How Coffee Shops Are Serving Wine to Slow Down the Night

It used to be that coffee shops closed early, brewed light roasts, and kept things strictly caffeinated. But increasingly, cafes in cities like Shanghai, Seattle, and Paris are staying open until midnight — and selling wine, beer, and cocktails alongside espresso. For customers craving a slower evening, this shift is turning cafes into hybrid spaces where you can sip a glass of Malbec with your flat white or finish the night with a rich Irish coffee.

Coffee shops now routinely serve alcohol in the evening, with many staying open until midnight. In Shanghai, themed cafes pair New World and Old World wines with curated food menus, while others offer craft cocktails or layered drinks like Irish coffee. The trend brings back the original café model of Europe — a space for both coffee and convivial drinking well past sundown.

The European Café Legacy: Coffee and Booze Together

Long before the third wave, European cafés served more than just coffee. In France especially, cafés were known for selling wine, beer, and classic cocktails from midday onward. Patrons would linger over a glass of wine or a digestif long after the lunch crowd had gone. This tradition extended across Italy and Spain: Italians often enjoyed a shot of Grappa after dinner, while Madrileños sipped wine at sidewalk cafés along Castellana and Serrano boulevards, discussing politics over their glasses.

These multi-purpose venues blurred the lines between coffeehouse and tavern, operating more like modern lounges or early versions of bars. Their relaxed atmosphere, varied drink menus, and late hours laid the foundation for today’s hybrid café-bar spaces.

Modern Cafés Bringing Back the Tradition

In cities like Seattle, Starbucks experimented with the concept by renaming three locations as “15th Avenue Coffee and Tea” and adding wine and beer to the menu. The move reflected a broader cultural trend: consumers wanting more from their café experience than just a caffeine jolt. Around the same time, independent coffee shops in Shanghai began following suit.

Some cafés, like Marion’s Bar in Shanghai, started listing more alcoholic beverages on their menus. The owners, including 30-something coffee expert Lu, noticed that while most cafés offered limited or poorly made spirits, there was demand for better options. Other spots went further: Central Park Café, whose owner also runs a wine distribution business, stocks wines from France, Argentina, New Zealand, the U.S., and South Africa. Staff there curate food pairings — like a goat cheese plate with a South African Shiraz or a pasta dish with a New Zealand Riesling — and offer tailored drink recommendations for different moods.

Café Bars and Themed Drink Menus

Some venues lean into the bar concept even more overtly. Take Sofa Café Bar near Shanghai’s Xinhua Road: its name includes the word “bar,” and it’s known for creative cocktails in a Nordic-style space with warm lighting. Regulars praise its inventive drink list and cozy yet stylish atmosphere. These places often operate as both daytime cafés and nighttime lounges, offering different experiences across the hours.

At many such venues, the alcohol isn’t just an add-on — it's part of a carefully considered drinks program. Cocktails and wine are treated with the same intentionality as single-origin pour-overs, and the evening crowd is drawn as much by ambience as by caffeine.

Why Staying Open Late Changes the Vibe

A major shift has been the extension of café hours. Many now close at midnight or later, attracting a nocturnal crowd that’s there for the wine, not the coffee. That change has helped cultivate a slower, more contemplative “urban slow culture.” Instead of rushing through a takeaway latte, patrons linger over a glass of something stronger, enjoying a moment of quiet or conversation.

“In a city café lit by evening lamps, sipping wine can feel like stepping into a Parisian café — a rare pocket of calm amid the noise,” says wine consultant Shen Jie. The late-night format encourages a more relaxed pace, whether you’re alone with a book or sharing a bottle with friends.

Some cafés also serve coffee-based liqueurs. Irish coffee, for instance, layers Irish whiskey, hot coffee, and cream in a visually striking drink meant to be shared and savored. It’s often prepared tableside, turning the act of drinking into an event. The rich, sweet combination of caffeine and alcohol creates an indulgent yet comforting experience, particularly appealing as the evening winds down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which coffee shops are serving wine and beer in Shanghai?

Shanghai cafes like Marion’s Bar, Central Park Café, and Sofa Café Bar now serve wine, beer, and cocktails. Central Park offers New and Old World wines with food pairings, while Sofa Café Bar emphasizes craft cocktails in a lounge-like setting. Some, like Marion’s, cater to both coffee and alcohol drinkers throughout the day and night.

Do cafés really stay open until midnight?

Yes, many modern cafés in urban areas, particularly in China and the U.S., now stay open until 12 AM or later to serve evening customers who prefer wine or cocktails over coffee. This shift helps create a more relaxed, late-night social atmosphere.

What kinds of wine are typically served in coffee shops?

Coffee shops often offer a mix of Old World (France, Italy) and New World (Argentina, New Zealand, U.S.) wines. Popular selections include French rosé, South African Shiraz, New Zealand Riesling, and American Sauvignon Blanc, chosen to pair with both food and the evening crowd’s mood.

What’s an Irish coffee and how is it served?

An Irish coffee is a layered drink made with 1/3 Irish whiskey, 1/3 hot coffee, and 1/3 cream. It’s often prepared tableside and served as a dessert or evening drink in cafés. The combination of caffeine and alcohol makes it a comforting nightcap.

Why are cafés serving alcohol now?

Cafés are responding to customer demand for a slower, more social evening experience. By serving wine and beer, they attract a nighttime crowd, extend their hours, and recreate the historic role of cafés as both drinking and gathering spaces.

Are coffee and alcohol a good pairing?

Yes, especially in drinks like Irish coffee or when pairing lighter wines with desserts. Some cafés design specific food and drink pairings to complement both the flavors and the mood of the evening.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Evening Café Drinking

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for a bright, floral espresso that works well in after-dinner milk drinks, or their Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 for a smooth, low-acid cup that pairs nicely with wine. For something richer, their PWN Golden Mandheling offers full body and sweet chocolate notes — perfect for a long evening. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.