Review of Luck Brothers Coffeehouse in Columbus, Ohio

When Luck Brothers Coffee House opened in December, it became an instant hit among those in the pedestrian neighborhood of Grandview Heights in Columbus, Ohio. Part of the reason for the success of Luck Brothers can be attributed to the fact that it's a locally-owned and operated coffee house, unlike the swarm of other corporate coffee joints that have infiltrated Columbus in recent years. Another reason it is thriving is because it offers excellent locally-roasted coffee as well as a friendly atmosphere that encourages mingling and socializing (as opposed to burying your nose in your laptop and keeping to yourself). Luck Brothers may not be the most glamorous coffee spot in Columbus, Ohio, but it is certainly a laid-back coffee house with a central location.

The Luck Brothers are Andy and Edward Luck, both of whom have held a variety of jobs before falling into the coffee business. Despite the fact that they haven't been dedicated baristas all their lives, however, is a surprise, given their extensive understanding of what it takes to produce excellent coffee drinks. They have an astounding menu of drinks, all of which pack a caffeine buzz, and their employees are friendly and efficient and all seem to share in the passion for coffee. Most of the time while I sit at one of the comfortable booths in the back of the Luck Brothers Coffee House in Columbus, Ohio, I can hear the espresso machine running almost constantly, which means most of the visitors are ordering something other than the standard coffee. This is not a surprise since it seems that many of the patrons at Luck Brothers were there for the long haul, studying on laptops, playing chess and Scrabble, or having a chat.

For those who love to play board games, Luck Brothers is a great place to mingle with strangers over your favorite game. As already mentioned, it is home to a chess night as well as Scrabble games of a competitive nature. Their website offers more details about the nights during which these events are held and I usually check it a few times a week to see what bands or local musicians are playing. Again, it's not the most hip place to hang out and sip an espresso, but it's working towards that goal. I was impressed at the caliber of musicians they have playing lately on the little "stage" by the window overlooking the park on First Avenue in Grandview Heights. Some nights, customers from The Old Bag of Nails restaurant are drawn in by the music or small crowd for an after-dinner coffee, which keeps the clientele at Luck Brothers Coffee House always different with a core group of regulars.

The décor at Luck Brothers Coffee House is relaxing and neutral but lacks the kind of style found at other local coffee houses such as the always eclectic Victorian's Midnight Café. The walls are the same brown found at Rax and don't do any favors for the artwork by local artists scattered along the walls. Still, despite this minor flaw, there are several other plusses that make up for this aspect, including the minor details such as ample electrical outlets for the plugging in of notebooks, serene lighting, comfortable and varied seating, and an excellent free wireless connection.

Luck Brothers Coffee House is a wonderful addition to the Grandview Heights community in Columbus, Ohio and has already established itself as one of the places to go to meet friends, study, play games, or kick back and relax to great tunes by local musicians. Being a locally-owned business, it also is committed to serving the community and tries to keep things that way. From the coffee to the art to the music, it is all based in and run by Columbus, Ohio folks, which is another added bonus.