For those of you who celebrate Christmas, it kind of means, whether you’re working or not, that it’s a whole holiday week ”this year, falling between December 23 and December 27. And even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, you likely enjoy this more relaxed pace, when lots of people are off work, or drunk, or holiday cheery for whatever reason.
But this week ”this week is a BEAR. This is when people are running around madly buying their last-minute Christmas presents and ordering their fancy food to have at the big family gathering. They’re trying to do 3 week’s worth of work in 1 week so they can take time off with friends and family next week. It’s madness. I refuse to drive in it or go to a grocery store.
Luckily, there are a host of TNTs happening this week to give us a chance to blow off some steam, gather with our coffee families, and have some down-and-dirty coffee fun! Here are some TNTs we know about happening this week. As with all Thursday Night Throwdowns, everyone’s welcome.
Portland Roasting Cupping Room
340 SE 7th Ave.
Portland, Oregon
6 p.m. “ ?
If I know Nathanael May, this TNT Northwest is gonna be totally gnarly ”the theme is Throwback Thursday Night Throwdown, so there will be fun old timey treats like handisnacks and the like for attendees to chow on. Not only will there be a Latte Art Throwdown, there will be a Cup Taster’s Challenge and a MARIOKART 64 Tournament! It’s a $5 buy-in for the latte art and cup tasting comps, free for MarioKart until the spaces are taken. Barista Mag will be there for hugs, beer, and coffee ”see you there!
Third Rail Coffee
159 Second Ave.
New York City
7 p.m. “ ?
I don’t need a reason to go to Third Rail’s new cafe ”I’ll go there any chance I can get. But this TNT.NYC.OMG on Thursday is gonna be hells-a tight. Six Point’s donating beer. There will be a raffle with prizes from Stumptown Coffee, Square One, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Alder, White Rabbit Tattoo NYC, Baratza, and more! There’s a $5 buy-in, and all money raised goes to the Monkey and the Elephant, to help foster kids gain work experience. Sign up starts at 7 p.m., pouring commences at 8 p.m.
Jubala Village Coffee
8450 Honeycutt Road
Raleigh, North Carolina
7 p.m. “ ?
Jubala Village Coffee ”which is owned by Brewers Cup competitor Andrew Cash ”will host a Southern style TNT this week, with prizes from Jubala Village and Counter Culture Coffee. Baristas will square off in a latte art competition sure to be one for the history books (in case y’all don’t know, there are some amazing latte art talents in this neck of the woods). There’s a $5 buy in, and food and drinks will be available.
