Smell the Coffee : Entertaining the Valley’s Caffeine-Crazed

Coffeehouses--those cafes that often serve up cafe au lait with a dash of eclectic ambience--are a growing presence in the San Fernando Valley. Coffeehouse proprietors say their numbers have jumped from two to about a dozen in recent years. And by coffeehouses, we don’t mean the latest cafe to offer cappuccino and tiramisu. These places typically combine poetry readings or music with their espresso or cafe mocha. It’s all part of a nationl trend. Industry experts predict that, by 1999, there will be more than 2,500 coffee cafes around the country. It’s not surprising to note that, according to experts, about half of all Americans over 10 years old drink coffee.

Daily Grind Coffee drinkers average daily intake, 1993: 1.87 cups Gaining Ground

Gourmet or specialty coffees are the grind of choice at coffeehouses. Sales in the U.S. have risen almost 500% in the past 10 years:

Sales estimates (in hundreds of millions)

1992: $900 million

Around the Country Percent of U.S. population over 10 years old that drinks coffee regularly The Buzz

“People are becoming more health-conscious, steering away from the booze. History is repeating itself. People are more aware of what’s going on in the world. Coffeehouses are an inexpensive way to spend the evening without getting into trouble. . . . Creativity makes coffeehouses different. You get a different feel at each one. The people are the entertainment. Good conversation and people of all ages is what makes it different, whether someone is 15 or 50.” --John Dunn, owner Insomnia Cafe

“There were no coffeehouses in the Valley when we opened (in 1992), except for Joe Cafe and one in Northridge. You had to go over the hill to go to coffeehouses. After six months they started opening everywhere. Last year was big for them opening in the Valley. People want to have a nice spot to go, and bars are not cutting it anymore. Coffeehouses have kind of a Bohemian quality, which is in vogue again.” --May Poppick, owner of Emerson’s

Java Joints

A sampling of Valley coffeehouses that offer more than just a cup of joe.

Cobalt Cafe, 21622 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills

Hours: 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Features: Music, poetry readings, open readings Tuesday nights.

Coffee Junction, 19221 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana

Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

Features: Live entertainment Friday and Saturday 8-11 p.m.; Thursday 5-7 p.m.; open mike/jam sessions 3-5 p.m. Sunday.

Common Grounds, 9250 Reseda Blvd., Northridge

Hours: 8 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday; 9-1 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday.

Features: Nightly entertainment, open mike night Wednesday.

Eagles Coffee Pub, 5231 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood

Hours: 7 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday; 9-1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m.-midnight Sunday.

Features: Music, games, poetry. Poetry open mike night Thursday, live music Friday and Saturday.

Emerson’s, 13203 Ventura Blvd., Studio City

Hours: 11-2 a.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday.

Features: Food and music on Saturday, readings and comedy improv on Monday nights.

Grounds Zero, 124 San Fernando Blvd., Burbank

Hours: Opens at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closes 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Features: Light food menu, poetry readings Thursday and Saturday nights; open mike Monday nights; jazz Sunday 6-9 p.m.

Iguana Cafe, 10943 Camarillo St., North Hollywood

Hours: Opens noon every day. Closes 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Features: Poetry readings, music almost every night, usually beginning at 9 p.m., with midnight sets on weekends.

Insomnia Cafe, 13718 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks

Hours: 9-3 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 9-4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Features: Music, poetry, open mike night Tuesday, board game night Wednesday.

Joe Cafe, 12232 1/2 Ventura Blvd., Studio City

Hours: Opens 9 a.m. every day. Closes 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Features: Occasional acoustic music and board games.

Storyteller Bookstore and Cafe, 22047 Sherman Way, Canoga Park

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, 4-9 p.m. Sunday.

Features: Full food menu. Used books for sale. Live storytelling on certain days; poetry, music all week.

Sources: National Coffee Assn., Specialty Coffee Assn.