The 2024 SCA Expo is coming to Chicago, Illinois April 12-14th, and with it, a veritable bacchanal of parties, shindigs, mixers, and social occasions for the coffee professional to attend. Here is a heaving compendium of just about every party for which we are aware at the 2024 SCA Expo in Chicago. This sort of story is an annual tradition here at Sprudge dating back 15 years; some have called it “The most important Sprudge story of the year” and it’s hard to disagree. Heck, we’ll even be using it ourselves to figure out a location or three over the course of the coming weekend. If you see Buzzy or Spesh rock up to the bar queue, don’t hesitate to ask for a selfie.
Thursday, April 11th
Gold Mountain Growers: Reprise Coffee Roasters
Reprise is bringing in the folks from Nicaraguan producers Gold Mountain Growers for coffee and a chat.
10:00am, 710 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202
Mejores Juntos Cupping: Metric Coffee
Join Metric as they bring in renowned producers Benjamin Paz of Benecifio San Vicente in Honduras and Jose Rivera of Origin Coffee Lab in Peru to lead cuppings of some of their coffees. RSVP here.
10:00am to 12:00pm, 2021 West Fulton Street, Suite K-101b Chicago, IL 60612
World Cafe: Kimball Arts Center
Crop to Cup and Dayglow have brought together producers and importers from around the world for cuppings and discussions about coffee as well as a game of Leaderboard and cocktails. RSVP here.
12:00pm to 5:00pm, 1757 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Coffee Farming and Cupping: Necessary and Sufficient Coffee
Join Olympia Coffee Roasters for a Q&A with three coffee producers for perspectives on sustainability and traceability.
4:00pm to 5:30pm, 728 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605
Minor Figures SCA Expo Kickoff Party
Turn up & tune in for good vibes nd great drinks at this chill kickoff mixer.
5:00pm to 8:00pm, 664 W Lake St., Chicago IL 60661
Communitea: Oro Chocolate
The Chicago Tea Collective is welcoming all tea drinkers for a night of tastings, education, and tea and ceramic wares from local artists.
6:00pm, 1553 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Oscillations: Reggie’s Rock Club
Oscillations is a pan-everything coffee party. There will be music, debates, an open mic, even a limited edition zine, all meant to reinvigorate the coffee community at large.
6:00pm to 11:00pm, 2105 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
Roasters Workshop: Big Shoulders Coffee
Top roasters from across the country have been invited to participate, where they will have 10 minutes to “interpret” a green coffee and roast it. The coffees will then be open to the public to try at a cupping on Sunday.
6:00pm, 2415 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60618
Something New is Brewing in the Wild: Yeti
Yeti is teaming up with La Marzocco, Proud Mary, and Black Rabbit Coffee Service/Coffee Breath for a night of coffee, cocktails, and pizza. RSVP here.
6:00pm to 9:00pm, 1572 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
100 Years of Mahlkonig! A Party Celebrating This Exclusive Milestone
This incredible event kicks-off SCA Expo weekend by celebrating 100 years of Mahlkonig! Join the fun including an exclusive gallery, music, food, and drinks, with support from Standart and Intelligentsia. RSVP here.
6:00pm to 11:30pm, 1850 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612
USA Comandante Championship: Dayglow at the Kimball Arts Center
Come get ready to hand grind and brew in a knock-out style competition hosted by Comandante and Leaderboard Coffee. All necessary coffee and brewing equipment will be provided.
6:00pm, 1757 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Welcome to Chicago Party: Solemn Oath Brewery
Rancilio and the Barista League have teamed up to help ease you into the weekend with some chill hangs, food, drink, and a touch of Chicago flare.
6:00pm to 12:00am, 2919 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Paradise Getaway Party: Drip Collective
Spirit Tea, Four Letter Word Coffee, and the Drip Collective is kicking off Expo weekend with a night of good food and good music, with live DJs spinning records all night long. RSVP here.
7:00pm to 11:00pm, 172 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
Friday, April 12th
Chai & Connections: Momentum Coffee
Join the Color of Coffee Collective, Soul Chai, Torani, and Redbull at Momentum Coffee for a morning networking event.
7:00am to 9:00am, 2119 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616
Global Producer Breakfast
Cafe Imports is hosting producers from India, Bolivia, Colombia, Sumatra, and Peru for a discussion over coffee and breakfast. RSVP here.
8:30am to 10:00am, 600 West Cermak Road Chicago, IL 60616
Public Cupping: Side Practice Coffee
Ceramic Coffee Roasters and Side Practice are hosting an in-person cupping, featuring two all new coffees. RSVP here.
11:30am to 12:30pm, 1:00pm to 2:00pm, 5139 North Damen Avenue Chicago, IL 60625
Las Cafeteras Concert for Kids: Dark Matter
A very special kid-friendly performance will be taking place at Dark Matter’s roasting warehouse, and will include drinking chocolate, coffee, and light bites. RSVP here.
4:00pm to 7:00pm, 475 North Campbell Avenue Chicago, IL 60612
Asian Producer Meet-Up: Drip Collective
Kopi Kedaya and Coffee Asians will be hosting Asian coffee producers for a chance to network and learn more about their coffees. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Afterwards, join them for the Coffee Asians Kickback 2.0 party in the same location.
5:00pm to 7:00pm, Coffee Asians Kickback 2.0 7:00pm to 10:00pm, 172 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
Stronger Than Coffee Screening: Morrison Family Foundation
Bean Voyage will be hosting a special screening of their documentary Stronger Than Coffee. RSVP here.
5:00pm to 7:00pm, 50 East Washington Street Chicago, IL 60602
Actionable Impact: Metric Coffee
Join Cropster as they will be hosting a panel discussion on how B Corps are shaking things up in the coffee industry, followed by a party featuring food and drinks. The event is invite only, and can be acquired at the Cropster booth (1051) or the Roast Magazine booth (1434).
5:30pm, 2021 West Fulton Street Chicago, IL 60612
Chi-Town Wine Mixer: Foxtrot Market
Created Co, La Marzocco, Proper Syrups, and Black Rabbit Service Co are teaming up to present a variety of wines and foodie-inspired snacks and pizza. RSVP here.
6:00pm to 9:00pm, 171 North Green Street Chicago, IL 60607
Easy Does It! A Laid Back Cafe Imports Party: Easy Does It
Ease into the weekend’s festivities with Cafe Imports for a night of drinks, smash burgers, and Mediterranean light bights. RSVP here.
6:00pm to 9:00pm, 2354 North Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60647
Elevating Dreams, Erasing Divides: The Hatchery
Join Ghost Town Oats and Brewpoint Coffee for a pitch competition, where coffee entrepreneurs can present their ideas in front of a panel of expert coffee innovators. The event will also include live music, networking opportunities, drinks, and entertainment featuring Jesse El Grandote. RSVP here.
6:00pm to 9:00pm, 135 North Kedzie Avenue Chicago, IL 60612
Espresso Throwdown & After Party: Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Urnex, Intelligentsia, World Coffee Research, Fellow, Created Co, and Flair Espresso have all come together for an espresso throwdown and after party going until question mark question mark question mark.
6:00pm, 901 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL
BIRD Brew Up Competition: Dayglow at the Kimball Arts Center
Weber Workshops is hosting a single-elimination brewing competition featuring their new BIRD brewer, with a host of big time prizes provided by Weber. DM Weber to sign up.
6:30pm, 1757 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Synesso 20th Anniversary Party: Viking/Middleby Residential Showroom
Celebrate two decades of Synesso with a night of food, wine, and dancing, featuring Club Real Ones and Doyenne! RSVP here.
6:30pm to 9:30pm, 350 North Wells Street Chicago, IL 60654
Saturday, April 13th
A Conversation About Kenya
Join Cafe Imports and Dormans Coffee’s Director of Trading and Operations Kennedy Keya for a discussion about the challenges facing import and export of coffee in Kenya. The event will include coffee and a light breakfast. RSVP here.
8:30am to 10:00am, 600 West Cermak Road Chicago, IL 60616
Metric Coffee Presents Washed & Naturals: A Taste of Chicago
Come for the bites + cocktails + Lem Butler DJ set, stay for a special episode debut of Coffee Breath.
5:00pm to 9:00pm at Metric Coffee Co. — 2021 West Fulton Street
Coffee is Dead: A Chicago Warehouse Party
Dark Matter Coffee and friends are throwing a huge warehouse party on Saturday night, with live music, drinks, and snacks. The party is located near 738 N Western, with an exact location revealed upon RSVP.
6:00pm to 2:00am.
IKAWA + Algrano Party At Overflow Coffee
Two technology driven-businesses want to take you from analog to digital over local beers, natural wine, and … Chicago-style hot dogs! Grab an invite from IKAWA booth 1439 or Algrano booth 2218 to attend.
6:00pm to 9:00pm at Overflow Coffee — 1449 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Coffee Roasters Guild Chicago Party
The Coffee Roasters Guild hosts a social coming together with brews and bites.
7:00pm to 9:00pm at FatPour Tap Works—McCormick, 2206 S Indiana Ave, 60616
Latte Art Throwdown with Uncommon Coffee Roasters
Come enjoy a night of bracket-style latte art action. There’s a cash prize for first place and much more, plus free swag for attendees. RSVP here.
7:00pm to 10:00pm, pours start at 7:30. 3344 N Halstead, Chicago, IL 60657
Fair Trade USA’s Fiesta de Ritmos Latinos
Let’s dance! ¡Vamos a bailar! An international celebration from the team at Fair Trade USA. More info here!
8:00pm to 1:00am at Baseline, 2239 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 — 21+ only event!!
The First Sip: Celebrating the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity Community
Celebrating the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity, this event is unfortunately now sold out.
La Marzocco Sprorassic Park: A Party 97 Years In The Making
This is the big one. Strap on your pith helmet and join La Marzocco for one T-Rex sized coffee party. Expect live music, DJs, face painting and so much more.
8:00pm to 12:00am at City Hall Events — 838 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60642
Sunday, April 14th
Cupping Event & Closing Celebration: Big Shoulders Coffee
Roasts created by invited roasters on Thursday are now open for the public to taste at a cupping. The event will also include light bites, drinks, and pour-over coffee. RSVP here.
10:00am to 12:00pm, 2415 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60618
Ma’am Tere Film Screening and Philippine Coffee Cupping: The Plant
Four Letter Word, Side Practice Coffee, Out of Office Roasters, Whiner Beer, Del Sur Bakery, and Kalsada Coffee are presenting a screening of Ma’am Tere, a film about specialty coffee in the Philippines, followed by a cupping of coffees from the Philippines. RSVP here.
2:00pm to 5:00pm, 1400 West 46th Street Chicago, IL 60609
Off and On: A Brewing Demo: SteamVolt
Join SteamVolt, Mavam Espresso, and Black Rabbit Service Co for a special showcase of unique coffee machines as well as snacks, drinks, and an after-party therapy.
2:00pm to 6:00pm, 5366 N Elston Ave Ste 101, Chicago, IL 60630
Cxffee Makes You Black Episode One Debut Screening: Ramova Loft
Cxffeeblack’s documentary series following their Barista Exchange program kicks off with the premiere of Episode One as part of Expo. Buy tickets here.
3:00pm, 3520 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60609
Mocha Throwdown: Oro Chocolate
It’s a mocha throwdown for a chocolatey twist on the traditional latte art competition.
4:00pm, 1553 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL
Did we somehow very unintentionally not include your party? Please get in touch!
