This page was originally published in late 2024 and reflects the author’s experience and financial decisions during that time. The rest of the article has since been updated.
I live in Seattle and I’m lucky enough to have plenty of great coffee shop options. So, I can imagine my surprise when I recently learned that one of these options is offered by major national banks and credit card issuers.
Capital One Cafe is a coffee shop located in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. I have lived nearby for over a year and have passed by frequently. I was wondering who was going to this place. At least 20 other coffee shops are required within a mile radius. Certainly, coffee shops similar to bank branches couldn’t compete, right?
As a credit card writer, I finally decided it was my duty to find it. So, late Friday nights recently, I grabbed my laptop and went to work from Capital One Café to see what it was. This experience surprised me in a good way. Let me explain.
Anyway, what is the Capital One Cafe in the world?
Going on the bank’s website, you will find that Capital One Cafe is “a community space where you can come – relax and recharge.” This turns out to be accurate, but it doesn’t mean drawing accurately. So let me do it for you.
Large coffee shop windows opened up into the streets, wind and sunlight penetrating the tree branches. The two-storey space felt like a millennial’s dream. Grit of industrial fixtures softened by subway tiles and refined concrete floors, light wood warmth from the 2000s, modern furniture and playlists. That last part made me smile to myself. I was a target audience.
I thought the cafe was quite empty at this time. The morning rush was over and it was too early for lunch. Still, I had to wait in line for a few minutes, so I was able to study the menu.
The cafe offers Verve Coffee, roasted craft coffee in California, and several groceries. Of course, they contained avocado toast. (Millennials, do you remember?) I ordered an iced honey lavender latte with oat milk. The price was $7.25, but I only paid $4.55 in taxes. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. Everyone is welcome at the cafe, but Capital One Debit and credit card holders earn 50% drinks.
After getting my coffee, I sat at a long bar height table with an outlet and connected my work laptop to free Wi-Fi. I noticed that the capital representative was talking to one of the patrons. I’m talking Credit Card With a cup of coffee? I might get hooked on it.
At this point, my friend – habitually behind everything – I joined me.
“What a god,” I told her, tasting my coffee, “This is…good. You need to give it a try. ”
And she came to the same conclusion. During that time I realized that we are not the only ones coworking. The cafe was filled with people on laptops, some in groups, others with their own people.
I realized that it’s not just a bank branch with coffee and snacks. And it’s not just coffee shops where some bank marketing has been thrown in. A great coworking hub. And judging by the number of people I saw during my visit, there seems to be a demand for this unique facility.
Coworking spaces I didn’t know I needed
After the latte was over, we took a little tour. Part of the cafe was dedicated to the dating space. I’ve seen some small nooks now run on a first come, first served basis. The sliding glass door plaque immediately informed me that Capital One customers could book these spaces Bank App. A publisher spokesperson told me that the feature is on the pilot stage and is expected to be rolled out to more cafes.
The cafe also has several large meeting rooms with screens. These require reservations. You are free to book your room, but only available to nonprofit organizations, students, and alumni associations.
My tour made me want to return to the cafe someday. I work from home and I really like that. Writing requires a lot of focus. However, because cabin fever is real, I like to go out and work from other places from time to time.
However, not all coffee shops offer a great office alternative. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen someone else at the only outlet they use because my laptop is dead. Or I felt embarrassed at the meeting as my earphones picked up all the background noise and drowned out my voice. Ah, sandwiches from the fridge? terrible.
Capital One Cafe is perfectly suited to the needs of people like me. The publisher seems to have thought everything. From a wealth of outlets to spaces, zoom calls are expanded to food and drinks to keep you fueled.
Speaking of food, the menu only contained a handful of items, but I was delighted and surprised. My friend ordered a signature breakfast club and directed me to do the same. I did – it was a very decent sandwich. The Dijonas sauce definitely hit the spot.
Get some coffee – and free financial advice
Coworking and snacks are not where cafes are finished serving. According to a spokesman for Capital One, “The Capital OneCafés is designed to rethink the banking experience by allowing you to gain confidence in your relationship with money.” Capital OneCafé is currently closed 50 locations It spreads to 19 states. They offer services focused on financial literacy and access, including a variety of programs and workshops.
The types of community services you can find at the cafe include:
bank
Capital One Café can offer some of the typical branch experience. For example, my local cafe has ambassadors that can help you manage existing accounts, open new accounts, or chat about new accounts that you can discuss applications. Auto Loan.
As I mentioned, there is also a Capital 1 ATM for making deposits and getting cash.
Money & Life Program
I think this is very exciting. Money and life A free program designed to help you build your financial path. It pairs you with a certified coach to create a personalized plan to achieve your money goals. Get up to three 60-minute sessions with your mentor to understand your financial priorities, obstacles and next steps.
Capital One also offers online tools such as financial exercises and on-demand videos that cover a variety of financial topics.
Workshop
Capital One may hold workshops to support the community run by the cafe.
For example, a publisher spokesman shared with me that Capital One has held a series of opening hours at cafes around the country and is partnering with the National College Attainment Network (NCAN). During these workshops, NCAN volunteers walked the students through the university’s application process, answered their questions and discussed recent changes to the application.
The publisher has expanded the partnership and plans additional events at cafes around the country until the end of August.
Prize Event
The cafe will host community building and financial events. Join a local cafe or watch the event online.
For example, the Capital One website currently lists MLB Mondays, and you can get free homemade drinks from the cafe on Monday during the 2025 MLB regular season. Alternatively, you can sign up for external festivals and summits announced by Capital One and Rei Co-op from May 31st to June 2nd, and get special early bird perks through participating Capital One Cafes.
Cardholder Exclusive
Some events require an a Capital One Card. These are shared directly with customers based on their communication preferences. In the past, for example, Capital One has offered cocktail making classes at several cafe locations (fun!), and even had the opportunity to win a Taylor Swift concert ticket.
Capital One Cafe is expanding
Capital One Cafés seems to be a successful concept, not just my city. With things from other major US cities going so well, Capital One has decided to expand to a new location. Merger with the discoverer Also included schedule To add Cafés to Places Capital, one is flagged as an underserved, low to medium region. We hope that by opening coffee shops in these areas, Capital One will be able to provide better financial education programs and banking services to its residents, along with the coworking space.
Conclusion
To be honest, even as a loyal capital 1 cardholder, I have found the idea of a bank-run cafe gimmick. I wasn’t expecting much from then, but I was delighted and surprised. For those looking for a new coffee shop, we recommend checking out the local cafe if it’s nearby.
My experience made me hope that more publishers made an effort to connect with the communities they serve. If the third place is important and you are offering delicious coffee Free money adviceI’m everything for it.
