So, I keep hearing about this place called Ground and Pound Coffee, how good the coffee is, the pastries and that they also have various types of entertainment there too.
I decide I’m gonna go on a Wednesday night to their “Open Mic” night and see what’s what with this place. I call ahead and speak to the owner Sophia Crawford. I let her know who I am and that I’d like to come and check them out. Sophia was very bright, polite and happy that I called.
I get there early for the night’s open mic and the area is nice, the building and the parking lot are nice and I immediately got a good feeling I was going to go into a nice place-not just some run of the mill coffee shop. I walk inside and you could tell the place was very clean, and set up very well to function-just like they advertise on their website and on social media. I recognized Sophia from my homework on her and introduced myself. She was very sweet, bright, kind, accommodating and intelligent. I let Sophia know that I wanted to check out their open mic and do a write up on it, which was received very well. I also asked her if I could film a little bit and take some pictures. We picked out a good spot for me to set up, and I was ready to go before the open mic started. The open mic at Ground and Pound Coffee isn’t just music, it also has comedians and spoken word artists there.
So, I’m at a coffee shop, I have to order something-right? I decided on some tea and an almond-crusted croissant. Both were very good (I wish I had one of those croissants today as I’m writing this!)
Now the open mic is starting. There is a really cool sound man named James Tonguet to help get everyone set up and going. Each artist/performer/band gets a ten minute set. All the music acts were good at their craft, and some played original songs by them and some performed some surprising cover songs that you don’t hear all the time, which was refreshing.
There were two guys that stood out to me that were an absolute pleasure to listen to, and I hope I get to hear them again soon. I’ll try to find out how everyone else can find them and insert that information here.
Stand Up Momedy
There was also this comedian, named Gila Daman, who was a pleasant surprise that I didn’t expect (I had no idea who anyone was in the mostly full room of customers and performers). Gila was dressed to be on stage and she made sure she had the crowd in the palm of her hand by the end of her set. That was cool to witness. I caught myself nodding in approval of her to myself. She’s the real deal and ready for bigger stages. Gila has a YouTube channel @StandUpMomedy that y’all should check out.
Speaking of being ready, there was this 19 year old girl who had never performed in public before-her name is Liana Bernstein. I’m not sure if Liana thought she was ready when she started to sing and play her guitar, but I assure her and all of you that she was in fact ready. Another pleasant surprise of the evening. What a beautiful voice! I believe people will be hearing from Liana at some point in the music world.
My overall assessment of Ground and Pound Coffee:
Excellent place. Clean and cozy.
Excellent Owner AND staff.
Excellent tea and pastries (I’ll check out their coffee too-but I have heard a lot about how good their coffee is from numerous people). For those of you that drink more than coffee-they also offer a full bar and appetizers too! Wait, did I mention that they don’t have a cover charge on their music nights!
Nice open mic that I encourage any and all acoustic type artists and speaking artists to go and experience. Often people from the open mic get booked there for a weekend gig. Again, that happens often-so dress for the part and have a great set! You never know what could come from it.
One last little tidbit: Ground & Pound Coffee has won:
Best of Alpharetta 2022, 2023 AND 2024
Best of North Atlanta 2023
This place is a slam dunk cool place to hang out in.