You’re not just getting coffee here. You’re stepping into Gowanus’s creative heartbeat, where every wall tells a story and every cup connects you to something bigger.
Walk in on any day and you’ll find work from the 300+ artists who call this neighborhood home. Fresh exhibitions rotate monthly, so there’s always something new to discover. No pretentious gallery atmosphere, no intimidating price tags you can’t pronounce.
Just real art from real people, displayed in a space where you can actually relax, think, and maybe find that perfect piece you’ve been looking for.
We’re not trying to be the fanciest spot in Brooklyn. We’re something better – we’re authentic Gowanus.
This neighborhood has been home to artists since the 1990s, when creators flocked to converted warehouses and industrial spaces. We’ve watched Gowanus evolve while staying true to its creative roots. That’s exactly what we do here: honor the past while supporting the future of this community.
Every month, we partner with Arts Gowanus and local collectives to showcase emerging and established talent. You’re not just supporting a coffee shop – you’re investing in the creative economy that makes this neighborhood special.
Here’s how it works: You walk in for coffee and leave with something that moves you. Maybe it’s just inspiration. Maybe it’s a conversation with the artist. Maybe it’s a piece you take home.
Each month, we curate fresh exhibitions featuring local Gowanus artists. Browse while you wait for your order, ask questions, learn the stories behind the work. Our artists are often here during peak hours, so you can meet the person behind the piece.
If something catches your eye, purchase directly from the artist. No gallery markup, no complicated contracts. Just fair prices and direct support for the people creating the work that makes this neighborhood vibrant.
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You get rotating monthly exhibitions featuring painters, photographers, sculptors, and mixed-media artists from the Gowanus creative community. Each show runs 4-6 weeks, giving you time to really connect with the work.
We host artist spotlights during Gowanus Open Studios weekend, when hundreds of local creators open their doors to the public. It’s Brooklyn’s biggest celebration of local art, and we’re right in the middle of it.
Our coffee program takes the same care we bring to art curation. Local roasters, expertly trained baristas, and the kind of attention to detail that keeps the creative community coming back. Because great art deserves great coffee, and both deserve a space that respects what they bring to the neighborhood.
We rotate exhibitions monthly, sometimes extending exceptional shows to 6 weeks. This gives you regular opportunities to discover new work while allowing each artist adequate time to connect with visitors.
New exhibitions typically launch the first Friday of each month with an informal reception from 6-8 PM. You can meet the featured artists, learn about their process, and see the work in a more focused setting. We announce upcoming shows through our social media and in-store displays, so you’ll always know what’s coming next.
Absolutely. All artwork displayed is available for purchase directly from the artists, with no gallery commission or markup from us.
Artists set their own prices and handle their own sales, which means you’re supporting them directly. Most pieces include the artist’s contact information, or our staff can connect you if they’re not currently in the cafe. We believe art should be accessible, and direct sales keep prices fair for everyone involved.
Payment methods vary by artist – some prefer cash, others accept digital payments. We’re happy to facilitate the connection and provide a comfortable space for you to discuss the work with its creator.
Yes, we’re active participants in Gowanus Open Studios, Brooklyn’s largest annual celebration of local art. During the October weekend event, we serve as both a venue for featured artists and a gathering spot for the hundreds of visitors exploring the neighborhood.
We also collaborate regularly with Arts Gowanus, the nonprofit organization that supports and advocates for local artists. Throughout the year, we host special exhibitions tied to neighborhood events, artist talks, and community gatherings that celebrate Gowanus’s creative identity.
Our goal is to be more than just a coffee shop that shows art – we want to be a genuine part of the creative ecosystem that makes this neighborhood special.
We showcase the full spectrum of Gowanus’s creative community – painters, photographers, sculptors, printmakers, mixed-media artists, and digital creators. Our focus is on artists who live or work in the neighborhood, though we occasionally feature creators with strong ties to the Gowanus arts scene.
You’ll see everything from emerging artists showing their work publicly for the first time to established creators who’ve been part of the neighborhood for decades. We particularly love featuring artists who reflect the industrial, evolving character of Gowanus in their work.
The common thread isn’t style or medium – it’s authenticity and connection to this community. We look for work that tells stories, sparks conversations, and reflects the creative energy that makes Gowanus unique in Brooklyn’s arts landscape.
That’s exactly who we designed this space for. Traditional galleries can feel exclusive or intimidating, especially if you’re new to collecting or just starting to explore art.
Here, you can view work while enjoying coffee, without pressure to buy or pretend you understand everything immediately. Artists often hang out during busy periods, so you can have casual conversations about their process, inspiration, or techniques. There’s no gallery attendant watching your every move or making you feel like you don’t belong.
We believe art should be part of daily life, not something you only encounter in formal settings. The relaxed cafe atmosphere lets you take your time, ask questions, and develop your own relationship with the work at your own pace.
We work closely with Arts Gowanus and local artist collectives to identify creators who represent the neighborhood’s diverse creative community. Artists can also approach us directly with portfolios and exhibition proposals.
Our selection process prioritizes local connection, artistic quality, and work that fits our intimate space. We look for pieces that spark conversation and reflect Gowanus’s unique character – whether that’s industrial influences, community themes, or the neighborhood’s ongoing evolution.
We try to balance emerging artists with more established creators, different mediums and styles, and voices that represent the full diversity of people making art in this community. The goal is always to give visitors authentic insight into what’s happening creatively in Gowanus right now.
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