Starbucks' Evening Drink Events in the U.S.

If you’ve ever left work, walked past your local coffee shop, and wished there was something more than espresso or drip coffee on offer after 5 p.m., you’re not alone. Many coffee drinkers want evening options that go beyond caffeine—something to sip while unwinding, without committing to a full bar.

This fall, Starbucks will serve beer and wine at select U.S. cafes, continuing its 'Starbucks Evening' program. The locations include southern California, Atlanta, Chicago, and the Pacific Northwest. The chain says these offerings do especially well after work and on weekends.

What Is Starbucks Evening?

'Starbucks Evening' is the company’s initiative to serve alcoholic beverages like beer and wine alongside coffee in the later hours of the day. Originally tested years ago, it’s now returning to more locations across the U.S. this autumn. The program includes not just drinks but also small bites, aiming to create a café atmosphere that extends into the evening.

Where Starbucks Evening Is Expanding

This fall, the expanded Starbucks Evening program will launch in several key U.S. regions: southern California, Atlanta, Chicago, and the Pacific Northwest. These areas were chosen based on previous popularity, particularly for evening foot traffic and customer demand after standard working hours. The initiative allows the cafes to serve alcohol legally in designated areas where permitted.

Other Coffee Shops Doing Alcohol Too

Starbucks isn’t the only coffee business experimenting with beer and wine. In December last year, Chicago’s Coffee Studio added beer and wine to its menu. Co-owner Lee Corrina Cano said the move boosted sales during typically slow hours. 'Before, we had little business after 10 or 11 a.m., but we still paid rent and staff,' she explained. Alcohol helped fill those gaps.

Over in Charleston, California, Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer took it a step further by installing four beer taps—and plans to expand to 15 or 16. Owner Jason Bell said regular beer-themed events, including meet-the-brewer nights, have become a hit with customers. The model blends the café environment with craft beer culture, attracting a broader, more evening-oriented crowd.

Why More Cafés Are Serving Alcohol

Coffee shop owners and designers say the trend is driven by simple economics and changing customer habits. 'More cafés are adding beer and wine to boost income, extend hours, and attract different patrons,' noted Melanie Corey-Ferini, design director at Dynamik Space. She pointed out that many coffee drinkers are also enthusiasts of handcrafted beers, making the combination a natural fit. By staying open later and offering non-coffee options, cafés tap into new revenue streams during previously slow periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Starbucks locations are serving beer and wine this fall?

This autumn, Starbucks will serve beer and wine in southern California, Atlanta, Chicago, and the Pacific Northwest. These locations are part of the chain’s expanded 'Starbucks Evening' program, which focuses on after-work and weekend service.

What kinds of alcoholic drinks does Starbucks serve?

Starbucks serves beer and wine as part of its 'Starbucks Evening' program. Specific brands vary by location, but the focus is on easy-drinking, casual options suited to a café atmosphere.

Is Starbucks the only coffee shop selling alcohol?

No. Other independent coffee shops, such as Chicago’s Coffee Studio and Charleston’s Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer, also serve beer and wine. Some, like Kudu, have multiple taps and host beer-focused events alongside coffee.

Why are coffee shops adding beer and wine to their menus?

Coffee shops add alcohol to increase revenue during slow hours, extend operating hours, and attract a broader customer base. Evening drinks help cover fixed costs like rent and staffing when coffee sales dip after the lunch rush.

Do these evening drink programs happen every day?

Not necessarily. Programs like Starbucks Evening typically operate on select days, usually evenings and weekends, when customer demand for non-caffeinated options is higher.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Evening Sipping

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