Clownboy Coffee Rocks — No Joke!
Clownboy Coffee sign on window
A new queer-owned, vegan coffee shop in Rochester's NWV (North Winton Village) neighborhood recently opened at 1978 E. Main St, and they are already making a splash in the community!
Clownboy Coffee is a third-wave coffee shop that focuses on using vegan-friendly alternative milks for drinks and some delectable roasts for espresso and drip coffee. This includes alt-milk from Minor Figures and Califia Farms, and roasts by Sightseer Coffee, a women-grown and owned coffee roaster from Austin, Texas, and Blind Tiger Coffee originating out of Old Town, Maine. They are also serving vegan treats from The Little Brownie and Black Cat Baking Co.
A La Marzocco machine stands against the shops vibrant yellow wall
Let’s talk about the space. While the shop is still in the soft opening phase, the general vibe of Clownboy Coffee is inviting with a vibrant yellow wall, a deep blue ceiling, and instantly iconic pink, white, and blue checkered print painted throughout the space and counter. A yellow La Marzocco machine rests comfortably beside the back wall, giving the coffee shop’s backdrop a subtle contrast and tantalizing caffeine-thirsty espresso connoisseurs as they wait for their drinks.
Shop co-owner Riley whips up some espresso at Clownboy Coffee
During my visit, I was fortunate enough to meet Riley, one of the shop’s owners, and the inspiration for the name of Clownboy Coffee, according to their Instagram story! Riley knows coffee, and their choice to select Sightseer and Blind Tiger Coffee was based on their love for high-quality light/medium roasts with a little more caffeine. Oh, same!
If you go, you’re in for a treat. The shop is currently operating as a take-out coffee shop, and their hours are spot on, ranging from 7 am to 3 pm daily until further notice.
For this espresso-drinking coffee lover, Clownboy Coffee is already a Myspace “Top 8” type shop, and that’s no joke! Enjoy!
The Dale Cooper (Cold brew with Fig + Black Walnut Bitters) with a splash of oat milk