God, I'm disappointed. I live 30 seconds away and I can't even get a decent drink at my local coffee shop, the service is just so reprehensibly bad. I keep trying to give Hot Java a chance, I come in at different times to see if a change of staff will be an improvement, but alas, no. After two bloody years of inconsistent, sometimes downright awful service and sub-par drinks I must say NO MORE. Tonight was just a typical night, and it exemplifies everything that's wrong with the place: I was waiting for several minutes to be served, while the barista was tidying up the store for closing -- which wasn't for another HOUR -- moving furniture and paying absolutely no attention to the woman waiting in front of the cash register. When she finally dragged herself back, she stared at me like I was wasting her time for actually wanting to buy something. All I wanted was an Italian Soda, which *not* a difficult drink to make, and when I finally got it another few minutes later, it was revoltingly sweet, with far too much syrup in it to be consumable. I didn't think it was possible to ruin such a simple drink, but oh yes, they managed it. I watched them make it, and they didn't even bother to stir it, so all the syrup was on the top, and now, back at home with half a cup left, I have none left at all, and it tastes disgusting. I stopped ordering espresso drinks here a very long time ago, because not one of the staff has ever been able to pull a decent shot, and especially have NO idea how to steam proper foam. I want to support my local businesses, especially one right on my doorstep but I absolutely refuse to give them more of my money. I was a barista for several years, I KNOW what I'm talking about when I say the drinks are vile, and I would NEVER have been able to get away with the rude behaviour of these employees. Once, one of the workers decided to clean the floor instead of help me, and then when he finally condescended to notice me, he tried to make my drink without washing his hands first, I could see the grime still on his hands! This sort of thing is absolutely inexcusable, and I see it all the time. I blame the manager/owner for the shocking behaviour of his employees. He's not terribly friendly himself, so why should they be? :/ (But really, there's no excuse for lack of cleanliness.) I want to like this place so much. It's cozy and has a warm, inviting atmosphere -- from the customers, at least. The staff lets it down horribly, and I just can't take it anymore. read more

This is the one place in Long Beach I absolutely love. This place is perfect for homework. The food and beverages are delicious. The employees/owners are friendly and vibrant. The environment is homey and welcoming. The vibe is relaxing. My favorite seat is the window seat that overlooks Bixby Park. This cafe makes me happy. read more

The coffee was good but the service was terrible and rude! The server with the Mohawk was down right mean and so was the bigger girl working with him. Way to many coffee houses on this street to deal with that! I won't be back... read more

Felt very brushed off by the older gentleman in the glasses. Gave me a hard time for only getting food and no bev

Ok, so if you're straight and on the prowl, this place is not for you. However, if you're straight, like good coffee, want to work without nuisance men/woman hitting on you or staring at you (trying to make contact), then this is your place. Also, their AC is better than the other local places, like Portfolio. They have comfortable seating and lot of it. It's rare that I cannot find a place to work here, but at Portfolio it's rare that I can find a decent size table for work. I've not yet had their regular food, but the pecan sticky bun is good! read more

Hot Java has a fantastic improv comedy show by Held Together, hosted by improv instructor Darren Held every last Saturday of the month, it has a great ambience and fun vibe with lots of community spirit. The performers are hugely talented and hilarious, plus the show is free! Definitely a must see if you want to laugh till your stomach hurts! FYI the show starts at 8 pm, but get there 20-30 minutes early to secure and seat and get your beverages, the place fills up to standing room only. read more

Honestly, I don't think we'll go back. I find the coffee to not be that great, the staff to not be that excited, and the retailing to be terrible. It's too bad because the location is fantastic and the crowd is good. Certainly it has way more potential than it's current execution. read more

I've been coming here for 8 years. It use to be my favorite coffee spot. It use to be great! I haven't been for a while and decided to walk over this morning with a neighbor. My mouth watered for a Peanut Butter Mocha! When I first moved here, 8 years ago from Washington state, I wanted to find a good coffee spot where they made PB Mochas. I went in and asked. They were delightful! saw on their shelf that they had peanut butter, and explained how to make it. They were happy to do it! They even tried it and loved it! They actually put it on their menu and it was pretty popular! Anyway, I couldn't wait to have my PB Mocha today. I watched them make it. (there was peanut butter on the shelf) but they used PB syrup!! What? I said "You don't use real peanut butter anymore?" He told me it is easier to clean up when they use syrup!!! REALLY?? So flavor has nothing to do with it anymore? Hot Java is not the same as it use to be. They no longer take into consideration the taste of their customers. They care more about being lazy!! By the way, when prepared properly, the clean up after making a PB Mocha with real peanut butter is no harder than with syrup! read more

I'm a huge fan of their free monthly free improv show on the 4th Saturday of each month. It's funny and absolutely hilarious. The improv actors are very good and the improv challenges they have are unique and showcase their amazing talents. The whole show is 100% improvised with no plan skits. Show starts at 8pm with limited seating, so if you want a seat it's suggested to arrive an hour early before the show. I hate the parking situation because there's only street parking and every parking spot seems to always be taken up. read more

I love this place! It's the cool local coffee house to hang out at, watch a movie on their flat screen, bring your computer to get some things done or just people watch! The people here are awesome and the service is great. They have comedy night, open mic night... a ton of fun! If you're in the area and want to go where the locals go, I suggest this spot to grab a cup of joe. read more

I have been a customer for years. I live in the neighborhood and have used the coffee shop while I study up for various exams. Now I train my clients in the park across the street and take them to the coffee shop to discuss their nutrition. There is no bathroom in the park so I ran across the street to use the bathroom and was informed that I must buy something first. Sorry no sale! Just lost my business and the business of my clients. I understand regulating from homeless people using the bathroom to wash up in, but you should know who your real customers are! read more

A big thank you to Jay and Peter. You guys are the best. The line can be long but watching the beautiful art on the wall or the huge flat screen tv makes waiting fun this place is very convenient to my house within 2 blocks Their menu for drinks and food makes ordering convenient read more

Maybe my opinion is a little biased since I truly like the people that work there, but I love Hot Java. It's a great place to study, relax, chit chat, and definitely people watch. The coffee is delicious and I love their chai lattes. Today I had a caramel iced latte, it gave me the jolt I needed to get my day going. Being here makes me wish I were a gay man, my life would be so much more fun. read more

Hot Java has THE BEST TASTING COFFEE IN TOWN. The service is consistently fast and friendly, the snacks and sandwiches are above average, the music is always non-invasive during the day when I'm there working, the internet connection is lightning-fast, and did I mention the COFFEE? Seriously, what does a hard working girl have to do to get a flawless traditional macchiato in this town? They gotta go to Hot Java, tha'ts what. Half the coffee houses in Long Beach don't even know what a traditional macchiato IS, let alone how to make it well. I really, really love this cozy little nook, especially if you're a remote worker who's sick to death of your house. read more

Very deceiving from the outside, exceptionally welcoming soon as you open the door. Friendly staff, they will always offer an analog version of the rewards program card, if you forget it at home they will start another one and let you use different ones together. They do have music playing at volume levels that are not taking over your brain. Outdoor seating is on both sides. Love the place. read more

Very cozy. Great to come during a rainy weekend as it was last week in Long Beach. Drinks were made time efficiently, friendly service and the coffee nice. Adequate amounts of outlets for your laptop and seating forces all patrons to be personable and friendly. Very gay friendly place. read more

I want to love this place so, so badly. It has everything I could ever want in a coffee place. Good, comfy seats with outlets and wifi? Check! Strong LGBT atmosphere? Check! (Seriously, this aspect makes me so happy. Which is why I really want to love it here and make this a regular place for me.) Decent coffee and food - not the greatest and kind of expensive, but check! But that's where it stops. The customer service here is... not that great? Or I guess it depends on the day. The first time I came here I just felt very brushed off, there wasn't really any warmth, very robotic in mannerism. I let it go as a bad day and enjoyed my coffee and book. The second time was a little friendlier - but still on the colder side. The third time they were all smiles to the person ahead of me (a regular maybe?) but I got a very stiff interaction. Usually I'm very easy going with these kinds of things, and even now I'm sure it was probably just a bad day or they were tired, but it just really put me off to coming back here. I'd love to give it a 4th chance and stop by the next time I'm in Long Beach, and will update my review on that interaction, but sadly I'm not expecting it to be any better :/ To be honest I'd probably give it two stars if it weren't for the LGBT air. Gah, I really hope my next time is better so I can update the review! read more

I love it for the coffee and the casual comfy seating. However. . . Why is it that after "Suuugah" has his "coaffee" "honey" and "Hey there "Hyandsume" places his "owedah", I feel like such a piece of meat? I LOVE IT! Let me change the star rating from med to best. I've just realized this is a good thing. I'm just still a little shy I guess? Recently I heard something about guys being like blind dogs in a meat factory. I think that applies here. Sometimes. . . read more

The place is always packed with old people, the pastries look yucky, the drinks are so-so. But they're always a place to sit down and relax with your Joe (you can see why), Anyways I've been there to study three times maybe, pretty chill I guess nothing spectacular. I wouldn't not suggest this place if you're not a local, because you can find much better coffee houses, actually there's a better coffee house down the other side of the road, called Portfolio--way better. Just drive by this place, it's enough for a first impression. Free wifi, though, that's always nice. read more

I come here all the time!! Looks like they've done some improvements with the new chalkboard menus and adding hemp milk as a milk alternative. Whoop whoop! My only complaint is that the staff isn't very friendly. They seem to be inconvenienced by you. And not very knowledgable on coffee. But hurray for hemp milk lattes! :) read more

I wrote this in January 2016, not 2009. Oops! I guess I should have updated instead of editing, but it's all true. Hot Java is the best!

These guys know coffee and are very friendly. They are open late during the weeks (11pm) and have food and pastries as well. I come here during lunch or on the way home. The bi-chai is my favorite! read more

Employees look like they don't wash their hands...especially after licking whipped cream off their dirty palms. Gross! Never going there again! read more

The coffee tastes funny. I tried every flavor and there is something wrong with it. it all tastes like it has paint or perfume in it. So weird and gross! read more

The nice atmosphere with depeche mode playing and old couches with old board games to match easily made up for the average coffee. Supporting gay-friendly establishments is always a great thing too! read more

Two stars not based on the coffee but the rudeness behind the register before I even ordered. The guy let us stand there for 5 minutes before even looking up. Then was a jerk when I asked a question about the menu. Not impressed and no desire to go back and spend my money or time again. read more

Been coming to Hot Java for years. Always an enjoyable visit. Only suggestion for the future. Add maybe one or two more lights on the Junipero (smoking side) for evening reading. Guess that's why the tables on both ends are popular. Lol. Other than that, Hot Java ROCKS!! read more

Hot Java has an amazing cappuccino!

I love this place. I've come in here a few times to do work on my laptop. All of the baristas are really sweet and have a good sense of humor. Haven't tried the food but everything looks and smells good. There's lots of seating, couches, and ample plugs for charging. Great little spot on Broadway! read more

Pretty good coffee shop and definitely really cozy. Music selection is occasionally questionable but it's nothing headphones can't fix. A little pricey and I actually only really go there for their non-caffeinated beverages. Their hot chocolate and apple cider are fantastic. The cider seriously tastes like you're drinking an apple pie. Favourite winter coffee place for sure. read more

Deliciously smooooth coffee! And friendly staff! Nice, quiet, cozy atmosphere too, if you wanna get some work done. www.icreatescreenprinting.com/portfolio.html read more

After being treated very rudely by a disgruntled, surly employee this morning as I waited for my associates to arrive, I quckly called them and we moved locations. No wonder the place was empty.I should have taken that as a clue. read more

Stopped in for a couple blended, cold coffee drinks, an Arnold Palmer (it's not on the menu but don't be afraid to ask for it - the guys were so nice to fix it for me) and a chocolate croissant which my friends said was the best croissant they'd ever had. Parking is only available on the street but it wasn't too hard to find a spot. We went out of our way to find Hot Java and so glad we did! read more

I love HOT JAVA... it is a great, local coffee house and a refuge from the corporate coffee hell found on so many corners. The staff are amazing, as are the coffee beverages... read more

Yummiest iced chai ever! I get the bi-chai which is half vanilla, half spiced. Amazing

Seems someone there has started to care about the place and its customers. I came back a few months ago to see if anything has changed. I was happy to have been greeted by whoever is at the counter. Greeted with a good and friendly attitude each time I've returned. I have not seen any of the bad attitude people working there. When I'm charged the price has always been correct and consistent. The Barista is even friendly. I'm always thanked for coming and have even been told to have a great day. My drink has always been made as ordered and its one of the better Lattes I've had in LB. Their pastries and very good. So I will continue so spend my money here. I would also like to thank whoever it is that decided it was time for a change! BTW one cooler day I had a Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and it was the best I've ever had. read more

I love this coffee shop. Sure, I need to drive around 10 miles just to get here -- but well worth it in my opinion. Non-pretentious joint with great (read: stiff) coffee. There are always people lounging around on their laptops or casually chatting it up with friends. Outdoor seating area is always clean and in general, I have found the staff, owner (I believe his name is Ken...), and patrons alike to all be incredibly friendly and personable. My friend lives a few blocks from this joint, and so he and I usually meet up to relax/chat it up outside. (Hi Mikey! ^_^) read more

I enjoy grading papers here on the weekends. Coffee and crowd are always good. Smokers do need to be kept to the corner side of the place and the food could use an upgrade. Seems very generic bakery. Sometimes the music is a bit loud. They recently added a second wireless internet connection which is good. Staff is always friendly. read more

This is a great little coffee shop, but the reviews here are lacking the coffee snob perspective. The coffee and espresso drinks are very inconsistent here. Even the best baristas aren't that great. It's not bad, but it tends to be a bit weak and flavorless (not to mention it could be cheaper for what it is). It never tastes like a rich, fresh roast. It's friendly, fun, laid back, and I love chillin' there--but the coffee isn't the reason to go. read more

Love this spot. Location. Atmosphere. & every coffee comes with a welcoming greeting and smile. :)