Buzzworthy: Beer and coffee, together again

Though bar-cafes such as the Map Room and Katarina's have championed the idea for years, Chicago seems to be further catching on to a trend seen in Europe and even the East Coast, said Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic Information Services, a food service consultant based in Chicago.

While people drink coffee throughout the day, they mainly buy it in the morning and afternoon, Tristano said.

"When you think of a cafe in the U.S., you think breakfast. In Europe, when you think cafe, it's a place to have coffee and have a drink," he said. Offering alcohol on menus and shifting more to a wine bar at night can help generate sales revenue, he said.

Coffee and alcohol complement each other because they're consumed at different parts of the day, said Harry Balzer, who studies eating habits and is vice president of the NPD Group, a market research company.

"What the appeal here is the customer base tends to be the same--adults--and there's further utilization of the facility beyond its peak period," he said.

But he questions whether the novelty will wear off. "If it's a product that will save us time and money, it'll be a trend and not a fad. If it doesn't do one of those two things, it's probably more of fad," Balzer said.

For now, these cafes are alternatives to Starbucks or the corner bar--even though they're not quite either. Unlike a coffeehouse, there's no mad rush to the counter or pressure to leave. But the vibe isn't exactly bar-like either. Cafes that serve booze and beans are quieter than sports bars, classier than dive bars, and cozier than clubs--more like lounges. But at the end of the day, they're places to be social, hang with friends, grab a snack and still work on laptops that run on free Wi-Fi.

Aundray Akbar, 28, a restaurant server who lives in Wheeling, stopped by Scarlet in Boystown, which reopened three weeks ago after a fire forced it closed earlier this year, simply because it looked low-key. "I'm not in the mood for a bar scene, just something light and easy," he said. "I don't have to worry about loud music and a bunch of drunks."

Tony Pehar, whose parents are from Croatia, wanted to channel his European roots when he opened Pure Cafe last month. "When you go back to Croatia, you go to a cafe and start off with espresso, maybe order a beer and cevapi or flatbread and sit around with some friends," he said. Infusing that European flair into his cafe and menu, Pehar offers Nutella crepes, risotto and raznjici, skewered pork with roasted veggies and onions served with pita bread.

Overall, the cafe's vibe is inviting, unpretentious. The fireplace warms the room, and high ceilings give the space a lofty look. Stipe Zadro, 35, watched Monday night football from one of the eight flat-screen TVs plastered on the wall there. His wife sipped on merlot and listened to music played loud enough to recognize the song but soft enough to hear a conversation among friends.

"There's good music on. I can watch football and have a cup of coffee, and I can still bring my wife here and she won't be bored," said Zadro, a developer who lives in Skokie. "It's got the best of both worlds." 

5 spots to double up with coffee and beer

By Carly Fisher
During the day, our No. 1 vice is coffee. After dark, we'd rather get our buzz from something a little more potent. And sometimes we like to mix it up with a martini at noon and a mocha at midnight. We're no strangers to local cafe-bars that serve both beans and booze, but as more new spots pop up, here's where to go to get the right balance of both, sometimes even in the same glass.

Pure Cafe
6251 N. McCormick Rd. 773-463-3400
The vibe: Lined with TVs showcasing sports, this casual West Rogers Park cafe is a good bet if you're looking to catch up with friends--but not if you're cramming for a final exam.
The coffee: Illy espresso drinks, including the Pure Frenchman ($3), a vanilla-hazelnut latte topped with whipped cream and chocolate
The booze: Limited selection of beer,
wine and liquor, including some cocktails
such as a pomegranate martini ($11), featuring Grey Goose vodka, Pama pomegranate liqueur, sour mix and cranberry juice
Best of both worlds: Peppermint O'Patty ($5.50), a refreshingly sweet blend of espresso, mint syrup, Baileys and Ghirardelli chocolate

Scarlet
3320 N. Halsted St.  773-348-1053
The vibe: Recently reopened after a fire in February, this revamped Boystown lounge now provides a social spot complete with free Wi-Fi during the day before becoming a party destination in the evening.
The coffee: Unlimited Metropolis drip coffee for $2 until 8 p.m.; by request only after 8 p.m. Add flavored schnapps to your brew for $1.50 Monday-Friday.
The booze: Full bar serving cocktails such as the Maroon, a.k.a. "Trail Mix" ($11), a sweet, nutty blend of Frangelico, Grand Marnier and cranberry juice.
Best of both worlds: The Au Laid ($9), made with tequila, iced coffee and butterscotch schnapps.

Cafe Wha Who?
228 W. Chicago Ave. 312-475-1820
The vibe: This boho River North cafe-bar supports the local arts scene by hosting
gallery openings, live music events and poetry readings. It's also a comfy spot to
catch up on a good book.
The coffee: Espresso bar (drinks run $2-$3.75) stocked with coffee from local roaster Star Lounge Coffee Company, 2521 W. Chicago Ave.
The booze: Full selection of liquor, beer and wine (drinks run $6-$8); no specialty cocktail list, but Wha Who shares ownership with Red Kiva (1108 W. Randolph St.), so we doubt they'll hold out on us for too long.
Best of both worlds: The Chiaroscuro ($9), a light-and-dark layering of Absolut Vanilia, espresso and Godiva white chocolate liqueur. You won't find it on the menu, so be sure to ask for it by name.

Three Peas Art Lounge
75 E. 16th St. 312-624-9414
The vibe: Tucked away on a quiet South Loop side street, this cozy cafe-bar-gallery feels like a home away from home, complete with plush armchairs, free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV.
The coffee: Metropolis coffee and loose teas.
The booze: Full bar available starting at noon. Order a beer and receive complimentary bar snacks.
Best of both worlds: The CB2 ($8), made with coffee, Bacardi and Baileys. It's not on the menu, but regulars know to ask for it.

Little Branch Cafe
1251 S. Prairie Ave. 312-360-0101
The vibe: This cafe is big with its South Loop neighbors. It got its start as a coffee shop, then branched out into a popular brunch and lunch destination. Since getting its liquor license, it's also earned a following for cocktails.
The coffee: Full-service espresso bar featuring Metropolis coffee and custom espresso drinks such as the chocolate-covered cherry mocha ($3.25).
The booze: Fully-stocked bar turning out drinks like the Rosebud ($8), citrusy blend of Absolut Citron, triple sec and fresh-squeezed grapefruit and lime juice. Look for fall drinks such as hot wine and spiked cider soon.
Best of both worlds: Little Branch hot buttered rum ($8), made with dark rum, maple syrup, steamed milk and nutmeg.

Carly Fisher is a Metromix special contributor.
metromix@tribune.com