Coffee Shops Are No Longer Just for Coffee: More People Are Flocking to Cafes for Drinks

Clear-headed by day, pleasantly tipsy by night — that's the lifestyle young office workers dream of. And today, drinking alcohol in coffee shops has emerged as the newest trend in on-site consumption.

Before spring had fully arrived, Shanghai's food and beverage industry took a heavy blow, forcing many businesses to pivot to takeout. Quite a few coffee shops and restaurants, however, didn't survive the "harsh" spring and closed their doors prematurely. Once the difficult spring had passed and Shanghai reopened for on-site dining, coffee shops and restaurants gradually returned to normal — but the recovery of the city's bars lagged behind. News of the closure of Shanghai's Sober Company bar only sharpened attention on the industry.

The Rise of Coffee-Alcohol Fusion

To speed up the recovery, coffee shops and bars launched a joint initiative: bartenders from dozens of bars took up residencies inside coffee shops, serving Shanghainese creative alcoholic coffee specials. Almost overnight, drinking alcohol in a coffee shop became the new trend. The initiative was reportedly part of Xiaohongshu's "Revival Plan," a collaborative event organized by multiple local coffee shops and bars that brought coffee-alcohol fusion drinks across Shanghai.

Last century, Teresa Teng sang "wine plus coffee, one cup after another," so the pairing is hardly new. Its popularity in China, though, has surged only in recent years. A "work hard, play hard" attitude has deepened the younger generation's appreciation for coffee alongside fine wine — and creative specialty drinks flavored with nothing more than coffee essence can no longer satisfy their appetite for living fast and having fun.

In 2017, when Dante in New York was making its name with a "European-style wine coffee shop" concept, Shanghai's Sober Company opened an establishment combining coffee and alcohol under one roof. More venues offering both followed.

Extended Operating Hours and Business Models

According to a Qianjiang Evening News report, since this summer many "extended hours" restaurants and bars have appeared on the streets of Hangzhou, serving both alcohol and coffee: caffeine to keep office workers alert by day, a place to drown sorrows after dark.

Yet influencer check-in culture has also swept through many of these shops — overwhelming some entirely. The internet celebrity economy is not sustainable: businesses may reap short-term gains, but in the long run it can genuinely harm an establishment.

The Business Potential of Coffee-Alcohol Fusion

Fine wine plus coffee not only delivers the novelty young people crave, but the model also strengthens consumer stickiness and improves conversion between coffee drinkers and bar patrons. Cleverly fused, coffee and alcohol let small shops explore the possibilities of all-day operation.

Image sources: Weibo, Internet

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If your shop is considering coffee-alcohol fusion — or you're simply the office worker who needs the "clear-headed by day" half of the equation to be genuinely good — bean selection matters. The FrontStreet Classic Blend is designed for espresso work, with outstanding crema that stands up in milk drinks and holds its character even in mixed preparations. Its traditional Mamba (Mandheling + Brazil) formula gives a mellow, rounded body that suits virtually every palate.

For shops watching costs without sacrificing quality, the FrontStreet Black Cocoa Blend — 100% Arabica with ample crema and rich body at an approachable price — balances quality and value, whether for home or commercial use.

And for a signature drink that stands out on an evening menu, the FrontStreet Strawberry Sugar espresso blend recreates the sweet aroma of strawberry gummy candy by fusing Arabica beans from different origins — an ideal base for differentiated milk coffees and creative specials, loved by anyone who enjoys fruity coffee and shies away from bitterness. One bag covers multiple serving styles, making it a versatile daily workhorse.