Created as a response to often monotonous coffee shop hot-desking, owners Luke Woodard and Ryan De Remer merged the concept of an Australian-style cafe with the functional aesthetic of a design studio. The result has become a staple part of Williamsburg’s caffeinated diet.

White washed brick walls make up the minimalist interior of Sweatshop, focusing all attention on the service and the espresso. The handmade furniture makes for the perfect spot to perch, watching the world pass by on the streets outside.

An Aussie-influenced menu provides classic cafe dishes, featuring homemade muesli, banana bread and the all-important smashed avocado. Add this to an extensive drinks list and every brunch box is well and truly ticked.

A complete series of Drift lines the shelves of Sweatshop’s retail offering — a collection that has become something of a rarity to caffeine addicts and magazine buffs alike. These sit alongside other publications on coffee and design, joined by a rail of beautifully-curated shop merchandise.

Out of service hours sees Sweatshop protected by a steel shutter decorated with Timothy Goodman’s penmanship; playing on the coffee date scenario and those inevitable regrets of which we’ve all fallen foul. The incredibly talented lettering artist has heavily contributed to the cafe’s brand identity, with his ‘DON’T LOOK FOR LOVE, LOOK FOR COFFEE’ mural becoming something of an Instagram destination.

Over the past two years, Sweatshop have built up an impeccable reputation for serving delicious specialty coffee and fantastically crafted food, all housed in a wonderfully considered and caring environment. Brooklyn’s plethora of creatives are fortunate enough to find such a place on their doorstep, but for those coming from further afield, the visit is worth travelling for.