Iron Horse Coffee Bar

The sign rings true, the coffee doesn’t suck. Super cool little spot to grab a delicious espresso beverage. And very reasonably priced! Nice and simple menu, cool vibe. What more can you ask for?

I work in Financial District and I’ve passed their signs along Kearny a few times (it says «Coffee that Doesn’t Suck» with an arrow pointing down Maiden Lane), but I haven’t had a chance to stop by. I didn’t feel like walking into the office too early yesterday morning, so I gave the place a shot. I saw «Romper Room» on the top of the doorway outside, but then I saw the coffee equipment just inside the door and I figured this was the spot. So… a lounge at night and coffee shop by day, interesting!
It’s a small little place for grab-​and-​go coffee, but the barista is friendly and the coffee is good. They’re using Ritual Coffee beans at the moment (I’ve seen signs saying Four Barrel before, so perhaps they rotate beans). My café au lait was $ 3, which is average for SF. If you need a shot of whiskey or Bailey’s in your coffee, this is the spot to go in the morning (it’s $ 8; check their menu for options when you go!)

Didn’t enjoy the service or coffee, service was worse then the actual coffee, the woman just seemed bothered and had an attitude then proceeded to saying that they didnt make iced mochas which was odd, especially for San Francisco anyway, wont be back.

Love. Where good coffee and friendly service meet a bohemian discothèque lounge. A nice addition to the famed Maiden Lane.
I had a quality almond milk latte and chilled out in the pink, black and leopard print lounge upstairs. I was attending a conference and needed a place to escape, chill and get some work done. Mission accomplished. In the mean time I discovered a new favorite.
The carpets need replaced, but whatever.
Look out for the Romper Room sign, walk in and find the Iron Horse.
Will definitely be returning. Soon.
Pro tip: Free Wifi

This is one of the few coffee places around Union Square that knows what they they are doing. The coffee is superb, the baristas are friendly and experienced, and the pastries are excellent. This is where you go if you know and love coffee – not if you’re looking for iced low-​fat decaf pumpkin-​spiced candy drinks.
While the coffee is great, the options for sitting and enjoying it there are limited. Only a few stools inside, and a few café chairs out in the not-​always-​pleasant Maiden Lane alley (when the weather is good enough). Doesn’t keep me from buying my coffee there, just wish it were a little more comfortable to hang out.

I think the great reviews are from friends, or maybe from hype, because I had the most unfriendly barista ever this morning. She acted like she was annoyed to be making coffees. And who doesnt make an iced mocha? Sigh. Not impressed, at all, which is a huge disappointment since I walked quite a way to get here after reading the glowing Unilocal reviews.

I was alerted to this place by the sign out front: «COFFEE THAT DOESN’T SUCK», and even more alerted by the sign on the door that said, «We’re f**kin’ open!» This, I realized, was indeed my kind of place.
ATMOSPHERE
Impeccable. It’s a San Franciscan hideaway in the front portion of the incomparable Romper Room. There’s this swanky, late 50’s feel to it; smooth jazz and a deep pink interior. The café section is ample space to enjoy a quick coffee.
STAFF
You’ll be met with warm, welcoming staff — polite and diligent at their craft. I had barely settled in when my coffee was already prepared! Needless to say, the service is good.
PRODUCT
The coffee, indeed, does not suck. I asked for a regular roast and got an aromatic, medium blend that could be enjoyed either black or blonde. I have yet to indulge in their whiskey-​coffee creations, but I’ve good authority to suspect they’re excellent.
VERDICT
I will definitely be back. For the student who wishes to belt out a paper, leisurely walker who wants to catch up on some reading, or the businessman in between shifts, Iron Horse is a more than suitable environment for your coffee needs.
Many thanks.

Quaint little coffee spot with a friendly barista. Coffee is straight forward and very enjoyable. They have alternative milks — a huge plus for me! A little hidden, but worth the search if you’re like me and actively avoiding a large coffee chain and coffee that sucks. :)

Their cappuccino is amazing — Some of the most delicious coffee I’ve ever had! And tucked away in an alley in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Market Street. Really unique spot, you should definitely go.

Lots of great coffee options in the city but Iron Horse has the added benefit of super friendly service. The gentleman working took a genuine interest in each customer and went out of his way to make each person happy.
The espresso was aromatic and rich.
This is a night club by night and a coffee bar by day. Smart thinking! Not a lot of room for lounging or working but great for grabbing a coffee and hitting the road.

Coffee that definitely doesn’t suck. The barista here made a great mocha cappuccino for my manager and I. Helped us push through our mid day slump.
Located right at the bottom floor of our office (that has an espresso maker). When you want good coffee to finish the day strong, you’ve got to call in the pros.

Their sign grabbed my attention so i had to stop in. Little place with excellent coffee. Their marketing is true: «coffee that doesnt suck». Will definitely be back the next time we head to san francisco.

My hideout when I need the escape and nobody will find me, seriously.
Iron Horse is my best kept secret pick-​me-​up. Sean’s energy is genuinely kind and welcoming. If you’re friendly enough to converse with him, I’m sure he’ll give you a compliment and remember your drink for your next visit. (Some call this professional)
Oh, and the coffee doesn’t suck

Luckily their coffee isn’t as bitter and cold as their service. No but seriously their espresso was alright but the server was so inexplicably rude that it was hard to feel good about our visit to this place.

Working in Union Square has been great, it seems to have it all, except for some really great local coffee… Until now. My boss told me about Iron Horse, so I decided to check it out.
Tucked away at the end of Maiden Lane near Kearny you can find the Tiffany blue tables and an amazing barista named Sean. This place has really been a game changer, I can literally walk down the street from my work and grab a really great tasting coffee (Ritual) and have an interesting conversations with the charming Sean and be on my way caffeinated and happy. Sean always has a smile on his face and is quick. He always remembers what you order, therefore there’s hardly ever a line. That’s deserves a big tip in my book. So there you have it, Check it out, Iron Horse, good coffee, great service, happy days.

Cool that they kept the historical name of this spot… as it was for many years the Iron Horse Restaurant (pretty cool place in its day).
Great coffee, Great location… Maiden lane is such a cool little stretch of SF. If you havent strolled it and read about it… you should.
Best part of Iron Horse Coffee is that it turns into romper room bar later in the day… what more can one ask for? Caffeine in the mornin booze in the evening… aint we got fun?

Iron Horse is a beacon of coffee light in the hustle and bustle of Union Square. Drop onto Maiden Lane (an awesome pedestrian side street with up-​scale shopping #Louboutins) for a quick pick-​me-​up. Coffee shop with a liquor licence? Only in America!
Thanks to the Unilocal app, we found this place mid-​afternoon and walked in with no queue. Dude behind the bar is a friendly Buffalonian who specializes in boozy espresso delights. Think Christmas morning coffee. I had a perfect americano and my friends had boozy bevvies including the Horseshoe (Jameson, Baileys and espresso), YUM!
Treat yo self to a lil buzz and some free wifi.
NB — super clean loo’s!

Iron Horse boasts «Coffee that doesn’t suck» in the middle of FiDi, the neighborhood that is fueled by coffee, and it’s true! They are moreso a coffee stand than a coffee shop so it’s super cozy. The barista is super friendly and welcoming.
Latte w/​almond milk (4.50) — Excellent. You know it’s gonna be a good time when you know they roast Ritual beans.
My only gripe is that they’re suppose to open at 8am, but weren’t ready til around 8:10am on a Friday. When this place starts getting more attention, I don’t know how they are going to deal with demand considering it’s a one-​man stand.

11:02am/56°F cloudy
Purpose: A colleague came in with a cup of coffee. Told us this place has been open for a while. Its specialty is booze coffee drinks there. I ask where did you get coffee from? Told me Iron Horse, I said its actually open already? Last time they were in the process. I took off…
Set-​up: Company logo, iPad, pastries on cake pedestal, self pump coffee thermo, tip jar, shelf with Ritual beans, five choices of booze, eight backless stools, LaMarzocco two chamber espresso machine.
Staff: One guy could be the sole proprietor himself. Didn’t ask, as anyone that has sense will know. Small place one man show who else can it be? He was all friendly morning smiles with a can do attitude. I ask is this another reincarnation of Irish coffee? He said what ever you want it to be they can do it.
Cleanliness: Grade A+, immaculate nothing to be said. Counter, floors, seats all clean. Can eat off the floor if you wanted to. Yes that clean.
Eats/​Drinks: Cappuccino and roll danish. Coffee was good and strong, just like any other Ritual places. No difference there, but the roll could be a bit better. Not sure who’s their supplier is, these just didn’t look that good. Icing were thick and looks kinda hard.
Products/​Services: Cappuccino, latte, macchiato, americano, café au lait, mocha, espresso. Hard liquor of 5 choices. Beans by Ritual. Pastries deliver by local bakery. Takes plastic (no minimum).
Punch Lines: Warm service, friendly, zippy, seats are minimal, located in alley way, owner operator, hip bar, calm vibe, more than adequate, Ritual coffee, no pour overs, can’t go wrong, shoe box size, unpretentious, kept its standards, satisfactory. Parking hard.
Tradeoffs: Boozy drinks can not leave the premises. Not even the door jam.
Final Thoughts: Its just another authorized third wave café located within downtown and union square itself. To differentiate itself they went with booze for their coffee. Place closes at around 3ish and Romper Room opens after that. Good for the mornings with coffee and pastries, but with booze? I don’t think I can handle it. Can’t drink while on the job anyways. Sure way to get can on the spot. Will come back and try a boozy coffee someday when I’m off or on weekends.

Good prices. Good cappuccino and friendly staff. Usually very short waits.
Wish it was open until 4 though. 3 pm close is a little early for my after lunch caffeine craving.