Coffee raves bubbled up in Europe before drifting to the U.S. and Asia, eventually turning caffeine culture into something closer to a daytime micro-party.
The new generation is over late-night clubbing. They’d much rather dance under actual sunlight, while a local DJ spins beats smoother than anything a bartender can pour at 1 a.m. And with the rise of the “sober curious” crowd and everyone chasing healthier weekend habits, this bright, caffeinated way of spending time is fast becoming a global trend.
Here in Calgary, Uncommon Drip taps right into that energy. The newly opened spot is a hip-hop-inspired coffee and sandwich shop that shows you its personality the second you walk in.
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Its founder, Tyler Goddard, grew up on hip hop and always wanted a coffee shop that felt true to him. “I love coffee, but wasn’t a fan of the common coffee shops these days,” he said. “So I decided to put together a coffee shop with a vibe, louder upbeat music and good food.”
Goddard spent more than 20 years as a chef. Looking back, he feels the lifestyle he has now suits him way better than the traditional kitchen grind. “It’s a different flow than having lunch and dinner rushes of 300 people,” said Goddard. “The café is much more low-key than working on a kitchen line. The café is definitely more my speed these days.” After decades in high-pressure kitchens, he craved a project that reflected who he was outside the chef’s jacket.
And when it comes to food, you really can’t skip the wood-fired sandwiches here. “We’re serving a few breakfast options in partnership with Bagel Daze, and these sandwiches may just be my favourite,” Goddard said. The team prepares everything fresh every day; they make all the sauces in-house, cook the meat, chop the vegetables, and bake the sandwiches in an oven that reaches 600 degrees for the perfect crunch. “Our bread comes daily from Good Bread in Calgary, and it seems to work perfectly in the forno oven, keeping the inside soft and the outside nice and crispy.” The most popular item here is the SHORTY, a shaved striploin beef dip layered with caramelized onion aioli, mozzarella, and crispy onion flakes. The drinks are also uncommon, with banana cream and coconut cream lattes the favourites, and the Spanish latte and matcha close behind.
Beyond the food, the shop’s personality really comes through in the music, with selections that reflect Goddard’s taste. “Hip hop, old school mostly, mixing in some new stuff too. Lots of Mac Miller, Notorious BIG, Action Bronson, A Tribe Called Quest, GangStarr.”
Every Saturday morning, a live DJ sets the mood. “The DJs are all Calgary locals,” said Goddard. “They are great with mixing in other genres’ hooks into the hip hop songs.”
It’s hard not to enjoy the atmosphere and have a good time with freshly spun tracks and warm java. “Most people are shocked that we do it every Saturday, but I am trying to keep it constant to build our brand,” said Goddard. He’s also planning to bring the DJs to the patio once spring arrives, hosting open-air coffee raves to energize the community further.
As coffee culture keeps evolving, Uncommon Drip is the spot shaping what the next wave might look like; one latte, one beat, and one Saturday morning at a time.
Quick Facts:
Address: 802 Edmonton Tr. N.E.
Opening hours: Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DJ sessions: Every Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Vibe: Cool, laid-back, artsy, and relaxing. Have you seen those “early morning house music” videos on YouTube? This is Calgary’s version of that.
Menu Recommendation: The Happy Daze is an excellent breakfast sandwich, with sprouts and caramelized onion heightening the standard egg and bacon.
Owner’s Song Pick: “Rush Hour” by Mac Miller
