– Photos By Cheantay Jensen, story by Matt Cohn
Zuzu’s Petals fall drinks available through year’s end.
As the clocks turn back and the evenings arrive a little too soon, there’s comfort to be found in a well-made drink. This time of year, Downtown’s bartenders and baristas are leaning into the season, crafting cocktails and coffee creations that warm the hands — and maybe the mood, too. Whether you’re meeting up with friends or simply savoring a quiet moment, these spots offer just the right sip to brighten even the earliest morning or night.
THE STAVE BAR / 170 THE PROMENADE N
At The Stave, bartender Randall shared insight into the bar’s fall cocktail lineup and the flavors defining the season. “It’s all about putting a seasonal spin on the classics, the kind of drinks that feel like autumn, even in Long Beach,” he explained. “From a cozy Hot Toddy (Classic, Honey, Maple, or Cinnamon) to our dreamy Pumpkin Pie Martini featuring pumpkin vodka and pumpkin spice syrup, there’s a little something for everyone. It’s a limited menu that’s only available through Thanksgiving, so we always tell our guests to come sip it while it lasts!”
The Stave’s fall cocktail menu also features the Maple Nut Old Fashioned with maple syrup and black walnut bitters, and the Fireside Margarita, made extra-special with the addition of spiced apple cider and flamed rosemary.
Maple Nut Old Fashioned being prepared at The Stave
The Stave Bar is open Monday through Thursday from 2 PM to 2 AM, Friday through Sunday from noon to 2 AM. NOTE: The Stave Bar will be open on Thanksgiving Night from 6 PM to 2 AM.
CONFIDENTIAL COFFEE / 137 W 6TH ST.
With its inviting atmosphere, lined bookshelves, and comfortable couches, Confidential Coffee offers an ideal setting to linger over a cup. Owner Denise Maldonado mentioned that there are two classic fall drinks, the Pumpkin Spice Horchata Cold Brew and the Champurrado Latte, available through November.
Confidential Coffee’s Pumpkin Spice Horchata Cold Brew and Champurrado Latte
“On sunny days when temperatures hit 80 degrees in mid-November, people can enjoy a refreshing cold brew but still get that subtle but definitely noticeable hint of pumpkin spice,” Maldonado said. “The Champurrado Latte is our hot option. It has chocolate, cinnamon, piloncillo, oat milk for that extra creaminess, and it’s topped off with orange zest. The citrus really brings the whole drink together!”
Confidential Coffee is open from Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 5 PM.
ZUZU’S PETALS / 801 E 3RD ST.
At Zuzu’s Petals, Chef Jessie Franco, who co-owns the 3rd Street café with Evan Papadakis, walked us through the fall drinks menu, available through year’s end.
“Our fall drinks this year are our Pumpkin Pie Latte, made with condensed milk, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin puree. It’s got a perfect balance of pumpkin, spice, and sweetness. We also have an Autumn Orchard Latte which features a house-made Granny Smith apple syrup. We peel and dice the apples, cook them down with spices and butter, and then infuse them into a simple syrup. We top it with our cinnamon hazelnut cold foam for the perfect balance.
Zuzu’s Petals fall drinks available through year’s end.
“Our last fall-themed drink is the top-selling drink every year: our Jam’n Pear Matcha. We make a fresh jam using Bartlett Pears and vanilla bean pods, and create a layered drink with our jam, your choice of milk, ceremonial matcha, and garnished with slices of pear.”
Zuzu’s Petals is open seven days a week from 8 AM to 3 PM.
THE CARVERY / 201 PINE AVE.
This year, The Carvery is featuring fall drinks that will be available through Thanksgiving weekend. Manager Damiann provided detailed descriptions: “We’ll be pouring our Pumpkin Sour, a nod to all things pumpkin spice. We’ll also serve the Famous Monk, inspired by the Naked & Famous cocktail but with a comforting Fall twist of peach juice and cinnamon bitters. And, we have our house-made Pear Pie Tequila Infusion, which we serve simply over ice as a sippable shot, or as an ingredient in our Cinna Mon Pieu cocktail.
The Carvery’s fall drink selection available through Thanksgiving weekend
“Don’t forget to come out in December to try our Gingerbread Martini, a wonderful Christmas treat with flavors of coffee, ginger, brown sugar and warm spices,” Damiann added. “Put on your coziest sweater and enjoy our fall drinks soon!”
The Carvery bar is open Monday and Tuesday from 5 to 10 PM; Wednesday and Thursday from 11 AM to 10 PM; Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 11 PM; and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.
STEADFAST CAFE / 510 E BROADWAY
This new spot on the ground floor of the Lafayette building in the East Village has only been open for a few weeks but is attracting an enthusiastic clientele of early commuters, dog walkers, and coffee aficionados.
“We are excited to bring Steadfast Cafe to Downtown Long Beach because we bring a true sense of connection and community to the neighborhood,” said owner Brad Rauch. “We are a small, family-owned business, and we take joy in being a welcoming space where everyone feels at home.”
Rauch went on to describe Steadfast’s fall drinks, which are available through November: The Pumpkin Pie Latte, which is made with peppermint matcha, toasted marshmallow cold foam, and vanilla cold brew with pumpkin pie cold foam; and the Caramel Apple Butter Chai, a blend of harvest chai, vanilla cold brew, and pumpkin cold foam. “Our most popular drink is always our Honey Vanilla Cinnamon Latte, which is available all year,” Rauch noted.
Steadfast Cafe’s fall drink selection available through November
Steadfast Cafe is open Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 2 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to 3 PM.