Coffee, Wine Or Beer? SoCal Starbucks Will Soon Offer Booze

Photo by R. E. ~ via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

SoCal Starbucks fiends will soon be able to get a different kind of buzz from the coffee giant. While the company already offers beer and wine at some of its stores in the Pacific Northwest, Starbucks announced today that a handful of Southland locations will serve said alcoholic beverages by the end of 2012.

Exact locations have yet to be announced, but Starbucks has revealed that between four and six stores in both SoCal and Atlanta will start pouring booze this year, reports City News Service.

Why the beverage expansion? Clarice Turner, Starbucks' senior vice president for U.S. operations, explains.

"As our customers transition from work to home, many are looking for a warm and inviting place to unwind and connect with the people they care about. At select stores where it is relevant for the neighborhood, we are focused on creating an atmosphere where our customers can relax with a friend, a small bite to eat and a cup of coffee or glass of wine."

In addition to beer and wine, the new stores will also boast premium food offerings and flexible seating to accommodate individuals, small groups and large parties.

There is no word on whether or not customers will be forced to order their adult beverages in sizes tall, grande and venti.

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By Lauren Lloyd in Food on January 23, 2012 12:40 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

bawlsdeep

Scary that Sbux really is taking over. But buying a beer on that sbux card I got for Christmas is kind of intriguing.

Paul

Great, I hate that there are 2 starbucks within 5 blocks of my home, particular because these pretentious douchbags like to NOT stop at stop signs and almost run me over because they're too busy enjoying their light cream/foam latte.

Now add alcohol to the douchbag mix???

Ninja On The Rocks

mmmmmm, light cream foam latte. what else did you say? i was changing the radio station.

Aaron M.

Starbucks current image is too hectic. It will take more than offering beer and wine, before people can see it as a "warm and inviting place to unwind". But I'll probably check it out if they open one near by.

westlafadeaway

Beer and wine sounds like no liqueurs - would love Baileys and Kahlua!

Steven Kitzes

A separate license is required to serve hard liquor. That license is more expensive and harder to get than a beer/wine license, especially depending on the neighborhood.

Ben

Welcome to your neighborhood legal drug dealer! We now carry a variety of downers along with our vast variety of uppers that you have grown to love.

E.

starbucks is like the walmart of coffee. no, thats not good in any way.

westlafadeaway

Except that they make a good product like it or not.

E.

if you like the way burnt ass "roasted" beans taste or if you have no tastebuds in your mouth at all or if you smoke cigarettes, yeah im sure that shit is great. real human beings dont drink that shit.