5 super popular and quirky coffee shops in Colorado Springs

1. The Perk Cave

Location: Beneath Old Colorado City
Quirky Feature: A coffee shop completely underground, accessed through a hidden staircase in an antique bookstore.
Why It’s Unique: The Perk Cave feels like a cozy speakeasy for caffeine lovers. With dim lighting, stone walls, and a secret “Knock Twice, Sip Once” menu featuring experimental brews like lavender-honey espresso, it’s a hit with night owls and curious adventurers. Bonus: the baristas dress like miners for full underground vibes.

2. Summit Brews

Location: Inside a hollowed-out section of Pikes Peak
Quirky Feature: The highest-altitude coffee shop in the state, serving coffee 14,000 feet above sea level.
Why It’s Unique: After a breathtaking (and sometimes exhausting) hike or drive up Pikes Peak, visitors are rewarded with panoramic views and the “Cloud Coffee,” a frothy, sky-blue latte topped with edible glitter. They also offer oxygen shots to pair with your drink, in case the elevation makes your head spin.

3. Rover’s Roast

Location: Downtown Colorado Springs
Quirky Feature: Your coffee is delivered by specially trained dogs wearing harnesses equipped with cup holders.
Why It’s Unique: Customers park in designated spots, and a cheerful pup trots out with their order. The dogs, mostly rescues from local shelters, are trained to bring coffee with wagging tails and occasional high-fives. The menu includes drinks named after the dogs, like “Golden Retriever Latte” and “Poodle Pecan Cold Brew.”

4. Espresso Express

Location: A vintage trolley car that travels through the city
Quirky Feature: A mobile coffee shop that serves passengers as they ride.
Why It’s Unique: Espresso Express operates on an actual trolley that runs a 30-minute loop around Colorado Springs. Customers can grab a cappuccino at the station and enjoy their drink while soaking in views of landmarks like Garden of the Gods. The baristas are trained to make latte art even while the trolley is moving—a feat of caffeine-fueled precision.

5. The One-Hour Bean

Location: North Tejon Street
Quirky Feature: Open only for a single hour every day, with a rotating specialty menu.
Why It’s Unique: The One-Hour Bean’s exclusivity draws huge crowds, as you never know what their menu will offer. Each day is a surprise: one day it’s “Mexican Mocha Madness,” the next it’s “Vanilla Cardamom Dreams.” Lines form an hour before opening, and if you’re late, you’re out of luck. The owners claim, “Good coffee doesn’t wait, and neither do we.”