A Short Story About "Warung Kopi"

        

                       

         
        Just like another common guy, I still love to hang out with my friends and have a cup of coffee as a good company during my responsibilities as a family guy. But the question that some of friends (even relatives) have is, “Why do people prefer to spend time for a cup of coffee with their friends outside when they can have the exact same cup of coffee at home?” My straight answer for that question is, “I don’t know.” But some of my friend ever told me, it was because having a coffee break outside is useful and important to broaden our knowledge about how far the external environment had developed. Does it sound overwhelming? Perhaps.

        What I’m trying to speak out here is about the significance of “warung kopi”, Indonesian words which can possibly be translated as coffee shop, or street café, especially for the underground scene in Surabaya. First of all, it’s better for me to reveal the short history of “warung kopi” in Indonesia. I browsed and found on http://www.kaskus.co.id/thread/52066836f7ca17e475000001/bangga-quotwarung-kopiquot-salah-satu--budaya-indonesia-yang-harus-kita-jaga/ that the first “warung kopi” was known in Yogjakarta, Central Java on 1950’s which was locally and familiarly known as “angkringan”. “Angkringan” itself comes from a Javanese word “nangkring” which means sit down conveniently. This “warung kopi” or “angkringan” is usually a two or three wheels cart covered by plastic tent, serving various traditional snacks and beverages known as “wedang” such as, “wedang jahe”, “wedang uwuh”, and off course, delicious local black coffee. It operates from afternoon until dawn. But nowadays, many of “warung kopi” operates 24 hours daily. 

          As a person who socialize and befriend with people of underground scene, I see that, “warung kopi” also contributes for the progress and development of the scene in Surabaya. I believe that people in the scene who spend their time at “warung kopi”, they unconsciously apply and attempt this old Indonesian culture of “togetherness” and, if it’s not too much, spirit of “brotherhood” which eventually takes them to collectively build their local underground scene. “Warung kopi” is one of the most convenient places where the underground scene’s activists can explore and share their responsive and progressive ideas about what is happening. This place is essential for them to expand their link and connection which lately they can use to promote their independent small business such as clothing, screen printing, worth-collected rare records, and many more.

           Besides as the capital city of East Java, Surabaya also becomes plural and it is inhabited with people from various different ethnicities, religions, and educational backgrounds. Similarly, such things also occur within its local underground scene. Therefore, proper communication is very essential to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding, and “warung kopi” is the place where people put aside those differences to have a cup of coffee and other foods and beverages to accompany their light, fun, and relax conversation. It is not only because the price of coffee is affordable, since you only have to pay IDR 2500 or IDR 3000 for a cup of coffee, but you will directly feel the friendly atmosphere as you sit and enjoy your coffee. Sometimes, strong coffee is also the important factor. Those who visit "warung kopi" can also enjoy another extra facilities provided there such as big screen flat television to watch soccer games and also free internet connection.

         However, people of the scene visit “warung kopi” mostly to share and explore their thoughts and creative ideas or works. Therefore, it is so common when some local Surabayan bands were formed there. There are many bands such as Fraud, XDilemaX, Speak Division, Wolfxfeet, Full Frontal, and many more, who were born by intensive social interaction and communication occurred in “warung kopi”. Those bands also use “warung kopi” as their strategic spot to discuss the material for their songs, demos, and they also use “warung kopi” as the place to organize underground gigs to facilitate and promote new independent and productive bands or musicians so their creativity can be significantly and globally listened and appreciated. One of legendary Surabayan punk band, Plester X writes a song entitled “Patua Youth Crew” which is dedicated to their friends who intensively visited “warung kopi” at Patua’s street. The song “Patua Youth Crew” is now immortalized as the annual gig with the same title, “Patua Youth Crew”.   

                             

          Usually, people who come and spend their time at “warung kopi” have a same excitement for certain things. However, it takes couple or more meetings and talks before a close conversation can be started. Sometimes, some close conversation at “warung kopi”can increasingly become a mutual respect which ends up in profitable business deal as well. Interesting.

          Nowadays, there are many spots of “warung kopi” in Surabaya which are also functioned as the home base for people of the scene such as, Joss Plus at Gubeng Kertajaya street, IX /18, Warung Kopi Dua Putra aka Warkop Merapi at Merapi street, and many more. So now, don’t worry when weekend comes. Don’t let being a single turns your whole life into an agony. Just come to one of those “warung kopi” that I recommend above, sip your cup of coffee, and be grateful for the life that you are gifted. :)