When I visit a new place, whether it’s a trip to a new city, a quick bus ride into the neighbouring towns, or even when I moved into my house, there’s one thing I always look out for… a coffee shop.
Some people don’t understand why I enjoy going for (sometimes very overpriced) coffee and a pastry or sweet treat and find it enjoyable, especially when they point out, “Why can’t you just make a coffee at home?” But the truth is, it’s not about the coffee alone, it’s the experience, the sense of community, and the feeling I can’t replicate in my kitchen.
Coffee shops have a special way of combining comfort and functionality, which is why I think coffee shops act as a communal third place for many people. They double as a living room to curl up with a book and enjoy a moment of peace or an office space. More recently, when completing my master’s degree, the plethora of coffee shops on my doorstep in the city doubled as my library—a place to slurp my coffee and type away my extensive dissertation. The coffee shop space is somewhere you can’t replicate at home, at work, or in the library, and that’s why it’s so special. Especially when you get lucky and find a coffee spot like this:
Adding to the community experience and neighbourhood feel, the sense of community—at least within the coffee shops I’ve explored—is a great joy. Over time, I’ve made friends with the baristas, and our once small conversations have become something I genuinely look forward to. We exchange gossip, chat about plans, and share little bits of life that connect us way beyond the typical customer-barista relationship. Finding spots that offer this are a gem. I’ve even met love interests in coffee shops, while at other times bumping into past ones, turning these little spaces into hubs of history and memories.
The cultural hub feel of independent coffee shops especially serves the communities with events, poetry nights, and teaming up with other local businesses—all about bringing people together and contributing to the cultural heartbeat of the city, town, or village.
The coffee shop energy makes me feel less alone, even though I enter by myself. Catching snippets of conversations, exchanging smiles, people-watching out the window, or catching up with the baristas—it’s inspiring. Watching the world around you, the people, sights, and sounds create an environment for fresh ideas and new perspectives. And finding a good coffee shop with actually good coffee is key!
Coffee shops are an essential third place, adding value to my enjoyment of life—especially when you visit the one that’s been on your list of places to visit or when you find a hidden gem. So next time someone asks why I don’t just make coffee at home, I can tell them it’s because no kitchen can replicate the warmth of a great third place.
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