Intelligentsia Coffee To Open First Location In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Intelligentsia Coffee will open it first coffee bar in Austin — and in Texas, for that matter — this week, officials said.

The opening of the new 30-seat outpost is scheduled to be opened on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 607 W. 3rd St., of the lobby level of the Third + Shoal building. Officials in a press advisory promised to bring exceptional seasonal coffees to Austin, all directly sources from Intelligentsia's long-term partners across 14 countries.

Menus will be printed daily, and will feature single-origin coffees specially curated by baristas each morning, in addition to a menu of espresso drinks and brewed teas from Kilogram. Six coffee and tea drinks will be available on-tap - Intelligentsia’s cold coffee + nitro cold coffee, nitro lattes + nitro matcha oat milk latte, iced tea and a seasonal drink, Limelight (sparkling tonic, lime juice and cold coffee). Also featured on the menu will be drink exclusive to Austin, The Roadrunner (cold coffee, fresh pressed grapefruit juice and soda over ice).

In addition to serving up java, Intelligentsia continues to expand its local partnerships by working with Easy Tiger and Sour Duck in creating a variety of croissants, danishes, cookies and other specialties.

In celebration of their first Austin location, Intelligentsia will be doing three giveaways at the coffee bar location that guests can enter between the hours of 7 a.m. to noon on opening day. Prizes include the following:

• One year of free Intelligentsia coffee (valid at Intelligentsia Coffeebars for one free cold coffee or 12oz hot coffee a day).
• An Askanosie chocolate library, containing 15 premium, single origin, direct trade chocolate bars.
• Two music + camping tickets to the 14th Annual Trans-Pecos Festival of Music + Love in Marfa, Texas, on Thursday, Sept. 26 to Sunday 29, from Bunkhouse Group (music + camping tickets do not include transportation or tents/camping supplies/bedding).

“We are thrilled to be opening our first Intelligentsia coffee bar in Austin and to offer our culinary take on coffee as a small part of an already incredibly dynamic coffee scene,” said James McLaughlin, CEO and President of Intelligentsia Coffee, in a prepared statement.

"Intelligentsia worked with Austin-based architect Scott Magic on designing the coffee bar to be an urban oasis who was deeply inspired by Texas Hill Country swimming holes and the city of Austin," officials said in describing the aesthetics of the place. "Scott pays homage to both by staying local in his sourcing, only using materials found within 25 miles of Austin throughout the space. The horseshoe shaped bar itself was built out of Texas Gray Lueders limestone, the same stone as the swimming holes."

The true focal point of the coffee bar is an immersive 20-foot-by-40-foot mural designed and created by local artist Erin Curtis covering an entire wall. Drawing from Intelligentsia’ bold identity, We are Living On A Star comprises more than 4,800 recycled Elgin Butler bricks, cut to create strong patterns and dynamic color combinations throughout the work of art, officials described.

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Sunday
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (will open at at 7 a.m. on opening day)

About Intelligentsia Coffee (provided text)

Intelligentsia Coffee was founded by Doug Zell and Emily Mange in 1995, in the pursuit of a great tasting, freshly roasted cup of coffee. Fast forward 24 years, and Intelligentsia remains one of specialty coffees most pioneering and innovative companies. The Intelligentsia Direct Trade sourcing model has created opportunities for thousands of smallholder coffee farmers around the world and has been adopted by specialty coffee roasters everywhere. Known for their In-Season program and unique single-origin and rotating blends, Intelligentsia provides exclusive, remarkable coffees consumers won’t find anywhere else. There are 15 Intelligentsia coffeebars around the country, six located in their hometown of Chicago, four in Los Angeles, two in Boston, two in New York City and one in Austin. Follow on social at @IntelligentsiaCoffee on Facebook and Instagram, and @Intelligentsia on Twitter.