafe --- 1. AMBIANCE --- this place has one of the best coffee shop ambiances I've ever seen, including a bar with stools and tons of nooks and crannies, where artists can hide, feel vulnerable, and sip good coffee - kinda what a coffee shop is all about 2. PATIO --- they have a great patio deck outside, if you and friends wanna hang out 3. COFFEE & TEA --- the coffee and tea is excellent! Overall, this is one of the finest coffee shops in the world! Fort Collins is lucky to have them! ENJOY ALL!!!!!
(5)Dee J.
only had a smoothie from them. my first impression of the place was hippy, but the drink was actually quite good, and priced well. it really did taste like a 100% real fruit smoothie (they claim its 100%). ill be sure to return for their coffees and sandwiches sooner or later!
(4)Katie G.
This place is seriously like home. This is my favorite coffee shop in the entire world. It's open 24/7 and is in a great location tucked away from the road. There are always wonderful people inside the ally cat. I always get the red eye cat, a chai latte with a shot or two of espresso. I have gotten some SERIOUS homework done in this place. It's the best in the world. I could go on and on about this place forever and ever. Go there.
(5)Astrea S.
Even before I moved to Fort Collins, I heard murmurs of this near-legendary, hidden coffee gem. I hear people drive from all over the front range to find this spot... Then again, i've got some pretty pretentious, indie-seeking friends. The fact that it's in a random ally way, with only a giant hand to point you from the road; makes it sort of a pseudo-rabbit experience to discover. They've got some open mic events, which are ok, I guess. Lots of semi obnoxious, 'unique' looking high school kids flock here, since it's the only nightlife they're parents probably allow. Plenty of students drown themselves in coffee and computers at all hours of the day (or night,) some lovely homeless folk snooze on the chairs in the corner. The ceiling is full of "local art" tiles, the tables are creaky and unsteady, the food is hippy-chic, the chai homemade, there is a bakery downstairs that releases yummy smells, good music over the speakers... To conclude, it speaks heavily to that "alternative" young person... with insomnia. I dig.
(4)Bill E.
The Alley Cat made an excellent place to grab an iced latte, sit outside on the upstairs deck, and get some work done over their free wireless internet. Eclectic but not weird, the Alley Cat was surprisingly spacious (though the building looks old, small, and in rough shape from the outside). The barista was friendly, and my iced latte was pretty good. There's a diverse food menu, too, but I was only there for the coffee. The fact that this place is tucked in an alleyway half a block from the street helps reduce the noise of cars that would otherwise pass by.... but there is no getting around the train whose tracks are also a half-block away! I will definitely keep Alley Cat in my rotation, especially on nice days where I'd rather study/work and enjoy my coffee outside.
(4)Alden C.
I went here again recently and had ginger milk and my partner got something else gingery. Very relaxing and soothing drink to have! Better than that silly Sleepytime Tea anywhere and anytime! Mmmmmm!
(5)Trenton T.
Good coffee, cool staff, hip young crowd. Best cafe I've seen in fort Collins although it was very busy
(4)DasHunterMan X.
I like the Alley Cat, however I find myself steering my friends to Starry Nights when we go out for coffee. You see while my friends drink several different things, I drink Black Drip Coffee and The Alley Cat does not have a good refill policy. I can get a free refill at Starry Nights, Mugs, Daz Bogs and several other coffeehouses in town. So if we all need coffee, I push for somewhere else, only because of the poor refill policy!
(3)Kristin M.
One of the strangest feelings I've ever felt was watching the sun rise and listening to the birds sing their good morning songs at the crack of dawn...after not sleeping the entire night. For a few months of a very rough time in my life, I was an insomniac. There were nights that I tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling or watching late night infomercials. If this had been during the time we lived in Vegas, I probably would have left the house and had some insomniac adventures of the likes of Dave Attell. Living in Fort Collins, it never occurred to me that anything was open past 10:00pm other than 24 Hour Fitness and Wal-Mart. Then I found out about the Alley Cat Cafe. I really enjoyed our morning there. The Alley Cat is a very comfortable, friendly place to hang out. I'd come back for meetings or to focus on writing with a latte in hand and if I should ever become an insomniac again, The Alley Cat will be where I watch the sun rise and listen to the birds sing their good morning songs rather than from my couch watching infomercials.
(3)Jamie P.
This one is simple- Best Vanilla Chai Ever. The alley they're on is under construction, so it's a little hard to get to the store, but it's really worth it. Quirky ambiance.
(5)L B.
The pour-over coffee is (in my humble opinion) the best cup in town. I spend a lot of time in coffee shops and whenever I get sick of lame carafe coffee that tastes astringent, bitter, burnt, or stale I head straight to the Alley Cat to get my fix of delish real joe (just writing this is giving me a hankering). I give them 3-stars because I am just not in love with grungy coffee shops. The place is older and feels dirty -- which to some is atmosphere and to me is not exactly a recommendation. They are doing renovations right now so hopefully in the next few months it will feel fresher. Although if you love the worn out questionable furniture and dirty creaky floor thing, then this is probably your place. But beware visiting during exam/midterm times because it will be crazy busy and you probably won't find a seat to park in. As for the food: I've had mixed experiences. First, the good: The egg/cheese sandwich is AWESOME ... IF the bread is freshly baked. I think I got a stale one once and that kind of put me off them for a while. I had the hangover cure (is that what it's called?) smoothie once -- I liked it as a change of pace from other smoothies in town, but don't expect your smoothie to taste like Freshens or Jamba Juice. The less good / bad: They serve their bagels with Philadelphia cream cheese. So lame. A lot of their sandwich ingredients come of out a prepared bag (hummus, guac) and taste like it. I had the veggie breakfast burrito and I would describe it as less than mediocre... bordering on bad. Conclusion: Get the pour-over coffee (yes it is more expensive, but it's hella more delicious) and if you are feeling noshy find out what the fresh bakery items are and venture from there!
(3)Blair W.
When I first moved to town, this was my second home. The barista was always welcoming, the coffee always strong, and the burritos satisfying. It's a great place to meet up with a friend or browse the net.
(3)Anita K.
My favorite coffee shop in Fort Collins! Comfortable couches, mostly good music on the radio from M. Ward to MIA to classical.. A GREAT tasting americano. Nice and friendly staff. And two internet networks. The ceiling is filled with boring old styrafoam panels that many people have creatively and tastefully painted. I love it here.
(5)katy b.
i'm all about the ginger tea/ginger milk. as in i've had 3 in the last hour. they also have a lot of other good drinks, and a pretty good cafe/snacky/sandwichy menu. one time i had hummus with kettle chips because they didn't have pita, and it was actually awesome. i guess it was lucky, but delicious. anyways. the patio is nice, except for the chairs that devour you (like the one i'm sitting in now) and the train whistle (like the one that's happening now). but that's circumstantial, and all in all, the patio's an awesome place to study a ridiculous amount of homeworky things on a nice, autumn day. i like it here.
(4)Samantha M.
went here once because i had a coupon for a free coffee...not going back. it was hot, and there were flies everywhere.
(1)Eric W.
I love this place. great atmosphere, friendly service, open 24 hours!
(4)Joel T.
Hippies! Emo Kids! Trendy Hipsters! This is Fort Collins, not LA. My espresso was decent, but the atmosphere is exceedingly creepy.
(1)Kent S.
I had long heard of the Alley Cat from a fellow traveller and former employee of. When I finally had made my way out to FoCo, I was quite surprised to find what I saw. I mean, it was what I expected, but I just couldn't have imagined it to be so glorious. Plus, 24 hour coffee shops are something that every community to use. We in Chicago, have none. And none of you out there better tell me the Starbucks locations that are 24 hour operations. Those don't count. But anyway, if you're a traveller and you appreciate a well-trained barista, check out the Alley Cat.
(5)Jeff O.
Yep it's true, their chai is amazing. I got the sweet / spicy chai mix with almond milk and it was quite possibly the best hot chai I've ever had. 24 hours too so great study spot! Fun vibe. Great service. Affordable coffee. You can tell they're going for the student crowd. I've only been there to study so yeah that's me too.
(5)Susan L.
No complaints! Great prices. Great coffee. Great service. Great spot. Only had an iced coffee but spent some time there doing work. Free wifi and lots of space to find a spot. Win!
(5)Eliisa T.
I ordered a chai shake thinking it was going to be the same as the first time I ordered it. When I saw that it was an ice cream based shake instead of the same "frappe" style drink I got the first time, I went up to the counter and asked for just a regular chai. The guy working there responded with an "I guess, but next time make sure you read the menu before ordering. Now this is going to go to waste, and that sucks." I can confidently say that there won't be a next time! Oh well, maybe my "wasteful" personality isn't wanted there anyway. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars instead of one is because their drinks are just slightly above average. Other then that, I always feel very out of place there. It is always filled to the brim with college students. Even though I am a college student myself, there is an odd, uncomfortable air to the place that makes me feel old and displaced.
(2)Charisse O.
Alley Cat I'm very disappointed with you! I came over to study like usual, and there was LOUD techno/clubbing music playing. Why? Why! This is a coffee shop that is known for the chill atmosphere. I loved coming here to study at night or just hanging out with friends, but when your music is playing louder than I can think, we have a problem. We even asked them to turn the music down a little.. but that barely helped. Once "Like a G6" came on, I swear I heard it pump up again. I am giving this place 2 stars, not because I hate this place but in hopes that the employees see this rating and vow never again to play this kind of music ever again. I don't think I'll be coming back here for a while.
(2)Jen E.
This little coffee shop is so adorable. Their coffee and goodies were delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience. It's a great place for college students to study and have a snack. I decided to try their Vanilla Milk Latte. I loved that it had a pretty design in the foam, somehow that makes it taste better, lol. No, really it was delicious! Then we shared a large chocolate chip cookie. It was so fresh and yummy, I will go back just for this cookie. They offer a menu that looked amazing. Next time I will go hungry so I can try a few different things. It's located right above Damn Good Tacos near campus and I cant wait to visit again very soon.
(4)George L.
Open 24/7 and everything you could ever want from a cool, hipster and funky coffee bar. You have coffee drink made to order by heavily inked hipsters, solid pastries and the ceiling is a series of hand done art murals, what is not to love? Bring a book, grab a mug of hot something and just stick back and absorb the local culture or get a group and play one of the variety of board games they have on hand for patrons. :-)
(5)Katharine C.
This place is a great study spot. Although it's always pretty crowded, I always manage to find a table or booth in the (covered) patio room - which has lots of outlets and natural light. It's the perfect place to go and get some work or studying done! The drinks are great and reasonably priced. I love the Chaco sandwich - turkey, cream cheese, pesto and sprouts! In addition, you can order from Dam Good Tacos (beneath the Alley Cat) and have them deliver it to your table upstairs. Since construction is going on next to the building, parking is a problem. Plan on walking or biking instead!
(4)