This web page was initially printed in late 2024 and displays the creator’s experiences and monetary selections throughout that point. The remainder of the article has since been up to date.
Key takeaways
- Capital One has opened a line of espresso outlets known as Capital One Cafés.
- These outlets supply the same old meals, drinks and coworking areas, but additionally some additional perks distinctive to Capital One.
- Capital One solely has just a few of those outlets working however plans to open extra within the close to future.
I stay in Seattle and am lucky to have an abundance of nice espresso store choices. So you’ll be able to think about my shock after I not too long ago realized a kind of choices is obtainable by a serious nationwide financial institution and bank card issuer.
The Capital One Café is a espresso store situated within the South Lake Union neighborhood of Seattle. I’ve lived close by for over a yr and handed by it typically, questioning who even goes to this place. There have to be not less than two dozen different espresso outlets inside a mile radius. Certainly, a espresso store that resembles a financial institution department couldn’t compete, proper?
As a bank cards author, I lastly determined it was my responsibility to seek out out. So within the late morning on a latest Friday, I grabbed my laptop computer and went to work from Capital One Café to see what it’s all about. The expertise stunned me in a great way. Let me clarify.
What on the earth is the Capital One Café, anyway?
Should you go by the financial institution’s web site, you’ll discover that the Capital One Café is “a group area the place you’ll be able to are available in — calm down and recharge — whether or not you financial institution with us or not.” I’ve discovered this to be correct, but it surely doesn’t precisely paint an image. So let me try this for you.
The big home windows of the espresso store opened onto the road to let within the breeze and daylight seeping by way of tree branches. The 2-story area felt like a millennial’s dream: subway tile and polished concrete flooring, the grit of commercial fixtures softened by the heat of sunshine wooden, fashionable furnishings and a playlist from the 2000s. That final half made me smile to myself. I used to be the target market.
I’d anticipated the café to be relatively empty at this hour — the morning rush had handed, and it was too early for lunch. Nonetheless, I needed to wait in line for a couple of minutes, which allowed me to review the menu.
The café serves Verve espresso, craft espresso roasted in California, in addition to a number of meals objects. These, after all, included avocado toast. (Millennials, bear in mind?) I ordered an iced honey lavender latte with oat milk. It was priced at $7.25, however I solely paid $4.55 with taxes as a result of I used my Capital One Savor Money Rewards Credit score Card. Whereas everyone seems to be welcome on the café, Capital One debit and credit score cardholders get 50 % off drinks.
After I received my espresso, I sat down at an extended, bar-height desk with shops and related my work laptop computer to the free Wi-Fi. I seen a Capital One consultant chatting with one of many patrons. Speaking bank cards with a cup of espresso? I could possibly be into that.
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At this level, my pal — who’s habitually late to all the pieces — joined me.
“Oh my god,” I advised her, tasting my espresso, “that is…good. You will need to attempt it.”
And so she did, coming to the identical conclusion. In the meantime, I seen we weren’t the one ones coworking. The café was filling up with individuals on their laptops, some in teams, others on their very own.
It’s not only a financial institution department with espresso and snacks, I spotted. It’s additionally a bit greater than only a espresso store with some financial institution advertising tossed in. It’s a superb coworking hub. And judging by the variety of individuals I noticed throughout my go to, there seems to be demand for this distinctive institution.
A coworking area I didn’t know I wanted
As soon as I used to be carried out with my latte, I gave myself a bit tour. Part of the café was devoted to assembly areas. I noticed a number of small nooks at present working on a first-come first-serve foundation. The plaques on the sliding glass doorways knowledgeable me that quickly, Capital One prospects will be capable to reserve these areas by way of the financial institution’s app. The issuer’s spokesperson advised me this characteristic was within the pilot stage and anticipated to roll out to extra cafés.
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The café additionally has a few bigger assembly rooms outfitted with screens. These do require a reservation. It’s free to order a room, however they’re solely accessible to nonprofit, scholar and alumni organizations.
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My tour made me wish to come again to the café someday. I make money working from home and really a lot want it that approach — writing requires numerous focus. However cabin fever is an actual factor, so I wish to get out and work from some other place each every so often.
Nonetheless, not each espresso store gives an excellent workplace various. I can’t let you know what number of occasions I eyed a sole outlet another person was utilizing as my laptop computer was about to die. Or felt embarrassed in a gathering as a result of my earphones would choose up all of the background noise, which drowned out my voice. Oh, and sandwiches from the fridge? Horrible.
Capital One Café suits the wants of somebody like me completely. It appears the issuer considered all the pieces: from the abundance of shops to areas to take your Zoom calls to meals and drinks to maintain you fueled.
Talking of meals, the menu contained solely a handful of things, however I used to be pleasantly stunned. My pal ordered the Signature Breakfast Membership and ushered me to do the identical. I did — it was a really first rate sandwich. The dijonnaise sauce positively hit the spot.
Get a espresso — and free monetary recommendation
Coworking and snacks will not be the place the café choices finish. In response to a Capital One spokesperson, “The Capital One Cafés are designed to reimagine the banking expertise by empowering everybody to really feel extra assured with their relationship with cash and stress much less about their monetary journeys.” Capital One Café at present has over 50 areas unfold throughout 19 states. They provide companies targeted on monetary literacy and entry, together with varied applications and workshops.
Listed here are the forms of group companies you’ll find at cafés:
Banking
Capital One Café can present among the typical department expertise. For instance, my native café has ambassadors accessible that will help you handle your present accounts, chat about new accounts you’ll be able to open and even focus on making use of for an auto mortgage.
As I’ve talked about, there’s additionally a Capital One ATM to make a deposit or get money.
Cash & Life Program
I discover this one very thrilling. Cash & Life is a free program designed that will help you construct your monetary path. It pairs you with a licensed coach to create a customized plan for reaching your cash targets. You may stand up to a few 60-minute classes with a mentor to determine your monetary priorities, roadblocks and subsequent steps.
Capital One additionally gives on-line instruments, comparable to monetary workout routines and on-demand movies protecting varied monetary matters.
Workshops
Capital One typically organizes workshops to assist the communities by which its cafés function.
For example, the issuer’s spokesperson shared with me that Capital One hosted a collection of workplace hours at cafés throughout the nation in partnership with the Nationwide School Attainment Community (NCAN). Throughout these workshops, NCAN volunteers walked college students by way of the faculty utility course of, answered their questions and mentioned the latest modifications to the appliance.
The issuer has prolonged this partnership and is planning further occasions at cafés throughout the nation by way of the top of August.
Freebie occasions
Cafés host community-building and monetary occasions. You may take part at your native café or watch an occasion on-line.
For instance, the Capital One web site at present lists MLB Mondays, the place you will get a free handcrafted beverage from any café on Mondays throughout the 2025 MLB common season. Or, from Might 31 to June 2, you’ll be able to register for the Exterior Competition and Summit offered by Capital One and REI Co-op and get particular early fowl perks by way of collaborating Capital One Cafés.
Cardholder exclusives
For among the occasions, you’ll want a Capital One card. These are shared immediately with prospects primarily based on their communication preferences. For instance, prior to now, Capital One provided cocktail-making lessons at some café areas (enjoyable!) and even a possibility to win Taylor Swift live performance tickets.
Capital One Cafés are increasing
Capital One Cafés appear to be a profitable idea, and never simply in my metropolis. With those in different main U.S. cities doing so nicely, Capital One has determined to broaden to new areas. The issuer’s merger with Uncover additionally got here with plans so as to add cafés to locations Capital One has flagged as underserved and low- to moderate-income areas. Opening espresso outlets in these areas will hopefully enable Capital One to offer residents with higher monetary education schemes and banking companies alongside its coworking areas.
The underside line
To be trustworthy, whilst a loyal Capital One cardholder, I discovered the concept of a bank-run café gimmicky. I didn’t anticipate a lot from it — however I used to be pleasantly stunned. For these in search of a brand new coffeehouse to work from, I like to recommend testing your native café in case you have one close by.
My expertise made me want extra issuers made an effort to attach with the communities they serve. Third locations are essential, and if one gives good espresso and free cash recommendation, I’m all for it.
