Kaffeeklatsch Needs a Lil Zhuzh

​​Kaffeeklatsch creates all-ages spaces where artists, musicians, youth, and queer, trans and marginalized folks safely gather and form meaningful connections. We transmute the cafe space into a nightclub, a drag ballroom, an art gallery, a boutique clothing store, and more—sometimes even becoming many of these spaces simultaneously. We’ve seen friendships, mentorships, and community grow and flourish in our cafe, and we’ve heard just how badly Calgary needs a space like ours.

But there’s a problem—one that threatens Kaffeeklatsch’s ongoing existence …

The bamboo is showing on Kaffeeklatsch's facade. Or—more literally—the warped, damaged laminate board is showing beneath the peeling paint of the frontage. The deterioration of the facade poses a major risk of damaging the building, which is almost a century old: it was built in 1925.

It has come to our attention that the onus is on us to fix it. We are lease-bound in this matter.

We tried to fix it ourselves. But after attempting to do so, we’ve realized that this project clearly lies beyond our DIY punk rock capabilities. (We even built scaffolding! And made wood panels! It was a disaster!)

Multiple estimates have placed the cost of fixing the facade at an estimated $10,000.

This unexpected cost hits us in an already difficult year. We have high fixed expenses, cash flow is tight, and we need to repair the facade or risk defaulting on our lease. To make that clear: if we don’t fix this, we may not be able to continue to exist.

We love the beautiful, passionate community that has been growing around Kaffeeklatsch, and we want to keep fostering connections and growing our safe, all-ages space.

So we’re turning to you for assistance. We know that this is a boring ask, but our survival is at stake.

Our goal is to raise $10,000. This amount will cover repairing the facade, and any extra funds raised above this point will go towards developing our club nights, queer dance parties, and learn-to-DJ programs, financing audio equipment.

In other words, any money raised beyond the amount necessary to repair the facade will go back into developing the community and providing the community with opportunities.

Kaffeeklatsch appreciates the intrinsic social value of parties: they stimulate creativity and embody interdisciplinary practice; they inspire mentorship and spark confidence; they form memories and build community. It has been a joy for the staff and ownership of Kaffeeklatsch to watch friendships and partnerships grow and develop, and to watch you all not only grow, but bloom.

Thank you so much for your support, and for coming together to save Kaffeeklatsch. We are so excited to experience the future with you.