Beanscene

This is a better than average coffee shop with good plug availability and access to a dependable wireless network with purchase. The staff is warm and friendly, and the coffee, baked goods and teas are pretty good, especially the London Fog and the chocolate chip shortbread. The wireless network uses timed access codes, but they’ll give you extra wireless receipts if you ask. The place is always active but seldom packed. It’s a good place to work or even to have a casual meeting. It has two outdoor seating areas, one in front and one in the back, and a free community bulletin board by the toilets.

Interior is nice, staff is nice, coffee is nice, food (at least what I had) was horrible. Spicy chicken sandwich tasted like plastic. So, pretty meh.

A few years ago Beanscene was in trouble and were bought by Fifi&Ally. Talk was of rejuvenating the menu quality and range, improving the comfort and possible further expansion. I’ve seen no evidence of this in any of the franchise cafes and the Skirving St branch staggers on despite giving the appearance of being on the brink of closure. No money has been spent on this branch in years and the peeling paint, weather worn external wood, clapped out sofas, dirty floor and early 2000s music mix CDs blaring are hardly inviting. I am amazed this venue is still in business, but it does have an advantage in its location for passing to-​go trade.
There are far better coffee shops (roasting their own blends) a few minutes walk away as well as the usual chains. The food is dull and overpriced and coffee (the last time I checked) was actually Costa’s blend. More positively, there is a large seating area including outside space at the front and back, as well as being mother and baby friendly.
Shawlands deserves better.

Beanscene is like an old reliable, comfy pair of shoes. By that I’m not suggesting their coffee tastes like feet — it’s one of those places that becomes a regular haunt, and you become so familiar in its setting that its coziness continues to lure you in.
This Beanscene is no exception. Spent about 5 hours in here yesterday with a good chum, eating cake and nattering. With its brown décor and dimmed lights, it’s the kind of place you can curl up on a battered leather couch and stay there till your bum shape is moulded into the seat. The staff (particularly in this branch) are very amiable and chatty, so they shouldn’t have to throw you out.
In terms of coffee, they’re got the usual offerings. There are loads of herbal teas, hot chocolate syrup shots, cakes galore and nacho’s on the menu. Prices aren’t ridiculous, but it’s not the cheapest, either.
Beanscene isn’t one of my all time favourites, but it’s a franchise that I regularly haunt, and it’s been around long enough to know how to give good, consistent customer service. There appear to be a lot of Beanscene haters out there in the Unilocal realm, but I can honestly say that I’ve never had a bad experience. In this part of Shawlands, it’s one of your safest bets for a wee cup of coffee — and open later than most of its counterparts which is always best to bear in mind!

This was the first of its kind and for that reason, it’s brings back some fond memories for me. You know, it did provide somewhere to hang about in after school, that wasn’t a street or chippy. I know, I was super cool back then.
Anyway, this place does still seem to attract school kids as well as parents with babies, toddlers and kiddies in general. Thus, it can get pretty loud, busy and stressful at times (mostly 11am, lunchtime and early afternoon). So basically, any preferable time for a quick coffee and cake during the day.
Nevertheless, it is a nice comfortable setting with good seating arrangements, nice photographs on the walls and decent standard background music. Although, as Gareth points out this can get a little loud at times.
Meanwhile, the coffee, hot chocolates and the like are of standard quality. Likewise, the food is decent — though a bit over priced for what you get. But, it’s nice having an alternative to the surrounding pubs, restaurants and takeaways so it does suit its purpose.
Another bonus, is the friendly staff who offer good, quick service. I might have a little bit of a crush on a certain tall, dark and handsome stranger who works here… but I’m not biased at all.

As is typical with any franchise, the Beanscene in Shawlands is much the same as its counterparts across the city (and the country). However, this Beanscene holds the distinction of being the first of its kind, and is thus something of a curiosity.
Beanscene was one of the first indications of changes afoot in the southside — previously the thought of a coffee shop springing up in Glasgow anywhere outside the West End would have been unthinkable (slight exaggeration).
As is the way with all Beanscenes, it is satisfying enough experience. Extremely expensive paninis, not very exciting but not offensive, are served up with pretty average coffee in relaxing surroundings. Not the best one though.

Beanscene is a Scottish wide chain that, despite its name, does not serve the highest quality coffee. It does has comfortable seating, and become a sort of default location for coffee mornings, and is very often very busy.
It tends to attract young mothers and is, at times, too noisy. This particular branch has, from time to time, decide to turn the music up beyond the usual subtle background noise, making conversation more difficult than it needs to be. On the other hand, the staff are polite and efficient, with quick service the rule. The food is cheap enough and filling: the cakes are usually tiptop and the main meals generous in size.
There is outside seating for smokers, although it goes onto a crowded street and is not quite pleasant enough for spending hours people-​watching. There are plenty of other nice cafes in the area and this isn’t even an especially great example of a Beanscene.

Yummy mummy indeed. There’s consistency with the Beanscene locations. Give their nachos a go along with a large hot chocolate with marshmallows. YUUMMYYY.

If you like great traybake and cakes, then Beanscene is head and shoulders above the rest of the coffee houses in Glasgow. Exceptionally comfortable sofas, well set out spaces designed for comfort and socialising — a lot of cafes fee like you’ve been shoehorned into a tiny space. Free wifi, great nachos, good soft drinks. There are trendier coffee houses in Glasgow, but none better than Beanscene.

A great place to slouch in a comfy sofa, reading a book whilst sipping a latte. However not the place to go if you fancy a chat with a mate. The noise level is far too loud to be able to converse. They serve pizza and paella. You can bring you own bottle when live bands are playing — so they more than make up for the loud volume.