Dayglow's blue frontage on Wilson Avenue opens onto a bright café with glossy surfaces, tables and a conspicuous selection of coffee bags. This is Bushwick, in northern Brooklyn, where a visit can easily become as much about browsing the shelf as ordering a drink. The Los Angeles-born business brings together coffees from several countries and roasters, with Niteglow's beer and cocktail service sharing the address.
Coffee
The range is the draw. Dayglow serves its own coffee alongside selections from independent roasters in the US and abroad, so the menu can change considerably from one visit to another. Ask what is currently on espresso before choosing a familiar milk drink. The bar is a chance to encounter a roaster you might otherwise only find through an international order.
Signature drinks and matcha broaden the choice beyond black coffee.
Filter
The selection by the cup rewards a little attention. Use the tasting descriptions to narrow it down, then ask about two options rather than trying to decode the whole list at once. A familiar origin from an unfamiliar roaster can be a good starting point; an unusual process is a more adventurous choice if you already know what you tend to like.
Retail is unusually prominent, with bags from changing producers such as Coffee Collective, Fritz and Kawa appearing in the wider selection. Stock varies. Check the roast date, bag size and intended brewing style before buying, particularly when comparing coffees with very different prices.
Pastry
There are pastries to accompany the coffee, though the shelf of beans is a stronger reason to make the trip than the food counter. Plan for a small bite with a drink, and keep a separate meal in mind if you are spending the day in Brooklyn. A pastry and one carefully chosen filter make a manageable first order from a large selection.
Service & Room
Indoor tables and outdoor seats give the café more flexibility than a takeaway counter. It can accommodate a short spell of reading or work, but outlets are not something to rely on. The room also changes purpose later: Niteglow brings beer and cocktails to the same address. Check coffee-service times separately if a particular brew is the reason for an evening journey.
Why Filter Notes shortlisted Dayglow
Choose Dayglow for the chance to taste and buy coffees from several roasters in one stop. It suits a curious drinker with time to browse, or friends whose orders range from filter to a signature drink. The broad selection is the attraction; give yourself enough time to choose from it.