Highland · Since 2007 · $$
Kick Butt Coffee
North Austin's karate-themed coffeehouse, bar, and punk-and-comedy stage
The scoop
A North Austin java lounge where karate-uniformed baristas serve espresso by day and a full bar hosts punk shows, comedy, and open mics by night. Kick Butt Coffee is equal parts coffeehouse, dive bar, and live-music venue in a strip-mall storefront on Airport Boulevard.
Founded by Tai Chi and Kung Fu practitioner Thomas R. Gohring, Kick Butt Coffee opened as a coffee shop that doubled as a community performance space. Press accounts place the opening in 2007, though the shop's own site cites 2008; it has since expanded into a full bar and multi-night live-music venue known for open mics, punk bookings, and the Altercation Comedy Festival.
What to order
Elsi's Breakfast Tacos
Freshly delivered breakfast tacos served each morning until they sell out.
Kick Butt Sized Cookies
Baked-fresh-daily cookies in flavors like Um Num Chocolate Chunk and Mad Max Macadamia Nut.
Bruce Lee "Cha-Cha" Chicken Samich
One of the martial-arts-themed hot sandwiches on the weekday lunch menu.
Kung Fu Coffee
A signature coffee-spiked cocktail from the bar menu, part of the shop's coffeehouse-meets-bar identity.
Ronnie's Real Food Vegan Cookies
Vegan cookie line offered alongside the standard cookie case, in flavors like Chocolate Chip and Cocoa Espresso.
Events at Kick Butt Coffee
Open Mic: Poetry, Music & Comedy
Kick Butt Coffee
Oct 18, 2026 · 7:00 PM
Starfire Presents | The Capsules, The Polybius Cabinet, Sin + Seraphim, Lazy Comet
Kick Butt Coffee
Oct 17, 2026 · 8:00 PM
Litmus Green | Live
Kick Butt Coffee
Oct 16, 2026 · 6:00 PM
Danny B Harvey's Rock & Roll Church | Cir-Curse Olé
Kick Butt Coffee
Oct 15, 2026 · 8:00 PM
Open Mic: Poetry, Music & Comedy
Kick Butt Coffee
Oct 11, 2026 · 7:00 PM
The Butts – 20th Anniversary Show
Kick Butt Coffee
Oct 10, 2026 · 7:00 PM
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