Coffee and Live Music: The Perfect Pair

By Lauren Horne | April 10, 2017

There’s something so cozy and inviting about hearing live music at a coffee shop. Whether you’re out for a solo afternoon cup or you’re on a romantic date, the combination of aromatic coffee and live music pairs well for any situation. The feeling of holding a warm mug in your hands while listening to local talent is tender and homey.

San Diego has a lot to offer when it comes to coffee and live music. Any of these spots would be a great place to grab a coffee and support a local musician:

Temana

You can spend hours at this island style cafe. Temana’s interior is decorated with vintage charm, but the patio is our favorite spot this time of year. Take a seat at a picnic table under the shade of tall trees, savor your coffee, and enjoy the live strum of a guitar. Temana hosts an open mic on Sundays from 3-5pm. The timing is perfect for live performances — though the weekend is winding down on a Sunday afternoon, coffee and music are the perfect cure for the pre-Monday blues.

Address: 4956 Voltaire St. San Diego, CA 92107

Kaffee Meister

This East County coffee shop offers live music three nights per week. There’s plenty of seating and the shop feels open and spacious. Kaffee Meister has a great selection of coffee, espresso, and frappes as well as killer pastries. Place your order and enjoy the live music from Wednesday through Friday. The live music schedule is as follows: Jazz on Wednesday, open mic night on Thursday, and local musicians on Friday.

Address: 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd. San Diego, CA 92071

Lestat’s West

When you step into Lestat’s, you feel like a character from Friends. With its eclectic charm and welcoming atmosphere, Lestat’s is reminiscent of Central Perk, the famous fictional coffee shop frequented by Rachel, Pheobe, Monica and the rest of the gang. Lestat’s is filled with cozy couches and unique, mismatched furniture. The small venue attached to the coffee shop provides a stage for local musicians. Mondays are the designated open mic nights. (Maybe Phoebe will take the stage one of these days to sing “Smelly Cat”?)

Address: 3341 Adams Ave. San Diego, CA 92116

Lazy Hummingbird

This local coffee shop is a gem in Ocean Beach. The baristas are always kind, the acai bowls are unbeatable, and the signature drinks will keep you coming back for more (we recommend the Dirty Bird). Not only does the Lazy Hummingbird serve great coffee drinks, they also host open mic nights from time to time.  Check their schedule to see what they have in store.

Address: 4876 Santa Monica Ave. San Diego, CA 92107

Coffee shops like these are often the hub of local communities. These inviting spaces make it easy to meet people and make friends, and they provide a comfortable space for artists to showcase their talent. If you aren’t one to take the stage, we hope you support your local coffee shop and your local talent by becoming a caffeinated member of the audience.