Generation coffee

Nowadays, coffee has zoomed way past the early morning cup of brew and straight into everyone’s go-to “let’s catch up” or “get me through today” drink. It may have even taken over the standard happy hour libation or two, especially with more and more Gen Z-ers eschewing alcohol for caffeine and matcha.

The rising popularity of run clubs and walking crews are also fueling those now trendy coffee raves, with a DJ pumping out those beats at 8 a.m. on a weekend morning or mid-afternoon. Creating the third space for all these meet-ups and bonding sessions to happen is Common Man Coffee Roasters (CMCR), whose newest branch at West Gallery Place in Bonifacio Global City delivers not only on the aesthetic — because it is a pretty spot — but also on that caffeine boost. With a bit of a Filipino twist, of course. Or as they say, “Good coffee, good food, good times.”

Established in Singapore in 2013, Common Man Coffee Roasters is known for turning coffee into an overall experience. So it’s not just about being served that cup of joe! It all starts with its signature blend of specialty-grade coffee, sourced from renowned single origin growing regions. Roasted in small batches at their in-house roastery, you already know each cup will hit a crescendo on all those aromatic and flavor notes.

Coffee memories

Here in the Philippines, this signature coffee blend is Araw-Araw. Quite apropos for a drink that is but mandatory in everyone’s daily routine. CMCR’s baristas Jay Salvacion and Andy Manuel have thoughtfully crafted this blend into a collection of beverages inspired by familiar local flavors and merienda favorites. Aptly called Homegrown Classics, the memories and tradition it evokes is akin to storytelling in a cup.

For starters, there is the Batirol Espresso, concocted by Salvacion, whose deep chocolate notes and toasted marshmallows recall rainy days cozied up on the couch. Running to the neighborhood sari-sari store on a hot summer afternoon is a memory evoked by Manuel’s Samalamig Latte. Manuel was inspired by the beloved street-side beverage, creating a harmonious blend of muscovado banana syrup, espresso, creamy milk, and green gulaman, transforming a familiar childhood favorite into a contemporary café experience.

What else could be more Pinoy merienda-like than drinks that combine coffee and dessert. The Turon Latte has banana puree and banana chunks mixed in with espresso and oat milk, topped with a baby turon. Then the Taho Latte has muscovado two ways — as a sugar syrup, and burnt on top of the milk foam – finished with small sago.

Raving about coffee raves

As for the space where the coffee is ensconced, the newest CMCR branch is artsy, and, in modern speak, tastefully aesthetic, fitting in well in the vibrant neighborhood of BGC, with its diverse mix of restaurants, cafes, shops and third spaces. As coffee culture gains a stronger foothold among millennials and Gen Z-ers, it has become a natural meeting point for long conversations and morning coffee rituals.

“We’ve taken notice of this trend, with young ones preferring to keep it sober, and party with coffee instead of drinks,” says Karole Santos, CMCR’s head of marketing. “As coffee raves are quite popular, we are hoping to provide a space for everyone to be part of that community.”

CMCR’s take on it? Beans and Beats, of course. The coffee rave-inspired event provides a soundtrack to get you grooving and moving as you enjoy that afternoon cup. “We’re hoping to do this a little more regularly, alternating between the branch here, and the one in Ayala Triangle,” adds Santos. “The community in each area is different, and we’d love to connect to both of them.” Now all that’s left is to decide what coffee concoction fits both the mood and the vibe.

Safe to say, coffee is now playing at a whole other level. And Common Man Coffee Roasters is up to the task. They’ve got their bases covered — good coffee, good food and good times — in a place that will certainly look great on the ‘gram.