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Stories Espresso Bar

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People standing outside the container.
Coffee equipment on display.
Close up of the coffee machine.
The cafe's window.
Coffee cups on the machine.
Bottles on a shelf.
A clock and plants.
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Mon - Fri 7.30am - 3.30pm; Sat 9.00am - 3.30pm

40 Cuba Street, Wellington

027 249 2627

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Stories Espresso Bar is unique in more ways than one. First of all, you’ll find the café itself in a charming, re-purposed shipping container outside the Rockshop on Cuba Street.

It has a delicate, crafty design, with white walls, wooden furniture and a large floor to ceiling window. However, the operation behind this little café is what really breaks the mould. Stories Espresso Bar is a social enterprise that provides training and work opportunities for the next generation of baristas.

The Ministry of Youth Development has supported the venture; and Stories Espresso Bar’s profits are injected back into the development of youth in Wellington. To top it all off, their young barista’s are super talented! They’re cool and friendly, they make great coffee and there are plenty of options in terms of bean origin and brewing method. If you like tall black coffee, try their AeroPress with a good single-origin. It’s great.

Words by Grace Hall & Photography by Naomi Haussmann

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Location

40 Cuba Street, Wellington

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Named after an early settler ship, Cuba Street was once a thoroughfare for Wellington trams, but now this street offers pedestrian-only access to Wellington's most popular street. Channelling bohemian vibes, you’ll find vintage shops galore on Cuba Street, alongside the abundance of world-class cafés, restaurants, and bars. On any given day you’ll see buskers playing instruments, flash mobs dancing to Spanish music, and small children engrossed in the bucket fountain water feature that marks the city’s innermost playground. You’ll be forgiven for eating, sleeping, drinking, and dancing all in the perimeter of Cuba Street and not feeling like you’re missing anything at all.

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