A cozy end to a fantastic vacation. Tim described Racy D'lenes as what coffeehouses were like before they exploded everywhere. What he would consider to be a true coffeehouse. This got me excited as I do like a genuine cozy coffeehouse that does it's own thing and Racy was just that. We rolled in around 9am to get coffee and enjoy the quietness before Matt and I drove home. The sky was overcast with the constant threat of rain. The inside of Racy was nice and cozy. I got my americano, a giant chocolate chip cookie and a funny sticker for my final Eau Claire experience. Tim and Matt both got the Cadbury Egg latte. The place was a bit busy so we ended up sitting on this couch. We weren't crammed in there but 3 grown males put it to the test. I kid you not, this americano and cookie may have been the best thing I had during this whole trip. I know I'm easily excitable and tend to give high praise for most things but those two things were legit delicious. The cookie was so good that it made me wish I got a hot coffee just to dunk it in as that sounded divine. Both Matt and Tim said their latte were amazing and tasted just like a Cadbury egg. As we sat there and made small talk and went over the fun of the last few days, I couldn't help but look around and notice all the little things strewn about the place. There was a tank with a live turtle in it. There was a skeleton handing from the skeleton talking to someone (I couldn't see where the line went) via a can and string. The walls were painted or had stuff hanging up. This place must've been here for a long time now. Speaking of the cozy feeling, if this place had a fireplace, I would've fallen asleep so easily. I was already nodding off due to the weather and being perfectly content and settled in, it wouldn't have taken much more to slip off into a light snooze. Now that would've been a first for me, falling asleep in a coffeehouse... but if you've been here on a rainy day, you would understand. Eventually we made our way outside and were doing the midwestern goodbye when it started to sprinkle. That put a little pep in our step to get back to our cars and say goodbye to Eau Claire. Two things to keep in mind for visiting here is that its on the backside of The Nucleus and that since it's on the backside of a building, parking is very limited and you may need to park on the street if it's busy. Racy D'lenes... I will definitely be back. read more

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What a great place to get coffee, socialize, work, etc. Racy's has great coffee, baked goods, and it also has a great restaurant (The Nucleus) in the same building. They have tables available and also couches/chairs for a more comfortable experience! There are some parking spots available in the back or street parking is an option. They also allow you to use reusable mugs, so feel free to bring them if you're getting a drink to go! Edited review based on business response: Based off of the Visit Eau Claire website for dog friendly places, I previously understood that Racy's was dog friendly. It indicated, "Racy D'lene's Coffee Lounge - You and the pup can enjoy a laid-back morning or afternoon at Racy's together. Their coffee and sandwiches and pastries will be a real treat for both you and your trusty four-legged sidekick." It appears that is not accurate and dogs are not allowed inside the building. Article link - https://www.visiteauclaire.com/things-to-do/itineraries/dog-friendly/#:~:text=Racy%20D'lene's%20Coffee%20Lounge,your%20trusty%20four%2Dlegged%20sidekick. Still a great place to visit! read more

Three stars is a-okay in my book and not a negative review. Racy D'lenes faces the Chippewa River which ups its cozy, quaint decor and location in the back of an historic building. The interior features a decent number of tables and a 1970s sofa. This is what coffee shops used to look like before Instagram forced everyone to remodel with white tiles and kitchy neon signs. The coffee ($2 or so for a small cup) was good with a couple roast varieties. Best of all, they have a homemade vegan muffin ($3) which tasted great---moist, not too sweet. I wish they had more vegan baked goods but, aside from here, Shift Cyclery and Coffee Bar is the only other spot in town to get vegan sweets. read more

Racy D'lenes Coffee Lounge - Vegan strawberry muffin ($3). Moist and tasty. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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A unique spot, kind of a funky, bohemian, laid back vibe. Coffee/ espresso quality is top notch, great baked good, friendly service.

Atmosphere. Holy cow. This place has style oozing from it! Running the line between artistic and edgy, this coffee lounge is a perfect place to grab a coffee and get some studying done. Plants, skeletons, and internet edgy icons are smattered around, lending themselves to an vibe I can only call underground coffee bar. Prices are about average for a coffee lounge, running 3$-7$ for a drink, and thankfully the baristas know their stuff. I ordered a breve, which was both prompt and delicious. There is a food menu as well, but I didn't order any. It looks to be mostly sandwiches, which furthers this place as a good location for a study hangout. Something to note is that this location is connected and affiliated with The Nucleus Cafe. If you're waiting for a table there, they advise you to come hang out here and they'll retrieve you when your name is called. Also the furniture is stupid comfortable. The couches just about swallow you. I would recommend this place to the college crowd. Good coffee, great atmosphere, decent prices, and fabulous couches. All in all, 5/5 for me. Be sure to stop in! read more

I really wanted to like this place. Comfortable setting but the latte and scone were disappointing. Blah

Very cozy, great place to study... when not busy. Perfect ambiance for hipster crowd and very enjoyable conversations to listen to. :) PS Tends to be very busy in the mornings. I come for the white chocolate hot chocolate but I've gotten the chai and a special once in a while. Never disappoints! read more

Racy D'lenes Coffee Lounge - Ready to study at Racy's! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Racy's is in the same building as The Nucleus Cafe, and is used as the waiting area for busy weekend brunch times. Our group was here doing just that, but even if you're not interested in the Nucleus (which if you're not, you should be), Racy's is a great place to grab a cup of coffee. Very reasonable prices, and high-quality coffee. There are plenty of couches and tables to sit, so it's a great study spot for UW-Eau Claire students. I got a double latte, and my friend got a double cappuccino. Both were very generous servings and provided to perfect jump-start to our weekend. Nice place to wait for a Nucleus meal, a quiet study spot, or a nice conversation with friends! Also, if you're waiting for The Nucleus, and you haven't finished your coffee by the time your table is ready, you can bring your coffee with you, no matter whether it's in a to-go cup or not. read more

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Great place!! Lots of selection for drinks and cookies are to die for! The staff was super nice and accommodating, great vibe :)

Traditional coffee house with great, relaxing seating and good coffee. This is a great place for a coffee date or doing homework, or just to hangout at. Staff is really friendly and I've never had a bad experience here. read more

Likely the best coffee in town. I love the dark roast. Lots of body, not bitter. The bagel sandwiches are really good and made freshly while you wait. An eclectic decor, like your buddies grandma's basement. Free wifi. Some people bring their dogs in. Great place to get coffee to go or to stay and study or read. read more

I love Racys. I always went here during my undergrad to have a cozy study spot or a great conversation with a friend. Going back to it this weekend reminded me of why I loved it so much. The staff greets you when you walk in the door, no matter how busy it is and they will ensure you have the best experience possible. The location is awesome as it is attached to The Nucleus, the most amazing breakfast around Eau Claire. If you have to wait for a spot at The Nucleus, you can have a cup of joe right next to it at Racys! The prices are typical, but the portions are larger than typical. If you are in Eau Claire, please go to Racy's, you will not regret it!! read more

Great coffee place relatively close to UWEC. Nice array of drinks to choose from at reasonable prices. I have had the coffee miel several times and it is excellent. Laid back vibe, a couches, oversized chairs, small tables and chairs, games, books, etc. Feels like what a non chain coffee lounge should feel like. read more

I love the food, the coffee, the atmosphere. breakfast food is cheap. couches are comfy. there are some odd locals... HOWEVER the service seriously varies. one super hipster girl is so rude if I see her I don't order anything. She ignores you even if she is behind the counter and clearly sees you. She clearly would rather be picking out more fake glasses than serving you. spends half her time outside smoking. and would a smile hurt? c'mon. read more

I spend a lot of time at Racy's and think it's a great local establishment with good food, good coffee, and a lot of character. My only qualms are the WiFi - weirdly, I can get online with my iPad, but never my PC laptop (it's a Toshiba and apparently specifically Toshiba laptop folks can't get on the network, from what I've heard) - and the understaffing on the weekends when it can take a looong time to get food because there's only one person working. So she/he has to take orders, make coffee drinks, and make food. Would it kill you, Racy's, to schedule one person for the register and one person to make food/espresso drinks during peak weekend times? But the coffee is flavorful and strong, and refills are only 50 cents. Comfy couches. Good music being played at an appropriate level (i.e. not so loud as to be distracting, but just loud enough to add some atmosphere)....well, except for the one time when they inexplicably were playing John Mayer. read more

Traveling back and forth to Minneapolis from Chicago, there are not many options for good indie coffeeshops. This is the big exception. While getting off the interstate you have the impression you are going way out of your way, the reality is you do NOT lose that much time since you are clipping a big bend of the highway and get right on again further down (or up depending on which direction you're going). Anyways, as for the place itself... They have GREAT coffee and probably the BEST coffeehouse ambiance I have ever seen in the States (and that's saying a lot for me). I highly recommend stopping by for a cup if you're ever in the area or passing by. read more

I have been coming to Racy's for quite some time... and I have always been a fan. Service was always decent UNTIL my latest visit, when the gentlewoman managing the cash register was extremely rude. What did she do? She instantly assigns a LARGE coffee to my comrade, which was out of his price range. And when I asked to switch from a small coffee to a medium to meet the $2 dollar minimum, the gentlewoman acted as though she'd rather be painting her toenails. I'll still come back to Racy's when I'm in Eau Claire, but I will never forget the audacity of the gentlewoman. read more

A breath of fresh air in little Eau Claire. This is definitely the "hipster" coffee place in the area- but don't let that deter you, it has a lot of spunk and the drinks are creative and delicious. Racy's doesn't judge. Don't be surprised to see drinks named things such as the "Ryan Gosling" because why wouldn't you. Wifi is free and fast, expect to see students there working on homework and motorcycle gangs taking drags outside the main door. The baristas are knowledgeable and service is fast! I bring all my friends from out of town here kind of as a "see, there are some cool places to hang out in Eau Claire" thing. That's the kind of space it is. If you're in the area, it's a must visit. See my tip about parking! read more

I will attempt to temper my extreme fondness for this coffeehouse by acknowledging that much of it may be due to college nostalgia. After recently returning, however, I was so happy to see that they hadn't changed or sold out. Atmosphere: The reason to go Coffee: Excellent People watching: Average (location overlooks a river, not any significant foot traffic) Coziness factor: Off the chart Seating can be a bit tricky as there are only about 10 tables, but there is plenty of couch space. Terrific place to study or have a between-class boost. Racy's is my vote for the best coffeehouse in Eau Claire. read more

Come for the coffee, stay for the show. I love hanging out, having excellent coffee, people watching, and communing with the good folks who work here and the cool customers who frequent this vortex of community goodness. Being new to Eau Claire, I've formed several blossoming friendships and have many acquaintances here. In fact....I'm heading there now for a morning cup and, as I live alone, for some mingling with like minded humans. Having the Nucleus Cafe connected to Racy's is a big plus. Eating breakfast on the couch, informal, just like eating at home...but with a great bunch of folks. Gotta go! read more

A taste of Seattle here in Eau Claire. I would know, I lived in the former for six years! Definitely the best espresso drinks in town; I love that I don't have to explain what a dry cappuccino is, and when I get mine it's done right! Nice ambiance too. read more

Great local coffee spot. Free speedy wifi. Great drinks. Cool decor and seating. The coffee here is pretty good and all the other frozen drinks and what not are great. Sometimes the scene that hangs around here can detour people away but it's just college students or hipster biker gangs so you have nothing to worry about. Definitely a recommend if you're looking for something new from your normal Starbucks or Caribou. read more

This place is the right place for you if you're a college student or a local just wanting a place to relax for a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. Connected to The Nucleus, Racy is the hot spot for studying and just overall kickin' back and relaxing with your self or with a friend. The environment is amazing, great music, great location. The food and drinks are AWESOME. 5/5 stars for sure. Racys in one of my favorite places in Eau Claire read more

Racy D'lenes Coffee Lounge - Very busy Sunday at Racys! Everyone is studying. Great environment. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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Great coffee! Girl is little grumpy first thing Saturday AM

Ridiculously slow internet (download .44 mbps) - don't expect to get any work done if you need it. Mediocre cappuccino, stale scone.

I love Racys!! The house coffee is delicious and the environment is awesome!! My friends and I love going there to study and even just to hang out and network. I've hear the food is good, but I haven't tried it for myself! I would highly recommend! read more

I checked out this somewhat hidden coffee shop this last Thursday night. Very glad I did. A calm place to hang out in the storm that is Water Street. It took me just a moment to zero in on where exactly it was. Being behind the building is a blessing once you actually find it. As many have mentioned the coffee was delicious. Only a number of people there and at least on Thursday night a very calm atmosphere. I will definitely go back. read more

Not very handicap accessible, wheelchair ramp is a sidewalk in the back shared with a telephone post and benches for outdoor seating. Owner made imitations of people with intellectual disabilities. Environmentally unfriendly-only offer styrofoam cups/containers. Atmosphere is light and relaxed. Wifi is not always reliable/even accessible. Music varies on barista-often great occasionally terrible. Service is often slow. Sometimes because of understaffing sometimes barista is smoking outside or talking to friends. Some seating is very comfortable, other seating is stained and every spring can be felt. read more

If not the best coffee place in town certainly the coolest. Great atmosphere.

Had a good mocha here. Was also pleasantly surprised when it was made with espresso art.

Overall good. Service was slow, but internet was the fastest I found in town - like 40mbps. Reuben sandwich was excellent.

Love the atmosphere. My go to is a white hot chocolate. Try adding different flavors to it like peppermint!

Great little place with good coffee and rice Krispy treats :) definitely a shop that cares about using good coffee and making good espresso drinks. Not super dark beans. More of an Artisan roasterie type roast. read more

Best coffee/aquarium in Eau Claire. I dream of one day wifing a nucleus waitress and raising goats on a small farm along the Chippewa flowage read more

I love this place! It's very chill, the coffee and menu is delicious, and dogs are allowed :) The owner is probably one of the worst individuals I have ever encountered, so as long as he isn't roaming around when you go, it is a great spot. read more

The coffee is great, but overpriced for the quality, in my opinion. However... 5 stars for atmosphere! Love this place, the food and the music is always pretty stellar. read more

Great coffee, and great food! As any hipster coffee shop goes, the atmosphere is solely dependent upon who is working and the friends/locals who are in. Some days can feel unwelcoming, but that never stops me from coming in for a good cup of cold press :) read more

I love Racy's. Great coffee, friendly service, wonderful atmosphere, and it's so nice to have a coffee-house that's open late. Add in the simply food menu, and I seriously miss this place when I'm not in town. The iced espresso drinks are a huge treat, too ;) read more

cool vibe. fab drinks. hipster atmosphere, but not snobby. can hold a meeting there or do homework and be left alone. hardworking staff/owners & good prices. read more