The Caffeine Scene at Lux Coffeebar
Not everything is black and white at Lux Coffeebar in Phoenix. Most of the color, however, stems from the patrons. This is not to say the crowd is ethnically divided, or even diverse. Just that they are a colorful lot of creative types, work-a-holics, neighbors and more.
On the last Wednesday night in August, no one was dressed for the evening in white or black. In fact, no one was dressed for the evening at all. Shorts and t-shirts were almost de rigueur, but a few pairs of jeans and a skirt or two put in appearances. The two older gentlemen in golf shirts might have been sporting khakis but it was impossible to tell without ducking under the table they shared.
I mention the casual attire not because it is in any way unusual for Phoenix, but because Lux is reputed to be a reverse sort of nightclub. If it is a trendy and hip scene at the start of the workday, which I can’t confirm or deny having never been there before 5 p.m., the beautiful people go home early. By 7 p.m. Lux is just another independent coffee place trying to maintain some sense of character in a Starbucks world.
Set back beneath a billboard at 4404 N. Central Avenue and camouflaged by a parking lot patio, it is, perhaps, unreasonable to expect trendiness after dark. Particularly given the driving, navigating and parking challenges presented by the light rail construction. Unless you know exactly where it is and to approach it from the north, you’re likely to miss it. Fortunately, downtown Phoenix is not a hub for nightlife, unless there is some big event or game going on, so turns can be made with little warning and it is even possible to circle the block in under 20 minutes.
Lux relies on strong, pure caffeine accompanied by blaring music and the occasional pastry to grab and hold the attention of passersby and regulars. The music is so loud inside it turns every conversation into a screaming match. There is no reason to fear eavesdroppers, even when the music stops, it leaves ears ringing. Interestingly, and somewhat amazingly, the music doesn’t travel outdoors except when the door is open. Which explains why most group discussions and quiet conversations, not to mention all the smoking, is attempted in the patio area. Unfortunately, traffic noises serve a similar but less predictable purpose.
My limit indoors is about as long as it takes to finish an espresso. Served in solid ceramic approximations of espresso cups, the taste is excellent – under quieter circumstances I’d be tempted to linger over the richly complex flavors that are neither Italian florals, Greek earthiness, or Cuban herbals. Liberally doctored with real sugar, I tried to define the taste while being awake all night, but couldn’t quite pin it down. My best guess is something from Central America, earthy, but not muddy, with tropical hints and well-suited to a sultry summer night on a desert.
Rushing through my espresso didn’t leave me much time to examine the art on display. Hung by twine from the top of wall-boards that don’t go all the way to the ceiling, they are the works of local artists. They appeared to be mostly black and white photographs, or maybe some pen and ink drawings. Many were small and you would have to get close to really look at them which would mean working your way behind some of the dark wood tables or white leather chairs scattered around the room. Unfortunately there were no signs or labels indicating who the artist was let alone any details about each individual piece. Since there were several discrete groupings, it is a good guess that each clump represents the efforts of a single artist but that is unconfirmed.
Outside the picnic tables are rough-hewn wood heavily coated in polyurethane. They look like something you expect to see in Colorado or some other rugged northern clime, not a parking lot in Arizona. Overhead, shielding patrons from the billboard are the fabric sun screens so popular in the Valley. Since the sun had already dipped beneath the horizon, I can’t say how effective they are. They did a good job dimming the reflections from the billboard spotlights. You have to look up and at the billboard to be blinded. There is no art outside. There is entertainment as some of the patrons are joined by their dogs. Also, an informal collection of writers and at least one graphic designer/artist, Igor Brezhnev who also designed the Lux website) were holding forth on their Art, even reading one short story aloud. (The writers are part of an informal meetup that will be relocating until it cools down somewhat.)
Like so much at Lux, perspectives and opinions of Lux vary. The coffee is outstanding. The crowd is eclectic and ever-changing, as is the sound track. Ultimately, what it comes down to is whether you are looking for a cosy place to hang out and chill or a nightclub atmosphere without the DUI risks. If the former, try someplace else. If the later—Lux is the place to start your day or end your all-nighter!
