Can you even imagine a Starbucks so ginormous it takes up a whole city block? This place is every coffee lover’s fantasy come to life.
Let me walk you through the world’s biggest and most magical Starbucks located right on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. This enormous temple of coffee covers over 35,000 square feet and spans five full floors of coffee bliss.
Here are the fun facts of this world-class coffee shop.
Sip Over 100 Rare Coffees You’ve Never Heard Of
The first thing you will find if you go in is the amazing smell of coffee which is created by the real roastery, and of course bags of specially chosen beans.
Here you have towering copper casks filled with more than 100 different Starbucks Reserve coffees, none of which you can get anywhere else on the planet (think of strange stuff like Papua New Guinea Peaberry and Kenya Baragwi). Serious coffee geek alert.
These exotic coffees, brewed specially for you in whatever method you request – Chemex, French press, siphon or any other – will keep you coming back for more.
Try Chef-Crafted Treats and Light Fare
Besides otherworldly java, this Starbucks makes tempting grub fresh on the premises every day, including airy Belgian waffles smothered in chocolate and hazelnut spread for breakfast.
They’ll insist upon a piping-hot panini from the oven, filled with melting cheese, and don’t get me started about the array of Italian pastries, almost too beautiful to eat, that spill over in their pastry case. Grazie mille, but trust me when I say… Resist.
Sip Cocktails from Chicago’s Highest Open-Air Bar
That’s right, this Starbucks has an alfresco cocktail bar on the 4th floor where you can watch the Chicago skyline twinkle with your cold brew martini (or any of the other beverage creations unique to this store).
Never skip the Roastery Boilermaker – that’s coffee and whiskey if you didn’t know – a beverage that may be ideal for unwinding, particularly as it serves as a perch with some of the best views.
Scandinavian Architecture Inside & Out
The giant space that is home to Chicago’s first Starbucks juxtaposes old and new architecture – its black brick exterior is reminiscent of the neo-classical buildings that line Michigan Avenue.
But, inside, it’s soaring ceilings, light wood, and summery Scandanavian-lite aesthetic (my former tenant Crate and Barrel). The interior spaces are a smooth escalator ride up through the building floors, as in a design magazine. It’s nice.
You can actually see the Chicago River through the large windows or head to the rooftop for spectacular city views. The architecture alone is worth the visit.
Learn From Top Barista’s
Taking coffee education seriously, this Starbucks features classes in which staff baristas share all their top tips, secrets.
Learn where your coffee beans come from, how they’re harvested and roasted… and how to make the perfect pot. Bonus: in the world’s coffee specialty capital, you can sample different beans side-by-side.
There’s an entire play area for kids to ‘pick’ cherries and ‘roast’ coffee. Regardless of your age – or your child’s – after an hour you’ll have a college-level coffee degree.
Final Thoughts
Reach out and touch the coffee beans and learn all about them.
This Wonka-like wonderland completely surrounds you with the ultimate coffee experience. Even if you aren’t a huge coffee person, you’ll be amazed by this Disneyland for coffee.
