Estes Perk Coffee and Cocktail Lounge

About

The same armchair works for a morning espresso and an evening espresso martini at this lounge on East Elkhorn, next to Antlers Rooftop Tavern and Estes Silver & Gold. It runs as a coffee house early and turns into a cocktail room later, with a speakeasy feel. The beans are chosen with care, and there are premium teas for anyone off coffee.

Food is European-style tapas and charcuterie: Hungarian and Italian salami, Polish kielbasa, smoked salmon, brie and gouda, plus pastries and a few unusual sandwiches. There is a happy hour, a full bar, and some nights live music and dancing. Happy hour food is served at the bar too.

It is women-owned, with comfortable chairs and a warm, small room. Reservations are taken, the lounge books private parties and caters, and takeout covers the coffee runs. In the summer rush downtown, a reservation is the safer bet for an evening table.