06.02.12: G Live Coffee Bar, London Road

Published on: 6 Feb, 2012
Updated on: 28 Feb, 2012

G Live Coffee Bar, London Road

This week we have visited what is probably Guildford’s newest coffee bar at Guildford’s newest venue – G Live. It might not be your first thought when considering a place to get some refreshment but if you are at the upper part of the town it could be worth a try. For those that have not already visited Guildford’s, state of the art, entertainment centre, it also offers the chance for a superficial look around and make up your own mind as to whether it is public money well invested.

The coffee bar might be of particular interest to mothers with young children, some were present during our visit, perhaps attracted by the facilities, baby changing room and high chairs as well as very easy access for push chairs.

Unfortunately, we found the coffee itself, after all the most important commodity in a café, was not up to scratch. This is a great shame. Producing good coffee is still a little hit and miss for some reason. It is hard to understand when one considers all the technical equipment on show. Hopefully, the standard will improve at G Live or perhaps we were unlucky. If you have been to this café please do add your observations below. The more there are, the more balanced will be the view.

G Live Café - a new Coffee Bar at Guildford's newest venue

Website coffee shop reviews are conducted without the knowledge of shop owners or staff. All scores are out of 5.

Subject	Comments	Score
*Caffe Nero, Guildford High Street*
Coffee	Distinctly below average. Bland taste and was not hot enough.	2
Cakes	Both seemed fresh and tasted good. Generous sizes. Mixed value for money – some good some average.	3.5
Menu range	Extensive, as well as cakes there are many meal options including vegan and gluten free choices. Some items seem a little unusual even adventurous for a coffee bar type venue, e.g. Chorizo and duck eggs (breakfast) and pan fried Cornish mackerel (warm salad), but this is no bad thing. It will be interesting to see if they are popular enough to remain.	4.5
Interior	Bright and modern. Still pretty new so quite pristine. Perhaps not a place for those who prefer cosy surroundings.	4
Atmosphere	Although the coffee bar area forms a part of the lobby it had a good atmosphere, even when not very full it did not have a empty feel.	4
Access	Excellent. Being a modern building good access for everyone has been incorporated. Also high chairs available so could be a good venue for Mums with push chairs and toddlers	5
Service	Polite but not very cheerful. Did bring order to the table on request to save us waiting at the bar.	3
Information	Menus at table and easy access wifi. Opening hours not displayed.	4
Value for money	Order pictured was £7 which represents above average value for money in Guildford.	4
Toilets	Exemplary – Men’s, Ladies’, Disabled and Baby Changing facilities. All equipped with the latest Dyson hand driers.	5
Opening hours	Monday to Saturday: 10am to 6pm (sometimes extended to coincide with events).
Address	London Road, Guildford GU1 2AA Tel: 0844 7701 797 Click here for web page

Our order - disappointing coffee but good cakes

What they say about themselves:

‘G Live Café-Bar

The all-day Café-Bar serves delicious lunches, light snacks, fresh bean-to-cup coffees, teas and infusions along with an extensive and contemporary wine and beer list and a wide range of soft drinks. All of this is complimented by free wireless broadband.

Before each performance, the Café-Bar seamlessly transforms into the ideal setting to enjoy pre-show dining with menus drawing on fresh and locally-sourced ingredients.’

Click here to see last week’s survey – Caffè Nero. Which one will it be next week?

Have you used this coffee shop? What are your views? Please add your own review by using the ‘Leave a Reply’ feature below…