Verve on Melrose

Ranked #x

West Hollywood

8925 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

https://www.vervecoffee.com

Power Outlets: No Outlets Available

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Available

Noise Level: Noisy

Workspace: Okay

Cost: $10-20 per person

Coffee = Excellent

Food = Good

Bathrooms = Clean & Accessible

Staff = Good

Guests = Young Designer/Creatives

Parking = Tricky

Introduction

There are reasons why I go to this Verve location sparingly, even though I do love it from an aesthetic perspective. Functionally, it isn’t the best place to get work done it is a rather motivating place to go for short spurts of work. If anything, you’ll get a really good cup of coffee in a trendy neighborhood.

No Oulets Available

If you’re planning to work from Verve on Melrose, come fully charged. Every outlet in the space has been visibly covered and you are left with zero options for charging your laptop or phone. This isn’t an accident. It’s a deliberate choice, and it’s something I’ve seen more often in design-focused cafes that prioritize quick turnover and discourage remote workers from setting up shop for hours.

There are no outlets inside, no outlets outside, no hidden plugs under tables or along walls.

If you’re just stopping by for an hour or two and don’t need to plug in, it’s fine. But if you’re planning a real work session, you’ll want to come battery prepared or have a backup plan.

Wi-Fi Available

Download Speed: 6.9 Mbps

Upload Speed: 22.7 Mbps

Ping: 20 ms

Jitter: 5 ms

At first glance, the Wi-Fi stats don’t look impressive, but in practice, it holds up. Despite the modest download speed, the connection remains stable, even during busier hours, and handles most day-to-day remote tasks just fine. I’ve worked here using VPN and had no drops or connection issues.

Login is simple, just connect to the network, accept the terms on the splash page, and you’re in. No asking baristas for a password.

If your workflow involves heavy file downloads or video-heavy creative platforms, this probably isn’t your best bet. But for writing, Teams, emails, light browsing, and even standard video calls, it gets the job done.

Noisy

70 dB with Reverberation

The inside of Verve has a clean, airy aesthetic, but the sound really carries. Even with a decibel average around 70dB, sharp, sudden noises, like the espresso machine knocking out grounds or plates clanking n the back, can spike as high as 88dB, and it’s jarring. These sounds cut through conversations and sometimes even startle you. It’s one of the louder cafes I’ve worked in, and if you’re easily distracted or trying to hop on a call, it’s probably not your best option.

Music is always on, and today it’s been a full Indie Rock type vibe. The volume stays consistent, low enough not to overpower but present in the mix. General chatter from guests gets completely overrun by the barista station, so the people noise fades into the background pretty quickly.

If you’re looking for a place to take calls or just want a calmer atmosphere, the outdoor patio is a much better option. It’s tranquil, shaded, and has a peaceful feel, even with some ambient conversation.

Okay Workspace

Indoor:

6 two-person regular height tables

2 regular height bar counters (5 seats ea.)

Barista bar seating (seats 3)

Outside Front:

Full-length bar-height counter (seats 10+)

Outside Patio:

Seating area on steps (approximately 4 people)

5 two-person regular height tables

1 four-person regular height table

Inside, the standard chairs with backs are decent hard wood with no padding, but supportive enough for a few hours of work. The bar stools, though? Not built for the long haul. I literally overheard someone today say his back was killing him after sitting there too long. He was trying to laugh it off, but I could feel his pain.

Outside, it’s a similar situation. The chairs are the same type as indoors with a different style, and while they work for short sessions, they are not something you want to park in all day. The benches along the sides of some tables get stiff fast. The steps with cushions are great for lounging or social time, but unless you’re the type of person who works cross legged with a laptop on your knees, they’re not exactly ergonomic.

The tables here are small. Expect just enough room for a laptop and your drink. If you’re workin with someone else, your laptops will likely be bumping or hanging off the edge. That goes for both indoor and outdoor setups, including the bar counters. You get slightly more depth than a traditional table, but not enough for spread-out work.

Verve Melrose is popular, and it shows. Every time I come here, it’s packed. Expect to wait for a seat during peak hours. This isn’t a place where you walk in and instantly settle into a spot. If you’re on a tight schedule, build in extra time.

Tables are packed fairly close together. You’ll be shoulder to shoulder with the person next to you inside, and while the outdoor patio gives a bit more breathing room, it’s still tight. Not ideal for private convos or large setups.

Lighting is where Verve really delivers. The space is flooded with natural light, thanks to large front facing windows. It’s perfectly balanced with the blonde wood interiors and well placed artificial lighting. No glare, no eye strain. It’s one of the best-lit cafes I’ve worked in, and that makes a big difference when you’re trying to focus.

Verve blends modern design with organic and communal elements, pulling off that West Coast cafe vibe with just enough polish. Think modern-bohemian meets Euro inspired cafe with LA roots. It’s elevated but unpretentious. There’s a creative, local energy here that makes it feel both like a neighborhood favorite and a destination spot. Whether you’re posted up with your laptop or just soaking up the atmosphere, it feels purposeful but never stiff.

Cost at an Average of $10-20 per Person

Verve Melrose lands in that familiar $10-$20 range for a coffee and a bite. Whether you’re grabbing one of their more crafted drinks or a light snack, you’re going to end up in that ballpark pretty easily.

There’s no posted seat limit, but this place fills up fast and stays busy. If you’re sitting for a while without anything on the table, you’ll probably start to feel it. The baristas aren’t pushy, but it’s clear this isn’t a slow-camp kind of spot. Keeping something in front of you helps.

They do have a self-serve water station tucked into the barista bar, which makes it easy to refill without bothering anyone, but just know the energy here is more fast-moving than “settle in and stay all day.”

Excellent Coffee - Good Food

The coffee at Verve Melrose is excellent. Everything is crafted with care, and the quality is clear from the first sip. Whether you’re ordering something simple or a more layered drink, you’ll get a clean, well-balanced cup every time.

The food? Also high quality, but definitely on the light side. You’ll find things like avocado toast, seasonal sandwiches, and a breakfast sandwich. Just know that while they look great and lean healthy, they’re not built to fill you up.

Last time I ordered the avocado toast, it looked great, but the bread was so hard I found myself regretting the price tag. That’s not to say it was bad, but for something priced close to a full meal, it fell short of that expectation.

Everything that you bring to the table comes with a nice presentation. The menu includes vegan options for those with dietary restrictions. Nothing on the menu is overly messy or distracting to eat while working, it’s designed more for grazing than full on dining, which fits the overall vibe here.

Clean & Accessible Bathrooms

The bathrooms here are well designed and well maintained, matching the rest of the cafe’s aesthetic. Clean lines, nice finishes, and even the tiling is worth a quick nod. It all feels cohesive with the interior.

They’re located just past the barista area and no code is needed to get in. That alone is a plus when you’re mid-work session and don’t want to deal with any requests to the barista’s.

The bathrooms are ADA accessible and spacious, which makes a big difference for comfort and usability. There are sometimes lines to the two available bathrooms since this cafe gets to busy.

Good Staff and Young Designer/Creative Guests

The staff at Verve Melrose keeps things moving, but they don’t exactly go out of their way to connect. You’ll see some light small talk with guests, but don’t expect warm barista banter or any real rapport. They’re not rude, they’re just focused. With how busy the shop stays, thats understandable. Still, compared to other cafes where the team adds to the atmosphere, here it feels a bit more transactional.

As for remote workers, laptops are everywhere, and I’ve never seen staff ask anyone to leave. That being said, the place is almost always at capacity and there’s a definite unspoken expectation to wrap it up once your drink is done. You won’t feel pressured directly, but you’ll feel it in the energy of the space.

The crowd here is young, design-savvy, and very LA. You’re in the design district. People are dressed well, deep into creative work, or catching up over curated matches. It’s upscale but approachable, and everyone seems to be working on something.

The vibe is energetic, with moments of chaos from the barista station, but overall it fuels productivity. If you’re the type who’s inspired by a little movement and motivation around you, this is a great place to lock in and push through. It’s the kind of environment that nudges you to do something creative, or at least look like you are.

Tricky Parking

Parking at Verve on Melrose is honestly a pain, unless you wanna pay for it. It’s all paid street parking with time limits that make it nearly impossible to post up for a full work session. Most of the spots max out at 2 hours during peak hours, and between the restrictions and the constant turnover, it’s not built for anyone hoping to stay for half a day or more. If you’re local or just popping in for a quick work sprint, you’ll be fine. For anything longer, it’s not ideal.

There are no nearby lots and no free options. It’s the kind of place where you’ll be watching the clock, not just your inbox.

Public transit is somewhat close. Bus lines run on Santa Monica Blvd, just a block away. Just keep in mind that traffic in this part of the city gets very congested during rush hours, whether you’re driving or taking transit.

For accessibility, there’s a separate side entrance at street level for wheelchair users. It’s not the main front entrance, but it’s located at a corner and integrates well into the flow of the space. It doesn’t feel like an afterthought or awkward workaround, just a clean, ground level option that blends into the layout naturally.

Summary

Verve Melrose is one of those places that looks like a dream and works, kind of. The coffee is excellent, the design is dialed in, and the crowd is inspiring if you’re into that LA creative energy. But from a practical remote-work perspective, it comes with limitations. No outlets. Small tables. Limited parking. It’s definitely not a stay-all-day setup.

It can be a motivating space to knock out a short burst of focused work. The natural light is exceptional, the atmosphere is energetic, and there’s a steady rhythm of people doing interesting things around you. If you live nearby, come fully charged, and just need a couple hours of aesthetic-driven productivity, it delivers.

But if you’re looking for an extended work session, private calls, or deep focus - you’ll probably feel the friction. This is more of a get in, get inspired, get out kind of spot. And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.