2050: Drinking coffee in a moon-like space

It felt like we were stepping onto the moon. Not that we’ve actually done that. But the sensations matched what we imagined; that weird floaty vibe, the space-grey theme with curved walls, and the seamless concrete seats that curve along the walls. We... loved it all!

This café from Kyoto has now opened in Singapore, bringing a bold, futuristic concept to life. Its name, 2050, carries a double-edged meaning. On one hand, it promises a taste of 'coffee of the future.' On the other, it immerses you in a space-themed (or rather, moon-like) environment, offering a direct invitation to step into a future yet to be explored.

Despite it not having a place to pull out your laptop (nah, not a sign of a table around here), we admire their audacious interior design vision (because can you imagine a Starbucks without the crutch of a large seating area? Would people still frequent it as often? Food for thought, huh)?

The 'space' in 2050 feels sparse and coldly empty, almost like the surface of the moon. Save for a lone tree growing at the back, towards the light, and the small merchandise corner, the rest of the café maintains that stark emptiness. It’s not a traditional cosy spot to sit for hours... but we suspect that it's exactly the point. Maybe it's to suspend you into the vacuum that is space... where nothing else matters but the drink you’re holding and the space around you. What a fascinating concept (if we're right, that is!).

We ordered a matcha on tap, which was not only fun to pour but also surprisingly refreshing. It had that signature earthy flavour that we loved. Our next drink was a cafe latte. Creamy, bold, astringent in some way, but overall, it packed a punch. We stayed there for about 45 minutes, and honestly, we were surprised we stayed that long, given that we couldn’t pull out our laptops or do anything else but chit-chat over our drinks and occasionally stare at our reflections opposite us.

It might not be the cosiest spot for an afternoon of work, but it is undoubtedly one of the most interesting places to experience the potential of coffee and design. We can’t get enough of the interior design! The space is as intriguing and bold as the concept behind it <3