Vinyl Cafe

Category:	Cafe
Address:	303 Kellogg Ave, Ames, IA 50010, USA
Phone:	+1 515-460-2116
Rating:	4.8
Working:	10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 12–4PM

Location

Photos 39

Reviews 31

Eric Hild

TL;DR - Good coffee & great staff, but horrible vinyl retailer. The coffee is great, the staff is hospitable and very friendly. The Vinyl Cafe also has helped develop and support the music scene in Ames. They are a blessing to the community in that aspect. I have no complaints when it comes to The Vinyl Cafe as a coffee shop. I do, however, have an issue with VC as a record store. As an avid record collector, the up marking prices on the albums they sell is horrible and it prays on the naivete of less educated collectors/consumers. While they primarily focus on used albums, most of them are often in FAIR or POOR condition. Torn jackets and scratched up records are usually being sold for $20+ for "well known" artists like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and other albums/artist considered by new collectors as "must haves". Its pretty rare to see album worth their salt in GOOD or VG condition. I understand having some higher than average pricing, they have to make a living and supporting your local business and all, but 2-5x the average selling point is ludicrous, espically for the condition they are typically sold for. I would rate the place 3 stars because of this, but I can easily skip albums and get them else where if I really wanted to, and the coffee and people are great.

Savannah Maynard

Coffee is awesome. The owner/barista was very nice and friendly to me. Gave me a card for a free drink next time I come in. The vinyl selection sucked...mostly 70s/80s pop and soft rock. At least the part that I saw. I wasnt able to get into the back room because there were a ton of people in there just socializing, not even looking at records. The space is very small and cramped feeling. I overheard the owner telling someone that they just got a huge shipment of records to add to the collection this summer, so hopefully there will be better selections soon. The reviewer who said the owner and his friend were being loud- same thing happened when I was there. They were talking about eating their wives placentas. Very obnoxious while I was just trying to find some good records. Ill probably come back, but only because I want to see the new additions.

Lydia Loya

Live right by this place and it is my favorite by far! Great coffee and a super chill owner who obviously knows his coffee. Off the record, the vinyl selection is pretty good. Anything from orchestrated classical to modern alt. If this is a place youve heard about and never visited, its time you vinyl-ly checked it out!

Ashley Thompson

Just moved to Ames and was looking for a nice, local coffee shop not overrun by corporate advertising. Vinyl Cafe is an awesome spot downtown to grab a tasty cup and look through vintage records. Reminds me of my favorite coffee spots when I lived in NOLA and Athens, GA. Owner was super friendly.

D. WOOD

someone took a lower level location in a 75 yr. old building and turned it into a gem of a place to get great coffee, brunch, vinyl. great place to do some laptoppin. I drive from Des Moines just to look for records. Dont chance a thing.

Austin Toombs

Coffee was good, but this is definitely not a place you can concentrate / get work done. Owner / barista and his friend were talking really loudly the entire time I was there.

Aimee Pierce

Browse a wide variety of vinyl while enjoying a delicious pour over in vinyl cafés wonderful ambiance. Great casual place to read or grab coffee with a friend.

Bryanaughey

Owner was extremely friendly and very helpful. One of the best coffees I have had, as well as great music and atmosphere. I will defiantly be visiting again.

Gustavo MacIntosh

Best coffee in Ames. People are friendly and the place is also really cool. Good music taste, I have yet to hear a current pop song...

Preston Burja

Blake makes one feel like another piece to the puzzle that is the Ames community. Great coffee and great place to get a few records.

Richard Sutton

Great place for coffee! One of my favorite shops, and be best coffee and vinyl selection in Ames. I get my coffee here most days!

Jay Lutt

My favorite spot to stop in Ames and check out old Vinyl! Take some time and have a great cup of whatever java you like.

Amy Rowcliffe

The owner Blake, is awesome and I love the quirky mix of old school vinyl records, local art and dynamite coffee!

Dasha Cherepennikova

One of the best iced coffees Ive ever had... And an amazing and really well priced record shop. Super cool place!