In the bustling heart of Los Angeles, a new haven has emerged for car enthusiasts—one that marries the love for finely brewed coffee with the passion for sleek automobiles. Motoring Coffee isn’t just your regular coffee shop; it’s a vibrant community hub that stands at the crossroads of casual café culture and the world of automotive enthusiasm. Here’s why this innovative spot is fast becoming a cornerstone of car culture in LA and why it just might represent the future of car enthusiast spaces.

At first glance, Motoring Coffee offers all the hallmarks of a trendy coffee shop: artisanal brews, a cozy atmosphere, and a bustling clientele. However, what sets it apart is its immersive automotive theme. The walls are adorned with automotive art, a small inventory of car merch, and driving simulators invite patrons to experience the thrill of racing. Oh yeah, and a bunch of cars. I was lucky enough to be there when a very special E30 M3 painted by Ornamental Conifer at Race Service was on show. Getting to see it in person was worth the trip on its own.

However, Motoring Coffee elevates the experience from merely sipping coffee amongst car paraphernalia to a full-fledged club for automotive enthusiasts, with its other half, The Motoring Club. Members have exclusive access to a coworking space designed with a car lover’s flair, featuring ample car storage for those prized machines and various members-only perks. These include organized rally drives, track days, and in-house car shows and car storage, offering a comprehensive lifestyle experience that goes beyond traditional car ownership.

What truly makes Motoring Coffee a gem is its focus on building a community. By providing a space where like-minded individuals can gather, the club fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared passion. It’s a place where stories of road adventures and car builds are swapped over espresso shots, and connections are made that transcend the usual boundaries of automotive clubs. This communal aspect is integral to why members find such value in this unique setup. Rarer and rarer these days are places that are unrelated to your hobby but where that hobby can foster and grow. On paper, it’s only a coffee shop, but underneath it’s such a pivotal connection point for car enthusiasts. 

The success of Motoring Coffee in Los Angeles has set the stage for expansion, with plans to open an epic new location in San Francisco on Union Street. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open during Radwood NorCal while I was in the city, sbut has since opened and looks like it is doing very well. They even have a Porsche 911 on the menu for “Market Price”. Not sure how serious that offer is, but if I get a “Market Price” worth of money soon I’ll let you know. The entire Motoring brand is a testament to the viability and appeal of combining lifestyle, work, and automotive passion under one roof. It indicates a promising direction for the future of car enthusiast ownership and community, suggesting that spaces like Motoring Coffee are not just a trend but a sustainable evolution of the car club concept. In a world where car enthusiasts are dying, bridging the gap with say, a coffee shop, can keep the community alive and well for those still in it. Reminiscent of how Toyota and Subaru can’t afford to build sports cars, but together they can and now we have the GT86. It will take some additional work and some creativity, but any solution to keep my love of cars on the road is fine with me. You never know, maybe one day The Late Brake will branch off into the car club/coffee shop world. Would be more than welcome to me.

As Motoring Coffee gears up to accelerate its presence, it’s clear that this concept is reshaping what it means to be a car enthusiast. No longer confined to weekend meets or solitary drives, enthusiasts can now enjoy their passion daily in a setting that supports both their professional and personal lives. If you’re in Los Angeles or San Francisco and your heart races for cars, Motoring Coffee is worth a pit stop, offering a glimpse into the future of car enthusiast culture—one latte at a time.