Do you ever find yourself running around campus trying to find a study spot that doesn’t make you depressed? Bass is for when you’re really in the trenches, Sterling and the Gilmore Music Library are a little too quiet and the Stacks are just…the Stacks. Or do you ever find yourself seeking out a cool spot to take your two week situationship that makes you seem cultured and interesting? If you’re someone like me who can’t be bothered to climb every floor of HQ’s Swensen Tower to grab the glass meeting room — or you’re someone who is just looking to get away from campus for a bit — I have just the place for you.
Tucked away in the streets of Whitney and Audubon lies a magical place with tasty treats, drinks and even a night bar. To be honest, I was going to gatekeep this place, but everything about it is just too good to keep to myself.
The Loop by Hachiroku is a hidden gem that has quickly become my new favorite weekend study spot near campus. With a large open interior, The Loop transformed the once empty Audubon Street studio into a supermarket/coffee bar/night bar hybrid.
During the day, they’re a small Japanese supermarket and coffee bar. Not only do they have a plethora of Japanese snacks, drinks and instant noodles, but they also have fresh produce, ready to eat meals and delicious traditional and modern Japanese desserts. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite with a rice ball, or hungry for a meal with a bento or even just craving something sweet, The Loop has something for everyone.
Their coffee bar offers a small but mighty variety of matcha and caffeinated drinks. By far, their matcha latte is some of the best matcha I’ve had near Yale campus.
On the other side of the Supermarket is their night bar/restaurant area where customers are welcome to sit and eat.
The atmosphere is perfect for a little cafe studying. The large interior is grayscale but very sleek, and the walls are a grid of windows that allow lots of sunlight to come in and illuminate the place.
On weekend afternoons, I often find myself making the trek from Stiles to Audubon Street just to get some space and quiet away from campus. With my Daunt Books tote bag and device in hand, I walk into my little pocket of paradise. I buy a matcha latte, coffee jelly and pickled plum rice ball and sit myself at the window bar seats where I proceed to grind for a couple hours until they open for dinner service.
During the evenings, the empty seating area transforms into a sake bar and restaurant with Japanese Tapas. The hanging minimalist light turns on and the tables become candlelit. It’s a great place to bring a date, a friend or do a solo date and treat yourself to a nice meal. I hope to get a table there this weekend.
So if you ever feel like you need a couple hours away from campus during the day, have a craving for some Japanese food or need a fresh new date night place, try out The Loop!