There’s nothing that keeps college students going more than caffeine. Whether its coffee, energy drinks or everything in between, University of Connecticut students thrive on it. But where can one acquire these important beverages? Today, writers from The Daily Campus’ Life section offer their thoughts on the best places to get caffeinated on campus.
Noa Climor, SMOC, she/her/hers, noa.climor_mizrahi@uconn.edu
I am very fond of coffee and luckily, there are many places on campus to get caffeinated. A personal favorite of mine is South Dining Hall — and I know that sounds odd but hear me out! If you’re already paying for a meal plan, the coffee station at South (and I think all dining halls) comes in handy, especially if you can bring in a travel mug.
My second favorite is Bookworms, since their hours make it so that even when I’m studying late, I can get some caffeine. A third is Dog Lane Cafe, which makes a great mocha and has some good pastries to buy alongside it.
Overall, Storrs has many places to get caffeine and a lot of places are open late! I will say that a fourth unofficial favorite is my dorm, since my Keurig is not only wonderful but also, and most importantly, free.
Max Muller, Campus Correspondent, he/him/his, jvy24001@uconn.edu
Personally, I’m not a huge coffee guy and no matter how many times I retry it, coffee never tastes like anything but dirt. I’ve tried everything from creamers to pumpkin spice, but at this point nothing can change my mind.
For many, going out and ordering coffee is a part of their morning experience, but I think that’s a little weird. I prefer having the freedom to crawl out of bed and down a Monster without having to look another human in the eye. I don’t even really have a favorite flavor; I just grab a box of whatever colors look cool when I’m at the store.
I admit that having too many cans of Monster in any given week makes my soul vibrate against my bones, but I prefer to look at that as a cost-saving measure more than anything. If I know that drinking more than one Monster in a week will make me wired, then I’m going to be spending much less than someone who gets an ultra-customized sugar drink every morning.
Logan de la Rosa, Campus Correspondent, he/him/his, logan.de_la_rosa@uconn.edu
The Beanery is easily the best place to get caffeinated on campus. For starters, it features a shockingly large drink selection that can go toe to toe with the likes of Dunkin’ and Starbucks. From coffee to chai to Monster, they’ve got it all.
Second, it’s in the perfect location for students: right in the heart of campus inside the Benton Museum. Moreover, the museum’s exhibitions and decor add an element of class to the establishment, surrounding your caffeination experience with impeccable vibes.
However, where The Beanery shines brightest is in its excellent management and workers. They’ve gone above and beyond in fostering a friendly environment for customers, with almost all regulars being known on a first name basis. For this reason, The Beanery goes beyond being just somewhere to get a drink but also a place where you can feel welcomed, regardless of how you order.
Alex Klancko, Campus Correspondent, he/him/his, ivb24001@uconn.edu
The best place to get caffeinated on campus is the Dunkin’ at the Student Union. Not only do they have good iced coffees including the Caramel Crazed Iced Signature Latte or Cold Brew, but they also have good hot coffee like the Americano or Dunkin’ Midnight. Pair that with the great selection of food — including plain or everything stuffed bagel minis and blueberry muffins — and you have a perfect spot on campus.
If you’re not into bagels or muffins, Dunkin’s donut selection is fantastic. You can never go wrong with a strawberry frosted sprinkled, maple frosted, glazed chocolate, old fashioned, jelly or Boston Kreme donut. They also have munchkins if you want bite-sized donuts. And if you’re not into any of the previously mentioned items, they have refreshers in strawberry dragon fruit, mango pineapple, blueberry breeze or berry sangria flavors. They also have Dunkin’ Energies in berry burst, peach sunshine or tornado twist flavors.