Café
Lou Mitchell’s
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Dark Matter Coffee Star Lounge
Star Lounge on West Chicago Avenue was the first café of local roaster Dark Matter Coffee, serving drinks such as the Mayan Mocha and Shiratado from 6am to 9pm daily.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialty coffee bar
- Area
- West Town, Chicago, United States
- Price
- $ · Budget
- Opening
- Open daily · 06:00–21:00
- Official site
- darkmattercoffee.com
Good to know
- Open daily 6am to 9pm
- Espresso and pour-over
- House-roasted coffee
Why we recommend it
Star Lounge on West Chicago Avenue was the very first café opened by Dark Matter Coffee, a Chicago roaster that now runs several cafés across the city. The company roasts its beans daily, and the café is a good place to taste what has made the brand a local favourite.
The drinks menu is longer and more playful than at many coffee bars. Alongside drip coffee, espresso, cortado, cappuccino, macchiato, latte, pour-over and press pot, there are signature drinks such as the Agave Latte, the Barrel Mocha, the Cafe Miel, the Dolor de Oro and the spiced Mayan Mocha. The Shiratado was created in Star Lounge's early years. Most espresso drinks use the house blend, Unicorn Blood, and the flagship cold coffee, Chocolate City, is the choice on a warm day.
Star Lounge is open daily from 6am to 9pm, which is unusually long for a Chicago café and makes it handy both for an early start and for an evening coffee. Weekday mornings bring a steady flow of locals on their way to work, while afternoons are more relaxed if you want to sit for a while.
The café suits coffee lovers, students, remote workers and anyone exploring the West Side who wants a strong, well-made drink. It is a casual neighbourhood spot rather than a destination for a full meal, so come for coffee and perhaps a snack. Prices are low to moderate. Allow 15 minutes for a takeaway or longer if you settle in.
No phone number or email is listed on the café's page, so check the Dark Matter website for any changes. The company's other Chicago cafés include The Mothership on North Western Avenue, Meddle on West Jackson Boulevard and Electric Mud on North Western Avenue, each with its own character, which is useful if you want a Dark Matter coffee closer to where you are staying.
Star Lounge is on West Chicago Avenue in West Town. Kasama, the Filipino bakery and restaurant on North Winchester Avenue, is a short ride away and makes a natural pairing for a weekend breakfast, and The 606 trail, which also runs through West Town, is a good choice for a walk afterwards.
Dark Matter Coffee Star Lounge FAQs
What is Star Lounge?
The first café opened by Chicago roaster Dark Matter Coffee.
What are the opening hours?
Daily from 6am to 9pm.
What should you order?
Signature drinks such as the Mayan Mocha, Shiratado or Agave Latte, or the Chocolate City cold coffee.
What is Unicorn Blood?
The house espresso blend used in most espresso drinks.
Where is it?
At 2521 West Chicago Avenue in West Town.
Does Dark Matter roast its own coffee?
Yes. The company roasts its beans daily.
Are there other Dark Matter cafés?
Yes. They include The Mothership, Meddle and Electric Mud, among others.
Is it good for working?
It is a casual café that suits a coffee and a short stay.