INDIE music, dim lighting, and free wifi are things Midnight Coffee has. It’s something almost every coffee shop has. From the outside, this coffee shop looks like any other that people may see around the University of Sto. Tomas, passing by without even giving it a second glance. 

But what many don’t know is the story of love, struggle, and passion found in the creation of this place, all starting with 2nd Year UST student Rein Razo.

Though the coffee shop just opened in April of 2022, the business has been booming for the past few months. Rein, the Head of Coffee who co-owns the place with his brother, said the idea for the place was born when he started brewing his own coffee at home. 

I started with homebrewing from your basic french press, then started to have pour-overs around December 2020,”

Rein Razo

Three months later, his brother asked him if he wanted to put up a coffee shop, and offered to support him.  

“Ako naman, gusto ko mag-improve agad, umoo din ako. Nabudol ako,” he said. 

And thus the idea of Midnight Coffee was born.

Thomasian roots

But the place isn’t just all about coffee. Rein also wanted it to be the perfect hangout spot for students like him. 

He said that when he and his brother first started to formulate ideas for Midnight Coffee, one of their main priorities was to make it a place suitable for students.

And who else understands how hard it is to find a good study spot if not someone like Rein, who often used to spend his time at coffee shops studying and attending his online classes?

“As a student, naghahanap ako ng tambayan na everyone would enjoy,” he said. “If you’re with friends, mae-enjoy mo. If you’re alone and you’re gonna study, pwede din.”

Rein’s brother is a UST graduate, and this was also one of the reasons they chose to set up shop on G.M. Tolentino, a street not too far away from the university. 

Building a shop here sa UST is like home, na we’d still be able to see our own, and we can see a new batch of Thomasians,”

Rein Razo

A rocky start

Rein admits that it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows when he first started; there were a lot of times when he felt like just giving up completely. From finding a place to trying to keep business afloat during the pandemic, things were rough. 

“It was a very tough time,” he recalled.

Rent was skyhigh for many of the places they checked out because people wanted to make money during the pandemic, he said.  

“We waited around a year; this shop actually took a year before we found the right place,” he said.

Putting up a coffee shop also needed substantial capital, he said. There were also up-front costs and the pandemic to consider, he added. 

So we really had to wait, kasi if we didn’t, I think we wouldn’t be here right now kung wala pang face-to-face,”

Rein Razo

Rein also recounted how, during the first few months of the shop’s opening, he would often have to juggle manning the counter and attending his online classes. 

I would sit here for more than eight hours a day, walang pumapasok, tulala lang. The first three months were rough,”

Rein Razo

Despite those difficult months, Rein and his brother continued to do all that they could to keep their business open, like releasing promos and looking for new drinks they felt customers would like. 

And obviously, their hard work paid off; though the shop only had a few people when republicasia’s interview with Rein began, it quickly filled up soon after. By the time the interview concluded, practically all the tables were occupied by people from all walks of life with smiles on their faces and coffees in their hands. 

Perfecting coffee 

Rein and his brother want to feed the growing demand for coffee. 

“On the market side naman, we believe that specialty coffee’s like the new boba. Everyone’s getting into coffee, and we feel like it’s starting to catch up here sa UST,” Rein said. 

Midnight Coffee offers a variety of coffee and other drinks, as well as food. There’s something for everyone, which is something Rein makes sure of. 

“Very niche din kasi ang specialty coffee eh,” he explained. “The whole idea is specifically roasted siya to this amount, to this level of roast, and not everyone will appreciate it. So we also make sweeter drinks for everyone to enjoy.”

The cafe offers food staples like pain au chocolat, butter croissants, and cinnamon Rolls. It also has more unique options like cheesy bagels that can be paired with their spinach salmon dip. 

The drinks menu is just as diverse. Aside from coffee, the shop serves a variety of handcrafted teas, as well as “KremaLattes,” which are hand-shaken drinks that can be ordered with or without coffee. 

Rein said the best-selling drinks are the matcha cream, the signature caramel latte, and the caffe con leche, which is the coffee shop’s take on the famous spanish latte. 

There’s also a handful of unique, out there flavors rarely seen in other coffee shops, such as the pineapple dragon oolong tea and the ube ‘n macapuno.

Food prices range from P65 to P160 PHP; the cheapest item is the Everything Sourdough Bagel, whilst the most expensive is the calamansi pie. 

Meanwhile, the price range for drinks is P100 to P215, and customers can get either a regular or a lofty-sized drink. The cheapest drink is a single espresso shot, and the most expensive is the lofty-sized dirty matcha.

Rein said there is so much more coffee and this is what he and his brother want people to know. 

“We just wanted to share really good stuff–it would be a waste if we didn’t share this with the people,” he said.

Study and chill

Come for the coffee, and stay for the good vibes. With dim, warm lighting, comfy seats, and artists like NIKI and Stacey Ryan playing in the background, many will feel relaxed in Midnight Coffee.

It is air-conditioned, has sockets for electronics, and best of all, free wifi! Just ask for the password at the counter and they’ll give it to you without hesitation.

Guests can study alone, talk with their companions or make new friends. 

As Rein says, Midnight Coffee’s slogan, “It’s more than just coffee” really lives up to its name. 

Iba kasi yung market namin. For us, Midnight stands out as a hub.Community hub siya na you could meet people. Ang dami ko na din nakilala dito,”

Rein Razo

A community board in Midnight Coffee for notes and other stuff

Midnight Coffee is also a place to learn more about coffee, of course.  

“Our baristas are trained to tell you how coffee works. So you don’t only get a place to tambay, or chill out with your friends. If you’re really interested in coffee, we could also teach you the basics of it and direct you where to start,” he said. 

Influencer-approved

Rein also mentioned that famous TikTok influencer, yanihatesu, made a video about their coffee shop in January. In the video, she said that she was not a fan of matcha at all, but she found Midnight Coffee’s version to be delicious. 

“Wala akong masabi, hindi ako makaisip ng punchline,” the comedian exclaimed.

Oh my God ang sarap. First time kong masarapan sa matcha.”

famous TikTok influencer, yanihatesu

Rein was, of course, thrilled. 

“Thanks Ms. Yani, na na-TikTok kami,” Rein joked. 

He said that shortly after that video was posted, the shop’s matcha drink was sold out almost immediately.

What more could you ask for?

Midnight Coffee lived up to all the things Rein said he wanted the place to be like. 

It was a space that allows one to quickly fall into a rhythm and finish the task one set out to do. 

The presence of students and adults alike also made it the community hub that Rein envisioned it to be. 

Those who want a place to study while supporting a local business can check out Midnight Coffee. We’re sure they’ll have no regrets.