The Singin' Bean Coffee Shop & Karaoke

The Singin' Bean
195B 2nd Floor
North Perry St
Lawrenceville, GA

Over the past few years, the historic downtown area of Lawrenceville, GA has undergone something of an extreme makeover. Storefronts have been either spruced up or replaced entirely by new, upscale boutiques and overpriced bars and eateries. The new look may be aesthetically pleasing, but for those of us who live in the area, there is a feeling that the soul has been ripped out of the old town.

Fear not though, because, if you look hard enough, you will find that the heart of the old downtown is still beating and that beat thumps loudest inside, "The Singin' Bean", a coffe shop with a musical twist. It would be easy to dismiss this karaoke, caffeine combo as a gimick, but in doing so you would be missing out on a thriving little business that treats its customers like family and provides the kind of personalized service that is sorely lacking in the big chain shops, no matter how many times they write your name on their venti cups.

From the moment you step inside the front door and head on up the creaky, lopsided staircase, you know you are in for something different. The store area is split into five distinct, musically themed rooms running the gamut from Victorian era to Elvis. The brick walls are lined with album covers, autographed pictures and all manner of musical parephernalia as well as pictures of the owners surrounded by family, friends and customers, all of which comes together nicely and perfectly fits the feel of the whole place.

At the back of the shop, behind the counter and through a hanging black curtain, sits the karaoake area. It's a cozy little spot that comfortably seats 24 without feeling cramped. This area is always open, but if you want to step up to the mic and test your pipes, you will have to do so on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, and be sure to bring the kids along, secure in the fact that you will be in a alcohol and smoke free environment.

The entertainment available is great, but the shop wouldn't last if the food and drink didn't match up to the music. I usually go for the vanilla latte, a deliciously creamy brew that almost always makes me spring for a re-fill. From what I can tell, all the drinks on the menu must match the taste of mine judging by the number of folks looking to get top ups in their large, colorful mugs. The food menu mainly consists of salads and sandwiches, all of which are very reasonably priced. Breakfast is covered too with your choice of a bagel or croissant filled with egg, cheese and either chicken, bacon or pork loin (highly recommended).

The Singin' Bean is a gem of a place that works well on all levels; coffee shop, eatery, entertainment hotspot and private party destination (the 5 room set-up is a perfect way to have that party and still feel like you have the place to yourself). So, next time your in the Lawrenceville area, drive past that big name chain and head to The Bean, I promise you will not be disappointed.

Store Hours :

Sunday and Monday Closed

Tues-Fri 9am-3pm

Wed re-open 6pm-11:30 (karaoke)

Friday re-open 5pm-11:30 (karaoke)

Saturday ALL DAY (karaoke)

10am-11:30pm

http://www.thesinginbean.com