San Luis Obispo is getting a new queer cafe. Here’s what to expect at The Platypus
San Luis Obispo is soon getting its very own all-ages queer cafe with an Australian twist.
Couple Shari Rubino and Karen Pike, who own Skipper’s Brew Coffee House in San Luis Obispo, began renovations for their new business, called The Platypus, in September. The establishment is set to open at 1901 Broad St., the former home of The Broad Street Giant Grinder Shop, which closed its doors in July.
Rubino and Pike were inspired to open the business after noticing the lack of spaces for queer-identifying people to gather and enjoy community, Rubino said.
Recalling the lesbian bars popularized in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Rubino said there are not many places like that today.
“There isn’t really a place where queer people can sit down and meet with friends for lunch or a drink,” Rubino said. “It is amazing that everything is much more inclusive nowadays, but our community needs a space to go to just be themselves.”
The couple also recognized the need for safe spaces for queer youth to gather. Because of that, instead of operating as a traditional bar, The Platypus will be a cafe open to all ages — though beer and wine will only be available to those 21 and over.
Food and drinks with an ‘Australian style’
Pike, who hails from Australia and relocated to the Central Coast six years ago, hopes to bring authentic Australian flavor profiles to the food and drinks served at The Platypus.
One of the Australian specialties customers can expect is a jaffle, a type of toasted sandwich with sealed edges with savory fillings inside. Pike said the sealed edges of the sandwich allow for non-traditional fillings.
“Growing up, I would have leftover spaghetti bolognese inside my jaffles,” Pike said. “It literally seals everything inside and it’s really good.”
The Platypus will also serve a variety of baked goods, charcuterie boards, coffee and a full bar menu with beer and wine.
Rubino and Pike shared that they are hoping to source the majority of their ingredients locally.
“We are working with local establishments and doing everything within our power to keep everything as local as possible,” Rubino said. “We will be looking to bake in-house as much as possible as well as using a local bakery for some of the other baked goods.”
According to the pair, the community has so far been welcoming about the new bar.
“SLO is a very welcoming town,” Rubino said. “There has been kind of a fun buzz around town about the opening.”
Rubino and Pike are in the middle of renovating the space to fit their needs and hope to have a soft-opening by the middle of November.
“The most exciting part is seeing the community come together and being able to provide a space for them,” Pike said.
This story was originally published October 19, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
