by astro t.

I'd say some of the best coffee in west philly, definitely.  John's awesome and makes things perfectly!  The hot chocolate, topped with a touch of nutmeg.  Beautiful.  You walk in, the sweet smell of coffee, delectable chocolates, cigars, cloves surrounds you.  Buy your local paper from wherever you are around the world while getting your international flavor from all the magazines that he has.  Down side is that there's no place to sit though when it's warm, he puts a couple of tables and chairs outside.I'd say some of the best coffee in west philly, definitely.  John's awesome and makes things perfectly!  The hot chocolate, topped with a touch of nutmeg.  Beautiful.  You walk in, the sweet smell of coffee, delectable chocolates, cigars, cloves surrounds you.  Buy your local paper from wherever you are around the world while getting your international flavor from all the magazines that he has.  Down side is that there's no place to sit though when it's warm, he puts a couple of tables and chairs outside.

by Don M.

An awesome store. A great collection of magazines and journals. I live in New York, have lived in LA and honestly haven't seen much to rival it in this country. The coffee is great too. Skip the over-roasted junk at 'bucks and get it at Avril 50 instead. And the chocolate is absolutely fantastic too...

by ashley t.

i love this place! it has an immense amount of publications, chocolates, coffee and other cool stuff. a cute place to buy gifts.

by Zach D.

The magazine selection puts BN to shame. You can get anything here from African political magazines to Italian fashion to London Nightlife. They also carry all of the the mainstream publications. Coffee and tea selection are as diverse as the magazine selection, and the owner has the best muffins I've had in Philly.

by Erin G.

It's so Euro. In a good way. The way that makes you remember that there are still people who read international newspapers, love diverse magazine and lit journals, and purchase postcards. People who want to do this while drinking a cup of coffee, selecting a high-end chocolate bar, and requesting specialty cigarettes from behind the counter. Sigh.

by George R.

When you walk into this place it is like stepping into a time-warp.  Before big box stores, brightly lit boutique shops, and aisle upon aisle filled with identical merchandise stacked twenty deep, there were places like "Avril 50."  But, somehow, this shop survived the great mercantile holocaust that began in 1997 when mass culture began its precipitous destruction of privately own retail businesses.Although, things have certainly not been easy for a magazine shop with the current trend in viewing everything online instead of reading news in print.  I overheard the owner talking about how business was very slow.  He exclaimed to a long-time patron, "No one's reading anymore!"  But, he continues to keep a smile on his face, five pots of coffee hot, and enough reading material to last anyone a lifetime.The walls are chock-a-block with fine cards, magazines, and specialty postcards.  It was actually surprising to see some of the postcards because quite a few were highly political and some were slightly vulgar.  Hallmark would be sued by someone if they carried this stuff!  None the less, very interesting.  I bought a few.The magazine selection is amazing.  Yes, Barnes and Noble/Borders/et al. all carry a large selection, but I guarantee you that they do not carry the same selection of political, artistic theory, independent, and philosophical magazines.  There was stuff lining the walls that I had never seen before.  Definitely check it out.I'm not a smoker, but I will say that there was a wide assortment of foreign and fine tobaccos and cigars.  There were dozens of brightly colored boxes with foreign lettering.  In addition, he sells full-size hookahs and flavored tobaccos to go with them.I'm not a coffee drinker, but there were great smells coming from the five pots of coffee that were sitting on the burners at the front of the shop.  There were also a selection of pastries and desserts.Credit card purchases have a $10 minimum, so either buy enough or bring cash.  I forgot cash and ended up buying a magazine and some cards.I can't say how much longer this place will be around, so make sure you stop in and check it out.  Buy an interesting magazine for yourself or as a gift for a friend.  For more information, the store's email address is avril-fifty@verizon.net.

by Amy M.

what a pleasant surprise!after stopping by bubble house for an afternoon drink with a friend i had not seen in years, i strolled down sansom row back to the trolley.  jonesing for a coffee and some reading material on the way back to south philly, i stopped in.and wow!  i had an amazing selection of hard-to-find smokes and magazines.  the owner was a pleasant gentleman and recommended some good reading material and a pack of cigarettes.  i felt like i was back in ye olde france.though i really have no reason to visit university city much, i think that this might be worth the trip again.

by michelle p.

Avril 50 only gets 4 stars because it was a little intimidating the first time I walked in here.  The dude who runs the shop is pretty nice, and would help out with any questions.  They have coffee and tea available, as well as, some sweets.  They do have a nice selection of newspapers and magazines, not crap you can go to the bookstore down the street and find.  I was impressed with the sweet and enormous selection of postcards they had.  Seriously, there's a postcard for everyone here.Go here to support independent business!

by Andrew R.

Oh man. I always forget about Avril 50 'cause even once you remember there's the cute little Sansom Street, it's still easy to miss. Avril is definitely a throw back, but unortunately without the throwback prices. This is your corner magazine/candy store, but with a global selection of magazines, cards, and snacks. There's coffee too - grab a cup and fill it yourself with one of the dozen flavors being brewed - kinda of like Wawa, but not at all. Coffee isn't great, especially if you're a coffee snob, but you're here for the experience, not just for the coffee. If you prefer, grab your *bucks 1/2 a block down (you're 1/2 a block away from one on Walnut or 1/2 block away from another one on Chestnut) + come to Avril for European cookies, magazines, cloves, a lighter, and whatever else you need to complete your Euro experience.

by sara c.

This place is so neat.  From the wide array of international magazines and newspapers, to the great selection of classy, specialty cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco, this place has it for you.  For those of you who are looking for the Black Italian Vogue issue, you better get it while it's hot.It's easy to get lost in here, as the shop is tiny and it's decked from head to toe in all kinds of cards and publications.  You can even grab of cup of coffee with a hookah and sit outside on the patio .  The place is well stocked with different kinds of coffee beans, but I don't tend to get a cup of joe here, because all the coffees of the day are left on little burners which is a coffee snob faux pas.Sit back, relax, and pretend you're in Paris for an hour or two.

by Gwen M.

I almost don't want to write this review, because I love that right now I can run to Avril between classes to grab coffee without having to deal with a crazy line.  This place is fantastic -- good coffee and espresso drinks, a great selection of bottled drinks, and delicious French-style sandwiches made by the proprieter John himself.  It's also an incredible newsstand, particularly for international publications, and carries lots of tasty imported chocolates as well.  And John is so nice and always makes my day a little a brighter.

by monica s.

It's been so long since I last wandered into Avril 50. Years ago, when I was a regular, Jonathan, the owner, used to hook me up with fancy cloves. The thought of smoking cloves now gives me a stomach ache. Either way, if I couldn't get to the store before closing time, I'd ring him up and he'd hide a pack in the bushes for me. If that's not service, I don't know what is. The store is no different today than it was years ago, and Jonathan still maintains that foreign charm of his. His little shop is a European beatnik's refuge. I mean, you don't have to be European to be in his store, but if you have a foreign sensibility, you'll feel right at home. You can find everything from coffee to chocolate you've never seen before, international fashion magazines and communist press. Even though it's a pint-sized shop, you can get lost in there for hours.

by Scott M.

As long as Avril 50 remains intact, there is good in the world.Functionally, it's great - it has any periodical you could want and a great coffee / snack selection.  Esthetically, it's absolutely amazing - an intellectual's paradise.  I love going here for coffee when I have a free moment and am even happier when I have some time to get lost in the magazine selection.

by liza c.

If you like art mags, this is the place to go.Plus, Jonathan is cooler than candy wrapped in cash.I want to move in, cot in tow, and have free reign over the magazines and Jonathan's cappuccinos til death.That is love.Also, the array of smokes is pretty impressive. Smoke 'em if you got 'em (at Avirl 50?) Hah.

by liza c.Scott M.monica s.

If you like art mags, this is the place to go.Plus, Jonathan is cooler than candy wrapped in cash.I want to move in, cot in tow, and have free reign over the magazines and Jonathan's cappuccinos til death.That is love.Also, the array of smokes is pretty impressive. Smoke 'em if you got 'em (at Avirl 50?) Hah.As long as Avril 50 remains intact, there is good in the world.Functionally, it's great - it has any periodical you could want and a great coffee / snack selection.  Esthetically, it's absolutely amazing - an intellectual's paradise.  I love going here for coffee when I have a free moment and am even happier when I have some time to get lost in the magazine selection.It's been so long since I last wandered into Avril 50. Years ago, when I was a regular, Jonathan, the owner, used to hook me up with fancy cloves. The thought of smoking cloves now gives me a stomach ache. Either way, if I couldn't get to the store before closing time, I'd ring him up and he'd hide a pack in the bushes for me. If that's not service, I don't know what is. The store is no different today than it was years ago, and Jonathan still maintains that foreign charm of his. His little shop is a European beatnik's refuge. I mean, you don't have to be European to be in his store, but if you have a foreign sensibility, you'll feel right at home. You can find everything from coffee to chocolate you've never seen before, international fashion magazines and communist press. Even though it's a pint-sized shop, you can get lost in there for hours.

by liza c.Scott M.monica s.Gwen M.sara c.

If you like art mags, this is the place to go.Plus, Jonathan is cooler than candy wrapped in cash.I want to move in, cot in tow, and have free reign over the magazines and Jonathan's cappuccinos til death.That is love.Also, the array of smokes is pretty impressive. Smoke 'em if you got 'em (at Avirl 50?) Hah.As long as Avril 50 remains intact, there is good in the world.Functionally, it's great - it has any periodical you could want and a great coffee / snack selection.  Esthetically, it's absolutely amazing - an intellectual's paradise.  I love going here for coffee when I have a free moment and am even happier when I have some time to get lost in the magazine selection.It's been so long since I last wandered into Avril 50. Years ago, when I was a regular, Jonathan, the owner, used to hook me up with fancy cloves. The thought of smoking cloves now gives me a stomach ache. Either way, if I couldn't get to the store before closing time, I'd ring him up and he'd hide a pack in the bushes for me. If that's not service, I don't know what is. The store is no different today than it was years ago, and Jonathan still maintains that foreign charm of his. His little shop is a European beatnik's refuge. I mean, you don't have to be European to be in his store, but if you have a foreign sensibility, you'll feel right at home. You can find everything from coffee to chocolate you've never seen before, international fashion magazines and communist press. Even though it's a pint-sized shop, you can get lost in there for hours.I almost don't want to write this review, because I love that right now I can run to Avril between classes to grab coffee without having to deal with a crazy line.  This place is fantastic -- good coffee and espresso drinks, a great selection of bottled drinks, and delicious French-style sandwiches made by the proprieter John himself.  It's also an incredible newsstand, particularly for international publications, and carries lots of tasty imported chocolates as well.  And John is so nice and always makes my day a little a brighter.This place is so neat.  From the wide array of international magazines and newspapers, to the great selection of classy, specialty cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco, this place has it for you.  For those of you who are looking for the Black Italian Vogue issue, you better get it while it's hot.It's easy to get lost in here, as the shop is tiny and it's decked from head to toe in all kinds of cards and publications.  You can even grab of cup of coffee with a hookah and sit outside on the patio .  The place is well stocked with different kinds of coffee beans, but I don't tend to get a cup of joe here, because all the coffees of the day are left on little burners which is a coffee snob faux pas.Sit back, relax, and pretend you're in Paris for an hour or two.