Ugees Espresso

The coffee, the atmosphere, the locals, the piano. This place has been a favourite for years and years. ⁵⁄₅ stars !

As I had arrived early for a volunteering induction in the area — darn speedy legs and time OCD — I was in the mood for coffee. Consulting the trusty Unilocal app, several options were brought up, so I started heading towards to the nearest one. Just next door to the place I was heading to, I spotted Ugees with the huge «Take Away Espresso» signage. I glanced at it, and then took a couple more steps next door to glance at the intended stop to check that one out. It was too complicated for me with displays of food, so I walked into Ugees and asked for a flat white take away. Easy-​peasy.
Looking around as I waited at the counter, I noticed there is a vibe of community. Music was going, and one of the barista started dancing (akin to twerking but on a more child appropriateness), a female patron walked in and joined the dancing barista and shared her iPod music ear buds. Another man was sitting having coffee with a who I assume is homeless, sharing a couple of coffees. I wonder if Ugees offer suspensed coffee, if so — awesome.
Coffee was great and smooth. I didn’t add any sugar, which is great. If I’m in the area again, I’d try stopping in for no-​frills coffee.

Ugees is one of my fav coffee houses in West End, not necessarily because it has the best coffee — don’t get me wrong the coffee is fine — I just like hanging out there people watching, reading a paper and admiring and reviewing the latest art works for sale on the walls. The clientele is eclectic and the baristas are always chatty and friendly. Users has a sense of community. There is and outdoor are out the back of the shop with cool timber benching seating and a funky wall mural. However, if your after a feed look elsewhere Ugees is strictly beverages and maybe a bikkie or muffin if you’re lucky. They use original blend Elixir beans and ripple cups — which are great for hand comfort. Prices are reasonable with a small 8oz (227ml) at $ 3.50 about right but a 12oz (341ml) at $ 4.50 about 50 cents above the norm.

Ugees is a place I’ve so often walk past, but never walked in. Until today that is. Needing to find a place to kill time in between meetings, I finally broke the cycle and walked in to Ugees, a coffee institution to West End locals and Brisbanites alike. They weren’t kidding when they said the coffee was good.
Given the current apparent temp in Brisbane was 100 degrees past acceptable I opted for an iced coffee. And no, they don’t do it with the whipped cream and ice-​cream (thankfully) but they do only charge $ 4 for a cold coffee in a cup the size some places will charge $ 7 or more for. Bonus points.
There’s a real community vibe here — comfortable to sit and enjoy the atmosphere. Typical of most West End businesses. And the biggest thing that stood out was the great guys behind the coffee machine. I’d been waiting for about 20 minutes for my drink. Turns out the barista had actually forgotten. He was so apologetic and actually gave me my $ 4 back. He didn’t have to at all but like they say, it’s the little things that matter.
From now on I won’t be walking past Ugees as often as I’m walking in.

Awesome coffee. Full stop. No syrups. No decaf. No food. Just great coffee and friendly staff. Definitely does the trick for me every morning.

Legend has it that the owner of Ugees used to be a co-​owner of Urban Grind in Paddington until they parted ways and he ventured south to start his own thing. I for one am glad he did. Ugees is a great place for affordable and impeccable espresso coffee with a chic bohemian atmosphere.
They exhibit some cool local painting and photographic pieces in the small space and the grungy-​chic outdoor courtyard is never lacking a couple of interesting characters soaking upsome sunshine with their short black and cigarette, while discussing Satre, Bjelke Petersen era Queensland, Sponge Bob Squarepants, whatever…
Coffee there used to be an even $ 3 but I have a sneaking suspicion it went up… Oh and be warned that a sign out front that says ‘Wireless’ is a bit misleading. Turns out they don’t really have a public connection of their own, but sometimes you can piggyback off the WiFi from the café next door, with whom they have a symbiotic relationship.

I’ve always been intimidated by Ugees. It just seemed too cool for school for me. When I finally mustered up the courage to go there, I’m sad to tell you my first impressions were right.
In my estimation, the baristas are too cool for school. When I made a standard enquiry to the man behind the counter, the barista ordered him away before he could answer my question and then ignored me. When she did return to my question (a while later) she gave a very curt answer with an even more curt smile. The next person who came in was obviously someone who has come here more than once and the immediate change in her approach was astounding, and if I’m honest, somewhat offensive.
What had I done? I’d asked both of them how they were when I came to the counter to order. I used my manners. I smiled freely at them. I gave them the right amount of money. Frankly, I don’t think being a Ugee’s virgin is enough reason to be given the cold shoulder.
Admittedly, the coffee is excellent, and cheap. ($ 7.50 for a cap and ice coffee!) My cappucino was one of the best I’ve had in a while. My partner couldn’t stop raving about how big and strong his ice coffee was. We were both impressed with the barista’s skills. It was just a shame about her attitude.
The space is cute. It’s a shoebox, hole in the wall café, reeking of a quaint type of cool. Their music is something to note too. They put the volume a bit louder than other cafes and play tunes (tolerable café house and dub while I was there) that let you zone in or out (however you’re feeling). They also exhibit local art, which is a nice touch.
I’m going to talk straight here. You will never be in shortage of great coffee in West End. If you like the look of Ugee’s, go in, and I assure you, you’ll have an impressive cup of coffee. The bitterness you might experience there won’t be due to the grind. Let’s leave it at that.