Coffee raves are growing in popularity in Atlanta
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Photo: Courtesy of Daybreaker
The traditional way of clubbing — where you dance like no one's watching with a beer or cocktail in hand — is out, and a new scene is emerging for people who'd rather have the word "espresso" in front of "shot": coffee raves.
Why it matters: Daytime dance parties are redefining nightlife for the sober-curious crowd, offering high-energy parties without the hangover.
By the numbers: Coffee clubbing events in Atlanta are up 300% compared to last year, according to Eventbrite.
- Attending is cheaper than getting bottle service: Tickets are typically under $60 and often include alcohol-free drinks.
How it works: DJs spin daytime sets at coffee shops and event spaces nationwide.
- Big names in "soft clubbing" — as Eventbrite calls it — include Be You Disco, House of Coffee Music Festival and Daybreaker.
- Events can mix yoga, live music, cold plunges and saunas, and high-fives.
Zoom in: Coffee Party Atlanta, which launched earlier this year, hosted several gatherings over the summer around the city.
- If the soft clubbing vibe is your thing, Black Coffee Atlanta hosts Cafe Unplugged (a live music experience similar to "MTV Unplugged") on first Fridays of the month.
Catch up quick: Daybreaker was a major pioneer of the format in 2013, when it launched early-morning weekday dance parties in New York City.
- The idea came out of a 4am conversation over falafel. Friends Radha Agrawal and Matthew Brimer looked "like hell" after a long night of partying, and "we both realized that we really want to tuck ourselves in by 10pm," Agrawal tells Axios.
- They co-founded Daybreaker with this concept: Combine parts of nightlife and wellness to create a community-oriented, health-forward morning event.
What they're saying: Daybreaker replaced alcohol with green juice, replaced a bouncer with a "hugging committee," and offered "wow moments" every 15 minutes, Agrawal says. Think aerialists, fire spinners and breakdancers to keep the sober dancers energized.
- More than a decade later, Daybreaker is hosting 100 events this year, Agrawal says, and there are infinite derivatives across the U.S.
The intrigue: Sober dance parties are an obvious fit for Gen Z, but they welcome attendees of all ages.
Pro tip: For people used to dancing with the help of "liquid courage," you might just spectate at your first couple sober events. Agrawal has studied this, saying it can take seven times before you're comfortable in the center of the dance circle.
What's next: Palo Santo will host two daytime House Brew parties on Saturday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 18.
- It will also host Daybreaker's upcoming party in Atlanta, which is set for 10am Sunday, Oct. 12.