Late night coffee in Fort Collins
It's been many a night that the late, late hours roll around and I as a student had papers to write or else was just up and around, needing to get out of the house.�
For a late night jolt of caffeine and a funky atmosphere, the Alley Cat coffee house (120 1/2 East Laurel, in the alley) is a great place for 24-hour chit chat and a great brew.
Known for it's unusual decor, homey feel and colorful cast of characters (barrista and customers alike) the place is a hotbed of activity and one of the best places in the city to people watch.
For my money, you can't beat the late, late night shift. Trevor, one of the graveyard barristas, is a veritable font of philosophical information and always has something hilarious to say in the most offhand of manners. Meeting the late-night regulars is always a strange kick, and it's great to quickly check email for free while waiting for one of their individually brewed cups of fair trade coffees.
Other staff members are fun and usually make an effort to remember your name and favorite drink if you stop in often. Neal, the manager, has a particularly grandly dry sense of humor and a sense of fashion that just doesn't quit. Barrista Jonathan claims to make one of the best cappuccinos in town, and I can't disagree with that assessment. He can provide just the right amount of foam and milk.
With ceiling tiles painting by customers and shining copper counters, the place is an ever shifting hodgepodge of furniture and musical instruments. A community of sorts thrives in the environment, and artists and musicians flock to the locale.
For a great late night or just a splendid cup of coffee, the Alley Cat is tough to beat.
