Cafe For Contemporary Art
Lower Lonsdale’s newest hero.
On Sunday a few of us headed down for the soft opening of ‘Cafe For Contemporary Art’. If the name didn’t give it away, it’s an art gallery with a cafe.
Let me just say straight off the bat that this isn’t your typical art gallery cafe where a pot of coffee is being served in the corner in styrofoam cups for 50 cents with unlimited refills and sugar cubes. On the contrary. They come fully loaded with a new 2 group Synesso, anfims, a clover, and a wide range of beans from all around. On the back shelf there were bags of beans from intelligentsia, 49th, artigiano, elysian, vita, victrola, and stumptown.
The espresso they were using was 49th’s Organic Blend (I don’t even know the name, I just know it wasn’t Epic) but Tyler (the owner) said they plan to have guest espressos in rotation as well.
As per usual in regards to showcasing cafes, I will try to keep my words to a minimum and the pictures to a maximum, highlighting some of the things that stood out.
The clover is right beside the till on the front counter. I love that. Why must so many cafes hide their clovers/whatever brewing method they use on the back counter? I got stumptown.
In terms of decor and atmosphere, they did a really nice job. I’d say they nailed the contemporary art gallery feel, whilst at the same throwing in little splashes of funk and play all around. Lots of white, with color scattered throughout in all the right places.
The room to be used for the art gallery wasn’t set up when I was there but from what I hear there will be works from plenty of internationally renowned artists.
The macchiatos and espressos come in double walled bodum cups.
One of the funnest things about the cafe has nothing to do with coffee, and that is the children’s corner.
We had to…
Today (Tuesday) was supposed to be their official opening for business, so you should be able to go check it out from this point on. I believe the hours are 7-7 but don’t quote me.
The address is 140 E Esplanade. For those who live in a world where street addresses mean nothing (like me), it’s on the bottom of Lonsdale and to the left about 200 feet, in the bottom of a strada.
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I wish we had this kind of thing in Halifax !
great pix.
shit man, about 2 blocks from where I used to live.
Great coffee, great atmosphere, and greatly anticipating the gallery!
Hey George,
Thanks a tonne for this post! you know, while we’d like to be open 7-7 very soon, we need a few more staff… anyone interested?
current hours are 12-5
I’ll pull a shift when I come back west
Thanks George!
Honestly if someone is interested in working with us drop by and introduce yourself, or get in touch with myself or Tyler somehow.
cafeforcontemporaryart@gmail.com
778 340 3379
Looks great! I love the kids corner! Way to inspire young artists!
cute! i want to pay a visit sometime.
I was always under the impression Clover was not available anymore… or is this not correct?!
@Jimmy
My understanding is that there is still 1 or 2 left in the free market from Elysian Coffee, though I may be wrong.
Beauty!
also @Jimmy
I’ve even heard Cantebury has one kicking around.
I’m visiting this as soon as I can get a minute or two to get over to North Van. And double walled bodum cups are stunning… Glass is the new ceramic!
N
Went there last Saturday. place is really well conceived and put together… Wish I had something like this closer to my house!