Coffee and Cars: The Heart of Houston’s Car Culture
The city of Houston is renowned for its sprawling highways and car-dependent lifestyle, but beneath the surface, a vibrant car culture thrives. Coffee and Cars, a local organization, has been the hub of this culture, drawing in car enthusiasts from all walks of life.
Founded in 2004 by a group of local car enthusiasts, Coffee and Cars started as a casual meet-up at coffee shops on weekends. Over the years, it has grown to become a citywide phenomenon, attracting thousands of enthusiasts each month. According to Abe Levitz, an event organizer, "We represent a community that transcends backgrounds, economic status, or the type of car you bring to events. You can see a Ferrari parked next to a Honda Civic, and [the owners] sit together and appreciate each other’s vehicles. There’s no ego here."
A Culture of Individuality
Houston’s car scene is a patchwork of styles, each with its own unique story. It’s a culture that celebrates individuality, where no two builds are exactly the same, yet everyone finds common ground in their love for cars. This spirit of openness drew Christiaan Bedford Sr. to local meets soon after moving to Houston from Portland in 2020. He discovered that the city’s sprawling geography translates to an equally sprawling array of car shows, held everywhere from downtown to The Woodlands, sometimes two or three times a weekend.
Slabs and Art Cars
Bedford’s Lincoln Continental is just one example of the countless custom builds that define the city’s car culture. Slabs, a nickname based on the acronym "slow, loud, and banging," are commonly associated with Houston, often sporting flashy candy paint, elaborate rims, and sound systems that rattle the pavement. They gained popularity in the ’80s and can still be found rolling the concrete streets of Houston today.
Digital Age of Car Culture
The rise of social media and digital platforms has played a significant role in amplifying the community’s reach, especially for Coffee and Cars. "A huge shift has been the way digital media has become a way to experience the event," Levitz says. "Now, people are 100 percent socially engaged. There might be drones flying. [Attendees are] gonna take pictures and videos, and they’re gonna post it." This digital shift has also made it easier for newcomers to find their place in the scene.
Evolution of Car Culture
Houston’s car culture continues to evolve and expand in both size and scope. While Coffee and Cars remains the largest recurring event, smaller, hyper-focused meets are popping up across the city, catering to every niche. According to Levitz, "The evolution of Houston’s car culture isn’t just about technology – it’s also about the growing diversity of styles and the increasing number of events that cater to every niche."
Know Before You Go
Coffee and Cars meetups happen every first Saturday of the month. The events are currently held at Post Houston, and the next show is on March 1 from 8 to 11am. This weekend’s theme, Rad Day, focuses on ’80s and ’90s cars. Register your vehicle on the website, or just show up to enjoy the rides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Coffee and Cars?
A: Coffee and Cars is a local organization that hosts monthly meetups for car enthusiasts.
Q: How did Coffee and Cars start?
A: Coffee and Cars was founded in 2004 by a group of local car enthusiasts who met at coffee shops on weekends.
Q: What is the culture like at Coffee and Cars?
A: The culture at Coffee and Cars is a judgment-free zone where diversity is celebrated, and everyone finds common ground in their love for cars.
Q: What kind of cars can I expect to see at Coffee and Cars?
A: You can expect to see a wide range of old and new exotic and redesigned cars at Coffee and Cars, including Slabs and art cars.
