By Yelah Israel
Photo: 1995 Cafe FB Page
Are you hungry for a picture-perfect vintage hideaway to hang out with your buddies? Or perhaps you thirst for a cup of coffee, while you click and clack away on that laptop of yours? If so, look no further! Get ready to go back to a time of music and art, all in the form of a charming cafe.
Located in Kalibo, Aklan, 1995 Cafe rests along Roxas Avenue. Since it is cozily tucked away on the second floor, you first have to enter through a gracefully dim stairwell — your first taste of vintage — only then to be greeted by the brightening luster of the coffee shop's main room. The moment you settle in, your 1995 Cafe experience begins.
1995 Cafe was conceived in 2020, just as the pandemic began. Originally planned to be a bar, the owner, Judd Traje, 26, (along with his sister in HongKong) decided to open a coffee shop instead. They began doing deliveries with their bottled coffee through their brand named Cold Brew, which they marketed online. The virtual brand was able to reach all around Aklan, even until Antique and Iloilo. Then after finally soft-opening in September of the same year, 1995 Cafe grew — and so did their menu.
The Menu
When you arrive there, you are given the chance to choose from an array of flavorful delights, pleasing to look at and taste. Of course, a highlight of 1995 Cafe is their coffee, be it a creamy cup of espresso or a sip of an ice-cold caramel macchiato. To those who are not looking for anything caffeinated, the shop still boasts a wide selection of refreshments, such as milk tea, frappe, and even soda — all in different flavors.
To complement the rich taste of the coffee (or any drink you fancy), the establishment offers meals that range from their juicy chicken wings, creamy pasta, colorful bilao platter, and the classic sisig, to their most coveted burger series, that can leave one asking for more (and more shall one receive, because they still have plenty of flavors in store).
Photo: 1995 Cafe FB Page
So you have your mouth full of all kinds of delectable treats, but what exactly makes 1995 Cafe unique on its own? A notable feature of this coffee shop would be its delicate interior — a fine example of an Instagrammable solace.
A Haven of Aesthetics and Ambience
Musical pop classics fill the room, with paintings lining the walls, shelves cradling all kinds of books, whilst plants and locally-made wooden furniture bring the shop’s expanse to life — an ideal avenue for picture-taking. Also, who could not marvel at the gently-lit terrace that adds beauty to al fresco dining? At a single glimpse, one may see that 1995 Cafe is not a mere hidden gem; rather, it is a whole treasure cove.
Photo: 1995 Cafe FB Page
The mind behind the shop’s likable design would be that of owner Judd Traje, a licensed and registered architect. Balancing his blooming business with his busy job as a professional architect, Traje built 1995 Cafe from the ground up, from the broad composition to the finest details.
The reason behind “1995” in the cafe’s name is due to the fact that Traje was born during that year. In addition, it was around that time when the music and art industry entered an era of great happenings; and so, that was the inspiration.
Traje was able to use his knowledge as an architect, along with his love for coffee and cafes in general. “Mahilig naman ako mag-explore ng mga cafe,” he told Explained PH - Aklan. Everytime he would enter one, he compares the themes and designs of each establishment he visited, until he mustered an artistic idea for a cafe of his own.
"Yung first theme dito ay dark, even ceiling and walls — all black talaga. Maganda naman siya noon, kasi nakakaiba yung atake: aggressive at astig," Traje mentioned. “Pero pagkatapos ng 3-4 months na lockdown, wala kaming operations. Kahit ako naging mentally unstable, at kapag pupunta ako [sa cafe], nagiging mabigat yung aking feeling. Kaya sabi ko, 'Once mag-reopen kami, gusto ko something lighter', kaya pina-all-white ko lahat." According to him, the new lighter theme was well-received.
Even as the owner, Traje expresses that he feels safe in the cafe. “Mas gusto ko dito magstay, dahil matahimik, maraming ring nagsasabi na they feel calm dito, parang daw isang safe haven."
Other than being a sanctuary for people, 1995 Cafe offers itself as a hub of culture and appreciation of literature and the arts, proving itself to be
A place where culture can thrive
This cafe is one that caters for artists. As you can guess, 1995 Cafe is not itself without the many artworks carefully displayed around the venue. But one thing you may not know is that these paintings — from idyllic landscapes to meticulous portraits — were crafted by local artists and are on sale.
Photo: 1995 Cafe FB Page
"Marami akong kilala na [fellow] architects at artists, at nag-propose ako sa kanila, 'magpapatayo ako ng cafe, willing ka ba magdisplay ng iyong mga artworks?' Tapos marami naman yung nagpresenta," Traje explained, saying it was his plan to include the paintings in order to support local artists.
1995 Cafe has also hosted contests, such as the Coffee Art Competition they held for Women's Month, last March 2021, with cash for prizes.
Similarly, the coffee shop has made itself an avenue for live performances in music and literature, with a live acoustic jam and spoken word night. And they plan to do more in the future.
In 1995 Cafe, not only will your stomachs be full, but your sense for contemporary culture will never hunger.
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| Photo: 1995 Cafe FB Page |
During the early days of quarantine, the journey to establishing 1995 Cafe was not an easy ride, as the unpredictable lockdowns and restrictions edged Traje closer to shutting down.
"Pag-lockdown noong July hanggang September, wala kaming operations, at grabe yung lugi," he recalled. "Kahit yung personal money ko mula sa work ay pumunta sa pagbayad para sa cafe."
But because of a few regular customers he managed to befriend, along with the positive feedback his business received through their Facebook page at the time, Traje found the courage to carry on and the desire to never surrender.
"Nagkaroon ako ng realization na it's about the money," Traje expressed, "but it's about how you can change someone's perspective — na akala niya magulo na yung lahat-lahat, then biglang may nakita sila na safe haven."
To any future customers who plan to give 1995 Cafe a visit, Traje is there waiting with open arms. "Welcome kayo dito. As much as possible we will try to give you the best service."
1995 Cafe is a coffee shop that bloomed in spite of the on-going pandemic, proving that, with the right people and an insatiable love for culture, almost nothing can spoil a good cup of coffee.
Come by and visit this one-of-a-kind place where the average Aklanon can relax and read a book or vibe with the music. With no need of free Wi-Fi, one can just unwind in 1995 Cafe and truly be in the moment.