ARS Cafe

The coffee is good and good price but barista spend time talking about her personal life to a friend instead of working. Typical Gen Z behavior. Please focus on the job your doing and talk personal matters if there are no customers if you’re unable to multitask.

This review is mostly for management to address because I actually like this coffee shop and I do go there often enough to know that they run a good local business with good coffee and keep things clean. Service is always fast and friendly, and the dining area is almost always bustling with locals and tourists side-by-side enjoying a chat over a cup of brew. I dont want to put any single person on blast so I'll keep it anonymous, but the last time I went I had a very unfriendly, very unmotivated person serving me. I walked in and there was no line, juat a few people at the tables, and a friend of the barista having a chat with the barista at the counter. I was the only person that needed to be served. Im big on manners and, having been in the service industry for 25+ years, I like to mind my manners especially so to people who are about to serve me beverages or food. I will ALWAYS say "hello, please, and thank you," as a bare minimum. "Hello, may I please have an ice coffee, thank you." (Thats the rudest you'll ever get from me) So it is glaring to me when a service industry employee doesnt give me at least ⅓ of the kindness courtesy back to me. Just the bare minimum is what I seek. Im not difficult. I make easy orders. I smile. Im not rude. I tip on everything. All I ask for is a thank you or a warm welcome. The person manning the counter was so busy chatting with their homie that a proper greeting couldn't be muttered, and the continued back and forth conversation couldn't be paused for 20 seconds as I placed my simple order. Its honestly not that hard to please a grab and go customer. Show them a smile. Say thank you. I understand in busy times with rude people, it can be difficult. This was not one of those times, and Im not one of those people. I will continue to grab coffee at this place, but employees need a discussion.

Do not get the royal milk tea. It is simply not what you imagine. I thought it would be similar to the brown milk tea from those canned drink. This was just a cup of milk with a hint of oolong smell. (See the photo). It was not sweetened as well so I wanted to go back and ask for a refund but they were preoccupied and slow. Would not exactly recommend. The vibes are nice but deceiving because the drink was not close to good at all.

The baristas and cashiers are indifferent to your presence. Not only do they make you feel like you’re inconveniencing them but they also don’t even look at you when speaking and sigh when you ask them a question about a drink. When waiting for your drink , make sure you’re listening very carefully because even if the cafe is a bit noisy they’ll call out your drink softly and not repeat it, making the drink water down on the counter. Don’t work in jobs that require customer service if this is your attitude.

I dropped by this cafe after hiking Diamond Head. It’s walkable from Diamond Head if you like walking. It’s not even close though. The cafe is chill vibe, and beautiful loco arts. It’s perfect place to get relaxed, and escaped the heat outside. I had a limited drink. It was tasty, and beautiful contrast between cold brew and the cream. I enjoyed spending time here.