Throughout the day, Marquette University students make pit stops at the Brew Cafés. To some students, the coffee shops offer more than just caffeinated drinks; they offer convenience, comfort and conversation.
The four on-campus Brews — which serve Starbucks drinks and more — are located at the Alumni Memorial Union, O’Brien Hall, the Raynor Bridge and the Dental School. Marquette students have different opinions on which Brew is the best of all.
Katherine Rogers, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, said which Brew she goes to depends on her mood or the time of day.
“I like the one at the library just to hang out at if it’s later, but if it’s during the day, I prefer the one at the AMU,” she said.
Convenience is also a big factor in Rogers’ choices about where to go. She said the O’Brien Brew is nice, as her classes are there. Her go-to drink order is a sugar-free vanilla latte.
The O’Brien Brew has a modern feel and is open on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for students to fit in a sip before or after classes.
Danika Castellino, a first-year student in the College of Nursing, said her decision lies between the Brew in the AMU or Raynor. While drinking her light roast coffee with creamer, she said — like Rogers — her café choice depends on the time of day.
“This one closes at 9 p.m., so if I need a pick-me-up at 8:30 p.m., then I’ll be able to go,” Castellino said about the Brew at the Bridge.
The Brew at the AMU is open most frequently from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and is open on the weekends.
Castellino enjoys the “cute coffee shop vibe” of the AMU and the late-night studying refreshments of the Raynor Brew. Her go-to orders are a simple coffee with light cream or mint tea with a chocolate croissant.
Overall, Castellino says the AMU is better for aesthetics, and the Bridge is better for studying purposes.
Manaal Nasir, a second-year dental student, says she goes to the Brew in the School of Dentistry the most because it’s the most convenient for her.
“It’s nice in between classes and stuff to grab coffee and things,” Nasir said.
Being that the Brew in the Dental school is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. most days, it is convenient for students. This Brew is built on the side of a large hallway that gets plenty of foot traffic, making it a quick grab-and-go area.
Nasir loves the seasonal drinks like the pistachio latte. She said that although she goes to the Dental School Brew the most, the atmosphere of the O’Brien Brew and the coziness of the AMU are honorable mentions.
Erin Hickey, a first-year student in the College of Health Sciences, was enjoying an iced caramel latte, which she says is ordered almost every time. Her favorite Brew is the one in the AMU.
Hickey says that the Brew in the AMU is convenient, always open and welcoming. The large space with diverse seating makes it a hub for students.
“You can come here and study with headphones, or you can talk to people; it’s kind of universal,” she said.
Hickey said the Brew on the Bridge is too unreliable and that the hours are inconsistent.
The Brew in Raynor is open from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s also closed on the weekends, making it accommodating for weekday study sessions only.
While the choice of café often comes down to convenience and time of day for students, one location stood out for having the best atmosphere on campus — the AMU Brew.
This story was written by Lillie Martin. She can be reached at [email protected].
