It's an old bank which is cool, you will see the safe door when you get your drink. It's not the nicest decor Starbucks you'll see. Sometimes the lines are long. What you do get is nice staff, great location and well done drinks. In fact, the two best Mochas I've ever had was here and the downtown Savannah location. I believe Nick made my drink this morning and it was awesome. Worth the wait and makes up for all the crappy drinks you get other places.
(4)
Devin B.
I can't comment on the food or service from this Starbucks, but in terms of Air Condition, Free WIFI, and quiet seating upstairs, they're great. We hung out for a little to cool off during a hot walking filled visit to Charleston.
(4)
Jon B.
Took them probably longer than it should have to make my drink, especially considering the store was pretty dead at the time. Great downtown location though!
(3)
Vy D.
Very nice staff and yummy breakfast foods. They were sampling pumpkin spice fraps today that were awesome! Oh and the building is pretty cool. I like the space upstairs, plenty of room to work or study for a bit.
(5)
Brian K.
Great location and the building is pretty cool. It used to be a bank and has an upstairs area to chill. The coffee is the coffee we have all had it. We all have our favorites and my favorite happens to be the venti mocha latte with skim milk no whip. The staff is very friendly here.
(4)
Allison W.
This is a great Starbucks location in downtown Charleston. Staff is friendly and very fast service. If you're looking for a quick caffeine boost while walking around downtown this is a good spot to stop.
(4)
Tom R.
Slow, slow, slow. Slower...slowest Starbucks ever. Pretentious and slow. More interested in pretending to be a barista rock star than serving customers. Get over yourselves. Luckily there are alternatives.
(1)
Sydney G.
I work right down the street so I'm here all the time. I'm giving this a 5-star review in comparison to other Starbucks stores (rather than comparing it to other local coffee shops). Service is always fast, friendly, and consistent.
(5)
Russell F.
Really cool location inside an old bank building. It was very busy but got through the line quickly. Sat upstairs and used the free wifi to write my review. If you sit up front you can have a view of King street below.
(5)
Ashton P.
CRAZY busy, all the time, and they don't know how to move customers through fast enough.
(2)
Bruce K.
Solid Starbucks with the usual coolers of cold drinks and snacks plus a barista that will prepare your espresso-based beverage promptly. What's special about this *$ is that it has a large upstairs where the kids tend to hang out and study. Downstairs are some comfy chairs and a couple of high-topped tables with power outlets nearby. Free wifi for the win.
(4)
Denise C.
Great downtown location. Sometimes difficult to find an empty place to sit. Staff are efficient and courteous. I will be back!
(4)
Jordan D.
Pretty average Starbucks location. They have all the regular stuff that you can find at any location. The building is pretty cool. I guess it was an old bank because they've turned the vault into an office. Upstairs seating is cool. Parking is hit or miss.
(3)
Rick S.
Great location when we are staying downtown and I am out for a morning walk. Good staff. Consistent product. The upstairs "loft" is a quiet place to read out of the traffic pattern during their busy morning.
(5)
Roger Y.
Good staff and great location.
(4)
Mark L.
Starbucks is built on consistency. You know exactly what your drink or food will taste like. There is a systematic assembly line process. The dialogue is scripted and for the most part professional. Nothing in Starbucks should come as a surprise. It is built to assist busy people or casual workers/conversationalists with their drink and light dining needs. This Starbucks FAILED! The staff spent more time talking among themselves and paying very little attention to the drinks and the customers. It took much more time than needed and may have even lost a little zip in my drink from it sitting there while the barista was chatting away. This was a disappointing Starbucks experience.
(2)
Jon F.
Yummm! And pretty -- a renovated bank? But struggling to handle the afternoon caffeine crush...
(3)
Erin P.
I wish I could give a proper review of this place, but unfortunately, my friend and I never had a chance. When we first arrived to town, we asked some chick where we could get wifi. She suggested Starbucks, and pointed at the Forever 21 store and said it was behind there. We walked across the street, but it wasn't there. We looked at google maps, and it said it was 200 yards away. It was not there either, however. We asked another tourist, and they said it was inside the hotel. After a thorough search, it was not there, and after a few more minutes of looking at nearby side streets, we have up. Sometime later, after we had already found so-so wifi elsewhere, my friend walked passed Starbucks. This was at least 5 blocks away from where it was supposed to be. Our problem is simple, how can Starbucks maintain a successful business if it keeps moving to a different place? If it continues to switch up locations whenever it felt like it, how can anyone find it? Someone at Starbucks, take note: you will never be a prominent company and leader in your industry if you continue to confuse customers and give misinformation about your address on Google maps.
(3)
Captain B.
It's Starbucks, meaning the quality and environment are just like most you come across. The big difference is probably the people, as the employees are much friendlier here than they are in Bay Area. I appreciate the hospitality but I don't think Starbucks will ever be more than a 3 star place for me.
(3)
Ryan W.
The place was packed, but the line moved quickly. If we had time I would have checked out the upstairs- there seemed to be more seating there. Very cool building.
(4)
Caitlin M.
I normally avoid Starbucks, but I was on vacation, I was starving, and it was a million degrees, so I broke my rule. This Starbucks was much more pleasant than the ones in the DC area. The staff took care to make sure my breakfast wrap was cooked all the way through, letting me know they were heating it a little longer. The espresso isn't as bitter as the Starbucks I'm used to, either. I commend them for exceeding my expectations.
(4)
Lexy S.
This is one busy starbucks. It seems a little un-organized too. Someone ended up taking my skinny vanilla latte, so the already long wait was extended.
(3)
C G.
It's your usual Starbucks, with crappier staff. Everyone seemed mad at one another, and the result was rudeness to customers. Maybe it was an off day? The building is cool, though.
(2)
Phillip J.
I visited this store in October 2010. Now that I discovered YELP, I wanted to list my review. This is one of the coolest Starbucks I've been to and I have bought a drink at over 60 different ones. I like the Starbucks that convert old buildings and this one is in a former bank. The upstairs balcony area is really nice. The drinks and service are about the same as most other stores. This one is about the atmosphere.
(4)
Ind R.
I know, blasphemy. But I was happy when the first Starbucks came to Charleston. In any other town, with an established coffee shop culture, it would have been a complete tragedy. And Charleston did have a few local shops... all of which closed by 4 in the afternoon. These days, there are other late night options: City Lights, Kudu, etc. But we weren't always so lucky. I'll always try the local option, before resorting to Starbucks. But, as my 5th grade lunch lady used to say, "This ain't Burger King, and you can't Have it Your Way." At Starbucks, you can ALWAYS have it your way. Soy milk? No problem. You can make any ridiculous request, and it will be fulfilled. Unless you ask for a "large." This location is unique, because the building used to be a bank. The vault still stands, and holds that ultra-caffeinated coffee that you're ashamed to love. Unfortunately, this Starbucks is in the center of the tourist area, and has traded its yuppie vibe for a family vacation vibe. Mind the animal crackers ground into the carpet.
(3)
Win R.
Good location in the middle of old and expensive area of Charleston. Thanks Starbucks!
(5)
Jill G.
I collect Starbucks city mugs and they don't have them here. Manager said they get lots of requests. Starbucks you need to get a Charleston mug!
Chris S.
It's an old bank which is cool, you will see the safe door when you get your drink. It's not the nicest decor Starbucks you'll see. Sometimes the lines are long. What you do get is nice staff, great location and well done drinks. In fact, the two best Mochas I've ever had was here and the downtown Savannah location. I believe Nick made my drink this morning and it was awesome. Worth the wait and makes up for all the crappy drinks you get other places.
(4)Devin B.
I can't comment on the food or service from this Starbucks, but in terms of Air Condition, Free WIFI, and quiet seating upstairs, they're great. We hung out for a little to cool off during a hot walking filled visit to Charleston.
(4)Jon B.
Took them probably longer than it should have to make my drink, especially considering the store was pretty dead at the time. Great downtown location though!
(3)Vy D.
Very nice staff and yummy breakfast foods. They were sampling pumpkin spice fraps today that were awesome! Oh and the building is pretty cool. I like the space upstairs, plenty of room to work or study for a bit.
(5)Brian K.
Great location and the building is pretty cool. It used to be a bank and has an upstairs area to chill. The coffee is the coffee we have all had it. We all have our favorites and my favorite happens to be the venti mocha latte with skim milk no whip. The staff is very friendly here.
(4)Allison W.
This is a great Starbucks location in downtown Charleston. Staff is friendly and very fast service. If you're looking for a quick caffeine boost while walking around downtown this is a good spot to stop.
(4)Tom R.
Slow, slow, slow. Slower...slowest Starbucks ever. Pretentious and slow. More interested in pretending to be a barista rock star than serving customers. Get over yourselves. Luckily there are alternatives.
(1)Sydney G.
I work right down the street so I'm here all the time. I'm giving this a 5-star review in comparison to other Starbucks stores (rather than comparing it to other local coffee shops). Service is always fast, friendly, and consistent.
(5)Russell F.
Really cool location inside an old bank building. It was very busy but got through the line quickly. Sat upstairs and used the free wifi to write my review. If you sit up front you can have a view of King street below.
(5)Ashton P.
CRAZY busy, all the time, and they don't know how to move customers through fast enough.
(2)Bruce K.
Solid Starbucks with the usual coolers of cold drinks and snacks plus a barista that will prepare your espresso-based beverage promptly. What's special about this *$ is that it has a large upstairs where the kids tend to hang out and study. Downstairs are some comfy chairs and a couple of high-topped tables with power outlets nearby. Free wifi for the win.
(4)Denise C.
Great downtown location. Sometimes difficult to find an empty place to sit. Staff are efficient and courteous. I will be back!
(4)Jordan D.
Pretty average Starbucks location. They have all the regular stuff that you can find at any location. The building is pretty cool. I guess it was an old bank because they've turned the vault into an office. Upstairs seating is cool. Parking is hit or miss.
(3)Rick S.
Great location when we are staying downtown and I am out for a morning walk. Good staff. Consistent product. The upstairs "loft" is a quiet place to read out of the traffic pattern during their busy morning.
(5)Roger Y.
Good staff and great location.
(4)Mark L.
Starbucks is built on consistency. You know exactly what your drink or food will taste like. There is a systematic assembly line process. The dialogue is scripted and for the most part professional. Nothing in Starbucks should come as a surprise. It is built to assist busy people or casual workers/conversationalists with their drink and light dining needs. This Starbucks FAILED! The staff spent more time talking among themselves and paying very little attention to the drinks and the customers. It took much more time than needed and may have even lost a little zip in my drink from it sitting there while the barista was chatting away. This was a disappointing Starbucks experience.
(2)Jon F.
Yummm! And pretty -- a renovated bank? But struggling to handle the afternoon caffeine crush...
(3)Erin P.
I wish I could give a proper review of this place, but unfortunately, my friend and I never had a chance. When we first arrived to town, we asked some chick where we could get wifi. She suggested Starbucks, and pointed at the Forever 21 store and said it was behind there. We walked across the street, but it wasn't there. We looked at google maps, and it said it was 200 yards away. It was not there either, however. We asked another tourist, and they said it was inside the hotel. After a thorough search, it was not there, and after a few more minutes of looking at nearby side streets, we have up. Sometime later, after we had already found so-so wifi elsewhere, my friend walked passed Starbucks. This was at least 5 blocks away from where it was supposed to be. Our problem is simple, how can Starbucks maintain a successful business if it keeps moving to a different place? If it continues to switch up locations whenever it felt like it, how can anyone find it? Someone at Starbucks, take note: you will never be a prominent company and leader in your industry if you continue to confuse customers and give misinformation about your address on Google maps.
(3)Captain B.
It's Starbucks, meaning the quality and environment are just like most you come across. The big difference is probably the people, as the employees are much friendlier here than they are in Bay Area. I appreciate the hospitality but I don't think Starbucks will ever be more than a 3 star place for me.
(3)Ryan W.
The place was packed, but the line moved quickly. If we had time I would have checked out the upstairs- there seemed to be more seating there. Very cool building.
(4)Caitlin M.
I normally avoid Starbucks, but I was on vacation, I was starving, and it was a million degrees, so I broke my rule. This Starbucks was much more pleasant than the ones in the DC area. The staff took care to make sure my breakfast wrap was cooked all the way through, letting me know they were heating it a little longer. The espresso isn't as bitter as the Starbucks I'm used to, either. I commend them for exceeding my expectations.
(4)Lexy S.
This is one busy starbucks. It seems a little un-organized too. Someone ended up taking my skinny vanilla latte, so the already long wait was extended.
(3)C G.
It's your usual Starbucks, with crappier staff. Everyone seemed mad at one another, and the result was rudeness to customers. Maybe it was an off day? The building is cool, though.
(2)Phillip J.
I visited this store in October 2010. Now that I discovered YELP, I wanted to list my review. This is one of the coolest Starbucks I've been to and I have bought a drink at over 60 different ones. I like the Starbucks that convert old buildings and this one is in a former bank. The upstairs balcony area is really nice. The drinks and service are about the same as most other stores. This one is about the atmosphere.
(4)Ind R.
I know, blasphemy. But I was happy when the first Starbucks came to Charleston. In any other town, with an established coffee shop culture, it would have been a complete tragedy. And Charleston did have a few local shops... all of which closed by 4 in the afternoon. These days, there are other late night options: City Lights, Kudu, etc. But we weren't always so lucky. I'll always try the local option, before resorting to Starbucks. But, as my 5th grade lunch lady used to say, "This ain't Burger King, and you can't Have it Your Way." At Starbucks, you can ALWAYS have it your way. Soy milk? No problem. You can make any ridiculous request, and it will be fulfilled. Unless you ask for a "large." This location is unique, because the building used to be a bank. The vault still stands, and holds that ultra-caffeinated coffee that you're ashamed to love. Unfortunately, this Starbucks is in the center of the tourist area, and has traded its yuppie vibe for a family vacation vibe. Mind the animal crackers ground into the carpet.
(3)Win R.
Good location in the middle of old and expensive area of Charleston. Thanks Starbucks!
(5)Jill G.
I collect Starbucks city mugs and they don't have them here. Manager said they get lots of requests. Starbucks you need to get a Charleston mug!
(3)