Mug Life

Kristy and Geoff Bannister grew up in the ‘90s, listening to a lot of hip-hop. Such is the inspiration behind Mug Life cafe, where posters of Tupac and Biggie watch over a basketball hoop.

As the name of the cafe suggests, drinks are king. Draft Coffee is served on tap as a nitrogen-infused cold brew, or in any other regular incarnation. Tea, by Cha Cha Tea, can be ordered hot; in a shake; or sparkling with lychee boba (bubble-tea balls). And then there are milkshakes such as popcorn, margarita or peaches and cream. Feel free to “pimp” these with either beetroot hibiscus or matcha cream.

Second to the drinks are the doughnuts, by the duo’s company Dr. Dough Donuts. There are 14 to choose from, plus Pop-Tarts and a handful of breakfast items. Toasties include chicken with wasabi mayo; and a peanut butter, banana and marshmallow number.

From the cafe’s pentagonal logo to the black-and-white diamond tiles on the bar, angles are everywhere. Exposed bricks, original floorboards and massive windows add a sense of age to the minimal space.