By Gray Chapman
It’s freezing outside and we’re in midterms, and there’s nothing like a good cup of coffee to warm you up and caffeinate you for those all-nighters you’re pulling. Don’t bother with the bitter, burnt stuff at Starbucks — Octane Coffee Bar and Lounge is a hip alternative to the ubiquitous coffee shop chains scattered throughout Atlanta.
Located in the edgy and industrial Westside, Octane goes above and beyond what we’ve come to expect from the average café. The food is actually good here (no shrink-wrapped club sandwiches), the Wi-Fi is actually free, and their hours are SCAD student-friendly — they stay open until midnight during the week and until 1 a.m. on the weekends. But the hours aren’t the only thing SCAD students can appreciate about Octane. The place is staffed with artists — latte artists, that is.
The artisan baristas, who must pass a round of tests before they can get behind the counter, create tiny works of art out of each cup. They even whip up their own signature beverages from time to time. The Octane staff regularly hosts “Thursday Night Throwdown” barista competitions, and last year traveled to Minneapolis to compete in the U.S. Barista Championship.
Not to be outdone by its next-door neighbor, Sandler Hudson Gallery, Octane has turned itself into an alternative gallery space by exhibiting the work of local artists on its walls. This month, you can check out the photography of Rob Knight, an Atlanta tattoo artist-turned photographer. The iconic typographical installation piece on one of the walls is a piece of artwork alone — it’s the work of respected Atlanta type designer Stefan Kjartansson.
Octane also hosts creative events like Pecha Kucha, a forum for creative work in which artists of all disciplines come together and share their work. The next event will take place on Feb. 15, so bring some slides and get ready to network with other likeminded artists. The overall creative vibe at Octane is perfect for SCAD students looking to sit back and enjoy some coffee.
