Address: 2090 Corydon Avenue
Hours: 7 am – 8 pm weekdays, 8 am – 8 pm weekends
Thom Bargen’s Tuxedo location is the fourth and newest in what has become a solid local 3rd-wave coffee chain. I was fairly excited when this location opened, it’s a short drive from my place and on a route I often take to run errands. Since its opening earlier this year, I’ve visited several times for short work stints.
As part of this Laptop-Friendly Café Guide series, I plan to visit and compare all Thom Bargen locations. It will be interesting to see how this one stacks up against its siblings.
Vibe – 3/5
The interior design of the entire Thom Bargen chain is what I’d call “very fancy IKEA.” But the Tuxedo location in particular feels a little more austere and warehouse-like than cozy. Large windows bring in natural light, but the overall feel is less inviting than their other spaces.
Tuxedo is the most affluent neighbourhood in the city, you’ll often see designer brands and luxury cars in the parking lot. That said, I’ve never felt out of place in an Old Navy hoodie and jeans—this is still Winnipeg, after all. It does, however, contribute to a vibe might feel a little more exclusive than welcoming at times.
The seating is fairly limited and can fill up fast (more on that below). I don’t always like working in exceedingly crowded cafés, it can feel like I’m imposing by taking up space for a large chunk of time. However, I’m rarely the only person on a laptop (this visit, I counted four others), which makes me feel like less of a nuisance.
Coffee – 4/5
I order a cortado, as per usual.
The espresso at Thom Bargen can be a little hit-or-miss. This time it was a massive hit. Really flavourful and sweet!
Thom Bargen roasts its own beans and sources directly from farmers, a commendable practice. While this reflects their commitment to coffee, I find it a bit limiting compared to the variety available from specialty roasters. Ideally, these direct relationships would lead to unique offerings, but so far, I haven’t noticed much experimentation—or perhaps I’ve missed it.
Generally, I’d rate their coffee a 3/5, but the standout cortado on this visit bumped it up to a 4. The espresso was so great that I’m even overlooking the fact that this “cortado” also veers into flat white territory.
Food – N/A
I didn’t have any food this time having just come from a big lunch. Their apple galette is one of my favourite things ever. Expect that in a future review.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this location sells bagels made in store. They are quite good (for a Winnipeg bagel)!
Seating – 2/5
Seating here is challenging. The interior features a long wooden bench that lines the outside wall of the space. Dotted in front of it are heavy marble-topped tables barely large enough for a laptop. Adding food into the mix means awkwardly balancing items beside or behind your device.
As I mentioned above, the space tends to fill up quickly, especially during busy periods like university exam crunch time. Each table does have a chair but due to their minuscule size, it’s impractical for two people to work at the same table.
An honorable mention to the exterior patio seating, it’s well shaded by a beautiful 245-year-old American Elm – a great spot on a warm summer morning.
Location – 2/5
While technically a little closer to downtown that CMU, this location is still quite far from central Winnipeg.
For cyclists, the lack of nearby by infrastructure is a drawback. Wellington Crescent is the best nearby route, but that’s still several hundred meters north of Corydon. Bike parking technically exists, but is quite bad.
Drivers will find a very small strip mall parking lot with tight spaces, often filled with large SUVs. Free street parking is available on Southport Boulevard, but if the parking lot is packed, the café likely is too.
Overall – 11/20
I’m surprised this location landed in D-tier despite my fondness for Thom Bargen. It’s one of Winnipeg’s best local treasures, but the Tuxedo spot really falls short overall.
If the location is convenient to you, you should check it out. But frankly, if you’re in the area already Folio Café at CMU might be a better choice.
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