Common Grounds Coffee House
343 E High St, Lexington, KY, 40507
Common Grounds Coffee House Menu
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Address :
343 E High St
Lexington, KY, 40507 - Phone (859) 233-9761
- Website https://www.commongroundsoflexington.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 12:00pm
- Mon : 7:00 am - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Good for Working : Yes
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Chase C.
First off they are open late, huge bonus! Try the iced honey bee if you're fresh off the Starbucks wagon.
(5)Julia N.
I haven't been to Common Grounds since I was a poor college student 10+ years ago. It was hipster before being hipster was a thing. My brother and I brought a few board games and camped out for a few hours, and we had so much fun, despite the fact that he slaughtered me at every game we played. Our beverages were great, and it is the perfect spot to lounge and socialize. We spread out on a large table, but there are other rooms with couches and tables that are removed from the main counter area.
(4)Lee P.
They have awesome coffee, food, service- The Barista's are the best and most friendly. Common Grounds has several rooms so it is a great place to get away if you want, or it has a great open area if you want to hang out and see people. I love open mic night and other music they have, its just a real neat place to be. Whenever you walk in you just feel comfortable and relaxed, warm and welcome and the service is unbeatable. The people that work their know their stuff and seem to really enjoy what they do, and they don't seem to have alot of turnover. Makes a difference.
(4)Chris D.
This place has gotten better, though maybe it's because the UK student hordes have moved out for the summer. There walls used to be covered with distractingly bad artwork and they used to pipe in top-40 slop, but those things have changed. The artwork and music have improved. I'm focusing on these aesthetic things because I use this place for its space. I rarely order anything other than plain coffee and I never get the [too expensive] food. It's situated across two floors in a really cool building with rooms of fluctuating sizes and furnishings - big tables if you want to spread out all your work, couches if you want to lay back and read, and easy chairs if you want to...take it easy...in a chair. I know I'm really particular about where I study - I need to be at a table, for example - if you're similarly picky about your space, you'll find one that fits at Common Grounds. Plus, they have a great local selection of beer! Coffee at the start of your evening, beer at the end. I'm thankful that there's a place this cool close to me. It loses stars, though, for the bad internet connectivity (it seems to putter out every 15 minutes) and the before-mentioned over-priced food.
(4)Kandice G.
I once frequented this shop for a writing workshop. It is a comfortable coffee shop and the atmosphere is great for writing.
(3)Tim P.
This place is great. Not only is it right around the corner from me; but the breakfast burritos are out of this world. I'm also trying to adjust to the fact that in Lexington you can drink a beer in a coffee shop. Now that I'm on the topic; they have a great craft beer selection, and super friendly baristas that will take you out for late night trivia if you're super nice to them. The only thing that lacks a bit with this place is the coffee. I may have caught it on a bad day though. I'll reserve the fifth star until I have another coffee.
(4)Jessica S.
Great coffee and atmosphere. The building itself is really neat with all the different rooms.
(4)Jefferson S.
Pretty good coffee shop in a cool, large, artsy space. They serve food too, so not a bad place to drop in for breakfast. Came here multiple times on my visit and noticed one consistent thing: the servers/staff act like a bunch of baked stoners. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But taking orders and pouring coffee shouldn't feel so complicated. But it does for some reason here. Still, it's a decent coffee shop and seemed like a nice place to waste some time on your iPad or read a paper and milk your "$2.50 bottomless coffee cup". I'd go back. 3 stars.
(3)Maxi S.
Common grounds is a place where you walk in a customer and leave a friend. Now that I have moved from KY, I sincerely miss this place. The staff is very friendly and unique, the coffee is always delicious and the atmosphere is like no other coffee place around.
(5)Josh M.
Good change of place for a cup of Java. Have not tried anything else. Service is right and atmosphere is good
(3)Zach S.
I have been coming here for years to work on my laptop and realized something tonight... although I only make it in once a month or so these days, I haven't had a decent experience in the last dozen visits. I should have realized sooner, but some habits (twelve years) die hard. The beverages are unremarkable, and the internet connectivity is patently abysmal. What did me in tonight, though, wasn't just the poor connectivity. The Tuscan Wrap would likely be a palatable selection, but it's ruined by Common Grounds' use of both a panini press and a microwave to prepare it. An herb wrap around grilled chicken, lettuce, cream cheese, sun dried tomato and pesto turns out to be an inedible mess. Perfectly good ingredients ruined with wilted lettuce and tongue-burning inconsistent heat from the microwave. I'll miss the atmosphere, but I think it's time to move on.
(1)Amy C.
Only one major downside of Common Grounds... and that's the coffee. The space is great, the staff is great, the menu is quite good for a coffee shop. But, I just can't love the coffee. I wish I could though. Update: 11/2014 - Coffee is much better than it used to be.
(4)Nick J.
Good coffee, not the best in town, but very good. Great atmosphere. This is always my choice when meeting friends for conversation since there's so much space and many little nooks that you can disappear into to chat. However,It gets very crowded sometimes due to its proximity to campus.
(4)Ryan S.
Great place to study! Being open till twelve makes them one of the best places to camp put and do homework if you can secure a table. The coffee is pretty good, some things need work, but overall its a great coffee house thats been around for years!
(5)Leeann R.
Love this place. Baristas are really nice. "Italiano doubleshot expresso":))
(5)Kristen S.
This is such a cute coffee joint! Seriously cool. I didn't like my chai tea, I've had much better elsewhere, but the coffee was good and the side items for dessert and breakfast yum. All pretty cheap, inexpensive compared to Starbucks. I enjoyed hanging out on the couches and chit chatting with friends. Great atmosphere, nice area and crowd.
(4)Tonya E.
Took a few minutes to get my order but it was good. Staff was nice but the ambiance didn't feel warm and friendly. Probably more comfortable with a buddy or two.
(3)Brandon V.
There are a lot of good things to be said about Common Grounds. It has a great atmosphere, they support local artists, the mixed coffee drinks rival Starbucks any day of the week, and there's free WiFi (and a printer for customer use). Unfortunately, there's some negatives to be pointed out as well. The bathrooms here have been as dirty as I've ever seen in a food establishment, consistently. If you sit in the room across the hall from them on a summer day, you will be treated to the smell of urine drifting from them. Obviously, this needs to be addressed. The parking is also a bit tricky. There is a very small lot directly behind the building that is always free (and always full), you can park on the nearby street spots (some metered, some not, and also usually hard to find), and after business hours and on weekends, you can use the parking lot belonging to the business next door. However, beware that if you use the next door lot at a time that isn't approved, you WILL be towed so be sure before you leave your car unattended. I realize that it's a downtown location, close to campus, and this usually spells "no parking", I still think it would be a great asset to them to find some dedicated parking nearby for their customers to use. Finally, that free WiFi that I mentioned a moment ago as a positive, can also be a negative, as I have been there on more than one occasion when it wasn't working properly.
(3)Emily D.
Sorry, Common Grounds. You all used to be a pleasant, inexpensive coffee house. Now you're packed with noisy 14-year-olds, have raised your prices signficantly, and have abruptly switched out your calm, helpful employees for a bunch of entitled, snotty, hungover kids. Seriously, I don't enjoy you all making jokes at my expense while I'm trying to buy a muffin and coffee in the morning. I live across the street and have been coming here regularly for several years, but I think this may be my last visit. I guess I'll have to try out Coffea for a new quiet study space/relaxing caffeine boost. Maybe their food will be better than mediocre and overpriced, and their employees won't treat my patronage as a chore.
(2)Nicky D.
Very disappointing....went to listen to a local band who were great however the coffee was luke warm at best, service indifferent and could get no hot food even though they were open until midnight and it was just after 10. When the band finished just after 11 and a few of us tried to sit around and talk the staff played some metal music, fine each to his own but kept turning it up louder and louder, in what we can only assume was our invitation to leave, even though it was way before closing time. Would only return if the live music playing was something I really wanted to see.
(1)S W.
Good coffee joint, good lunch or breakfast too. We dropped in for a bite. It was a bit crowded, and a nice quiet atmosphere for the studying crowd. My wife was able to find a veggie dish with a black bean burger and some assorted veggies. I had the chicken and mushroom melt, disappointed the panini grill was down, but it was good toasted. Keep up the good work.
(4)Nathan W.
Its a cozy little coffee shop. It's pretty open and there are different rooms you can relax in. But I imagine it'd be kinda awkward if you just join some stranger in a room. Comfy chairs though.
(3)butters b.
Here's a little story about absent minded me, a lost wallet and the great group of honest nice people at Common Grounds! I am from Chicago. During a short trip to the Red River Gorge area, my boyfriend and I stopped into Common Grounds. I got a decaf, very exciting I know. Then we left. The coffee was great, but it was the service after I left that was really special. After arriving back in Chicago after a 9 hour drive a day later, I realized I had lost my wallet. I called the last place i remember seeing it, Common Grounds. Whoever i spoke to on the phone hadn't seen it, but they would get the word out. They next day i get a call from a manager, and HE HAD IT! I emailed them a USPS shipping label and the got the wallet packed up and shipped back to me, the next afternoon! SO GREAT. Everything in tact. Thanks SO MUCH!!
(5)Katie E.
Common Grounds is everything a local coffee shop should be and then some. It's a favorite for UK students and Lexington residents alike due to their eclectic menu. Open Mic Nights are awesome and the food selection is great as well. Definitely worth a visit! I recommend the frozen chai tea latter or the bottomless cup for a long study session!
(5)Lauren G.
Fantastic place! We came from Denver to play some shows, had one fall through and they invited us to play without ever hearing us! They fed us, gave us a little gas money and so much kindness! Thanks guys! Incredible vibe and awesome attitudes.
(5)Rob R.
A hive of high-school-aged hipsters. The person playing live music was the worst I've experienced in public, including subway performers. My chai was a perfect temperature, though not very flavorful. The baked goods were neither bad nor spectacular. The atmosphere ruined it for me, though. Though there were a bunch of rooms, there were a number of couples in each. Maybe it should be avoided after 9:30pm on Saturdays. Doesn't matter, I'll never go back.
(1)Murray P.
I was excited to go to this place, but I have to say for a coffee shop, an organic one at that, that's near a college, it was pretty bad. I love the interior and the couches are really nice and comfortable, but any place that serves organic coffee and then offers you a free refill, be wary. There's no way they can make it strong enough and not charge a premium for it and then offer a refill on top of that and sure enough, the coffee was watery and therefore had no flavor. I know a lot of people go to coffee houses for the vibe, poetry, food, etc., but I actually go for the coffee and so, Common Grounds, is not for me. Third Street Stuff was MUCH better.
(2)Kristina P.
It's a gathering place for the coffee-house-students and it's reasonably priced. The chai is the usual fare, the food ranges from amusing to fairly tasty. The wireless is top-shelf and the couches are comfy. The atmosphere makes up for the run-of-the-mill eats. It's an old place with many rooms and you'll find one that suits you. Be careful where you park, though!
(3)Andrew K.
The service is great- really helpful and nice down to earth people working at the counter. The tiramisu "cake" is good here. The tea selection (herbal/regular) is pretty good. And theres a lot of tables too. I think because of the nice atmosphere - this became a major study spot - fills up quickly! So better come early to find a place to park your car and yer backside. ;)
(4)Tish K.
Common Grounds - Oh, how I miss you! I moved to the East Seattle area a month ago and haven't found anything out here that compares to your taste and charm! (Isn't Seattle supposed to be the 'coffee capitol' of the USA?!?) I'm going back to visit friends and family Lexington in two weeks from now, and I'm going back to Common Grounds so I can get some yummy coffee, fun customer service and bottomless coffee refills! The hours of operation are great here - open late. The live music on the weekends create the perfect atmosphere for chilling on a Friday night. The iced coffee is perfect on a summer evening to enjoy with friends on the back patio. If you live in Lexington, I'm insanely jealous that you live closer than 2,500 miles from this terrific locally owned coffee house!
(5)Jenny R.
Nice coffee house that is a good place to hang out. I wish the coffee was sourced from a local roaster (or that they roasted their own). Otherwise, no real complaints. Lots of spaces for sitting and hanging out. Very nice, warm, inviting vibe.
(4)Shelly V.
I miss this place. Common Grounds has a great layout with seating in the front of the cafe, in the front room, in a separate back room and out back on the picnic tables. OK -- so the smokers have taken over the outside seating areas since you can no longer smoke inside but there is still lots of room for both smokers & non smokers. The last year of grad school was spent here about 8-9 hours a day. I wrote my thesis in that back room. (If you go, the table in the corner under the window next to the electrical outlet was mine!) The same people hung out there every day and played games, chatted and wasted time. They felt like family. Weekend evenings are another story. There is live music and since they are opened late, it was a hangout for teenagers and was pretty annoying. I have been trying to find a place like this in Hayward and nothing compares. A Starbucks just doesn't do it....I don't know of many places that are big enough to let a bunch of people hang out like it's their living room all day.
(5)Dan M.
Very good coffeehouse! The coffee is great. The atmosphere is perfect for studying, listening to music, watching a movie, or hanging out with friends. I also am a huge fan of the late hours they keep. Now that Starbucks has begun closing super early it's nice to have a place to go for a late night coffee and study time. This is a great choice.
(4)Erik W.
By far the best coffee house in Lexington when you consider all aspects. The couches in the back could be a little cleaner, but when you consider that they actually have couches (vis-a-vis the other Lexington options), it's hard to worry too much about that. The selection of coffee and tea drinks is huge, the only complaint I have is that the deserts are not great and the muffins in the morning are basically Sam's Club bakery fare, with no bran or whole grain options at all.
(4)Ross M.
I liked this place when I lived in Lexington, but I didn't know how much I liked it until I moved away and checked out lots of other coffee shops in Seattle and San Francisco. It's relaxed and cozy, cheap, huge, and completely unpretentious. I don't really hang out in coffee shops much, but find myself in them decently often. I would actually spend time here if I didn't live 2500 miles away.
(5)Katie M.
Yummy (ok...it was heavenly) steamed pumpkin spice milk and delicious wraps...I adore Common Grounds Coffee House! The staff was super friendly and, although I was on vacation, I felt like I was at home as I settled into a cozy warm room surrounded by college students studying and middle-agers reading the morning paper. There are numerous rooms so you can choose to lounge back in a couch or sit in a more "formal" coffee/cafe area. My only complaint....the bathrooms/hallways didn't seem all that clean!
(4)Clif D.
Love The Grounds, it was first place I frequented as a UK student. Coffee isn't the best, but the atmosphere is.
(5)Christina R.
I love a little coffee house with personality, and Common Grounds has this in spades. After moving to Lexington from a small town with a cozy little shop that had become home, I was really wanting to find a new place to visit each week that felt right. Common Grounds had the right 'feel' to it, friendly staff, and the coffee and food were great! It can get busy and you will have to wait a little bit if you order food, so don't come here to eat if you're in a hurry. Keeping this in mind I think you'll enjoy Common Grounds. Now if I can just make it there for one of the music nights...
(5)Andrew N.
Very cool place to come hang out. Coffee is great and so is the service. I love coming out on mondays for the open mic night. A lot of interesting folks here
(5)Sam W.
I second that. It's a cozy place and the coffee is really great. They let the local scrabble group play there too, and I go to that sometimes, so one more reason to give the place my 5 stars up.
(5)Ron B.
I felt about as welcome as a duck as a hunter's convention. Thank you and how can I help you were not part of the barista vocab during my experience at least as it related to me. Won't do this again. Espresso was served lukewarm, but I was so annoyed that I just opted to leave. I was just looking for a place to read out of the house. Also it was warm and no windows we're open strangely. Cool space, looks rad and a neat part of town that I want to explore more...but yeah. I've been spoiled by my coffee shops in the past...maybe it's too close to campus. Oh well.
(2)Amy C.
Only one major downside of Common Grounds... and that's the coffee. The space is great, the staff is great, the menu is quite good for a coffee shop. But, I just can't love the coffee. I wish I could though. Update: 11/2014 - Coffee is much better than it used to be.
(4)Jenna P.
Loved the chill atmosphere and music playing. Iced latte was super good and I will definitely be back. Good space to study and read.
(5)Emily Q.
Really cool old coffee house - literally an old house! Lots of different rooms and different furniture. Very eclectic. Parking was a bit difficult, but other than that - awesome vibes.
(4)Stewart H.
I sure want to like Common Grounds. But they don't have CREAM for my coffee!!! I'd much rather get my coffee from a locally owned coffee place than Starbucks, but Starbucks always has REAL CREAM behind the counter, so does Coffee Times.
(1)Angella F.
Got an almond joy coffee drink, lighter on the syrups. It's pretty good and they have an interesting range of specialty drinks available as well as good deals on food and snacks! Reasonable soup and sandwich for $6-7.. Looks tasty but I've only gotten drinks here. Nice atmosphere
(5)Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because I just couldn't ignore the not so good stuff. --- --- --- When traveling to a new city, I like to enjoy the local beer and the local coffee scene. After researching it on Yelp, it seemed the Common Grounds was probably the best little hipster joint in town to grab a cuppa. The coffee was solid. Just based on that, it's a 4-star, "I'll be back" type of experience. But the service? Yikes. The girl behind the counter seemed to be a bit frazzled by life during my 3ish hours sitting on the couch. She was yelling a lot at the guys doing repairs to the building, and being a bit curt with me on more than one occasion. I got up at one point just to look at a menu out of curiosity and she snapped, "I'll bring you your drink when it's done." Then when she did bring our drinks, she placed them at the very opposite end of a huge table, about 8 feet away from us, and then ran off. My co-worker and I looked at each other and laughed in disbelief. Let's also talk about the flies. Sometimes bugs happen, I get it. But we were pretty much surrounded by 5 flies the entire time we were there. It was kinda silly. Would I go back? I mean, they've probably fixed the fly problem, and maybe the girl working was having an awful day... so, yeah. I'd give it another shot.
(3)Cøltøn H.
Beware of Common Grounds, you will become hooked the more you get. They will literally suck all of your money out of your wallet because you will not be able resist coming to even be there for 10 minutes. I've been coming here for about the past 4 years and now I'm pretty much sitting at the counter everyday and have not tried everything because the drinks that I like are killer. Any drink, specifically hot, tastes amazing but you can get iced or frozen as well (pretty much any frozen drink tastes the same unless it has a distinct strong flavor in it). Common Grounds uses DaVinci syrups which are top notch and they can make any drink that you see on the menu or anything you can come up with sugar free, skinny, alternative, or basically anything your little mind can dream. If you're used to Starbucks they're relatively familiar with their most popular drinks and can make a very similar drink. If there is any flavor you want in your drink they can add it free of charge. How about food? Some may argue that eating at common grounds is only for people who plan on being there all day to study and don't want to leave. The fact is FULL families will often come in here to eat lunch or dinner. If you want a really good first impression, get the Joey, any wrap, or a quesadilla. You may expect to smell coffee when you walk in but in reality what you are smelling is the wonders of the black bean quesadilla. Also baristas will love you if you get the guacamole grill (basically because it takes the same amount of time to make as a typical espresso drink) and its pretty good too. Don't sit at the counter and expect to do anything because you won't be able to resist talking to the baristas or any of the multiple people coming in delivering food materials, baked things, or roasted coffee from their warehouse/kitchen nearby. Plus if you sit near enough to the register you'll probably end up getting into ordering conversations as well. Yes the building they're in is SUPER old and the place probably hasn't been gutted in 30 years. But the great artwork spread across all the walls and creaky old original wood floors will bring back memories of those who had grown up in an old house. Common Grounds is in more places than you would think. They own the Daily Grind, the Common Grounds in Zandale, and the Common Grounds on campus (isn't exactly run by them but has the same recipes). Plus they used to own a place in the Library, used to own The Hub in Danville and cater for MANY businesses. It's clear how successful and how much people love this place and their coffee. Some tips include: -don't sit upstairs in the winter, it gets cold up there -don't sit in the window between 1-3pm, you will become blinded by the sun -don't sit in any chair that looks old enough to be in your grandparent's house, you will most likely sink into it. -don't block the aisles in front, it pisses everyone off -refrain from steal the pens -tell the baristas if anything is empty at the supplies counter, it will not only make your experience better but everyone else's behind you. -If its been over 5 minutes and you haven't heard or gotten your order go up and check, its probably been sitting there for more than half that time you just didn't hear them yell it (happens a lot) -Connect to WiFi 2 if you can see it on your computer, much less people use it since its the 5GHz band as opposed to WiFi 1 which is ALWAYS really bogged down. -If you've tried for at least 5 minutes to connect to the WiFi and its not packed in there then its probably the WiFi sucking so just ask them to reset it when there isn't a transaction going on since they need it to make orders. Literally best place to go in Lexington if you can stand constant metal, 60s music, awkward silence (sometimes), or really packed rooms (during live music or on Sundays). PSST, they have really inexpensive breakfast.
(5)Santhosh V.
Awesome coffee and food! Open late on the weekdays so it is a great place to study. Also open mic night on Monday's is awesome. There are a lot of talented musicians that come through and play original pieces and covers. My friend and I play in a doom metal band and we sometimes try out new songs here. Conclusion: Common Grounds rocks!
(5)Adam M.
I've been here a few times, the coffee is always good and the staff is knowledgeable. They have a book group and a few nice live entertainment. My friends have always liked it and we are always comfortable.
(4)Tim P.
This place is great. Not only is it right around the corner from me; but the breakfast burritos are out of this world. I'm also trying to adjust to the fact that in Lexington you can drink a beer in a coffee shop. Now that I'm on the topic; they have a great craft beer selection, and super friendly baristas that will take you out for late night trivia if you're super nice to them. The only thing that lacks a bit with this place is the coffee. I may have caught it on a bad day though. I'll reserve the fifth star until I have another coffee.
(4)Jessica S.
Great coffee and atmosphere. The building itself is really neat with all the different rooms.
(4)Jefferson S.
Pretty good coffee shop in a cool, large, artsy space. They serve food too, so not a bad place to drop in for breakfast. Came here multiple times on my visit and noticed one consistent thing: the servers/staff act like a bunch of baked stoners. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But taking orders and pouring coffee shouldn't feel so complicated. But it does for some reason here. Still, it's a decent coffee shop and seemed like a nice place to waste some time on your iPad or read a paper and milk your "$2.50 bottomless coffee cup". I'd go back. 3 stars.
(3)Zach S.
I have been coming here for years to work on my laptop and realized something tonight... although I only make it in once a month or so these days, I haven't had a decent experience in the last dozen visits. I should have realized sooner, but some habits (twelve years) die hard. The beverages are unremarkable, and the internet connectivity is patently abysmal. What did me in tonight, though, wasn't just the poor connectivity. The Tuscan Wrap would likely be a palatable selection, but it's ruined by Common Grounds' use of both a panini press and a microwave to prepare it. An herb wrap around grilled chicken, lettuce, cream cheese, sun dried tomato and pesto turns out to be an inedible mess. Perfectly good ingredients ruined with wilted lettuce and tongue-burning inconsistent heat from the microwave. I'll miss the atmosphere, but I think it's time to move on.
(1)Santhosh V.
Awesome coffee and food! Open late on the weekdays so it is a great place to study. Also open mic night on Monday's is awesome. There are a lot of talented musicians that come through and play original pieces and covers. My friend and I play in a doom metal band and we sometimes try out new songs here. Conclusion: Common Grounds rocks!
(5)Sam C.
Common Grounds has great coffee and a friendly staff, but it is not unusual to wait 10 minutes or more for a drink, and even longer for food. Set in an old house, the environment is very unique and conducive of socializing. It's location makes it convenient to UK, Transy, and downtown.
(3)Krista H.
Great coffee, perfect place to study / work an WiFi A L W A Y S works!!! Food is fab too!
(5)Kate S.
I love the whole vibe of this place. The staff are really kind and helpful, not just to patrons, but with each other too! It makes a place so much better when everyone wants to be there. The guy behind the counter was super nice about my uber obnoxious drink order (blended iced mocha with half the syrup... I know, a deviation from my standard ice coffee, but it was 6pm... time for dessert coffees). He even ended up making me a bigger size than I paid for because he was worried he added too much chocolate! I also got a turkey, herb cream cheese, and veg on ciabatta sandwich. It was tasty and came with a cup of truly delish potato salad. The portions on both were small and it was priced at $7.50. If you're a big eater you might not get the most bang for your buck with the sandwiches, but I was very satisfied. As other reviewers have mentioned, this shop clearly used to be a residence. It has a fun layout with lots of smaller spaces. It seems like a good place for groups to meet or to find a quiet corner to study in. I should note that when I was there the wifi was on the fritz and I was not able to connect at all after several attempts. Lots of outlets though. I also appreciated the wide variety of seating and table options. I final comment: they had little info-graphics posted above the counter defining different specialty coffee beverages (e.g. red eye, con panna, etc.) Very user friendly and a nice contrast to snootier shops that will shame you for not knowing your espresso.
(5)Clint B.
This place isn't too bad. It takes place in a old house which is now a coffee shop with a crazy layout as a result. I had a coffee and a breakfast sandwich. They were both solid; very good, but nothing worth making a regular trip for. The workers weren't bad either. Not mean but not super inviting either. All-around, I had an average experience here. There is a good amount of space for stuff, but the layout is indeed strange. And things are old. I sat in a spot that would shake every time a person walked by. And the place was dark and gloomy. I'm not sure if it's always like this, but the lighting (or lack thereof) was depressing. And I'm not sure how parking works. I parked a few blocks away in a random hood and walked over. Overall, not a bad place, and it's obviously loved by many. I prefer other places over this one, but everyone is different, and this may become the coffee shop of your choice. Definitely worth a visit. PS, they also have lots of local business cards, events, and flyers posted. They also have free condoms and lube for the taking, in case your coffee date escalates quickly.
(3)Carly D.
I started coming here in 2012 as a freshman at UK. I just couldn't believe how much it reminded me of coffee shops in my hometown Barbados! The atmosphere was neat, and i thought all the baristas were neat. I especially liked the guy with the interesting shirts and he's funny! For bad stuff, since i started coming, they've discontinued all my favorite drink options. I used to get an iced puer tea (so surprised they had that, reminds me of home!barbados!), but they don't have that anymore. Also, i feel menu keeps getting smaller, but maybe i'm just getting older...gotta get those eyes checked LOL It's cool, though, cuz common grounds rocks! I'll bring all my bffs! Pumpkin spice is right around the corner Peace love harmony -_-
(5)Emily G.
Absolutely my hometown favorite - every time I'm back in Lexington I make sure to stop by CG for at least a coffee and pastry! I started going to CG in high school for the Monday night open mic nights and was instantly hooked. They have a great selection of coffee, and their lattes are particularly delicious (shoutout to the Buckeye and any and all with caramel). I also started eating meals here, and have never been disappointed - the wraps are awesome, and I love that they always give you a little side salad of quinoa or something! The vegan cupcakes are also delicious. Ambiance-wise, I don't know what more you can ask for in a coffee shop. Located in quaint downtown Lexington, it is literally a house, so there are plenty of rooms to hang out with friends, and all of the rooms have their own character. I love that there are books and board games galore and that the walls are covered in art from local artists. It is seriously the coziest, cutest place and if you live in Lexington but haven't been here yet, you're missing out!
(5)Jason H.
I love the Common Grounds for the space. The coffee is A-OK, not the best coffee you would find in Lexington. However, there are PLENTY of space to sit down to study, chat, play music, etc. Karma is experience, and experience creates memory, and memory creates imagination and desire, and desire creates karma again. If I buy a cup of coffee, that's karma. I now have that memory that might give me the potential desire for having Americano, and I walk into Common Grounds and there is spotty karma about it. Improve the coffee and keep it consistent in terms of flavor, take a lesson or two from the Cup of Commonwealth, Daily Grind or North Limestone Donuts in coffee brewing, then it might give you good karma. I think we are living in a time where the consumer has lots of choices, whether it's coffee, newspapers or whatever it is. And there is parity in the market place, and as a result of that, the consumer is beginning to make decisions, not just on what things cost and the convenience of it. For that, I give other coffee shops the nod, but give Common Grounds an A for space. Elite A-Ok......
(3)Anna M.
Common Grounds is the best!! My husband and I rarely stop in Lexington without getting something from here. Everything is great...breakfast, lunch and of course the java. The Santa Fe egg burrito is awesome and great to split. Last time I came here, I got the black bean burger and was more than impressed and my husband enjoyed his avocado grilled cheese. My current favorite drink is the frozen white chocolate mocha with peppermint. The vibes here are great too!!!
(5)Emily B.
There isn't anything terrible about this place, but I also haven't found anything great. Prices are typical, coffee is average, staff is polite but not particularly friendly, parking is available (but hard to access and often fills up), and the building is cool, but VERY dark inside. In the morning, there are only a couple of tables with enough light to be able to read or work on the computer. I could see this being a fun place in the evenings (especially with live music), but since I only drink coffee in the morning, I've not experienced the evenings here
(3)Nick J.
Good coffee, not the best in town, but very good. Great atmosphere. This is always my choice when meeting friends for conversation since there's so much space and many little nooks that you can disappear into to chat. However,It gets very crowded sometimes due to its proximity to campus.
(4)Brandon V.
There are a lot of good things to be said about Common Grounds. It has a great atmosphere, they support local artists, the mixed coffee drinks rival Starbucks any day of the week, and there's free WiFi (and a printer for customer use). Unfortunately, there's some negatives to be pointed out as well. The bathrooms here have been as dirty as I've ever seen in a food establishment, consistently. If you sit in the room across the hall from them on a summer day, you will be treated to the smell of urine drifting from them. Obviously, this needs to be addressed. The parking is also a bit tricky. There is a very small lot directly behind the building that is always free (and always full), you can park on the nearby street spots (some metered, some not, and also usually hard to find), and after business hours and on weekends, you can use the parking lot belonging to the business next door. However, beware that if you use the next door lot at a time that isn't approved, you WILL be towed so be sure before you leave your car unattended. I realize that it's a downtown location, close to campus, and this usually spells "no parking", I still think it would be a great asset to them to find some dedicated parking nearby for their customers to use. Finally, that free WiFi that I mentioned a moment ago as a positive, can also be a negative, as I have been there on more than one occasion when it wasn't working properly.
(3)Emily D.
Sorry, Common Grounds. You all used to be a pleasant, inexpensive coffee house. Now you're packed with noisy 14-year-olds, have raised your prices signficantly, and have abruptly switched out your calm, helpful employees for a bunch of entitled, snotty, hungover kids. Seriously, I don't enjoy you all making jokes at my expense while I'm trying to buy a muffin and coffee in the morning. I live across the street and have been coming here regularly for several years, but I think this may be my last visit. I guess I'll have to try out Coffea for a new quiet study space/relaxing caffeine boost. Maybe their food will be better than mediocre and overpriced, and their employees won't treat my patronage as a chore.
(2)Nicky D.
Very disappointing....went to listen to a local band who were great however the coffee was luke warm at best, service indifferent and could get no hot food even though they were open until midnight and it was just after 10. When the band finished just after 11 and a few of us tried to sit around and talk the staff played some metal music, fine each to his own but kept turning it up louder and louder, in what we can only assume was our invitation to leave, even though it was way before closing time. Would only return if the live music playing was something I really wanted to see.
(1)S W.
Good coffee joint, good lunch or breakfast too. We dropped in for a bite. It was a bit crowded, and a nice quiet atmosphere for the studying crowd. My wife was able to find a veggie dish with a black bean burger and some assorted veggies. I had the chicken and mushroom melt, disappointed the panini grill was down, but it was good toasted. Keep up the good work.
(4)Nathan W.
Its a cozy little coffee shop. It's pretty open and there are different rooms you can relax in. But I imagine it'd be kinda awkward if you just join some stranger in a room. Comfy chairs though.
(3)Megan F.
Reasonable selection of lunch food for a coffee shop, three separate rooms with plentiful tables, huge (for a coffee shop) parking lot, and friendly baristas = as good as it gets. Deserving of an entire sentence in this quick 2-sentence review is the Nutella brownie which seems to be something of a coffee shop staple in Lex. Get it.
(5)Andrew Y.
Nice, quaint coffee shop. I like to check out some local coffee shops when I travel, opposed to the widespread phenomena of Starbucks. Ordered an Americano, espresso here wasn't anything special but better than the local Starbucks. This would be a great place to have a coffee and cookie and have a conversation with friends. 3-stars, this place is A-OK.
(3)Adam M.
I've been here a few times, the coffee is always good and the staff is knowledgeable. They have a book group and a few nice live entertainment. My friends have always liked it and we are always comfortable.
(4)Arvin B.
Went here today to help an amateur director carry out his auditions. Decided to get something to eat and had a $2.00 blueberry muffin at lunchtime. One issue I have with this place is that everything is pretty priced up. Also, the place looks like an old house that needs to be renovated. I am not sure if they are going for this look or trying to get a "we're all a family here" theme; however, with all the profits they are making off the eat and drink, I hope they are thinking of saving some to redo the place. Set decorating tells me you can renovate a place and give it that old look. Just make sure nothing creaks and/or thumps as I see students trying to really study here. It would probably help them out more.
(3)Hannah W.
Great environment to study in a comfortable setting. They have tables, couches, and outlets around for use. The coffee selection is great and the prices aren't too bad. A little more pricey than I like to pay, but the quality makes it worth the price. Great music, nice staff, definitely worth checking out.
(4)Jennifer B.
Delicious coffees and yummy sandwiches. Service is pretty good- although if there's a line, it gets a bit backed up. Good parking and pretty good atmosphere- bathrooms are pretty clean :-) That's a plus!
(3)Kyle E.
Meh. Higher prices than comparable cafes with roughly the same quality of food, though it is acceptable to a degree because poof the quantity. The service really nicked me. I'm a transplant to Lexington from far north, and the folks running the counter were pretty condescending and acted as if they were too good to be working this job.
(3)Cara L.
Where do I begin? Common Grounds is a local favorite of mine. You can come for relaxing and quiet study sessions or for more upbeat open-mic nights. I wrote nearly my entire thesis sitting in this coffee shop one summer, so I have tried dozens of items off their menu - all of which I enjoyed! I've had countless lunches here and late nights, you really can't go wrong with any of the items on their extensive menu. I typically just went for the house cup of coffee though because of the refills. ;) They've added parking, so it's not as difficult as it once was to find the perfect spot. Check them out!
(4)Erik W.
By far the best coffee house in Lexington when you consider all aspects. The couches in the back could be a little cleaner, but when you consider that they actually have couches (vis-a-vis the other Lexington options), it's hard to worry too much about that. The selection of coffee and tea drinks is huge, the only complaint I have is that the deserts are not great and the muffins in the morning are basically Sam's Club bakery fare, with no bran or whole grain options at all.
(4)Ross M.
I liked this place when I lived in Lexington, but I didn't know how much I liked it until I moved away and checked out lots of other coffee shops in Seattle and San Francisco. It's relaxed and cozy, cheap, huge, and completely unpretentious. I don't really hang out in coffee shops much, but find myself in them decently often. I would actually spend time here if I didn't live 2500 miles away.
(5)Emily G.
Absolutely my hometown favorite - every time I'm back in Lexington I make sure to stop by CG for at least a coffee and pastry! I started going to CG in high school for the Monday night open mic nights and was instantly hooked. They have a great selection of coffee, and their lattes are particularly delicious (shoutout to the Buckeye and any and all with caramel). I also started eating meals here, and have never been disappointed - the wraps are awesome, and I love that they always give you a little side salad of quinoa or something! The vegan cupcakes are also delicious. Ambiance-wise, I don't know what more you can ask for in a coffee shop. Located in quaint downtown Lexington, it is literally a house, so there are plenty of rooms to hang out with friends, and all of the rooms have their own character. I love that there are books and board games galore and that the walls are covered in art from local artists. It is seriously the coziest, cutest place and if you live in Lexington but haven't been here yet, you're missing out!
(5)Arvin B.
Went here today to help an amateur director carry out his auditions. Decided to get something to eat and had a $2.00 blueberry muffin at lunchtime. One issue I have with this place is that everything is pretty priced up. Also, the place looks like an old house that needs to be renovated. I am not sure if they are going for this look or trying to get a "we're all a family here" theme; however, with all the profits they are making off the eat and drink, I hope they are thinking of saving some to redo the place. Set decorating tells me you can renovate a place and give it that old look. Just make sure nothing creaks and/or thumps as I see students trying to really study here. It would probably help them out more.
(3)Kate S.
I love the whole vibe of this place. The staff are really kind and helpful, not just to patrons, but with each other too! It makes a place so much better when everyone wants to be there. The guy behind the counter was super nice about my uber obnoxious drink order (blended iced mocha with half the syrup... I know, a deviation from my standard ice coffee, but it was 6pm... time for dessert coffees). He even ended up making me a bigger size than I paid for because he was worried he added too much chocolate! I also got a turkey, herb cream cheese, and veg on ciabatta sandwich. It was tasty and came with a cup of truly delish potato salad. The portions on both were small and it was priced at $7.50. If you're a big eater you might not get the most bang for your buck with the sandwiches, but I was very satisfied. As other reviewers have mentioned, this shop clearly used to be a residence. It has a fun layout with lots of smaller spaces. It seems like a good place for groups to meet or to find a quiet corner to study in. I should note that when I was there the wifi was on the fritz and I was not able to connect at all after several attempts. Lots of outlets though. I also appreciated the wide variety of seating and table options. I final comment: they had little info-graphics posted above the counter defining different specialty coffee beverages (e.g. red eye, con panna, etc.) Very user friendly and a nice contrast to snootier shops that will shame you for not knowing your espresso.
(5)Clint B.
This place isn't too bad. It takes place in a old house which is now a coffee shop with a crazy layout as a result. I had a coffee and a breakfast sandwich. They were both solid; very good, but nothing worth making a regular trip for. The workers weren't bad either. Not mean but not super inviting either. All-around, I had an average experience here. There is a good amount of space for stuff, but the layout is indeed strange. And things are old. I sat in a spot that would shake every time a person walked by. And the place was dark and gloomy. I'm not sure if it's always like this, but the lighting (or lack thereof) was depressing. And I'm not sure how parking works. I parked a few blocks away in a random hood and walked over. Overall, not a bad place, and it's obviously loved by many. I prefer other places over this one, but everyone is different, and this may become the coffee shop of your choice. Definitely worth a visit. PS, they also have lots of local business cards, events, and flyers posted. They also have free condoms and lube for the taking, in case your coffee date escalates quickly.
(3)Sam C.
Common Grounds has great coffee and a friendly staff, but it is not unusual to wait 10 minutes or more for a drink, and even longer for food. Set in an old house, the environment is very unique and conducive of socializing. It's location makes it convenient to UK, Transy, and downtown.
(3)Krista H.
Great coffee, perfect place to study / work an WiFi A L W A Y S works!!! Food is fab too!
(5)Emily G.
Absolutely my hometown favorite - every time I'm back in Lexington I make sure to stop by CG for at least a coffee and pastry! I started going to CG in high school for the Monday night open mic nights and was instantly hooked. They have a great selection of coffee, and their lattes are particularly delicious (shoutout to the Buckeye and any and all with caramel). I also started eating meals here, and have never been disappointed - the wraps are awesome, and I love that they always give you a little side salad of quinoa or something! The vegan cupcakes are also delicious. Ambiance-wise, I don't know what more you can ask for in a coffee shop. Located in quaint downtown Lexington, it is literally a house, so there are plenty of rooms to hang out with friends, and all of the rooms have their own character. I love that there are books and board games galore and that the walls are covered in art from local artists. It is seriously the coziest, cutest place and if you live in Lexington but haven't been here yet, you're missing out!
(5)Jason H.
I love the Common Grounds for the space. The coffee is A-OK, not the best coffee you would find in Lexington. However, there are PLENTY of space to sit down to study, chat, play music, etc. Karma is experience, and experience creates memory, and memory creates imagination and desire, and desire creates karma again. If I buy a cup of coffee, that's karma. I now have that memory that might give me the potential desire for having Americano, and I walk into Common Grounds and there is spotty karma about it. Improve the coffee and keep it consistent in terms of flavor, take a lesson or two from the Cup of Commonwealth, Daily Grind or North Limestone Donuts in coffee brewing, then it might give you good karma. I think we are living in a time where the consumer has lots of choices, whether it's coffee, newspapers or whatever it is. And there is parity in the market place, and as a result of that, the consumer is beginning to make decisions, not just on what things cost and the convenience of it. For that, I give other coffee shops the nod, but give Common Grounds an A for space. Elite A-Ok......
(3)Anna M.
Common Grounds is the best!! My husband and I rarely stop in Lexington without getting something from here. Everything is great...breakfast, lunch and of course the java. The Santa Fe egg burrito is awesome and great to split. Last time I came here, I got the black bean burger and was more than impressed and my husband enjoyed his avocado grilled cheese. My current favorite drink is the frozen white chocolate mocha with peppermint. The vibes here are great too!!!
(5)Emily B.
There isn't anything terrible about this place, but I also haven't found anything great. Prices are typical, coffee is average, staff is polite but not particularly friendly, parking is available (but hard to access and often fills up), and the building is cool, but VERY dark inside. In the morning, there are only a couple of tables with enough light to be able to read or work on the computer. I could see this being a fun place in the evenings (especially with live music), but since I only drink coffee in the morning, I've not experienced the evenings here
(3)Heather P.
As a teenager, I hung out here a few times. Can you believe that after all of these years that this place is still open?! Yeah, it's old.. not me. Fast forward a few decades later, I was called to a business meeting here. Parking was weird. They had a questionable lot that I wasn't quite confident that my car wouldn't be towed away. When I entered, people were sitting individually and were doing their own things. It was quiet and I was quite nervous and worried because this was going to be a one on one meeting. Why was I worried? I wasn't the one who chose this place. I'm an over thinker, that's why! I ordered some sort of tea that I'd never heard of. If the hottest takes the prize, that one took the prize. I didn't order anything to eat, I was way too nervous, plus I wasn't expecting to eat there, so I hadn't scoped out the menu online. Yeah, I usually have to scope out the menu online before I plan to eat anywhere. Did I mention that I'm an over thinker? I found a couch in an area that seemed a bit secluded, more so than where the individuals were sitting in the area as I first walked in. I mentioned that the place was old, so the fact that renovations were going on outside of the window, was a good thing. Strange but okay, was my entire experience that day. Fast forward a few months and I attended a group discussion/debate. Who knew that they had that upstairs area?! It was literally like my my grandparents' living room. I haven't a clue whether the hosts paid or if they graciously hosted the debate. Either way, as an adult, I'm still not impressed with this place. In my opinion, it's not up to par with the the other local coffee houses, or even the franchise coffee places in Lexington. It was not a very welcoming atmosphere.
(2)Jenna P.
Loved the chill atmosphere and music playing. Iced latte was super good and I will definitely be back. Good space to study and read.
(5)Emily Q.
Really cool old coffee house - literally an old house! Lots of different rooms and different furniture. Very eclectic. Parking was a bit difficult, but other than that - awesome vibes.
(4)Stewart H.
I sure want to like Common Grounds. But they don't have CREAM for my coffee!!! I'd much rather get my coffee from a locally owned coffee place than Starbucks, but Starbucks always has REAL CREAM behind the counter, so does Coffee Times.
(1)Angella F.
Got an almond joy coffee drink, lighter on the syrups. It's pretty good and they have an interesting range of specialty drinks available as well as good deals on food and snacks! Reasonable soup and sandwich for $6-7.. Looks tasty but I've only gotten drinks here. Nice atmosphere
(5)Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because I just couldn't ignore the not so good stuff. --- --- --- When traveling to a new city, I like to enjoy the local beer and the local coffee scene. After researching it on Yelp, it seemed the Common Grounds was probably the best little hipster joint in town to grab a cuppa. The coffee was solid. Just based on that, it's a 4-star, "I'll be back" type of experience. But the service? Yikes. The girl behind the counter seemed to be a bit frazzled by life during my 3ish hours sitting on the couch. She was yelling a lot at the guys doing repairs to the building, and being a bit curt with me on more than one occasion. I got up at one point just to look at a menu out of curiosity and she snapped, "I'll bring you your drink when it's done." Then when she did bring our drinks, she placed them at the very opposite end of a huge table, about 8 feet away from us, and then ran off. My co-worker and I looked at each other and laughed in disbelief. Let's also talk about the flies. Sometimes bugs happen, I get it. But we were pretty much surrounded by 5 flies the entire time we were there. It was kinda silly. Would I go back? I mean, they've probably fixed the fly problem, and maybe the girl working was having an awful day... so, yeah. I'd give it another shot.
(3)Anne S.
Common grounds is a great local coffee place. The coffee is good, the tea is good and the few lattes I've tried I've also enjoyed. I've not tried any food, but the selections look great . Two stories full of tables and chairs most nights the place is usually stuffed with college students. A friend and I who have been out of college for some time :) frequent common grounds late nights when our little ones are in bed, and our husbands are left to relax on the couch while we have some fun drinking coffee and chatting. The staff is always super friendly and makes us feel young again. It's a good atmosphere and they are open late which is great for us since we are usually there until they tell us they are closing up! Try the honeybee latte!
(4)Ron B.
I felt about as welcome as a duck as a hunter's convention. Thank you and how can I help you were not part of the barista vocab during my experience at least as it related to me. Won't do this again. Espresso was served lukewarm, but I was so annoyed that I just opted to leave. I was just looking for a place to read out of the house. Also it was warm and no windows we're open strangely. Cool space, looks rad and a neat part of town that I want to explore more...but yeah. I've been spoiled by my coffee shops in the past...maybe it's too close to campus. Oh well.
(2)Andrew Y.
Nice, quaint coffee shop. I like to check out some local coffee shops when I travel, opposed to the widespread phenomena of Starbucks. Ordered an Americano, espresso here wasn't anything special but better than the local Starbucks. This would be a great place to have a coffee and cookie and have a conversation with friends. 3-stars, this place is A-OK.
(3)Cøltøn H.
Beware of Common Grounds, you will become hooked the more you get. They will literally suck all of your money out of your wallet because you will not be able resist coming to even be there for 10 minutes. I've been coming here for about the past 4 years and now I'm pretty much sitting at the counter everyday and have not tried everything because the drinks that I like are killer. Any drink, specifically hot, tastes amazing but you can get iced or frozen as well (pretty much any frozen drink tastes the same unless it has a distinct strong flavor in it). Common Grounds uses DaVinci syrups which are top notch and they can make any drink that you see on the menu or anything you can come up with sugar free, skinny, alternative, or basically anything your little mind can dream. If you're used to Starbucks they're relatively familiar with their most popular drinks and can make a very similar drink. If there is any flavor you want in your drink they can add it free of charge. How about food? Some may argue that eating at common grounds is only for people who plan on being there all day to study and don't want to leave. The fact is FULL families will often come in here to eat lunch or dinner. If you want a really good first impression, get the Joey, any wrap, or a quesadilla. You may expect to smell coffee when you walk in but in reality what you are smelling is the wonders of the black bean quesadilla. Also baristas will love you if you get the guacamole grill (basically because it takes the same amount of time to make as a typical espresso drink) and its pretty good too. Don't sit at the counter and expect to do anything because you won't be able to resist talking to the baristas or any of the multiple people coming in delivering food materials, baked things, or roasted coffee from their warehouse/kitchen nearby. Plus if you sit near enough to the register you'll probably end up getting into ordering conversations as well. Yes the building they're in is SUPER old and the place probably hasn't been gutted in 30 years. But the great artwork spread across all the walls and creaky old original wood floors will bring back memories of those who had grown up in an old house. Common Grounds is in more places than you would think. They own the Daily Grind, the Common Grounds in Zandale, and the Common Grounds on campus (isn't exactly run by them but has the same recipes). Plus they used to own a place in the Library, used to own The Hub in Danville and cater for MANY businesses. It's clear how successful and how much people love this place and their coffee. Some tips include: -don't sit upstairs in the winter, it gets cold up there -don't sit in the window between 1-3pm, you will become blinded by the sun -don't sit in any chair that looks old enough to be in your grandparent's house, you will most likely sink into it. -don't block the aisles in front, it pisses everyone off -refrain from steal the pens -tell the baristas if anything is empty at the supplies counter, it will not only make your experience better but everyone else's behind you. -If its been over 5 minutes and you haven't heard or gotten your order go up and check, its probably been sitting there for more than half that time you just didn't hear them yell it (happens a lot) -Connect to WiFi 2 if you can see it on your computer, much less people use it since its the 5GHz band as opposed to WiFi 1 which is ALWAYS really bogged down. -If you've tried for at least 5 minutes to connect to the WiFi and its not packed in there then its probably the WiFi sucking so just ask them to reset it when there isn't a transaction going on since they need it to make orders. Literally best place to go in Lexington if you can stand constant metal, 60s music, awkward silence (sometimes), or really packed rooms (during live music or on Sundays). PSST, they have really inexpensive breakfast.
(5)Hannah W.
Great environment to study in a comfortable setting. They have tables, couches, and outlets around for use. The coffee selection is great and the prices aren't too bad. A little more pricey than I like to pay, but the quality makes it worth the price. Great music, nice staff, definitely worth checking out.
(4)Jennifer B.
Delicious coffees and yummy sandwiches. Service is pretty good- although if there's a line, it gets a bit backed up. Good parking and pretty good atmosphere- bathrooms are pretty clean :-) That's a plus!
(3)Kyle E.
Meh. Higher prices than comparable cafes with roughly the same quality of food, though it is acceptable to a degree because poof the quantity. The service really nicked me. I'm a transplant to Lexington from far north, and the folks running the counter were pretty condescending and acted as if they were too good to be working this job.
(3)Cara L.
Where do I begin? Common Grounds is a local favorite of mine. You can come for relaxing and quiet study sessions or for more upbeat open-mic nights. I wrote nearly my entire thesis sitting in this coffee shop one summer, so I have tried dozens of items off their menu - all of which I enjoyed! I've had countless lunches here and late nights, you really can't go wrong with any of the items on their extensive menu. I typically just went for the house cup of coffee though because of the refills. ;) They've added parking, so it's not as difficult as it once was to find the perfect spot. Check them out!
(4)Megan F.
Reasonable selection of lunch food for a coffee shop, three separate rooms with plentiful tables, huge (for a coffee shop) parking lot, and friendly baristas = as good as it gets. Deserving of an entire sentence in this quick 2-sentence review is the Nutella brownie which seems to be something of a coffee shop staple in Lex. Get it.
(5)Chase C.
First off they are open late, huge bonus! Try the iced honey bee if you're fresh off the Starbucks wagon.
(5)Julia N.
I haven't been to Common Grounds since I was a poor college student 10+ years ago. It was hipster before being hipster was a thing. My brother and I brought a few board games and camped out for a few hours, and we had so much fun, despite the fact that he slaughtered me at every game we played. Our beverages were great, and it is the perfect spot to lounge and socialize. We spread out on a large table, but there are other rooms with couches and tables that are removed from the main counter area.
(4)Lee P.
They have awesome coffee, food, service- The Barista's are the best and most friendly. Common Grounds has several rooms so it is a great place to get away if you want, or it has a great open area if you want to hang out and see people. I love open mic night and other music they have, its just a real neat place to be. Whenever you walk in you just feel comfortable and relaxed, warm and welcome and the service is unbeatable. The people that work their know their stuff and seem to really enjoy what they do, and they don't seem to have alot of turnover. Makes a difference.
(4)Chris D.
This place has gotten better, though maybe it's because the UK student hordes have moved out for the summer. There walls used to be covered with distractingly bad artwork and they used to pipe in top-40 slop, but those things have changed. The artwork and music have improved. I'm focusing on these aesthetic things because I use this place for its space. I rarely order anything other than plain coffee and I never get the [too expensive] food. It's situated across two floors in a really cool building with rooms of fluctuating sizes and furnishings - big tables if you want to spread out all your work, couches if you want to lay back and read, and easy chairs if you want to...take it easy...in a chair. I know I'm really particular about where I study - I need to be at a table, for example - if you're similarly picky about your space, you'll find one that fits at Common Grounds. Plus, they have a great local selection of beer! Coffee at the start of your evening, beer at the end. I'm thankful that there's a place this cool close to me. It loses stars, though, for the bad internet connectivity (it seems to putter out every 15 minutes) and the before-mentioned over-priced food.
(4)Kandice G.
I once frequented this shop for a writing workshop. It is a comfortable coffee shop and the atmosphere is great for writing.
(3)Sam C.
Common Grounds has great coffee and a friendly staff, but it is not unusual to wait 10 minutes or more for a drink, and even longer for food. Set in an old house, the environment is very unique and conducive of socializing. It's location makes it convenient to UK, Transy, and downtown.
(3)Krista H.
Great coffee, perfect place to study / work an WiFi A L W A Y S works!!! Food is fab too!
(5)Ron B.
I felt about as welcome as a duck as a hunter's convention. Thank you and how can I help you were not part of the barista vocab during my experience at least as it related to me. Won't do this again. Espresso was served lukewarm, but I was so annoyed that I just opted to leave. I was just looking for a place to read out of the house. Also it was warm and no windows we're open strangely. Cool space, looks rad and a neat part of town that I want to explore more...but yeah. I've been spoiled by my coffee shops in the past...maybe it's too close to campus. Oh well.
(2)Andrew Y.
Nice, quaint coffee shop. I like to check out some local coffee shops when I travel, opposed to the widespread phenomena of Starbucks. Ordered an Americano, espresso here wasn't anything special but better than the local Starbucks. This would be a great place to have a coffee and cookie and have a conversation with friends. 3-stars, this place is A-OK.
(3)Emily B.
There isn't anything terrible about this place, but I also haven't found anything great. Prices are typical, coffee is average, staff is polite but not particularly friendly, parking is available (but hard to access and often fills up), and the building is cool, but VERY dark inside. In the morning, there are only a couple of tables with enough light to be able to read or work on the computer. I could see this being a fun place in the evenings (especially with live music), but since I only drink coffee in the morning, I've not experienced the evenings here
(3)Adam M.
I've been here a few times, the coffee is always good and the staff is knowledgeable. They have a book group and a few nice live entertainment. My friends have always liked it and we are always comfortable.
(4)Arvin B.
Went here today to help an amateur director carry out his auditions. Decided to get something to eat and had a $2.00 blueberry muffin at lunchtime. One issue I have with this place is that everything is pretty priced up. Also, the place looks like an old house that needs to be renovated. I am not sure if they are going for this look or trying to get a "we're all a family here" theme; however, with all the profits they are making off the eat and drink, I hope they are thinking of saving some to redo the place. Set decorating tells me you can renovate a place and give it that old look. Just make sure nothing creaks and/or thumps as I see students trying to really study here. It would probably help them out more.
(3)Hannah W.
Great environment to study in a comfortable setting. They have tables, couches, and outlets around for use. The coffee selection is great and the prices aren't too bad. A little more pricey than I like to pay, but the quality makes it worth the price. Great music, nice staff, definitely worth checking out.
(4)Jennifer B.
Delicious coffees and yummy sandwiches. Service is pretty good- although if there's a line, it gets a bit backed up. Good parking and pretty good atmosphere- bathrooms are pretty clean :-) That's a plus!
(3)Kyle E.
Meh. Higher prices than comparable cafes with roughly the same quality of food, though it is acceptable to a degree because poof the quantity. The service really nicked me. I'm a transplant to Lexington from far north, and the folks running the counter were pretty condescending and acted as if they were too good to be working this job.
(3)Cara L.
Where do I begin? Common Grounds is a local favorite of mine. You can come for relaxing and quiet study sessions or for more upbeat open-mic nights. I wrote nearly my entire thesis sitting in this coffee shop one summer, so I have tried dozens of items off their menu - all of which I enjoyed! I've had countless lunches here and late nights, you really can't go wrong with any of the items on their extensive menu. I typically just went for the house cup of coffee though because of the refills. ;) They've added parking, so it's not as difficult as it once was to find the perfect spot. Check them out!
(4)Santhosh V.
Awesome coffee and food! Open late on the weekdays so it is a great place to study. Also open mic night on Monday's is awesome. There are a lot of talented musicians that come through and play original pieces and covers. My friend and I play in a doom metal band and we sometimes try out new songs here. Conclusion: Common Grounds rocks!
(5)Megan F.
Reasonable selection of lunch food for a coffee shop, three separate rooms with plentiful tables, huge (for a coffee shop) parking lot, and friendly baristas = as good as it gets. Deserving of an entire sentence in this quick 2-sentence review is the Nutella brownie which seems to be something of a coffee shop staple in Lex. Get it.
(5)Chase C.
First off they are open late, huge bonus! Try the iced honey bee if you're fresh off the Starbucks wagon.
(5)Julia N.
I haven't been to Common Grounds since I was a poor college student 10+ years ago. It was hipster before being hipster was a thing. My brother and I brought a few board games and camped out for a few hours, and we had so much fun, despite the fact that he slaughtered me at every game we played. Our beverages were great, and it is the perfect spot to lounge and socialize. We spread out on a large table, but there are other rooms with couches and tables that are removed from the main counter area.
(4)Lee P.
They have awesome coffee, food, service- The Barista's are the best and most friendly. Common Grounds has several rooms so it is a great place to get away if you want, or it has a great open area if you want to hang out and see people. I love open mic night and other music they have, its just a real neat place to be. Whenever you walk in you just feel comfortable and relaxed, warm and welcome and the service is unbeatable. The people that work their know their stuff and seem to really enjoy what they do, and they don't seem to have alot of turnover. Makes a difference.
(4)Chris D.
This place has gotten better, though maybe it's because the UK student hordes have moved out for the summer. There walls used to be covered with distractingly bad artwork and they used to pipe in top-40 slop, but those things have changed. The artwork and music have improved. I'm focusing on these aesthetic things because I use this place for its space. I rarely order anything other than plain coffee and I never get the [too expensive] food. It's situated across two floors in a really cool building with rooms of fluctuating sizes and furnishings - big tables if you want to spread out all your work, couches if you want to lay back and read, and easy chairs if you want to...take it easy...in a chair. I know I'm really particular about where I study - I need to be at a table, for example - if you're similarly picky about your space, you'll find one that fits at Common Grounds. Plus, they have a great local selection of beer! Coffee at the start of your evening, beer at the end. I'm thankful that there's a place this cool close to me. It loses stars, though, for the bad internet connectivity (it seems to putter out every 15 minutes) and the before-mentioned over-priced food.
(4)Kandice G.
I once frequented this shop for a writing workshop. It is a comfortable coffee shop and the atmosphere is great for writing.
(3)Tim P.
This place is great. Not only is it right around the corner from me; but the breakfast burritos are out of this world. I'm also trying to adjust to the fact that in Lexington you can drink a beer in a coffee shop. Now that I'm on the topic; they have a great craft beer selection, and super friendly baristas that will take you out for late night trivia if you're super nice to them. The only thing that lacks a bit with this place is the coffee. I may have caught it on a bad day though. I'll reserve the fifth star until I have another coffee.
(4)Jessica S.
Great coffee and atmosphere. The building itself is really neat with all the different rooms.
(4)Jefferson S.
Pretty good coffee shop in a cool, large, artsy space. They serve food too, so not a bad place to drop in for breakfast. Came here multiple times on my visit and noticed one consistent thing: the servers/staff act like a bunch of baked stoners. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But taking orders and pouring coffee shouldn't feel so complicated. But it does for some reason here. Still, it's a decent coffee shop and seemed like a nice place to waste some time on your iPad or read a paper and milk your "$2.50 bottomless coffee cup". I'd go back. 3 stars.
(3)Maxi S.
Common grounds is a place where you walk in a customer and leave a friend. Now that I have moved from KY, I sincerely miss this place. The staff is very friendly and unique, the coffee is always delicious and the atmosphere is like no other coffee place around.
(5)Josh M.
Good change of place for a cup of Java. Have not tried anything else. Service is right and atmosphere is good
(3)Emily D.
Sorry, Common Grounds. You all used to be a pleasant, inexpensive coffee house. Now you're packed with noisy 14-year-olds, have raised your prices signficantly, and have abruptly switched out your calm, helpful employees for a bunch of entitled, snotty, hungover kids. Seriously, I don't enjoy you all making jokes at my expense while I'm trying to buy a muffin and coffee in the morning. I live across the street and have been coming here regularly for several years, but I think this may be my last visit. I guess I'll have to try out Coffea for a new quiet study space/relaxing caffeine boost. Maybe their food will be better than mediocre and overpriced, and their employees won't treat my patronage as a chore.
(2)Nicky D.
Very disappointing....went to listen to a local band who were great however the coffee was luke warm at best, service indifferent and could get no hot food even though they were open until midnight and it was just after 10. When the band finished just after 11 and a few of us tried to sit around and talk the staff played some metal music, fine each to his own but kept turning it up louder and louder, in what we can only assume was our invitation to leave, even though it was way before closing time. Would only return if the live music playing was something I really wanted to see.
(1)S W.
Good coffee joint, good lunch or breakfast too. We dropped in for a bite. It was a bit crowded, and a nice quiet atmosphere for the studying crowd. My wife was able to find a veggie dish with a black bean burger and some assorted veggies. I had the chicken and mushroom melt, disappointed the panini grill was down, but it was good toasted. Keep up the good work.
(4)Nathan W.
Its a cozy little coffee shop. It's pretty open and there are different rooms you can relax in. But I imagine it'd be kinda awkward if you just join some stranger in a room. Comfy chairs though.
(3)Ryan S.
Great place to study! Being open till twelve makes them one of the best places to camp put and do homework if you can secure a table. The coffee is pretty good, some things need work, but overall its a great coffee house thats been around for years!
(5)Leeann R.
Love this place. Baristas are really nice. "Italiano doubleshot expresso":))
(5)Kristen S.
This is such a cute coffee joint! Seriously cool. I didn't like my chai tea, I've had much better elsewhere, but the coffee was good and the side items for dessert and breakfast yum. All pretty cheap, inexpensive compared to Starbucks. I enjoyed hanging out on the couches and chit chatting with friends. Great atmosphere, nice area and crowd.
(4)Tonya E.
Took a few minutes to get my order but it was good. Staff was nice but the ambiance didn't feel warm and friendly. Probably more comfortable with a buddy or two.
(3)butters b.
Here's a little story about absent minded me, a lost wallet and the great group of honest nice people at Common Grounds! I am from Chicago. During a short trip to the Red River Gorge area, my boyfriend and I stopped into Common Grounds. I got a decaf, very exciting I know. Then we left. The coffee was great, but it was the service after I left that was really special. After arriving back in Chicago after a 9 hour drive a day later, I realized I had lost my wallet. I called the last place i remember seeing it, Common Grounds. Whoever i spoke to on the phone hadn't seen it, but they would get the word out. They next day i get a call from a manager, and HE HAD IT! I emailed them a USPS shipping label and the got the wallet packed up and shipped back to me, the next afternoon! SO GREAT. Everything in tact. Thanks SO MUCH!!
(5)Katie E.
Common Grounds is everything a local coffee shop should be and then some. It's a favorite for UK students and Lexington residents alike due to their eclectic menu. Open Mic Nights are awesome and the food selection is great as well. Definitely worth a visit! I recommend the frozen chai tea latter or the bottomless cup for a long study session!
(5)Lauren G.
Fantastic place! We came from Denver to play some shows, had one fall through and they invited us to play without ever hearing us! They fed us, gave us a little gas money and so much kindness! Thanks guys! Incredible vibe and awesome attitudes.
(5)Rob R.
A hive of high-school-aged hipsters. The person playing live music was the worst I've experienced in public, including subway performers. My chai was a perfect temperature, though not very flavorful. The baked goods were neither bad nor spectacular. The atmosphere ruined it for me, though. Though there were a bunch of rooms, there were a number of couples in each. Maybe it should be avoided after 9:30pm on Saturdays. Doesn't matter, I'll never go back.
(1)Murray P.
I was excited to go to this place, but I have to say for a coffee shop, an organic one at that, that's near a college, it was pretty bad. I love the interior and the couches are really nice and comfortable, but any place that serves organic coffee and then offers you a free refill, be wary. There's no way they can make it strong enough and not charge a premium for it and then offer a refill on top of that and sure enough, the coffee was watery and therefore had no flavor. I know a lot of people go to coffee houses for the vibe, poetry, food, etc., but I actually go for the coffee and so, Common Grounds, is not for me. Third Street Stuff was MUCH better.
(2)Kristina P.
It's a gathering place for the coffee-house-students and it's reasonably priced. The chai is the usual fare, the food ranges from amusing to fairly tasty. The wireless is top-shelf and the couches are comfy. The atmosphere makes up for the run-of-the-mill eats. It's an old place with many rooms and you'll find one that suits you. Be careful where you park, though!
(3)Andrew K.
The service is great- really helpful and nice down to earth people working at the counter. The tiramisu "cake" is good here. The tea selection (herbal/regular) is pretty good. And theres a lot of tables too. I think because of the nice atmosphere - this became a major study spot - fills up quickly! So better come early to find a place to park your car and yer backside. ;)
(4)Tish K.
Common Grounds - Oh, how I miss you! I moved to the East Seattle area a month ago and haven't found anything out here that compares to your taste and charm! (Isn't Seattle supposed to be the 'coffee capitol' of the USA?!?) I'm going back to visit friends and family Lexington in two weeks from now, and I'm going back to Common Grounds so I can get some yummy coffee, fun customer service and bottomless coffee refills! The hours of operation are great here - open late. The live music on the weekends create the perfect atmosphere for chilling on a Friday night. The iced coffee is perfect on a summer evening to enjoy with friends on the back patio. If you live in Lexington, I'm insanely jealous that you live closer than 2,500 miles from this terrific locally owned coffee house!
(5)Jenny R.
Nice coffee house that is a good place to hang out. I wish the coffee was sourced from a local roaster (or that they roasted their own). Otherwise, no real complaints. Lots of spaces for sitting and hanging out. Very nice, warm, inviting vibe.
(4)Shelly V.
I miss this place. Common Grounds has a great layout with seating in the front of the cafe, in the front room, in a separate back room and out back on the picnic tables. OK -- so the smokers have taken over the outside seating areas since you can no longer smoke inside but there is still lots of room for both smokers & non smokers. The last year of grad school was spent here about 8-9 hours a day. I wrote my thesis in that back room. (If you go, the table in the corner under the window next to the electrical outlet was mine!) The same people hung out there every day and played games, chatted and wasted time. They felt like family. Weekend evenings are another story. There is live music and since they are opened late, it was a hangout for teenagers and was pretty annoying. I have been trying to find a place like this in Hayward and nothing compares. A Starbucks just doesn't do it....I don't know of many places that are big enough to let a bunch of people hang out like it's their living room all day.
(5)Dan M.
Very good coffeehouse! The coffee is great. The atmosphere is perfect for studying, listening to music, watching a movie, or hanging out with friends. I also am a huge fan of the late hours they keep. Now that Starbucks has begun closing super early it's nice to have a place to go for a late night coffee and study time. This is a great choice.
(4)Erik W.
By far the best coffee house in Lexington when you consider all aspects. The couches in the back could be a little cleaner, but when you consider that they actually have couches (vis-a-vis the other Lexington options), it's hard to worry too much about that. The selection of coffee and tea drinks is huge, the only complaint I have is that the deserts are not great and the muffins in the morning are basically Sam's Club bakery fare, with no bran or whole grain options at all.
(4)Ross M.
I liked this place when I lived in Lexington, but I didn't know how much I liked it until I moved away and checked out lots of other coffee shops in Seattle and San Francisco. It's relaxed and cozy, cheap, huge, and completely unpretentious. I don't really hang out in coffee shops much, but find myself in them decently often. I would actually spend time here if I didn't live 2500 miles away.
(5)Kelly B.
Common Grounds got me through my undergrad and set the bar for all my current coffee house experiences. So far, nothing else compares. I began going to Common Grounds in 2002 and watched it evolve from its beginnings as a two room coffee house (with one room legally and pleasantly reserved for smokers!) into the bustling four room venue it is today. In addition to having superb blends of coffee (including fair trade options), Common Grounds is the only coffee house I know of with the "bottomless" cup option- that's right, an endless supply of coffee for as long as you care to stay. This makes Common Grounds perfect for poor students who need to post up for a day of reading and writing. The back rooms are perfect for studying or quiet conversation. The front rooms are excellent for just about anything else you might find yourself doing- board games, working, chatting, etc. The wifi is generally reliable. The music selection depends on the barista, but is generally good. Avoid open mic nights- it draws too many college kids (I thought this even when I was a college kid) and wannabes (aside from the rare treat of the few local, older musicians and storytellers who occassionally took the stage). Oh, and if there is anything not fantastic about this place, it's the food. Aside from the baked goods (which, as I remember, are provided through Missy's Pies- one of the BEST things Lexington has to offer), the offerings are stale, slimy and over-priced. But buy lots of cookies, pie and tiramisu!
(5)Sara A.
Common Grounds is a mainstay coffee shop located close to downtown and UK campus. It is a great meeting place with a lot of character and is a big supporter of our local arts scene. It is laid back and the food and coffee is great!
(5)Daniel R.
This is a coffee shop as it should be. The space is super cool and the coffee is pretty good. The bottom-less cup is a great value if you have to cram for an exam or want to hang out and read a book cover-to-cover. Free wifi and plenty of comfy seating make this a go to in the UK area.
(4)Stella J.
This place definitely has its fans, but I'd rather battle through the students at Coffea. Love the atmosphere, just think the coffee is crap.
(1)John F.
This place has a great building, a good vibe, and decor. However once you start to order things go down hill very fast. They are usually really slow and most of the items on the menu disappoint if a huge way. I do go back mostly for chill atmosphere.
(2)George E.
We try independent coffee houses all over. This was one of the best ever. Amazing coffee and the pastries are good too.
(5)Katie M.
Yummy (ok...it was heavenly) steamed pumpkin spice milk and delicious wraps...I adore Common Grounds Coffee House! The staff was super friendly and, although I was on vacation, I felt like I was at home as I settled into a cozy warm room surrounded by college students studying and middle-agers reading the morning paper. There are numerous rooms so you can choose to lounge back in a couch or sit in a more "formal" coffee/cafe area. My only complaint....the bathrooms/hallways didn't seem all that clean!
(4)Clif D.
Love The Grounds, it was first place I frequented as a UK student. Coffee isn't the best, but the atmosphere is.
(5)Christina R.
I love a little coffee house with personality, and Common Grounds has this in spades. After moving to Lexington from a small town with a cozy little shop that had become home, I was really wanting to find a new place to visit each week that felt right. Common Grounds had the right 'feel' to it, friendly staff, and the coffee and food were great! It can get busy and you will have to wait a little bit if you order food, so don't come here to eat if you're in a hurry. Keeping this in mind I think you'll enjoy Common Grounds. Now if I can just make it there for one of the music nights...
(5)Andrew N.
Very cool place to come hang out. Coffee is great and so is the service. I love coming out on mondays for the open mic night. A lot of interesting folks here
(5)Sam W.
I second that. It's a cozy place and the coffee is really great. They let the local scrabble group play there too, and I go to that sometimes, so one more reason to give the place my 5 stars up.
(5)Kate S.
I love the whole vibe of this place. The staff are really kind and helpful, not just to patrons, but with each other too! It makes a place so much better when everyone wants to be there. The guy behind the counter was super nice about my uber obnoxious drink order (blended iced mocha with half the syrup... I know, a deviation from my standard ice coffee, but it was 6pm... time for dessert coffees). He even ended up making me a bigger size than I paid for because he was worried he added too much chocolate! I also got a turkey, herb cream cheese, and veg on ciabatta sandwich. It was tasty and came with a cup of truly delish potato salad. The portions on both were small and it was priced at $7.50. If you're a big eater you might not get the most bang for your buck with the sandwiches, but I was very satisfied. As other reviewers have mentioned, this shop clearly used to be a residence. It has a fun layout with lots of smaller spaces. It seems like a good place for groups to meet or to find a quiet corner to study in. I should note that when I was there the wifi was on the fritz and I was not able to connect at all after several attempts. Lots of outlets though. I also appreciated the wide variety of seating and table options. I final comment: they had little info-graphics posted above the counter defining different specialty coffee beverages (e.g. red eye, con panna, etc.) Very user friendly and a nice contrast to snootier shops that will shame you for not knowing your espresso.
(5)Clint B.
This place isn't too bad. It takes place in a old house which is now a coffee shop with a crazy layout as a result. I had a coffee and a breakfast sandwich. They were both solid; very good, but nothing worth making a regular trip for. The workers weren't bad either. Not mean but not super inviting either. All-around, I had an average experience here. There is a good amount of space for stuff, but the layout is indeed strange. And things are old. I sat in a spot that would shake every time a person walked by. And the place was dark and gloomy. I'm not sure if it's always like this, but the lighting (or lack thereof) was depressing. And I'm not sure how parking works. I parked a few blocks away in a random hood and walked over. Overall, not a bad place, and it's obviously loved by many. I prefer other places over this one, but everyone is different, and this may become the coffee shop of your choice. Definitely worth a visit. PS, they also have lots of local business cards, events, and flyers posted. They also have free condoms and lube for the taking, in case your coffee date escalates quickly.
(3)Carly D.
I started coming here in 2012 as a freshman at UK. I just couldn't believe how much it reminded me of coffee shops in my hometown Barbados! The atmosphere was neat, and i thought all the baristas were neat. I especially liked the guy with the interesting shirts and he's funny! For bad stuff, since i started coming, they've discontinued all my favorite drink options. I used to get an iced puer tea (so surprised they had that, reminds me of home!barbados!), but they don't have that anymore. Also, i feel menu keeps getting smaller, but maybe i'm just getting older...gotta get those eyes checked LOL It's cool, though, cuz common grounds rocks! I'll bring all my bffs! Pumpkin spice is right around the corner Peace love harmony -_-
(5)Jason H.
I love the Common Grounds for the space. The coffee is A-OK, not the best coffee you would find in Lexington. However, there are PLENTY of space to sit down to study, chat, play music, etc. Karma is experience, and experience creates memory, and memory creates imagination and desire, and desire creates karma again. If I buy a cup of coffee, that's karma. I now have that memory that might give me the potential desire for having Americano, and I walk into Common Grounds and there is spotty karma about it. Improve the coffee and keep it consistent in terms of flavor, take a lesson or two from the Cup of Commonwealth, Daily Grind or North Limestone Donuts in coffee brewing, then it might give you good karma. I think we are living in a time where the consumer has lots of choices, whether it's coffee, newspapers or whatever it is. And there is parity in the market place, and as a result of that, the consumer is beginning to make decisions, not just on what things cost and the convenience of it. For that, I give other coffee shops the nod, but give Common Grounds an A for space. Elite A-Ok......
(3)Anna M.
Common Grounds is the best!! My husband and I rarely stop in Lexington without getting something from here. Everything is great...breakfast, lunch and of course the java. The Santa Fe egg burrito is awesome and great to split. Last time I came here, I got the black bean burger and was more than impressed and my husband enjoyed his avocado grilled cheese. My current favorite drink is the frozen white chocolate mocha with peppermint. The vibes here are great too!!!
(5)Heather P.
As a teenager, I hung out here a few times. Can you believe that after all of these years that this place is still open?! Yeah, it's old.. not me. Fast forward a few decades later, I was called to a business meeting here. Parking was weird. They had a questionable lot that I wasn't quite confident that my car wouldn't be towed away. When I entered, people were sitting individually and were doing their own things. It was quiet and I was quite nervous and worried because this was going to be a one on one meeting. Why was I worried? I wasn't the one who chose this place. I'm an over thinker, that's why! I ordered some sort of tea that I'd never heard of. If the hottest takes the prize, that one took the prize. I didn't order anything to eat, I was way too nervous, plus I wasn't expecting to eat there, so I hadn't scoped out the menu online. Yeah, I usually have to scope out the menu online before I plan to eat anywhere. Did I mention that I'm an over thinker? I found a couch in an area that seemed a bit secluded, more so than where the individuals were sitting in the area as I first walked in. I mentioned that the place was old, so the fact that renovations were going on outside of the window, was a good thing. Strange but okay, was my entire experience that day. Fast forward a few months and I attended a group discussion/debate. Who knew that they had that upstairs area?! It was literally like my my grandparents' living room. I haven't a clue whether the hosts paid or if they graciously hosted the debate. Either way, as an adult, I'm still not impressed with this place. In my opinion, it's not up to par with the the other local coffee houses, or even the franchise coffee places in Lexington. It was not a very welcoming atmosphere.
(2)Jenna P.
Loved the chill atmosphere and music playing. Iced latte was super good and I will definitely be back. Good space to study and read.
(5)Emily Q.
Really cool old coffee house - literally an old house! Lots of different rooms and different furniture. Very eclectic. Parking was a bit difficult, but other than that - awesome vibes.
(4)Stewart H.
I sure want to like Common Grounds. But they don't have CREAM for my coffee!!! I'd much rather get my coffee from a locally owned coffee place than Starbucks, but Starbucks always has REAL CREAM behind the counter, so does Coffee Times.
(1)Angella F.
Got an almond joy coffee drink, lighter on the syrups. It's pretty good and they have an interesting range of specialty drinks available as well as good deals on food and snacks! Reasonable soup and sandwich for $6-7.. Looks tasty but I've only gotten drinks here. Nice atmosphere
(5)Brett N.
Why 3 stars? Because I just couldn't ignore the not so good stuff. --- --- --- When traveling to a new city, I like to enjoy the local beer and the local coffee scene. After researching it on Yelp, it seemed the Common Grounds was probably the best little hipster joint in town to grab a cuppa. The coffee was solid. Just based on that, it's a 4-star, "I'll be back" type of experience. But the service? Yikes. The girl behind the counter seemed to be a bit frazzled by life during my 3ish hours sitting on the couch. She was yelling a lot at the guys doing repairs to the building, and being a bit curt with me on more than one occasion. I got up at one point just to look at a menu out of curiosity and she snapped, "I'll bring you your drink when it's done." Then when she did bring our drinks, she placed them at the very opposite end of a huge table, about 8 feet away from us, and then ran off. My co-worker and I looked at each other and laughed in disbelief. Let's also talk about the flies. Sometimes bugs happen, I get it. But we were pretty much surrounded by 5 flies the entire time we were there. It was kinda silly. Would I go back? I mean, they've probably fixed the fly problem, and maybe the girl working was having an awful day... so, yeah. I'd give it another shot.
(3)Cøltøn H.
Beware of Common Grounds, you will become hooked the more you get. They will literally suck all of your money out of your wallet because you will not be able resist coming to even be there for 10 minutes. I've been coming here for about the past 4 years and now I'm pretty much sitting at the counter everyday and have not tried everything because the drinks that I like are killer. Any drink, specifically hot, tastes amazing but you can get iced or frozen as well (pretty much any frozen drink tastes the same unless it has a distinct strong flavor in it). Common Grounds uses DaVinci syrups which are top notch and they can make any drink that you see on the menu or anything you can come up with sugar free, skinny, alternative, or basically anything your little mind can dream. If you're used to Starbucks they're relatively familiar with their most popular drinks and can make a very similar drink. If there is any flavor you want in your drink they can add it free of charge. How about food? Some may argue that eating at common grounds is only for people who plan on being there all day to study and don't want to leave. The fact is FULL families will often come in here to eat lunch or dinner. If you want a really good first impression, get the Joey, any wrap, or a quesadilla. You may expect to smell coffee when you walk in but in reality what you are smelling is the wonders of the black bean quesadilla. Also baristas will love you if you get the guacamole grill (basically because it takes the same amount of time to make as a typical espresso drink) and its pretty good too. Don't sit at the counter and expect to do anything because you won't be able to resist talking to the baristas or any of the multiple people coming in delivering food materials, baked things, or roasted coffee from their warehouse/kitchen nearby. Plus if you sit near enough to the register you'll probably end up getting into ordering conversations as well. Yes the building they're in is SUPER old and the place probably hasn't been gutted in 30 years. But the great artwork spread across all the walls and creaky old original wood floors will bring back memories of those who had grown up in an old house. Common Grounds is in more places than you would think. They own the Daily Grind, the Common Grounds in Zandale, and the Common Grounds on campus (isn't exactly run by them but has the same recipes). Plus they used to own a place in the Library, used to own The Hub in Danville and cater for MANY businesses. It's clear how successful and how much people love this place and their coffee. Some tips include: -don't sit upstairs in the winter, it gets cold up there -don't sit in the window between 1-3pm, you will become blinded by the sun -don't sit in any chair that looks old enough to be in your grandparent's house, you will most likely sink into it. -don't block the aisles in front, it pisses everyone off -refrain from steal the pens -tell the baristas if anything is empty at the supplies counter, it will not only make your experience better but everyone else's behind you. -If its been over 5 minutes and you haven't heard or gotten your order go up and check, its probably been sitting there for more than half that time you just didn't hear them yell it (happens a lot) -Connect to WiFi 2 if you can see it on your computer, much less people use it since its the 5GHz band as opposed to WiFi 1 which is ALWAYS really bogged down. -If you've tried for at least 5 minutes to connect to the WiFi and its not packed in there then its probably the WiFi sucking so just ask them to reset it when there isn't a transaction going on since they need it to make orders. Literally best place to go in Lexington if you can stand constant metal, 60s music, awkward silence (sometimes), or really packed rooms (during live music or on Sundays). PSST, they have really inexpensive breakfast.
(5)Anne S.
Common grounds is a great local coffee place. The coffee is good, the tea is good and the few lattes I've tried I've also enjoyed. I've not tried any food, but the selections look great . Two stories full of tables and chairs most nights the place is usually stuffed with college students. A friend and I who have been out of college for some time :) frequent common grounds late nights when our little ones are in bed, and our husbands are left to relax on the couch while we have some fun drinking coffee and chatting. The staff is always super friendly and makes us feel young again. It's a good atmosphere and they are open late which is great for us since we are usually there until they tell us they are closing up! Try the honeybee latte!
(4)Zach S.
I have been coming here for years to work on my laptop and realized something tonight... although I only make it in once a month or so these days, I haven't had a decent experience in the last dozen visits. I should have realized sooner, but some habits (twelve years) die hard. The beverages are unremarkable, and the internet connectivity is patently abysmal. What did me in tonight, though, wasn't just the poor connectivity. The Tuscan Wrap would likely be a palatable selection, but it's ruined by Common Grounds' use of both a panini press and a microwave to prepare it. An herb wrap around grilled chicken, lettuce, cream cheese, sun dried tomato and pesto turns out to be an inedible mess. Perfectly good ingredients ruined with wilted lettuce and tongue-burning inconsistent heat from the microwave. I'll miss the atmosphere, but I think it's time to move on.
(1)Amy C.
Only one major downside of Common Grounds... and that's the coffee. The space is great, the staff is great, the menu is quite good for a coffee shop. But, I just can't love the coffee. I wish I could though. Update: 11/2014 - Coffee is much better than it used to be.
(4)Nick J.
Good coffee, not the best in town, but very good. Great atmosphere. This is always my choice when meeting friends for conversation since there's so much space and many little nooks that you can disappear into to chat. However,It gets very crowded sometimes due to its proximity to campus.
(4)Brandon V.
There are a lot of good things to be said about Common Grounds. It has a great atmosphere, they support local artists, the mixed coffee drinks rival Starbucks any day of the week, and there's free WiFi (and a printer for customer use). Unfortunately, there's some negatives to be pointed out as well. The bathrooms here have been as dirty as I've ever seen in a food establishment, consistently. If you sit in the room across the hall from them on a summer day, you will be treated to the smell of urine drifting from them. Obviously, this needs to be addressed. The parking is also a bit tricky. There is a very small lot directly behind the building that is always free (and always full), you can park on the nearby street spots (some metered, some not, and also usually hard to find), and after business hours and on weekends, you can use the parking lot belonging to the business next door. However, beware that if you use the next door lot at a time that isn't approved, you WILL be towed so be sure before you leave your car unattended. I realize that it's a downtown location, close to campus, and this usually spells "no parking", I still think it would be a great asset to them to find some dedicated parking nearby for their customers to use. Finally, that free WiFi that I mentioned a moment ago as a positive, can also be a negative, as I have been there on more than one occasion when it wasn't working properly.
(3)Kelly B.
Common Grounds got me through my undergrad and set the bar for all my current coffee house experiences. So far, nothing else compares. I began going to Common Grounds in 2002 and watched it evolve from its beginnings as a two room coffee house (with one room legally and pleasantly reserved for smokers!) into the bustling four room venue it is today. In addition to having superb blends of coffee (including fair trade options), Common Grounds is the only coffee house I know of with the "bottomless" cup option- that's right, an endless supply of coffee for as long as you care to stay. This makes Common Grounds perfect for poor students who need to post up for a day of reading and writing. The back rooms are perfect for studying or quiet conversation. The front rooms are excellent for just about anything else you might find yourself doing- board games, working, chatting, etc. The wifi is generally reliable. The music selection depends on the barista, but is generally good. Avoid open mic nights- it draws too many college kids (I thought this even when I was a college kid) and wannabes (aside from the rare treat of the few local, older musicians and storytellers who occassionally took the stage). Oh, and if there is anything not fantastic about this place, it's the food. Aside from the baked goods (which, as I remember, are provided through Missy's Pies- one of the BEST things Lexington has to offer), the offerings are stale, slimy and over-priced. But buy lots of cookies, pie and tiramisu!
(5)Sara A.
Common Grounds is a mainstay coffee shop located close to downtown and UK campus. It is a great meeting place with a lot of character and is a big supporter of our local arts scene. It is laid back and the food and coffee is great!
(5)Daniel R.
This is a coffee shop as it should be. The space is super cool and the coffee is pretty good. The bottom-less cup is a great value if you have to cram for an exam or want to hang out and read a book cover-to-cover. Free wifi and plenty of comfy seating make this a go to in the UK area.
(4)Stella J.
This place definitely has its fans, but I'd rather battle through the students at Coffea. Love the atmosphere, just think the coffee is crap.
(1)butters b.
Here's a little story about absent minded me, a lost wallet and the great group of honest nice people at Common Grounds! I am from Chicago. During a short trip to the Red River Gorge area, my boyfriend and I stopped into Common Grounds. I got a decaf, very exciting I know. Then we left. The coffee was great, but it was the service after I left that was really special. After arriving back in Chicago after a 9 hour drive a day later, I realized I had lost my wallet. I called the last place i remember seeing it, Common Grounds. Whoever i spoke to on the phone hadn't seen it, but they would get the word out. They next day i get a call from a manager, and HE HAD IT! I emailed them a USPS shipping label and the got the wallet packed up and shipped back to me, the next afternoon! SO GREAT. Everything in tact. Thanks SO MUCH!!
(5)Katie E.
Common Grounds is everything a local coffee shop should be and then some. It's a favorite for UK students and Lexington residents alike due to their eclectic menu. Open Mic Nights are awesome and the food selection is great as well. Definitely worth a visit! I recommend the frozen chai tea latter or the bottomless cup for a long study session!
(5)Lauren G.
Fantastic place! We came from Denver to play some shows, had one fall through and they invited us to play without ever hearing us! They fed us, gave us a little gas money and so much kindness! Thanks guys! Incredible vibe and awesome attitudes.
(5)Rob R.
A hive of high-school-aged hipsters. The person playing live music was the worst I've experienced in public, including subway performers. My chai was a perfect temperature, though not very flavorful. The baked goods were neither bad nor spectacular. The atmosphere ruined it for me, though. Though there were a bunch of rooms, there were a number of couples in each. Maybe it should be avoided after 9:30pm on Saturdays. Doesn't matter, I'll never go back.
(1)Murray P.
I was excited to go to this place, but I have to say for a coffee shop, an organic one at that, that's near a college, it was pretty bad. I love the interior and the couches are really nice and comfortable, but any place that serves organic coffee and then offers you a free refill, be wary. There's no way they can make it strong enough and not charge a premium for it and then offer a refill on top of that and sure enough, the coffee was watery and therefore had no flavor. I know a lot of people go to coffee houses for the vibe, poetry, food, etc., but I actually go for the coffee and so, Common Grounds, is not for me. Third Street Stuff was MUCH better.
(2)Kristina P.
It's a gathering place for the coffee-house-students and it's reasonably priced. The chai is the usual fare, the food ranges from amusing to fairly tasty. The wireless is top-shelf and the couches are comfy. The atmosphere makes up for the run-of-the-mill eats. It's an old place with many rooms and you'll find one that suits you. Be careful where you park, though!
(3)Ryan S.
Great place to study! Being open till twelve makes them one of the best places to camp put and do homework if you can secure a table. The coffee is pretty good, some things need work, but overall its a great coffee house thats been around for years!
(5)Leeann R.
Love this place. Baristas are really nice. "Italiano doubleshot expresso":))
(5)Kristen S.
This is such a cute coffee joint! Seriously cool. I didn't like my chai tea, I've had much better elsewhere, but the coffee was good and the side items for dessert and breakfast yum. All pretty cheap, inexpensive compared to Starbucks. I enjoyed hanging out on the couches and chit chatting with friends. Great atmosphere, nice area and crowd.
(4)Tonya E.
Took a few minutes to get my order but it was good. Staff was nice but the ambiance didn't feel warm and friendly. Probably more comfortable with a buddy or two.
(3)Maxi S.
Common grounds is a place where you walk in a customer and leave a friend. Now that I have moved from KY, I sincerely miss this place. The staff is very friendly and unique, the coffee is always delicious and the atmosphere is like no other coffee place around.
(5)Josh M.
Good change of place for a cup of Java. Have not tried anything else. Service is right and atmosphere is good
(3)Andrew K.
The service is great- really helpful and nice down to earth people working at the counter. The tiramisu "cake" is good here. The tea selection (herbal/regular) is pretty good. And theres a lot of tables too. I think because of the nice atmosphere - this became a major study spot - fills up quickly! So better come early to find a place to park your car and yer backside. ;)
(4)Tish K.
Common Grounds - Oh, how I miss you! I moved to the East Seattle area a month ago and haven't found anything out here that compares to your taste and charm! (Isn't Seattle supposed to be the 'coffee capitol' of the USA?!?) I'm going back to visit friends and family Lexington in two weeks from now, and I'm going back to Common Grounds so I can get some yummy coffee, fun customer service and bottomless coffee refills! The hours of operation are great here - open late. The live music on the weekends create the perfect atmosphere for chilling on a Friday night. The iced coffee is perfect on a summer evening to enjoy with friends on the back patio. If you live in Lexington, I'm insanely jealous that you live closer than 2,500 miles from this terrific locally owned coffee house!
(5)Jenny R.
Nice coffee house that is a good place to hang out. I wish the coffee was sourced from a local roaster (or that they roasted their own). Otherwise, no real complaints. Lots of spaces for sitting and hanging out. Very nice, warm, inviting vibe.
(4)Shelly V.
I miss this place. Common Grounds has a great layout with seating in the front of the cafe, in the front room, in a separate back room and out back on the picnic tables. OK -- so the smokers have taken over the outside seating areas since you can no longer smoke inside but there is still lots of room for both smokers & non smokers. The last year of grad school was spent here about 8-9 hours a day. I wrote my thesis in that back room. (If you go, the table in the corner under the window next to the electrical outlet was mine!) The same people hung out there every day and played games, chatted and wasted time. They felt like family. Weekend evenings are another story. There is live music and since they are opened late, it was a hangout for teenagers and was pretty annoying. I have been trying to find a place like this in Hayward and nothing compares. A Starbucks just doesn't do it....I don't know of many places that are big enough to let a bunch of people hang out like it's their living room all day.
(5)Dan M.
Very good coffeehouse! The coffee is great. The atmosphere is perfect for studying, listening to music, watching a movie, or hanging out with friends. I also am a huge fan of the late hours they keep. Now that Starbucks has begun closing super early it's nice to have a place to go for a late night coffee and study time. This is a great choice.
(4)John F.
This place has a great building, a good vibe, and decor. However once you start to order things go down hill very fast. They are usually really slow and most of the items on the menu disappoint if a huge way. I do go back mostly for chill atmosphere.
(2)George E.
We try independent coffee houses all over. This was one of the best ever. Amazing coffee and the pastries are good too.
(5)Katie M.
Yummy (ok...it was heavenly) steamed pumpkin spice milk and delicious wraps...I adore Common Grounds Coffee House! The staff was super friendly and, although I was on vacation, I felt like I was at home as I settled into a cozy warm room surrounded by college students studying and middle-agers reading the morning paper. There are numerous rooms so you can choose to lounge back in a couch or sit in a more "formal" coffee/cafe area. My only complaint....the bathrooms/hallways didn't seem all that clean!
(4)Clif D.
Love The Grounds, it was first place I frequented as a UK student. Coffee isn't the best, but the atmosphere is.
(5)Christina R.
I love a little coffee house with personality, and Common Grounds has this in spades. After moving to Lexington from a small town with a cozy little shop that had become home, I was really wanting to find a new place to visit each week that felt right. Common Grounds had the right 'feel' to it, friendly staff, and the coffee and food were great! It can get busy and you will have to wait a little bit if you order food, so don't come here to eat if you're in a hurry. Keeping this in mind I think you'll enjoy Common Grounds. Now if I can just make it there for one of the music nights...
(5)Andrew N.
Very cool place to come hang out. Coffee is great and so is the service. I love coming out on mondays for the open mic night. A lot of interesting folks here
(5)Sam W.
I second that. It's a cozy place and the coffee is really great. They let the local scrabble group play there too, and I go to that sometimes, so one more reason to give the place my 5 stars up.
(5)Heather P.
As a teenager, I hung out here a few times. Can you believe that after all of these years that this place is still open?! Yeah, it's old.. not me. Fast forward a few decades later, I was called to a business meeting here. Parking was weird. They had a questionable lot that I wasn't quite confident that my car wouldn't be towed away. When I entered, people were sitting individually and were doing their own things. It was quiet and I was quite nervous and worried because this was going to be a one on one meeting. Why was I worried? I wasn't the one who chose this place. I'm an over thinker, that's why! I ordered some sort of tea that I'd never heard of. If the hottest takes the prize, that one took the prize. I didn't order anything to eat, I was way too nervous, plus I wasn't expecting to eat there, so I hadn't scoped out the menu online. Yeah, I usually have to scope out the menu online before I plan to eat anywhere. Did I mention that I'm an over thinker? I found a couch in an area that seemed a bit secluded, more so than where the individuals were sitting in the area as I first walked in. I mentioned that the place was old, so the fact that renovations were going on outside of the window, was a good thing. Strange but okay, was my entire experience that day. Fast forward a few months and I attended a group discussion/debate. Who knew that they had that upstairs area?! It was literally like my my grandparents' living room. I haven't a clue whether the hosts paid or if they graciously hosted the debate. Either way, as an adult, I'm still not impressed with this place. In my opinion, it's not up to par with the the other local coffee houses, or even the franchise coffee places in Lexington. It was not a very welcoming atmosphere.
(2)Anne S.
Common grounds is a great local coffee place. The coffee is good, the tea is good and the few lattes I've tried I've also enjoyed. I've not tried any food, but the selections look great . Two stories full of tables and chairs most nights the place is usually stuffed with college students. A friend and I who have been out of college for some time :) frequent common grounds late nights when our little ones are in bed, and our husbands are left to relax on the couch while we have some fun drinking coffee and chatting. The staff is always super friendly and makes us feel young again. It's a good atmosphere and they are open late which is great for us since we are usually there until they tell us they are closing up! Try the honeybee latte!
(4)Kelly B.
Common Grounds got me through my undergrad and set the bar for all my current coffee house experiences. So far, nothing else compares. I began going to Common Grounds in 2002 and watched it evolve from its beginnings as a two room coffee house (with one room legally and pleasantly reserved for smokers!) into the bustling four room venue it is today. In addition to having superb blends of coffee (including fair trade options), Common Grounds is the only coffee house I know of with the "bottomless" cup option- that's right, an endless supply of coffee for as long as you care to stay. This makes Common Grounds perfect for poor students who need to post up for a day of reading and writing. The back rooms are perfect for studying or quiet conversation. The front rooms are excellent for just about anything else you might find yourself doing- board games, working, chatting, etc. The wifi is generally reliable. The music selection depends on the barista, but is generally good. Avoid open mic nights- it draws too many college kids (I thought this even when I was a college kid) and wannabes (aside from the rare treat of the few local, older musicians and storytellers who occassionally took the stage). Oh, and if there is anything not fantastic about this place, it's the food. Aside from the baked goods (which, as I remember, are provided through Missy's Pies- one of the BEST things Lexington has to offer), the offerings are stale, slimy and over-priced. But buy lots of cookies, pie and tiramisu!
(5)Sara A.
Common Grounds is a mainstay coffee shop located close to downtown and UK campus. It is a great meeting place with a lot of character and is a big supporter of our local arts scene. It is laid back and the food and coffee is great!
(5)Daniel R.
This is a coffee shop as it should be. The space is super cool and the coffee is pretty good. The bottom-less cup is a great value if you have to cram for an exam or want to hang out and read a book cover-to-cover. Free wifi and plenty of comfy seating make this a go to in the UK area.
(4)Stella J.
This place definitely has its fans, but I'd rather battle through the students at Coffea. Love the atmosphere, just think the coffee is crap.
(1)John F.
This place has a great building, a good vibe, and decor. However once you start to order things go down hill very fast. They are usually really slow and most of the items on the menu disappoint if a huge way. I do go back mostly for chill atmosphere.
(2)George E.
We try independent coffee houses all over. This was one of the best ever. Amazing coffee and the pastries are good too.
(5)