Imagine this: It is late afternoon. Rather than returning home from the series of errands you ran throughout the day to prepare for dinner or a late night dancing to techno in an underground bar, your main social event of the day has already begun. A rising DJ with an ever-growing social media following is playing a mix of contemporary R&B and underground Afrobeats. Millennials are commingling with Gen Xers and Gen Zers as the packed room overflows onto the street. And instead of sipping a gin and tonic or a beer, you’re drinking a coffee by Tizoc red de Totutla from Puebla, Mexico.
The nightclub scene is not dead. It’s just been transformed into something different.
That’s the vibe of DialTone Kissa, a new and sporadic event series taking place at Four Letter Word Coffee in Avondale. The series, which mixes coffeehouse vibes with DJs, just held its second party event in July. The event is part of a growing trend among Chicago coffeehouses. Yes, you read that right. As social dynamics have changed in the 2020s, so too have the third spaces where folks like to gather. And few events encapsulate this changing dynamic as much as the rise of the DJ and coffeehouse scene.
Cafe owners and event creators are now fueled by a desire to create community-focused events and scenes that are non-alcoholic but vibey all the same. From the weekly Drip Sessions at Drip Collective in the West Loop to the roaming Techno and Espresso parties to Brew & Beats at Oromo Cafe, Chicago’s music and coffee scenes have gotten a serious upgrade.
“We kind of vibe out here making drinks. Then people on the other side vibe out as they’re waiting for the drinks, and taking in the experience,” said Jonathan Vega, co-founder of DialTone Kissa. “It all just fits so well together, like a puzzle piece.”
This new social phenomenon shouldn’t come as a surprise. As younger generations shift away from traditional nightlife environments and hone in on opportunities for organized socializing, the laptop-driven, work-from-home-oriented coffeehouse of the past is being transformed back into a place for socialization.
“I think (we) see this space as almost like a home, in a sense,” Vega said. “Like, if you’re a guest at our space, we want to give you something special, and I want to make you feel welcome.”
Although their origin stories differ, what remains true among the creators of these events is a foundation within the music community. Ty Banks, the co-owner of Drip Collective, was a bartender for four years before opening the shop. Live music was central to his experience within bar culture.
“Everybody loves music to some extent, and we’re all listening to something when we have our headphones in. So when I was opening the shop, I’m like, it’d be cool to have a live aspect to it where, if people do want to come in and work, they don’t have to put in their headphones because there’s good music playing, or people will just come to actually experience the DJ that’s playing,” Banks said.
Thomas Niewiara, the creator of Techno and Espresso, said he got quite involved in the local music scene around five years ago. And while his active clubbing days are less prominent now as a father, he still has a drive to create something that centers his favorite genre of music within a more sober-driven environment.
Music is central, but it doesn’t dominate the environment. Instead, selections work in cohesion with the drinks and the guests, creating a scene that is at once welcoming and eclectic. Event creators are not limited by genre, but they often stick to genres that produce optimal vibes. Think house or techno or hip-hop or soul. More than anything, they said they’re focused on what creates the best environment for their audiences and customers.
“For a lot of events, we’ll also do open decks for the first hour or two, where I’ll have sign-up slots for newer DJs to perform for 15 or 20 minutes,” Niewiara said. “In some cases, this will be their first time performing in public, and other times they might be transitioning into a different genre, but it all comes down to them wanting to share their appreciation for music as well.”
But this is about more than just music. The people are the party. Each space differs, but the owners and creators prioritize community and inclusivity over exclusivity and pretension.
“We really want to make people feel seen, heard and taken care of,” said DJ Brown, a co-founder of DialTone Kissa. “When it comes to what they’re into, what they drink, what they don’t drink, we’re always trying to figure out how we can connect with them in some form of way.”
Drip Collective began with a DJ booth, then incorporated bleacher-style seating and large community tables into their space over individual two-tops to encourage socialization.
“Anywhere you sit in the shop, you’re not facing a wall. You’re always facing someone else,” Banks said. “So I feel like that alone opens up for natural conversation to happen.”
Central too is a reliance on elevated, non-alcoholic drinks. Fueled by creators who are baristas and coffee lovers at heart, these spaces make sure their offerings are as unique and creative as the music selections. Niewiara credits a general health-conscious movement happening within the techno space, while DialTone Kissa said they’re focused on crafting a unique mixology and non-alcoholic experience for their guests. From one-of-a-kind teas to coffees roasted in-house to matcha-based mocktails served in Collins glasses, these creators value intentional presentation and offerings.
“One thing (customers) said about the drinks that we presented was they were all elevated in their own way and they all held their own weight. And that was a really good sign for us,” Vega said.
As creators look toward the future, this trend shows no sign of stopping. And other spaces are getting in on the act. Abrah Bakery, a recently opened cafe, bakery and restaurant in Lincoln Park, held a Sunday evening pop-up party featuring “Afro deep house.” Banks said he’d like to explore “how Drip can live at many places, outside of Drip Collective.” And while DialTone Kissa is still in its early days, its co-founders remain focused on creating a high-level event that caters to the community they’ve found and cultivated.
“We’re always trying to make sure that we make people feel comfortable,” Vega said. “Make them feel right at home.”
- Four Letter Word Coffee, 3022 W. Diversey Ave.; www.4lwcoffee.com
- Drip Collective, 172 N. Racine Ave.; dripcollective.coffee
- Techno and Espresso; www.technoandespresso.com
- Oromo Cafe at 4703 N. Lincoln Ave. and 1912 N. Western Ave.; www.oromocafechicago.com
- Abrah Bakery & Daily Bistro, 2269 N. Lincoln Ave.; solowaycoffee.com
Britt Julious is a freelance critic.
