Subculture Coffee Open in Downtown Delray Beach

Subculture Coffee cofounders Sean Scott and Rodney Mayo quietly opened their downtown Delray Beach location this week at 123 E. Atlantic Avenue, next door to Tramonti Italian Restaurant and directly across from Park Tavern. 

In the past few years, only a handful of Palm Beach County roasters has been able to break into the local craft coffee scene, providing well-crafted cups of Joe to the masses. Now, thanks to Subculture Coffee — founded in West Palm Beach in March 2013 as one of the area's first microroasters — the trend is growing further south.

Although small inside (just 400-square-feet to fit a few tables, the order counter, and food and beverage display case) the Delray Beach coffee shop boasts a rather large front patio with about 10 tables. The covered outdoor area makes for the perfect spot to sit and watch the foot traffic on Atlantic Avenue both day and night. In the back you'll find a second, smaller patio where patrons can go to enjoy the shop's free WiFi and relax in a secluded nook away from the downtown traffic.

The coffee shop offers a similar decor scheme to the original West Palm Beach location with a carved wooden bar, white marble tables, and walls plastered with photos of people sipping java. A red Diedrich roaster sits off to the side where patrons can watch the shop's in-house roaster, Jason Gauger, bake Subculture beans several days a week.

Here's a fun fact: Mayo tells us Subculture Delray will be the first coffee shop in the county to offer a Mod Bar set-up; an espresso system that allows for the efficient use of multiple espresso, steam, and pour-over systems, delivering a clean bar design for enhanced ergonomics and workflow.

In other words, the shiny, stainless steel Mod Bar heads make it easier for baristas to create and deliver your expertly-crafted cup of Joe. Order custom-calibrated coffee drinks — everything from a perfectly-poured Americano or latte, to a classy pour-over or properly weighed and measured shots of espresso.

Subculture also sells a number of locally-crafted baked goods, sandwiches, boxed lunch options, and a line of cold-pressed juices made by Alchemy Juice Co. owner Jennifer Wesley available at both coffee shop locations.

Subculture Coffee in located at 123 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Call 561-318-5142, or visit subculturecoffee.com.

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.