Espress'o Clock - A Fresh Take on Dayclubbing

This past Sunday, I had the chance to attend Espress’o Clock’s inaugural pop-up at 9 Playfair Terrace. Featuring the most affordable (and delicious I might add) coffee in town, fresh baked goods, and a jazzy house music selection, Espress’o Clock is a perfect escape from your Sunday morning library grind or a nice start to a slow morning. I’ll admit that on this occasion I was the latter. 

Photo courtesy of Hannah Doran

Started by Alex Askew -better known to us Latin Flow warriors as DJ aaskew- Espress’o Clock takes inspiration from dayclubbing. This concept has become a social media phenomenon, combining the live music element of a nightclub with the more relaxed vibe of a boozy brunch get-together. While Espress’o Clock departs from some of the less classy aspects of dayclubbing (e.g. getting drunk before 3pm), it stays true to the outdoor feel of a traditional day club. It's part of a broader movement: young people are cutting back on booze, focusing on connection, and finding new ways to enjoy house music.

Photo courtesy of Casey Cortez

Greeted by delicious snickerdoodles courtesy of Claire Hutton, resident baker-in-chief, maple pecan/pumpkin spice lattes whipped up by Kate Bell, and cozy jazz, I caught up with old friends and made new ones too under a stunningly sunny St Andrews sky. While the weather won’t last (much to my chagrin), Espress’o Clock will, as Askew aims to host a pop-up once a month. I enjoyed a pleasant hour meandering about, striking up conversations, and soaking up the sun. While I didn’t get the chance to hit up the darts or the chess table, I now know to bring my former elementary school chess club champion out of retirement and play a game or two. 

Photo courtesy of Alex Askew

If the idea of a jazz-filled Sunday morning start sounds good to you, I suggest giving a follow to @espressoclock.sta on Instagram where they’ll post updates on further pop-ups. The date of the next one is yet to be set in stone due to weather unpredictability, so stay tuned for more updates.