Next week, Houston becomes the center of North America’s coffee universe as the Specialty Coffee Expo rolls into the George R. Brown Convention Center from April 25‑27, 2025. Over 17,000 professionals from 85 countries are expected to pack the floor, taste new products, make deals (and friends), and get caffeine jitters.
Yesterday, we highlighted all the coffee shops we’ll try to visit, from longstanding favorites to suggestions from the Fresh Cup community.
Today, we’re talking all about the after‑hours and off‑site events—the parties, throwdowns, and late‑night mixers that keep the networking rolling once the show floor goes dark.
The Expo floor shuts down at five, but the coffee crowd doesn’t—there’s plenty to do around the city! Pace yourself, RSVP when you can, and remember that a 9 a.m. workshop feels a lot earlier after a 1 a.m. last call.
Thursday, April 24 – Welcome to Houston: An Expo Party + Throwdown
The Houston Coffee Collective and Oatly kick off the weekend at Brass Tacks (612 Live Oak St.) with a party featuring a 64‑person oat‑milk latte art battle, pop‑up vendors, flash tattoos, DJ sets. Doors open at 6 p.m.; pours start at 7. RSVP free on Luma (each ticket holder gets two free drinks and complimentary food), but there’s already a waitlist for latte art competitors.
Thursday, April 24 – World’s First Crowd‑Sourced Tiramisu Party (Mazzer)
From 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Osso & Kristalla (1515 Texas Ave., two blocks north of the convention center), Mazzer turns happy hour into a live dessert experiment: you pull a shot of espresso on their grinders, they fold it straight into a larger-than-life tiramisu, an Italian dessert with marscapone, lady fingers, and cocoa powder. Afterward, everyone is invited to dig in over Italian aperitivo snacks and drinks.
The night will feature short talks from Laila Ghambari, Ryan Willbur, and Luigi Mazzer who will break down how grinder technology can make running a cafe more enjoyable. Free entry, RSVP suggested.
Thursday, April 24 – RoasTronix Summit (+ “Get Your Happy On” with Cup of Excellence)
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton University of Houston, the RoasTronix 2025 Summit is a pre-expo day of talks and discussions by RoasTronix, the United States distributor for Stronghold roasters. The event lines up a few heavy hitters—Yannis Apostolopoulos (SCA), Christopher Hendon, Christopher Feran, Sean Lawless, Erwin Mierisch, Hunter Tedman, and Victoria Koyner—for deep‑dive seminars on quality science, self‑roasting economics, and regenerative farming.
Thursday, April 24 – Legends of Cup of Excellence Party
The Alliance for Coffee Excellence honors six multi‑year Cup of Excellence, the annual in-country coffee competition, winners in this event. Expect rare coffees, food, and raffles from 3–5 p.m. (the final portion of the RoasTronix Summit). The event takes place at 4450 University Drive #Room 227; entry via free Eventbrite RSVP.
Friday, April 25 – Cantina Tenfold
Tenfold’s downtown bar (1550 Lamar St., one block from the convention center) morphs into a Mexican‑style cantina from 3 to5 p.m., pouring coffee microlots from southern Mexico alongside natural wines and agave spirits with a live cumbia playlist. No RSVP required.
Friday, April 25 – Brazil in Focus Cupping & Sustainability Forum
At Paper Co. Café (1100 Elder St., just northwest of downtown) from 5:30 to8:30 p.m., Daterra, San Coffee, and Tenfold will host short talks on regenerative farming. Attendees will then get to taste samples of new-crop Brazilian coffees. Free but RSVP recommended.
Friday, April 25 – Coffee Rodeo at Chapman & Kirby
Sanremo, GEVA Coffee, and Slowpokes corral industry pros into East Downtown from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. with competitions, Texas‑sized swag giveaways, and an open dance floor—think “trade‑show after‑party meets urban honky‑tonk.” Tickets are free on Eventbrite.
Friday, April 25 – “Easy Does It” at Angel Share
Cafe Imports eases everyone into Expo weekend with a laid‑back mixer from 6 to10 p.m. at Angel Share (924 Congress St., Historic District). Expect good drinks, light bites, and zero agenda.
Saturday, April 26 – “SOURCE: A Green Buying Panel” at True Anomaly Brewing
From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. (before the floor opens for the day), Café Imports’ Omar Herrera and Piero Cristiani join Susan Heller Evenson of Atlas Coffee and Charlie Habegger of Royal Coffee for a live podcast taping on green‑coffee buying, moderated by Chris Baca at True Anomaly (2012 Dallas St., a five‑minute walk from the convention center). Free coffee and breakfast tacos.
Saturday, April 26 – Tenfold’s Taste of Texas Tailgate
From 5 to 10 p.m. at the Heights flagship (101 Aurora St.), Tenfold will throw a full backyard bash: food‑truck court, cornhole tournament, coffee‑casino tables, local beer, and DJ‑led two‑step lessons. Family‑friendly and free to enter.
Saturday, April 26 – Game Night at Coral Sword
For a mellow, no-alcohol hangout, join Jenn Chen and friends from 6 to 9 p.m. at Coral Sword (1318 Telephone Rd.) for the sixth edition of this Expo-week game night. You’ll find a large board game library, Oatly-backed oat milk drinks, and NA coffee cocktails from 2025 US CIGS champ Jerry Truong. Bring a game, make some new friends, and unwind in a chill space that’s open until 11 p.m. if the dice keep rolling. No RSVP needed, but appreciated via this link.
Saturday, April 26 – H‑Town Sprodown with La Marzocco
The espresso machine manufacturer’s legendary expo party lands at Neon Boots Dance Hall & Saloon (11410 Hempstead Hwy.). Doors at 8 p.m.; expect live country bands, drinks, and room for 1,000 coffee folks until 2 a.m. No cover, but arrive early.
Safe travels! Remember to stay hydrated, and pack more snacks than you think you’ll need. See you on the show floor.
