A Perky Brew

It was only a year or two ago that coffeehouses were a novelty in Los Angeles. Now a new one seems to open weekly, and the scene is growing more specialized.

In the La Brea district, Java on Beverly Boulevard, pik-me-up on West 6th and Living Room on La Brea are all places to see and be seen over caffeine.

For those who prefer smaller, quiet locations to read or talk, there’s Lizards in Hollywood or Cacao West L. A.

Kings Road in West Hollywood is a cross between a restaurant and coffeehouse, serving food as well as coffee.

Jabberjaw in the Pico/Crenshaw district offers industrial music, alternative video, and a significant collection of sad-eyed child paintings.

Los Feliz residents have hung out for years at the art-filled Onyx Sequel, while Bourgeois Pigg serves the hip Hollywood Hills crowd. On the eastern end of Melrose, there’s a new place, Kup, while Westsiders have their choice of Congo Square and Axe in Santa Monica and Queen of Cups in Venice.

Pasadena residents hang out at the Espresso Bar, and Woodland Hills now has its own place for poetry and open mikes, the Cobalt Cafe.

Then there are coffeehouses featured in the accompanying photos that are carving out niches with specific events.