Every single party, gathering, discussion, and throwdown (that we know of) happening during this week’s Specialty Coffee Expo in Portland, Ore.
COMPILED BY SARAH ALLEN
BARISTA MAGAZINE
We all know that only part of the annual Specialty Coffee Expo happens on the trade show floor and in convention center breakout rooms—evenings are jam-packed with a bevy of parties for attendees and exhibitors alike to mingle, get their dance on, socialize, and enjoy seeing old friends. [Editor’s note: Parties are traditionally pretty booze-fueled, but there are options for sober folks looking for support: check out this article for tips from a longtime sober specialty-coffee veteran.]
Months ago, I reached out to the Portland, Ore., coffee community to compile a list of all the parties, discussions, competitions, and other satellite events happening in conjunction with the Specialty Coffee Expo. And friends, there are a lot. Remember to hydrate. All events are free and open to all unless noted.
Note: This list only includes events happening off-site of the Oregon Convention Center
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
Half-Caf Cupping with Swiss Water x Forward x Onyx Coffee
Cupping
@ Buckman Coffee Factory
1105 SE Main St.
2–5 p.m.
CXFFEEBLACK + DEADSTOCK COFFEE
Coffee Cypher
@ Deadstock Coffee
408 NW Couch St.
3–5 p.m.
American Comandante Championship
Competition
@ Proud Mary Roastery
3961 N. Williams Ave.
5 p.m.
Cost of Production Covered
Discussion
@ Guilder Café at Powell’s Books
1035 W. Burnside St.
6–8 p.m.
DELUXE COFFEE GETDOWN by Proud Mary x Barista Magazine x Roast Mag x Portland Kettleworks
Featuring DJs Lem “Sexyfoam” Butler + B Line Dot
Drinks
@ Behind Proud Mary Roastery
3961 N. Williams Ave.
7 p.m.–late
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
#Shestheroaster Meet-Up
Coffee swap, networking
@ Proud Mary Café
2012 NE Alberta St.
4–7 p.m.
Sustainable Harvest x Sucafina Happy Hour
Food trucks, drinks, Latin music
@ The Redd on Salmon Street
831 Salmon St.
4–8 p.m.
Cafe Imports Producer/Roaster Party
Wristband required
Small bites, drinks
@ Olympia Provisions Public House
3384 SE Division St.
5:30–9 p.m.
Futura Coffee Roasters Latte Art Throwdown
Competition, drinks
@ Futura Coffee
7201 NE Glisan St.
6 p.m.
Deadstock x Black Rabbit Service Co. Karaoke Party
Music, dancing, drinks
@ Black Rabbit Service Co.
6322 NE Halsey St.
7 p.m.–late
Eversys Big Lebowski Party
Bowling, food, drinks, swag courtesy of Urnex
@ Grand Central Bowl
808 SE Morrison St.
7–11 p.m.
Reel Cool Coffee Party: Coffee Business x Coffee Breath
Screening of Portland episode of Coffee Breath; latte art throwdown
@ See See Motor Coffee
1642 NE Sandy Blvd.
6–10 p.m.
Stumptown Coffee x Oatly Party
Latte art jam, music, drinks
@ The Evergreen
618 SE Alder St.
7 p.m.–late
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
Fellowship for Sober + Sober Curious Coffee Folks
Come for the run, or just the coffee—or both!
• Casual run/jog: Meet-up @ Macleay Park, 2690 NW Upshur St.: 7 a.m.
• Post-run coffee meet-up @ Prince Coffee (Northwest location), 915 NW 19th Ave.: 8:30 a.m.
Eventbrite link
Deadstock Run Club
Walk/Run
@ Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
8 a.m.
The Saturday Soul Social, by The Color of Coffee Collective, La Marzocco, and Soul Chai
Gathering, networking
@ Prince Coffee (Beaumont location)
4523 NE Fremont St.
7–10 a.m.
Green Coffee Warehouse Party by RGC, Café Kreyol, Costa Oro + Oregon Coffee Board
Music, drinks
@ Costa Oro
4825 NE 185th Drive
4–9 p.m.
Technicians Guild x Black Rabbit Service Co. Happy Hour
Drinks, networking
@ Black Rabbit Service Co.
6322 NE Halsey St.
4–7 p.m.
Cropster x Coffee Business Happy Hour
Drinks, demo, networking
@ Water Avenue Flagship
1028 SE Water Ave., Ste. 145
4–7 p.m.
Prince Coffee Women In Coffee Happy Hour
Drinks, networking
@ Prince Coffee
915 NW 19th Ave.
5–7 p.m.
No Free Coffee Happy Hour
Networking, drinks
@ Deadstock Coffee
407 NW Couch St.
5–8 p.m.
Vuna Coffee School Coffee Champions League
Trivia, drinks
@ Catalyst Trade
1029 SW Washington St.
5:30 p.m.
The Barista League x Pacific Foods Barista Series
Brewlywed Show, drinks
@ White Owl Social Club
1305 SE 8th Ave.
6 p.m.–late
La Marzocco Presents 2023: An Espresso Odyssey
Drinks, dancing
@ Revolution Hall
1300 SE Stark St., #203
8 p.m.–late
Open Mic Night with The Chain Collaborative + Coop Coffees
Discussion, drinks, music
@ The Village Ballroom
704 NE Dekum St.
8:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Fairtrade International Party
Dancing, drinks
@ Holocene
1011 SE Morrison St.
TBD
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
Upper Left Coffee x Black Rabbit Service Co.
Screening of Coffee Breath, drinks, snacks
@ Upper Left Coffee
1204 SE Clay St.
6–10 p.m.
Deadstock Coffee x Multnomah Whiskey Library
Whiskey + coffee education and tasting
@ Multnomah Whiskey Library
1124 SW Alder St.
6–8 p.m.
$65—SOLD OUT
MONDAY, APRIL 24
Day Drinking with Forward Coffee & Friends
Coffee, music, alcohol free
@ Buckman Coffee Factory
1105 SE Main St.
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
