"I have visited Playground a few times and up until today I absolutely loved it. Today I found out the employees enforce carceral and unnecessary rules in a nasty and judgmental way. I walked in finishing a bagel, but ordered two drinks (almost $20 total) and was immediately approached by a condescending and rude employee who told me I had to leave on account of the three bites of a bagel I was finishing. It’s really sad to see “community” spaces wielding unnecessary and money making tactics that honestly just make me never want to come back! Coffee is mid and overpriced also. I won’t be back!"

"This is the first Google review I have ever written; I have been coming to Playground for two years. I love it here: the coffee is great, it’s one of the very few family-owned coffee shops in the neighborhood, and it offers a quiet place to work productively during the week. Today will be my last visit to Playground, on account of how nasty and aggressive the barista was. This morning, as I approached the counter, ready to pay for my coffee, I asked the Barista: “What’s your favorite pastry here? Is there anything in particular you would recommend?” I asked because I have never had a pastry at Playground, and I wanted to get something to go with my coffee. When I asked, the barista looked up at me with a scowl. As if I had asked for her social security number, or said something deeply profane, she said, sharply: ”It’s subjective. I can’t say. Just get whatever you think looks good.” What is shocking to me, and so strange about this interaction, is that OBVIOUSLY my question is subjective: In fact, that’s precisely why I asked the person who works behind the counter! My thinking (crazy as it might seem) is that the barista who works here every day might be willing to recommend something to eat. Clearly, this was far too much to ask.The intensity and aggression with which she recoiled, and the dismissive, blasé answer she gave me was unexpected and disappointing. If this is how repeat customers are treated, I can only imagine how first-time visitors are dealt with. There are plenty of $7 lattes at other coffee shops in the neighborhood, and I'd encourage you to go get one of those instead of coming to Playground."

"I don't need my ego stroked by my barista and sometimes it's actually part of the experience to be cooly served a good coffee by someone hot and fashionable playing techno, so I love this place. Best ambience of any cafe in the area. Coffee is good."

"I also don’t need my ego to be stroked by my barista— especially when being fashionable and hot are bare minimum qualifiers for pouring a hot cup of coffee. As human beings; we all have better and worse days. However — the expectation that we treat our fellow human beings with kindness and common decency seems like a very low bar"

"Delicious coffee and baked goods, a super personable barista, and an excellent book selection!"