When I was in college, coffee shops that closed early were the bane of my existence. As a night owl, it was nearly impossible to find a long-haul place to work apart from the library—it felt like I’d barely get my laptop plugged in and my Americano ordered before I had to start packing up again. Now, that was in a relatively small town, but I’ve also found that it’s nearly as tough finding dependable late-night options elsewhere.
Still, there are beacons of hope, and it only takes locating one solid option nearby to solve the problem. Here are a few of my favorite choices around the Northwest: all of them are generally open past midnight, with a couple thrown in that simply never close, because good things happen when you stay up late.
Southeast Grind, Portland || The open sign hanging over the door at Portland’s Southeast Grind never goes off. Yep: it’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Early risers and insomniacs alike can be found lounging on the squishy couches, people-watching by the windows, or deciding between “Fancy Toast” and “Awesome Toast” for breakfast. Meanwhile, the staff is always up to something entertaining. || Hours: Always open.
The Crux, Boise || Coffee shops that host live music are some of the most likely candidates for late night service. One of few coffee shops open after midnight anywhere in Idaho, The Crux stays open until 1:00 a.m. every night, with several bands playing live every week—names like Brothertiger, Slow Magic, Built to Spill, Chastity Belt, Fly Moon Royalty, Titus Andronicus and hundreds more have graced its stage over the years. Come to The Crux if you’re not ready to fall asleep yet. || Hours: Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Café Pettirosso, Seattle || Step across the threshold of Café Pettirosso and it’s immediately apparent you’ve stumbled on something special. With more than a decade of hand-pulled espresso and house-made cakes in its backstory, this inspired hideaway at the epicenter of Capitol Hill offers classic breakfasts and dinners too, with happy hour fare to tide you over in between. You’ll also find a full bar alongside the espresso, so Hemingway and Balzac types alike can get their fixes. For the best of both worlds, order La Fine (a doppio paired with your favorite digestif) and set about outlining the next Great American Novel. || Hours: Monday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Calhoun’s Bakery Café, Vancouver || At painted wooden chairs and tables beneath the ceiling’s exposed wooden rafters, UBC kids and local insomniacs alike pull all-nighters finishing papers, projects or page-turners. As day turns to night turns to day, there’s always plenty of cakes, cheesecake, scones and healthier café fare to snack on with your espresso. || Hours: Always open.
The Barn Light, Eugene || Also one of my picks for seasonal drinking, The Barn Light is an eclectic bar-café combo with lots going on (brunches, board game nights, karaoke). Like Calhoun’s, it serves a crowd skewed toward students but is popular with locals as well. For declawed caffeine, pair your Coava coffee with an Oregon brew or craft cocktail – and during the daily 4-7pm happy hour you can even mix booze and buzz with a Cafe Corretto (espresso and Sambuca). || Monday through Wednesday 7:00 a.m. to midnight, Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., Friday 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
