Colectivo Coffee-Monroe St. (Madison, WI)

Where: Colectivo Coffee, 2350 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711
Open: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Saturday-Sunday 6:30 AM - 6:00PM
What: Rwanda Twongere Umusaruro Wa Kawa Cooperative Washed
Tasting Notes: Nectarine, Dark Chocolate, Grapefruit
Roast: Medium-Light 
Price: $2.60
What I’m listening to:

This isn’t the first time I’ve been to Colectivo Coffee. This isn’t even the first time I’ve been to this Colectivo Coffee—one of 20 total in Southern Wisconsin and Chicago—on Monroe Street in Madison, Wisconsin. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. Close enough to the action downtown and on the Capitol Square, but not so close that the city’s riotous moments get on top of you.

This is a neighborhood with character. Old brick buildings are surrounded by new ones built to look old. Old-growth trees anchor both sides of the streets, towering over native plant yards and lending libraries. Dead end streets lead off onto bike trails to the park and the lake. Monroe Street is the definition of walkable, and if you’re walking, you’ll probably end up at Colectivo, eventually.

You enter the cafe from the back into an open seating area with a faux fireplace surrounded by teal lounge chairs. It’s hard to tell if the chairs were worn from age, or just so many customers come here to sit each day. Tables, chairs, and high, worn countertop bars along the outside wall make for an expansive seating area. Garage doors open out the sidewalk. It is easy to imagine this was once a showroom for the neighborhood auto dealer.