Wake up and dance: Nice Café’s coffee raves are shaking up mornings

Forget bleary-eyed commutes and lifeless lattes, in Cape Town, a new kind of morning ritual is brewing. Enter the coffee rave, an energetic, espresso-fuelled dance gathering hosted at the beloved Nice Café. Think sunrise vibes, deep house beats, and a crowd of early risers swapping hangovers for hydration and connection.

Born out of a desire to create joyful, sober social spaces, these pre-9AM dance parties blend the pulsing energy of a rave with the warmth of your local coffee shop. There’s no dress code, no choreography, and definitely no judgement — just a DJ spinning sunrise grooves, baristas pulling perfect shots, and people moving to the rhythm of a more conscious lifestyle.

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We caught up with the team at Nice Café to learn more about the origins of Cape Town’s first coffee rave, the community it’s building, and why more and more South Africans are choosing joy, movement, and mindful mornings over late-night excess.

What exactly are coffee raves?

Coffee raves are high-energy, early-morning dance events that fuse the electric atmosphere of a rave with the community vibe of a local café. Instead of alcohol or late nights, we serve speciality coffee, fresh juices and goodvibes — all before most people start their workday. Think: sunrise, deephouse, good espresso and people moving together in rhythm.

How do coffee raves differ from regular morning café events or fitness-inspired gatherings?

Unlike a regular café morning, a coffee rave is about movement and music. It’s not a sit-down. Unlike fitness events, it’s not structured or competitive it’s about self-expression, joy and connecting with others through dance. There’s no instructor or routine — just a DJ, great coffee and a growing crowd ready to celebrate life before 9AM.

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What made Nice Café the first to host coffee raves in Cape Town?

We’ve always seen Nice as more than just a place to grab coffee. It’s a space for culture, creativity and community. The idea came from seeing how many people were craving connection and movement especially in a way that doesn’t revolve around night life or drinking. Cape Town has a special energy in the mornings,and we wanted to tap into that in a fresh,fun way.

Tell us about the very first coffee raveevent — what was the energy like and how did people respond?

The first one felt electric. A little surreal,honestly. People arrived not quite knowing what to expect — and within minutes, the space was alive. There were baristas pulling shots while DJ Phee dropped smooth sunrise beats. Some people were dancing barefoot, others still in activewear and everyone had that mix of surprise and joy on their faces.

Do you see this as part of a larger shift toward more mindful, sober or wellness-focused lifestyles among younger South Africans?

Absolutely. There’s a definite movementtoward more conscious social spaces —ones that prioritise wellness, connectionand joy without the hangover. Younger South Africans are redefining fun and choosing experiences that make them feel alive, not depleted. Coffee raves fit beautifully into that shift.

What positive impact have the coffee raves brought to Nice Café? Are there plans to expand these events or host them more frequently?

The response has been overwhelming. Beyond more foot traffic, we’ve builta tight-knit community that now sees Nice Café as more than a coffee spot;it’s become a cultural hub. We are definitely looking at ways to grow —whether it’s more frequent events,collaborations or taking the concept tonew locations around Cape Town.

Lastly, can tea drinkers join in? Is tea served as an option?

Of course! It’s a party for everyone.We’ve got tea, matcha, chai, you name it. Whether you’re Team Coffee or Team .Tea, the goal is the same: good energy,good people and a better start to your day.