While the advent of third-wave coffee shops that focus on small-batch artisan brews and perfect pour-overs has been a boon for the gastronomic scene and morning sluggishness/afternoon slumps, the minimalist décor and tranquil vibes that come with them can, at times, leave much to be desired.
From ubiquitous wood accents to exceedingly tasteful subway tile walls, long gone are the days of dusty coffeehouse maximalism that allowed every neighborhood its own Central Perk-like space.
Or so it might seem: Breaking free from the shackles of the mundane are a handful of themed cafes that place emphasis on kitsch — from emo rock and Hello Kitty to ’80s horror flicks and tattoos — so that your klatch can try something truly unique.
Here are 15 themed coffee shops to try out in Southern California.
Los Angeles County
Crumbs and Whiskers
Hours: By appointment only Wednesday-Monday
Where: 7924 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles
More info: 323- 879-9413 or crumbsandwhiskers.com/appointments-la
This café rescues cats from shelters and houses them at their Melrose coffee shop. So come get some coffee, pet a few cats, and if you find one you love, you can adopt it for a fee.
Library Coffee House
Hours: 6 a.m.- 11p.m. daily
Where: 3418 E. Broadway, Long Beach
More info: 562-433-2393 or thelibrarycoffee.com
Guests can come sit down, grab a coffee and read a book at this library-themed shop. It resembles an old vintage library with chandeliers, vintage couches and shelves filled with all sorts of books. And since it’s a library, people can take books home as well. It’s all on the honor system, so no need for a library card.
Horror Vibes Coffee
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: 5251 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
More Info: 818-824-3282 or horrorvibescoffee.com
Terror meets coffee at this horror-themed spot that’s decorated with old horror movie posters, props and original artwork. Try drinks like the Frankenstein’s Latte and Nightmare on Maple Street Latte or the Candyman, which is a white chocolate mocha. “Everything here is inspired by horror films. Ranging from the classics like ‘Frankenstein,’ to more recent films,” said Omaira Mahan, owner of the coffee shop. “And horror and coffee both really bring people together.”
Sirens Java & Tea
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Where: 402 W. Seventh Street, San Pedro
More info: 424-477-5370 or sirensjavahouse.com
The motto at this popular San Pedro coffee shop is “Where Coffee & Tea meet the Sea.” The shop is decorated in ocean colors and siren motifs with original hand-painted murals of mermaids adoring the walls and small statues throughout the airy space. Try drinks like the Mermaid Kiss, a raspberry white chocolate latte.
Supersweet Tattoos and Coffee
Hours: 7:30-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday
Where: 1345/1347 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles
More info: 213-315-5062 or supersweettattoo.com
Ink and beans is what this tattoo-themed shop is all about. The coffee shop is combined with a tattoo parlor, so you can get a latte and some fresh ink. Tattoo appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Orange County
Burnt Umber Coffee featuring Petals & Poison Tea Room
Hours: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily
Where: 12752 Valley View Street, Suite Q, Garden Grove
More info: instagram.com/burnt.umber.oc
A family-owned Victorian café that dabbles in Gothic aesthetics, Garden Grove’s Burnt Umber features ornamental décor, like a fireplace with carved mantle, vintage settees and black cabinetry. (The dark yet chic vibe prompted Searchlight Pictures to contact the owners, a sister-sister team, to host a promotional “Poor Things” party that saw lines stretching out the door). In addition to coffee and tea drinks, they also sell era-themed teapots, intricate tea strainers or other Victoriana. An upcoming reservation-based tearoom is in the works for later this year.
Hello Kitty Grand Café
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Where: Irvine Spectrum Center near the Giant Wheel, 860 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine
More info: 949-536-5357 or instagram.com/hellokittycafeirvine
Dedicated to Sanrio’s iconic feline and her band of gleeful friends, the Hello Kitty Grand Café, which opened in 2018 at the Irvine Spectrum, offers guests espresso drinks, teas (iced, hot or milk), lemonades and fresh donuts. But it’s the Hello Kitty vibe saturating the space, replete with pink-hue overload and images of the world’s second-most recognizable cat (Garfield being the first), that keeps people coming back for more.
“We see all ages of people who come here,” says Tiffany Trough, social media manager of Hello Kitty Grand Café. “We see a lot of children, obviously, but also adults well into their eighties. It’s a very diverse customer base.” The café also has a speakeasy-esque Bow Room, a hidden, reservations-only space for high tea that turns into a cocktail lounge come nightfall.
Melted Vinyl
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Where: 580 South Brea Blvd., Brea
More info: 714-485-5640; meltedvinyl.coffee; instagram.com/meltedvinylcoffee
“It’s not a phase, mom,” reads the black spray painted graffiti below the cash register at this Brea coffee house dedicated to all things emo rock. In addition to espresso and coffee drinks (the house-made cold brews and syrups are especially popular), patrons can don their finest emo-era shirts, fishnets and eyeliner to leap back in time admiring the cafe’s band posters, records, vintage clothing and even an annual emo prom party.
The Night Owl
Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday
Where: 200 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton
More info: 714-525-0305; tnofullerton.com; instagram.com/thenightowlfullerton
This Fullerton café harkens back to the days of coffeehouses of the ’90s where bands routinely performed, comics tested out material and bohemian cognoscenti gathered over a cup of joe. The venue also features an open-mic poetry night the last Sunday of each month. Can you dig it?
Requiem Café
Hours: Noon-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; Noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Where: 280 S. Clementine Street, Anaheim
More info: 714-844-2245; requiemcafe.com; instagram.com/requiemcoffee
“Requiem is a place to heal from your childhood trauma,” said owner Kris Irons, who opened his gamer-themed coffee house in 2019. Its concept, a queer space where people can come play video games, card games or have a beverage with like-minded ilk, came about during his years as a homeless teen when he sought refuge inside coffee houses. The eye-popping space – a fantasy of forest, castle and space-ship décor – allows guests to plug in their consoles while enjoying a host of beverages, including themed lattes, and waffles.
Riverside County
4 Paws Coffee Co.
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
Where: 2500 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A5, Palm Springs
More info: 760-832-8021; 4pawscoffeeco.com
Dogs are welcome, humans are tolerated at this establishment on the north end of Palm Springs. It serves breakfast, pastries and sandwiches as well as a wide selection of caffeinated drinks, with a portion of the proceeds going to help local animal shelters, according to its website. It’s filled with canine art and ornaments, some of them for sale.
Frisky Business Coffee Shop
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
Where: 4781 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite F, Palm Springs
More Info: 760-464-0303
This is a cat café is on the southeast end of Palm Springs. It includes a room where customers can visit with about 10 felines, and there is adoption information posted on the “purr-sonnel.” The rate is $10 for 20 minutes, and $22 for 45 minutes and a 16-ounce drink. The human menu includes coffee drinks and sandwiches, and cups of cat treats cost $2.
Gré records & Coffee
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Where: 278 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Unit C, Palm Springs
More info: 310-409-8849; grecoffeehouse.com
This snug boutique is tucked in the back of a shopping arcade near the heart of Palm Springs. Its business is mainly vinyl, but it serves $3 espressos and inexpensive coffees. Prices aren’t bad for the used LPs either. Other inventory includes funky jewelry, lurid crime paperbacks from the 1950s and vintage Playboy magazines.
San Bernardino County
Rad Coffee
Hours: 6 a.m.-midnight daily
Where: Multiple Locations: 232 N. Second Ave, Upland; 145 N Citrus Ave., Covina; 3502 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach; 3952 University Ave., Riverside.
More info: rad.coffee
Skate, punk and a little bit of horror-rockabilly come together at this small, Upland-born coffee chain. The shops are brightly decorated, they have vintage and original horror posters and flyers plus pinball machines and spooky-themed drinks like the Bonesbrew espresso and The Wolf iced latte. They’re served in cups adorned with the slick skull logo. “People love the uniqueness of these shops and people love horror and punk so they feel a lot of nostalgia here,” said Indy De Los Santos, a shift manager at the Long Beach location.
Roast the Dead
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Where: 12764 California Street, Suite A, Yucaipa
More info: 909-372-1153; instagram.com/roast_the_dead_coffee
This three-year-old coffee house plays homage to ’80s horror movies like “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th.” The interior is so dark and filled with sinister memorabilia that only eight customers are allowed in at a time. The menu includes coffee drinks and “the fogs,” trendy cold brews named after scary characters such as Freddy Krueger from the “Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise. “Booista” designs include writing the word “murder” backwards in red syrup on top of cold foam in honor of “The Shining.”
