If you’re like most, when you wake up in the morning you need a little something to jump-start your day. For many, the substance of choice is a good old-fashioned cup of coffee—a rich, hot beverage that has been around for centuries, having been discovered in Ethiopia around the 13th century.

Coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a ritual, a moment of pause before the hustle and bustle of the day begins. It’s the aroma that fills the kitchen, the warmth that greets you, and the caffeine that energizes you to face the day ahead.

According to USA Today  83 percent of adults drink coffee. This statistic underscores coffee’s immense popularity and its ingrained presence in daily routines. And while it’s common to have personal coffee makers at home, many people still prefer to get their daily fix from coffee shops when they are away from home.

These establishments offer more than just a caffeine boost; they provide a space for social interaction, a haven for remote work, and a venue for casual meetings.

With a younger demographic often occupying these cafes with laptops and meetings, MiLLENNiAL set out to uncover the appeal of these establishments for millennials. This generation, known for valuing experiences over material possessions, has embraced these venues as modern-day communal spaces.

Whether it’s the ambiance, the specialty brews, or the sense of community, there’s something about these cafes that resonates deeply with millennials.

The Allure of Coffee Shops

Coffee venues throughout the U.S. generate $11 billion per year. They provide items that will quench a customer’s thirst or satisfy hunger, two daily necessities, and serve a wide variety of beverages including freshly-brewed coffee or tea, espresso drinks like cappuccino or lattes, cold blended beverages, bottled water and juices.

In addition to beverages, they frequently provide a number of food options like pastries, desserts and sandwiches. Many shops also offer whole or ground coffee beans that you can take home.

Coffee shops also gear their aesthetics to a younger crowd, knowing that the young and industrious college student may only be a few blocks away with many millennials working behind the counter as well. These shops are also quite accessible. Multitudes of Starbucks’ and other shops are located on almost every street corner and numerous shops can be found in malls nationwide.

Coffee venues also can provide free wifi access for their customers. This makes them an attractive spot and a booming hub for writers, freelancers, and young entrepreneurs, leaving other operations in the dust.

A Place To Socialize

The act of drinking coffee socially is one of the most common and accepted activities around the world. Coffee shops draw millennials in because of their clean, peaceful, and serene environment. Leave the dust and grime outside! They also often play music that is young and contemporary which feeds its atmosphere rather than detracting from it. Many coffee houses even offer live music for a warm and festive experience.

Coffee Can Be Good For You

At times coffee gets a bad rap, but the average coffee regiment doesn’t hurt. It has several benefits which include:

1. Providing antioxidants– These can be obtained through fruits and vegetables, but the human body actually absorbs the most from coffee.
2. Medical benefits– Coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, liver disease, stroke and can lessen symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as well as depression.
3. Bolstered stamina and alertness- The caffeine and energy that coffee provides can make you more attentive and can improve physical performance.
4. Increased intelligence– Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine, enhancing the presence of good transmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine.
5. Increased life span– coffee drinkers have a 30 percent lower risk of death than non-drinkers.

Coffee shops have become such a part of modern culture that it would be difficult to imagine a world without them. So join the millennial masses at your local barista. You can almost smell the sweet aroma from here!