The Open Mic Coffee And Tea House

Amazing spot. The owner Alex is a super nice guy and it’s good to support local businesses but also none in the area could offer what Alex does in terms of giving musicians a space. The coffee and tea just benefit the situation.

- SNM -

Such a fantastic little spot on the downtown antioch strip. The espresso I had was absolutely delicious and rich! The owner was very friendly and accommodating. There were some people doing open mic, guitar and drums. Very cool place to hang with friends and let the creative spirits flow! They even roast their own beans! I brought some home.

- Mitchell Moore -

Awesome coffee shop. Vibe is so cool, there is a live band, chess boards and more! The guy up front super friendly and nice. Coffee tastes great! Will definitely be back

- Öykü Akay -

First of all, Simon’s a great host who also loves to make software. We’re here all the time, and our team loves coming to Open Mic to work, be creative, and meet with clients. It’s a comfortable, welcoming space that naturally sparks good conversations and cool ideas—some of our best ideas have come out of brainstorming sessions in this spot. Sometimes we’re heads-down getting work done, sometimes sketching things out, sometimes picking up a guitar or playing a little piano between sprints. Great coffee and tea, a relaxed creative vibe, and always something interesting going on. It’s one of our favorite spots in Lake County, Illinois.

- Lake County Coders -

Amazing cafe shop. Wonderful idea about the live music. Great place to just kick back and relax. Chess boards all over the place. Delicious drinks and snacks. Street parking available.

- The Punisher -

Cool idea, poor execution. I'm not positive, but it doesn't seem like a for profit business. It seems to operate like some type of co-op or shared space type place. Walked in and there's nobody to be found for a good 5 minutes. There were some people singing karaoke, but nobody actually working. A nice gent finally emerged bc he was "working in the back". Super nice guy, but didn't appear to want to be bothered. First thing out of his mouth was "we don't have any food today". Ok cool, but I've been waiting here for awhile and you don't appear to have any urgency for customers...so what exactly is this place and are they trying to turn a profit? I can't imagine they are in the black based on what I saw. I was there for 2.5 hours and not one person came in. If you're a musician or want to perform...go for it and enjoy yourself, but you could never take a client to this place bc you can't get normal service for a coffee shop.

- Ryan Lohman -

We live locally but did not realize this place existed until tonight. Wow! What a whimsical and wonderful slice of heaven. The energy, creativity, and uninterrupted space to be authentic without judgment. We enjoyed listening to several talented young artists freely perform and enjoy their music. We were so lucky to be part of the audience tonight. The owner, Alex, is one in a million—such a zen space. We enjoyed our coffee and tea and appreciated the love that went into it. I can’t say enough good things, and I am so thankful to have stumbled upon this spot. Will absolutely be back and highly recommend!

- Laura Wlodarczyk -

Alex's Open Mic Coffee And Tea House is the beating heart of Antioch, wrapped in espresso aroma and pure creative electricity. You step inside and immediately feel like you just crossed into a place that actually gets community. Not the fake, corporate buzzword version, but the real thing, built drip by drip, song by song, cup by damn cup. The coffee hits with purpose. Smooth, strong, balanced, and brewed by people who clearly give a damn about the craft. None of that burnt-tire bitterness you get at the chain spots. This stuff is alive. Whether you grab a classic pour-over, a latte that could convert the non-believers, or one of their signature drinks, everything tastes intentional and dialed in. The tea selection? Massive. Fragrant, clean, and curated like someone actually thought about what humans enjoy. You smell the leaves before they brew them and suddenly you are already halfway in love. The vibe is the real magic trick. It is cozy without being sleepy. Artsy without being pretentious. Warm without being syrupy. It is the kind of place where people actually talk, create, write, laugh, think, and exist without rushing their souls out the door. When the music starts, the whole room transforms. The Open Mic nights are not filler entertainment. They are a showcase of raw humanity. You hear power. You hear vulnerability. You hear people taking chances and owning their moment. And the crowd? Supportive like a damn village. Nobody judges. Everybody listens. You can feel the energy bounce around the room like a spark that refuses to die. The staff treats you like a regular even if it is your first time walking in. Friendly, fast, genuine, and on top of everything without hovering. If Antioch has a creative sanctuary, this is it. If Antioch has a living room for the whole town, this is it. If Antioch has a soul, chances are it is drinking a latte right here. The Open Mic Coffee And Tea House is more than a café. It is a home base for anyone chasing caffeine, connection, or a moment of damn peace in a chaotic world.

- Vinny V. -