Thiruvananthapuram brews up its first coffee rave

Stepping into Turf Cafe at Kazhakoottam slightly after 11am on a Sunday, it’s louder and dimmer than common. On the left, a picket rack lined with Van Gogh souvenirs and coffee desk books separates the barista from the remainder of the house. He is surrounded by flasks, coffee grounds and rising steam.

Further inside, DJ Sanu mans a station tucked away from the doorway, enjoying trance music as strobing laser lights minimize by clouds of white smoke. In the centre, the café ground is full of individuals younger and outdated, shifting in tune with the beat. This was Thiruvananthapuram’s first style of a coffee rave, held on July 6, organised by Eat at Trivandrum (EAT), a city-based on-line meals neighborhood, and its mum or dad organisation SCRBL.

The coffee rave, which first gained floor in Europe a couple of decade in the past, started as an underground occasion idea that swapped alcohol for caffeine. The thought is straightforward: loud EDM, photographs of coffee, and finger meals, all earlier than lunchtime.

In latest years, cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have seen their share of such raves. A number of have additionally popped up in Kochi. “There are a lot of people who want to enjoy a party with music and dancing, but without alcohol,” says Arvind Soju, co-founder of EAT and SCRBL. “Some people want to go out with friends but can’t stay out late. So we thought we’d do something for them too.” The occasion kicked off at 11am and wrapped up by 3pm.

Another co-founder of EAT and SCRBL, Anjana Gopakumar says, “For us, it is not about day or night, it is about having fun over the weekend, something to unwind from the weekly madness.”

Anjana Gopakumar on the coffee rave
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen

The dance ground noticed younger {couples}, youngsters, associates and even father-daughter duos busting strikes collectively. Strangers sipping on cranberry chilly brews shaped dance circles that grew with each observe. Around 60 contributors attended the rave with most of them registering on-line.

But, if, like me, you aren’t one for dancing in public, a quiet nook of the café was reserved for sampling a variety of brews — AeroPress, Chemex, V60, French Press, Mokapot and Siphon, to call just a few. Each methodology brings a special style, texture and aroma. You may pattern all of them and determine what fits your palate, like Aniina.

Barista explaining the coffee making course of
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen

“I liked the V60 and Mokapot coffees. I’m going to buy the V60 brewing gear,” says Aniina, initially from Finland, who has lived in Thiruvananthapuram for the previous ten years together with her Malayali husband. “I love that it’s a sober event, and in the daytime,” she provides.

Small bites like meatballs with garlic sauce and rooster nuggets with Togarashi mayo paired completely with the coffee.

Finger meals being served on the coffee rave
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The occasion was a recent expertise for a lot of. Arvind’s father, Soju TG, 60, took a breather after dancing together with his household. “It’s such a lively event with great energy. And the coffee gives a different kind of buzz. We need more of this in Thiruvananthapuram,” he says, earlier than getting up to affix his spouse for an additional spherical on the dance ground.

Arvind says, “We don’t want to stop with just one coffee rave. We hope to have more editions regularly in the future.”

Published – July 09, 2025 05:26 pm IST