The Texas Yemeni Coffee Bars Edition
On alcohol-free evening hangs, meaningful conversation, and cultural exchange.
Colin here. I've been fascinated by late-night, non-drinking culture in the Middle East for years. Louis and I previously wrote about how, somewhat surprisingly, Joe and the Juice has become a major social hub in the region. So when I came across a recent Texas Monthly piece about the surge of Yemeni coffeehouses in Texas, it caught my attention.
This isn't exactly new territory. For years, I've observed Middle Eastern communities gathering late into the night at places like Starbucks. (I remember seeing this particularly in places like Raleigh, North Carolina.) People will always find ways to convene. But what's interesting now is how this cultural pattern is evolving into something more sophisticated, with entrepreneurs recognizing the opportunity as Texas' demographics shift.
Texas Monthly captures the atmosphere perfectly:
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