THE founders of what is claimed to be Scotland’s first ‘coffee bar’ are aiming to challenge customers’ perceptions of the brew – by trading into the evening.
Dave Law and Tom Hyde, who opened Edinburgh-based Brew Lab in 2012, reckon there is a gap in the market for a coffee bar that operates beyond standard daytime hours.
And so, in what the pair say is an attempt to challenge coffee’s reputation as a “daytime-only pursuit”, the venue now opens until 9pm between Wednesday and Sunday.
To coincide with its later opening times, Brew Lab’s product range has been expanded to include the likes of Nitro Cold Brew Martinis, alongside a ‘carefully curated’ food menu.
In line with Brew Lab’s ‘single origin’ sourcing – which sees the venue serve coffee grown on individual coffee farms – a similar approach has been carried through to the new food menu, which features food sourced from independent Edinburgh producers.
This includes produce from IJ Mellis cheeses, filled doughnuts from Baba Budan and charcuterie from Leith-based East Coast Cured, of which Brew Lab is said to be the first stockist.
Coffee and food aside, Brew Lab’s late night offer also includes natural wines from Henri, local craft beers from Pilot and Scottish spirits from craft distiller Arbikie.
Co-founder Tom Hyde said the launch of Brew Lab’s evening offer “demonstrates demand and the beginning of a change in Edinburgh’s coffee culture”.
“So whether you start the day with a short black or end it with a Nitro Cold Brew Martini, we’re excited to be at the forefront; challenging the status quo of how and when coffee should be enjoyed,” he said.
