It is hard to find fault in a place that offers all of the amenities for the espresso-loving, IPA-drinking, bike-riding bearded hipster.

Denver Bicycle Cafe sits on the border of northern Capitol Hill, tucked a few blocks off of the indie-inspired Colfax Avenue at 1308 E. 17th Ave. Surrounded only by historic homes and a few farm to table restaurants, Denver Bicycle Cafe provides a safe haven for those intellectual individuals looking to get away from mainstream coffee shops.

Step inside to find exposed whitewashed brick walls with painted canvases and a wrap-around wood bar in the middle of the space that divides this shared café-bike shop. The Denver Bicycle Cafe serves as a full-service bicycle shop for the fixie-riding modster who is in need of a quick tune up on one side, and also a beverage hotspot for the beer and coffee connoisseurs.

The café is home to Denver’s subculture of devoted denizens, a local-only spot, so the hipsters who do not enjoy being recognized, move along. More often than not, the baristas know the flannel-clad couple sitting on their laptops at the bar and get their orders without them even asking. Full service? Check.
But first-timers should not dwell on the cafés exclusivity all at once because the baristas, decorated with arm tattoos, thick-rimmed frames and graphic tees are all eager to assist with any questions, or discuss their latest bike dilemmas, all while fixing up a small French press from Colorado’s craft roasters.

The staff are baristas by day and bartenders by night. Open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., Denver Bicycle Cafe gets the best of hipsters all night long. Happy hour begins at 4 p.m. and offers $1 off drafts and wine so as patrons stop working away on their Macbooks, they can put down their David Sedaris novels and enjoy one of DBC’s craft beers on tap, or choose from over 30 locally brewed canned beers from Ska Brewing in Durango and Pug Ryan’s from Dillon.

The outdoor patio sits alongside the café and is filled with picnic tables where the Dave Grohl lookalikes donning band t’s can enjoy their Double-IPA.

PBR is nowhere to be found in this café but instead, sample brews like the Fearless Youth Dunkel from Grimm Bros Brewery in Loveland. The thrifty boozer will appreciate only having to spend between $4-6 for a great evening.

Besides its unique concept, the Denver Bicycle Cafe offers background music unlike any other coffee shop. With tunes like “Goodbye Ruby Tuesday” from The Rolling Stones and Donovan’s “Sunshine Superman” and The Beatles, it shies away from the contemporary pop-culture tunes and features a steady stream of classics, but ones the snarky indie-music aficionado is likely to appreciate.

The only setback is the simplicity of the menu. Food and wine are not the focus of this café. After all, its motto is “Bikes, Beer and Coffee.” Simplicity is what makes the minimalists flock to this utilitarian joint.

The wine list is limited with two local choices, a white and red from Jack Rabbit Hill Farms in Hotchkis and food includes baked goods from D Bar Desserts and Beet Box Bakery. The trendiest food item on the menu is the breakfast burrito brought in from Mame’s Burrito’s and at $5, it is the most substantial, and cost efficient item on the menu.

For the introverted intellectual who prefers the isolated experience, put your headphones in and get busy with your work, but otherwise, enjoy your personal French press while toe-tapping your feet to some ‘70s era tunes, all while getting to know Denver’s hippest baristas.