Stepping into Turf Cafe at Kazhakoottam a little after 11am on a Sunday, it is louder and dimmer than usual. On the left, a wooden rack lined with Van Gogh souvenirs and coffee table books separates the barista from the rest of the space. He is surrounded by flasks, coffee grounds and rising steam.
Further inside, DJ Sanu mans a station tucked away from the entrance, playing trance music as strobing laser lights cut through clouds of white smoke. In the centre, the café floor is packed with people young and old, moving in tune with the beat. This was Thiruvananthapuram’s first taste of a coffee rave, held on July 6, organised by Eat at Trivandrum (EAT), a city-based online food community, and its parent organisation SCRBL.
DJ Sanu performing at coffee rave
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
The coffee rave, which first gained ground in Europe about a decade ago, began as an underground party concept that swapped alcohol for caffeine. The idea is simple: loud EDM, shots of coffee, and finger food, all before lunchtime.
In recent years, cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have seen their share of such raves. A few have also 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 party 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 at the coffee rave
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
The dance floor saw young couples, teenagers, friends and even father-daughter duos busting moves together. Strangers sipping on cranberry cold brews formed dance circles that grew with every track. Around 60 participants attended the rave with most of them registering online.
But, if, like me, you are not one for dancing in public, a quiet corner of the café was reserved for sampling a range of brews — AeroPress, Chemex, V60, French Press, Mokapot and Siphon, to name a few. Each method brings a different taste, texture and aroma. You could sample them all and figure out what suits your palate, like Aniina.
Barista explaining the coffee making process
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
“I liked the V60 and Mokapot coffees. I’m going to buy the V60 brewing gear,” says Aniina, originally from Finland, who has lived in Thiruvananthapuram for the past ten years with her Malayali husband. “I love that it’s a sober event, and in the daytime,” she adds.
Small bites like meatballs with garlic sauce and chicken nuggets with Togarashi mayo paired perfectly with the coffee.
Finger food being served at the coffee rave
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The party was a fresh experience for many. Arvind’s father, Soju TG, 60, took a breather after dancing with his family. “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, before getting up to join his wife for another round on the dance floor.
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
