Known as being the biggest coffee chain in the world, Starbucks has started a new endeavor and expanded past the lattes and cappuccinos. They will now open up an "evenings" menu where they serve beer, wine and appetizers.
ABC News reported that the new endeavor from the Seattle-based company will start after 4 p.m. Menu items include things like bacon wrapped dates, truffle macaroni and cheese, chocolate fondue and warmed rosemary and brown sugar cashews.
To date there are 16 stores that are serving the evening menu in the cities of Seattle, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Portland.
"Wine and beer offerings have also been tested in select stores in Japan and are currently being tested in Spain on a limited basis," said a Starbucks company spokeswoman to ABC News.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the chain started to test the evenings menu in Seattle in 2010. The LA Times reported that there were some skeptics at a downtown Seattle Starbucks however. "If I wanted a beer, I'd go to a bar," said Doug Tanaka, 48, a police officer said to The LA Times, "I bring my grandkids in here. I don't want to have to deal with a drunk if I'm having coffee."
Sean Petersen, 39, who works for the California Department of Transportation as an engineer, said that beer and wine seemed an odd fit with the coffee chain.
"When I come to Starbucks," Sean Petersen, 39, an engineer said to The LA Times, "alcohol is not what I'm thinking about."
The LA Times said that Starbucks is trying to differentiate itself from other chains such as Panera Bread and Dunkin' Donuts. Jason Moser, an analyst with Motley Fool said to The LA Times that this is a "natural extension" for the chain to move into specialty beverages.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
