At the beginning of the year, there was just one cramped K Brew. However, the company’s full facelift with two new locations has paid off.

Craving a great cup of coffee while you’re on campus? Hop on the Vol Line and stop in the 800 Market Street location just behind the Bijou. Want to actually spread out and hang out at K Brew? Head over to their new Broadway space and literally hang.

The new Broadway location has quite possibly the coolest coffee shop seating arrangement I’ve ever encountered, in Knoxville or otherwise. There is a literal hammock forest, where you’re invited to lounge in one of the numerous hammocks that hang from the ceiling.

At first, it can be a little awkward. The hammocks hang low, and I couldn’t help but imagine how foolish I looked.

You would have been hard-pressed to fit a feather between my backside and the floor as I awkwardly tried to settle into a socially acceptable position. But once I made peace with my position, I quite enjoyed doing some work and drinking coffee from a hammock.

But if a hammock doesn’t sound like your ideal place to sit, or lounge, and enjoy a K Brew offering, no worries –there is abundant seating.

The space is essentially broken up into thirds, the “hammock forest” area opposite the barista bar area and a middle section offering a variety of seating. Both of the seating rooms are behind garage doors that can be opened up to the outside, weather permitting.

Second to the hammocks, my next favorite seating option at the new space would have to be the mid-century modern black leather seats. Big enough potentially for two, I recall four in total with every other one facing the opposite direction to make for a conducive conversational setting.

Since having ample seating is a bit of a novelty from what we’re used to from K Brew, I’ll continue the seating ranking to outline my third favorite option: the picnic tables. I’ve enjoyed picnic table seating at bars in cities across the Pacific North West, so I’m not sure if it’s just nostalgia, but I welcome the sight of such seating.

In contrast, the other location on Market Street is much like the original Broadway location. In fact, there’s even less seating.

Instead, emphasis is placed on serving to-go coffee seekers in the downtown area.

As for their recently expanded plant-driven menu, I would implore you to try the almond fig bites and the chia seed yogurt. Oh my goodness — the almond fig bites are delectable and the chia seed yogurt tastes as good as a freaking cupcake (sans many of the less than healthy ingredients).

I promise I’m not exaggerating. You can ask the gawkers on Gay Street who witnessed my delight as I shoveled the yogurt into my mouth for a midday snack.

So while there have been some major address changes and a few menu changes as well, it’s still the same great K Brew — just even better now.

Whatever you’re looking for in a coffee shop, K Brew surely won’t disappoint.