IT’S JUST COFFEE!

Let’s recap! What do the 5 most innovative cafes in Melbourne have in common–(and what can you steal for your own cafe!?). From service experiences to bar systems, drink creation and cross-industry inspiration: What makes these businesses not just successful, but industry-leading? Tune in to find out! 

00:00 - Intro

02:15 - Café Tour Recap

03:17 - Favourite Drinks

08:40 - Innovation Discussion

14:07 - Bar Design & Workflow

17:31 - Drink Innovation

18:26 - How to Innovate

22:04 - Most Innovative Café

23:19 - Future of Coffee

26:31 - Outro

Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

 Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From −85°C cups to the 15 second latte… We’ve found 5 cafes in Melbourne who are doing coffee differently!

Join us as we cafe-hop between Aunty Pegs, Regulars, INBTWN, Axil Coffee, and Project Zero: Taste testing signature drinks, chatting to baristas, and taking a peek behind the bar to find out what makes these venues stand out from the crowd.

Tune in to get the scoop on the most innovative spots in Melb!CHAPTERS!00:00 - INTRO00:40 - Project Zero Pre-Batched Espresso03:20 - Fresh vs Pre-Batched Taste Test06:30 - Coffee Controversy Online09:50 - Project Zero Signature Drinks11:00 - Regulars -85°C Frozen Coffee15:50 - Frozen Coffee Taste Test18:30 - Axil World Champion Coffee21:00 - $30 Coffee Explained25:10 - Proud Mary / Aunty Pegs Black Coffee Bar28:00 - Freezing Coffee Explained33:50 - IINBTWN Coffee Cocktails44:00 - Experimental Coffee Drinks52:20 - Best Drinks & Most Innovative55:20 - Final Thoughts

If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!

Explore Our Picks:

Aunty Pegs: https://www.instagram.com/auntypegsbypmc/ 

Regulars: https://www.instagram.com/regularsmelb/ 

Project Zero: https://www.instagram.com/projectzero.coffee/ 

INBTWN: https://www.instagram.com/inbtwn.melb/ 

Proud Mary Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/proudmarycoffee/

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

 Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric J. Grimm has spent years specialising in Human Resources in the coffee industry. He was kind enough to join us on the podcast and share his extensive knowledge and experience. Eric explains how HR can support both employees and employers: He provides the playbook for difficult workplace conversations, and details the 3 things every business needs in their HR starter pack. Forget beans and equipment, make HR your business's superpower! 

00:00 – Intro & Why HR Matters

00:01:40 – Eric’s Story

00:05:00 – Employees vs Owners

00:09:15 – HR Basics

00:13:40 – Compliance & Costs

00:19:00 – Hiring & Turnover

00:30:00 – Difficult Conversations

00:41:50 – Market Update

00:42:25 – Culture & Takeaways

Massive thanks to Eric for joining the show! Find him at–

The Coffee Human Resource: https://www.humanresource.coffee/ 

Eric J Grimm: https://www.instagram.com/ericjgrimm/

If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

 Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gibrán Huerta, otherwise known as ‘G’, is the owner of Long Play, a cafe and record bar located in San Diego. We spoke with him about his unique approach to hospitality: He doesn’t serve espresso and there’s no wifi. Just vibes, music, and slow-paced service. G is a pioneer of this new style, encouraging customers to disconnect from the outside world and be present in their cafe experience. We weigh up Long Play against the fast-paced cafes of today, diving into the opportunities and challenges that arise when you decide to go against the grain and do things differently. 

00:00 Post-World Coffee Recap

01:00 Japan, Mexico & Hospitality Roots

05:05 Inside Long Play (Cafe + Record Bar)

09:32 Space, Design & No-Signage Philosophy

12:28 Coffee, Tea & “Weird” Menu Choices

16:47 Pricing, Time & The Experience Economy

18:05 The Challenge: Getting People to Slow Down

20:27 Making the Business Sustainable

23:27 Creating Value in Specialty Coffee

29:17 How to Build a Slow Bar

33:56 Hot Take: You Don’t Need Espresso

37:06 Where to Find Long Play

Thanks so much to G for joining the show and sharing your incredible insights! 

Long Play: https://www.instagram.com/longplay.hifi/ 

Gibrán Huerta: https://www.instagram.com/narbig/ 



If you're new here (welcome), our show dives into some of the best coffee conversations on the internet, but we will always remind ourselves at the end of the day - It's Just Coffee!

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch?

Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

 Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Y2K vs 2026 Barista | COFFEE BREAK!

Working as a barista in the early 2000s looked different to barista jobs of today. From an influx of specialty coffee, to new equipment, automation, workflow changes and ever increasing expectations for great customer service, the 2026 barista is playing a completely different game. We discuss the evolving coffee industry, and what has changed for baristas since Y2K!

Coffee Break is your weekly inside scoop into the coffee community. Everything from on the fly barista tips, honest and unfiltered cafe reviews (eek), hospitality stories and gate kept coffee secrets.

Want more coffee content? 

IT'S JUST COFFEE: https://linktr.ee/itsjustcoffeepod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4e8cead0-6644-4c4a-b419-28c825b1b236

Want to get in touch? Hit us up at [email protected] for any questions or comments.

Proudly sponsored by:

Marco Beverage Systems: https://www.instagram.com/marcobeveragesystems/ 

Apax Lab: https://apaxlab.com/ Condesa Co.Lab: https://condesacolab.com.au/ 

 Riverina Fresh: https://www.riverinafresh.com.au/

Thanks for listening! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices