Cuppa Cuppa: Supercollider

There are few things more satisfying than having a morning cuppa cuppa. Of course, that cuppa cuppa can be coffee, tea, or whatever beverage you prefer to get your day started. In this series, a cuppa cuppa doesn’t only refer to the beverage. It’s the conversation, the place you’re at, and the atmosphere. Cuppa cuppas are never rushed. We’re not limited to cafes. So follow us as we enjoy the neighborhood, our neighbors, background chatter, and a cuppa cuppa.

There are many a coffee or breakfast options in our area – places that offer a myriad of choices for your morning pleasure. Sometimes, though, we’re in the mood to keep it simple – a coffee, a pastry, and some really good conversation.

Welcome to Supercollider (609 4th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets), a bar and coffee lounge that focuses on the latter in the morning hours, and the former later in the day and evening.

Supercollider opened in May 2013, and has been a haven for quiz nights, movie screenings, and arts exhibitions. Most recently, they hosted a Park Slope Windsor Terrace Open Studio Artists group show, which closed last week.

“Supercollider is a collision between coffee and beer drinkers. The bar is physics themed,” explains Robert, the owner. Even when relatively empty, there’s something stimulating beyond the coffee. It has qualities of an intellectual haven, off the beaten path on a relatively industrial section of 4th Avenue.

As already mentioned, the menu is pretty basic. It serves coffee, bagels, and pastries. Nothing fancy — and that’s fine by us. A large coffee and pastry will run you a more than fair $5.

Leonard Cohen was crooning when we came in one weekday morning — already a good sign about our stop-by.

But the fun really was in the conversation with Daniel Onorato, who was taking care of coffee duties that morning.

Onorato is a ball of energy, who told us he got to know Supercollider when he came in to perform during an open mic night one evening. He’s also a musician, and was putting his artistic mind to work.

Neighbor Rebecca Aidlin is a morning regular, who was speaking with Onorato about putting a library system to work.

“We can swap books, add books, get a great collection going,” said Onorato. “And you don’t have to bring one in to take one home.”

Aidlin — an artist and teacher — tells us that she has been living in the neighborhood since the 90s. And she likes the vibe here. “Robert supports artists,” says Aidlin, of Supercollider’s owner. “He’s a really sweet guy.”

During the warmer months, the upstairs patio is one of the best places to have your coffee in the neighborhood.

But for now, the talk is smart, the coffee is warm, and we hope this 4th Avenue gem will be part of the neighborhood for a long time.

The Rundown: Supercollider
Where: 609 4th Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets
Phone: 347-725-3419
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 7:00am-2:00am; Saturday and Sunday, 7:00am-4:00am
Kid Friendly? There’s room for a stroller, but it’s a narrow space.
Remote Workers: WiFi and outlets readily available
Bites Available: Coffees, pastries, and teas during the day. The full bar opens during weekdays at 5pm, and 12pm on the weekend.