Night owls who want to hang out just a little past their bedtime need a place to hang out too, even if they don’t want to have a boozy drink. Skip the bar and relax with a yummy, non-alcoholic drink at these late-night cafes.
This board game café has hundreds of board games available for guests to play, for only $5 per person daily. It’s a great late night hangout, with the doors staying open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. They serve lattes, pop and slurpees, plus beer, so you never have to go without a beverage while beating someone at Monopoly. They also have games for sale, in case you find a new favourite!
This iconic Whyte Avenue gem is a hit with anyone who doesn’t have a set bedtime, since the doors stay open till 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. While they do serve alcohol, don’t overlook their menu of signature non-alcoholic drinks, which includes pistachio chai, affogato (espresso poured over ice cream), ganache mocha, spicy Mexican mocha, Vietnamese coffee, cinnamon apple cider, full leaf tea and Italian sodas. Their amazing gelato always hits the spot, too.
If your friends want a beer but you are only down for a coffee, you no longer have to compromise – just hit up Bru Coffee + Beer House, for the best of both worlds. This hip spot, located in Oliver, serves local products, including Transcend coffee and Alley Kat Beer. You can hang out until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Open till 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (and until 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays), Blue Chair Café is a fun place to sit back with a coffee and a big piece of carrot cake while taking in some live musical entertainment. Bands and musical guests play on Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as during Sunday brunch. They offer non-dairy options, like soy, hemp, rice, almond and coconut milk, so you can have your latte any way you like it.
Located in Crestwood, this coffee and wine bar often hosts live music, Paint Nite and art gallery reception events. They serve coffee made with beans from local coffee gurus Iconoclast, as well as Cally’s loose leaf teas, hot chocolate, citrus mint iced tea, lattes, San Pellegrino and more. Their menu boasts plenty of locally sourced products, including bread from their neighbour, Cobs Bread Crestwood, and items from the Italian Centre, Fruits of Sherbrooke and Sparrow’s Nest Organics. They serve tapas after 4 p.m., and they are open until 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and until midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
This Indian café is open till 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, serving healthy, hearty dishes in a casual atmosphere. For non-alcoholic drinks, sample from a large menu, which includes Chai, mocha, hot chocolate, espresso, coffee, cider, London Fog, pop and milkshakes. If you get hungry, try their veggie samosas for a light but delicious snack.
While most coffee shops close just as people are getting off of work, The Tea Girl keeps the lights on till 10 p.m. every night of the week. Sit in one of their cozy chairs and choose from almost 200 different flavours of tea. They serve 10 different types of tea, including yellow, oolong, white, green, black, herbal, fruit and rooibos. There is also some baking available, including some gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free treats.
The owners became addicted to the concept of playing board games in cafes while living in South Korea. They brought the concept back to Edmonton with them, and opened their own little dream hangout spot. They boast a collection of more than 400 board games, which guests can play for a small fee of $2.50 per hour per person. While duking it out over a game of Battleship, sip on espresso, iced tea, soda or an ice cream float. They are open till 11 p.m., Sunday to Thursday and 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Remedy Café is licensed, so they cater to night owls – each location throughout the city stays open till midnight every day of the week. But, you don’t have to sip a beer to stay late – try one of their Kashmiri Chai drinks instead; it’s a non-caffeinated version of their famous Chai. They also have a lovely selection of gluten-free and vegan cakes and cookies, as well as a menu of Indian cuisine. If you’re not into Chai, they also make a mean milkshake. Above all, it’s a cool place to hang out and people watch.
Yes, Cavern does sell alcohol but it’s about more than just wine – it’s also all about the cheese and espresso. Cavern promotes the pairing of this unlikely duo, and I’m all for it. If it’s way too late for espresso, they also serve delightful, fresh and fruity iced teas and other non-alcoholic drinks. Don’t skimp on the gouda and go for a cheese board (they offer dozens of varieties of everyone’s favourite dairy product). Cavern is open until 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and until 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, making it a great spot for a non-alcoholic nightcap.