Street Coffee Trends Enhance Kudus' Vibrant Nighttime Culinary Scene

KUDUS – The sky began to darken as streetlights in downtown Kudus flickered on one by one. The hum of traffic continued along Jalan Ahmad Yani, Simpang Tujuh, and Jalan Sunan Kudus. However, as the clock neared 7:00 PM, the atmosphere shifted. On the increasingly busy sidewalks, coffee carts began setting up shop. The scent of coffee filled the air, folding chairs were arranged in rows, and lively conversations flowed among a steady stream of patrons.

This phenomenon, known as street coffee, involves selling coffee in public spaces—such as roadsides or sidewalks—using carts, small booths, or motorized vehicles. Beyond offering relatively affordable prices, street coffee provides a simple, accessible gathering space for people from all walks of life.

For Kudus' street coffee scene, the night marks the beginning of activity. These areas serve as more than just a place to enjoy a cup of coffee; they are public spaces where entrepreneurs, community groups, and tourists converge in the city's evening pulse. Behind the served cups lie stories of young people taking entrepreneurial risks, small vendors earning their livelihoods, and the city landscape gradually emerging as a nighttime tourism destination.

This trend has blossomed from the creativity of street coffee operators capitalizing on the downtown crowd after hours. Currently, approximately 77 coffee tenants operate along several main thoroughfares, including Jalan Ahmad Yani, Simpang Tujuh, Jalan Sunan Kudus, and Jalan dr. Loekmonohadi. Their activity typically runs from 7:00 PM until midnight, when city traffic lightens and the sidewalks transform into communal gathering spaces.

This development has drawn the attention of local government officials. While street coffee is seen as an economic opportunity for the community, sidewalk activities must ensure that public spaces remain accessible to pedestrians. The Kudus Regency Government has adopted a strategy of regulation and guidance to allow businesses to operate without compromising public order. Regional Regulation Number 11 of 2017 regarding the Arrangement and Empowerment of Street Vendors establishes guidelines for vendor activity in certain areas, including operational hours and licensing. This approach is intended to keep public spaces comfortable while providing room for MSMEs to grow.

Tinemu: A Meeting Point

Among the dozens of carts lining the street, Tinemu coffee stands out. The name "Tinemu" is an acronym for "titik untuk bertemu" (a point to meet), a simple philosophy reflecting the hope that a cup of coffee can bring together people with different stories.

"Whenever my friends want to hang out, I direct them to our stalls. We named it Tinemu to give it a distinct identity as a meeting place," said owner Haidar Kamal.

The business did not emerge overnight. Haidar previously managed a coffee shop in the Ngembalrejo area, but when the lease ended and operating costs rose, he chose to close it. He moved his equipment to a simple cart, a decision that proved to be a pivotal, unforeseen turning point.

Armed with his coffee-brewing experience and gear from his old shop, he opened a cart in the heart of Kudus. The public response was positive. Within a year, the venture grew to three street coffee locations and one coffee shop in the Megawon area.

Haidar notes that the city center has a unique character. The heavy daytime traffic transforms into an opportunity once night falls.

"It is congested with traffic during the day, but at night it becomes a comfortable spot. Being located near the Simpang Tujuh Square means many people pass by after finishing their daily activities," he said.

The clientele is diverse, ranging from students, office workers, and young families to motorcycle communities and travelers stopping through Kudus. Though the carts open at 7:00 PM, the atmosphere typically peaks between 7:30 PM and 9:00 PM.

The Flavor of Muria Coffee Beans

Behind every cup served, Haidar strives to maintain a connection to the local economy. All the coffee used comes from Muria beans, supplied through local roasteries. For him, the choice is not just about flavor; it is a way to support coffee farmers on the slopes of Mount Muria.

“Local government policy encourages us to use local coffee. This indirectly means we are participating in purchasing the harvests of Muria coffee farmers. So, the benefits extend not only to us but also to the farmers,” he said.

The Kudus Regency Government continues to promote the development of Muria Coffee as a regional flagship product. Coffee cultivation on the slopes of Mount Muria has been passed down through generations since the late 19th century and has now become a commodity promoted through various MSME activities. Hundreds of hectares of coffee plantations on the slopes of Mount Muria serve as a supply source for various local coffee businesses, including street coffee stalls.

The most popular item at Tinemu coffee is iced milk coffee, priced at Rp13,000 per cup.

“We never claim our coffee is the best. However, iced milk coffee is the most frequently ordered because customers feel it is worth the price,” Haidar said.

Beyond the quality of the coffee, the affordable price is a key reason many young people choose to spend their evenings in this area. For just over ten thousand rupiah, they can enjoy beverages made with local coffee beans while spending time with friends in an open-air setting.

Connecting with Customers Who Become New Friends

Behind every cup of coffee handed to a customer lies a learning process that takes place each night. Shafira Ramadhani is one of the faces helping to animate the street coffee scene. The woman, who has worked in the coffee industry for two years, has only been with Tinemu coffee for four months, yet she feels she has found an experience distinct from working in a conventional coffee shop.

According to her, being a barista in an open-air space involves more than just mixing drinks. Almost every night, she encounters new people from diverse backgrounds. Some customers stop by for only a few minutes, while others spend hours chatting with friends. Some tourists from out of town even keep in touch with her after exchanging social media details.

“What I like most is meeting new friends. I talk to different people almost every night, so I gain a lot of experience,” she said.

For Shafira, every customer is also a learning opportunity. She often discusses the coffee profiles that visitors prefer. If a request is feasible with the available ingredients, she tries to accommodate it, even if the item is not on the menu.

"I am constantly learning. Sometimes I ask customers what kind of coffee they prefer. If I can make it, even if it is not on the menu, I will try," she said.

Such interactions provide a unique atmosphere that is difficult to find elsewhere. The bond between barista and customer goes beyond a simple transaction, evolving into friendly, nightly conversations.

Culinary Scene Thrives Alongside Coffee Culture

The popularity of street coffee has also benefited other local business owners. Near the coffee carts, the aroma of nasi uduk and ayam penyet attracts visitors looking for a meal after enjoying their coffee.

Shofa is one vendor who has experienced this shift. For the past five years, she has relied on selling food in the street coffee area for her income. Unlike most tenants who offer beverages, she chose to serve heavy meals, identifying an untapped market opportunity.

"Most of the vendors on this coffee street sell coffee. People looking for a meal after their coffee often stop here," she said.

Her menu is diverse, featuring items such as ayam penyet, duck, catfish, egg dishes, and nasi uduk. The variety of food options allows visitors to remain in one spot while continuing their conversations over dinner.

For Shofa, weekends are the most anticipated time. Visitor numbers typically rise as more young people and families choose to spend their time in the city center.

"On Saturday nights, many young people come out, so sales increase. Street coffee has been a great help to our business development," she said.

However, unpredictable weather remains an unavoidable challenge. When it rains, foot traffic declines, leading to a slowdown in sales activity.

"When it rains, sales drop. It is out of our control," she said.

The rise of street coffee has also created opportunities for other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Along the area, visitors can find traditional angkringan carts, snacks like tahu bulat, local delicacies, and various traditional drinks. With prices ranging from Rp 10,000 to Rp 30,000, the area is an accessible option for all demographics.

Enjoying the City from the Sidewalk

For Joni Kamal, street coffee offers a distinct appeal compared to indoor cafes. He visits almost every week to enjoy the evening atmosphere over a cup of coffee.

"I like the atmosphere. Sitting back and watching the traffic go by is enjoyable enough," he said.

According to him, open spaces provide an experience that feels more connected to city life.

"It feels more integrated with the city vibe here. You can feel the breeze and see people passing by, which makes it feel more alive," he said.

This sentiment is echoed by the various communities that use the area as a gathering point. Automotive groups, cycling clubs, photographers, and street musicians utilize this public space to socialize after finishing their activities. Occasionally, the sounds of acoustic guitars accompany the chatter of visitors, adding warmth to the night in the heart of Kudus.

The presence of street coffee is also bolstered by various national-scale events held in Kudus. According to Haidar, whenever the city hosts sports championships, concerts, or other major events, visitor numbers tend to rise in the evening as participants and spectators look for places to unwind after the proceedings conclude.

Nevertheless, he hopes that area management will continue to be improved so that economic activities can coexist with the function of sidewalks as public spaces.

“Hopefully, it can be reorganized. For example, by modeling it after Malioboro with tidier pathways to ensure it remains comfortable for both pedestrians and visitors,” he suggested.

This sentiment aligns with the Kudus Regency Government's approach, which favors reorganization over repressive enforcement. The government encourages the growth of MSME activities while prioritizing pedestrian comfort, area cleanliness, and compliance with established regulations for street vendors.

Connections Brewed Over a Cup of Coffee

Approaching midnight, the mobile stalls begin to close one by one. Folding chairs are packed away, brewing equipment is cleaned, and the small lights atop the carts are dimmed. The sidewalks, which were filled with conversation just hours earlier, return to being quiet spaces.

Each night, this routine repeats. There are baristas returning home with new experiences, food vendors tallying their earnings, Muria coffee farmers whose harvests are distributed through local roastery shops, and customers taking home simple memories from conversations with friends.

Ultimately, street coffee does more than provide an open-air setting for coffee enthusiasts. Its presence demonstrates how urban spaces can serve as meeting points for economic activity, social interaction, and communal creativity. On the sidewalks traversed by thousands daily, a cup of coffee connects numerous stories, while nights in Kudus continue to find their pulse through people who gather, share, and seek livelihoods until late hours. (ITN/mainkekudus)