Sips Coffee Bar

"I want to preface this by saying, I've put this review off for a long time. I've loved this place for years, been coming out there since 2017, and never wanted to have to make a review like this for somewhere I loved so much. Sips. Those who have been in Tampa for a long time know it well, very well. It was a local shop with more charm than anywhere else. Key word: Was. Back when Caryn ran the shop, it was a traditional, small-town coffee shop putting out better drinks than any "trendy" shops were. While also offering normally seasonal beverages year round. While also having arguably the best barista crew anyone could ask for. You felt like family walking in, it was a fantastic, one-of-a-kind experience that nowhere else in the Tampa area ever offered. I still remember when the drive thru was open during Covid, we went 60 days in a row. Because they were the only thing open that we loved. So we kept going back, and every single time we would see the same crew as usual. Caryn and the others were always extremely welcoming and were 75% of the reason why Sips was such a loved shop. You can get great coffee anywhere in the area, but you can never replicate the experience of going to Sips. We managed to find some of the old crew working at other shops after they had left, but it will never be the same without the synergy everyone had. It was like going to see family every time. A couple years back, Caryn retired, and a new, remote owner from Oklahoma took over. I don't know a thing about this guy, except he's the biggest imbecile in the coffee business right now and utterly destroyed everything that made Sips worthwhile and special. He took a fantastic local coffee shop, rebranded it into this generic, boring place with 0 charm, and lost everyone left on the team with it. Everyone there wasn't just able to be argued as the best baristas in the state, they were absolutely fantastic people, and deserved so much better than the hand they were dealt post-ownership change. I'd like to give some suggestions to people of other coffee shops in the area, places that won't replicate the charm of the original Sips, but will certainly provide you a better experience than what you'll get at the new one tarnishing the name and legacy of it. So, Sips is out. What next? What can "replace" Sips? Well, while nothing really can fill the void of losing a place like this, we have close seconds. Which is all we can ask for, because to rebuild something like what Sips was, is statistically impossible. There's Elevation Coffee in Northdale, Blind Tiger in Westchase, Caffeine Roasters in South Tampa, and Haven House in Safety Harbor. All 4 of those are shops I've been visiting often since we lost Sips. If this was 2019, I'd have given this place 5 stars. I'd have said it's the best shop in Tampa and deserves to be marked in every guide we have. But this isn't 2019, and this isn't Sips. This is a generic coffee shop Buffalo Bill-ing an irreplaceable shop. It's sad what's become of this place. The best anyone can do now is hope it closes swiftly, so the locals who remember, can cherish the legacy and memories of what we were so fortunate and lucky to have."

"Wow!! What an improvement! Ive been coming for years and I have seen the customer service go up and down. It was getting pretty rough up until recently! The new manager is fantastic. He really cares about what he does! He engages, and encourages his staff. They genuinely look like they enjoy their job, and that makes a world of difference for your customers. Thank you for such great service today guys!"

"Been a regular since 2017. Knew there would be growing pains with new crew but this is getting ridiculous. They are friendly and nice. However, l experienced long wait times for even short lines consistently. Current ownership needs to read all recent reviews and take action. Obviously you messed up when the full crew quit. Would not recommend this spot if you need a quick coffee."

"In the morning, I was in search of a coffee house and decided to check out Sips Speciality Coffee House. The cafe is beautifully decorated with Halloween-themed decor, and it's cozy and inviting. For my order, I chose to have a Cafe Hot Mocha, a Hot Chocolate, a Bagel with Cream Cheese, and a slice of Pumpkin Bread. The service was quick, and I received my order in less than 5 minutes. Both the Hot Mocha and Hot Chocolate were freshly brewed and tasted delicious. The Bagel with Cream Cheese was heavenly, and the Pumpkin Bread was also good. I appreciate that the cafe offers various coffee options, and the servers were kind, helpful, and always had a smile on their face. Overall, I had a great experience at Sips Speciality Coffee House. On my way back home from a Hindu temple, I felt like having a cup of coffee. I searched for coffee places on my way and found Sips Speciality Coffee House. I decided to make a quick stop at Sips Speciality and was impressed by the beautiful decor inside the coffee house. After looking at the menu, I chose to order the HazelNut coffee and the Sips Mocha Coffee. The service was prompt, and my order was ready within minutes. I savored my Sips Mocha coffee, and it was delightful with freshly brewed coffee. Every sip was refreshing and enjoyable. My wife also loved her hazelnut flavored mocha coffee. It was a refreshing breakfast for her, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. Overall, Sips Speciality is an amazing and beautiful coffee place, and I highly recommend it."

"I've been coming to this place for 14 years, and they still have unique flavors of coffee you can't get anywhere else."