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04/08/2024
There's less than an hour to try this week's weeklys special. Kicking off the Darkroom Café's brand new (never before seen) 🍨 ICE CREAM SERIES 🍨 is a fresh taste that, despite being based on something cold, will be sure to melt your heart. Introducing for the first time ever, the DRC'S 🍒🍦🍫 CHERRY GARCIA 🍫🍦🍒!!!
03/25/2024
Happy almost Easter for those of you who celebrate!!🥚 🎊🐤🐇 Next weekend's forecast calls for nice weather (actually warm, for once) so hopefully that'll hold true for the holiday. In celebration of egg-hunting day, we're bringing you an updated version of our Easter Special for this week .... THE EASTER EGG! 🐣🐰
Similar to a hot chocolate, but instead with a caramel base, this decked out drink with marshmallows, caramel, and sprinkles is more decorated than an actual easter egg. It's going to be egg-cellent. Stop by anytime on or before 3/30 to give it a try.
03/17/2024
After a long hiatus of not posting on our facebook, we're back to inform you that it's too late to try our girl scout specials, like the Thin Mint hot chocolate pictured below.
But it's just your luck, because this week has something great, too. Maybe even better! (Re-)introducing our famous St. Patrick's Day Special: Irish-ish Coffee! Like Irish Coffee, it has a hint of something special inside. Except, for us it's maple syrup, not alcohol. Sorry, not sorry. Available 3/17 - 3/23.
02/05/2024
Last chance to try our Peppermint Mocha weekly special (image below)... we close at midnight!
Starting tomorrow, kicking off the countdown to Valentine's Day, the special will be our newest creation, I Think I Lychee You 🌹☕💕 (2/5 - 2/11).
02/05/2024
In case you haven't heard... We're back (we've been back) and now with new regular hours!
12/08/2023
The Groliday Party may be over, but the seasonal fun is not! Stop by the Darkroom Café during open hours anytime before we close for the season to try one (or all) of our awesome Holiday Specials!
12/07/2023
Happy almost-done-with-the semester! Next week is the last week of the Darkroom Café until we get back from break. We'll officially be closing our window gate for the semester at 11:59 PM on Saturday, December 16th.
However, until then, not only will we be open every night 8 PM - 12 AM, but we will also have not one, but THREE HOLIDAY SPECIALS!!! Two of them--Mrs. Claus and Hanukkah Donut--are classic returners from the Gregory of yore. Cup of Kwanzaa is our newest addition, designed in conjunction with Makuu.
Mrs. Claus 🧑🎄🎄 is a festive peppermint hot chocolate tree-topped with red stained whipped cream, sprinkles, and crushed candy cane.
Hanukkah Donut 🕎🍩 is a hot strawberry milk drink (not unlike a hot chocolate) topped with a whipped cream "donut" ring rim and piece of chocolate gelt, a chocolate coin used in the Hanukkah game of dreidel. It's loosely inspired by the Hanukkah treat of sufganiyot, or jelly donuts.
Cup of Kwanzaa 🍫🕯️ is a cup of creamy hot chocolate from SPAGnVOLA, a Black-owned chocolatier based in Maryland. Sourcing the hot cocoa from a Black-owned business is meant to support the Kwanzaa principle of Ujamaa, or cooperative economics. SPAGnVOLA has some really amazing chocolate flavours, and you can get Cup of Kwanzaa in either Ginger or Cardamon. As red velvet cupcakes are a common dessert during Kwanzaa celebrations, the hot cocoa will be red velvet themed, with red undertones, and topped with whipped cream and red, yellow, and green sprinkles. The DRC worked in conjunction with Makuu, Penn's Black cultural center, for the drink's design.
12/04/2023
Something special is coming soon from the Darkroom Café, but it's not quite ready yet. So while you wait, we've got an interim weekly special for the next couple days.
Something sweet and caffeinated as a slight kick to jumpstart you through the last full week of classes, stop by on or before 12/6 to grab yourself a Care-amel Americano, because we care about you! After, the special will switch into something a little more... festive.
11/27/2023
Welcome back from Thanksgiving Break! Going forward this semester, the Darkroom Café (DRC) will be only open from 10pm - 12am on Saturdays (all other days will maintain normal 8pm - 12am hours).
This week's weekly special will be Creamsicle 🍊🍦(don't be fooled by the name--it's a warm drink). Stop by on or before 12/3 to give it a tea-ste.
Happy end-of-November!
11/21/2023
The Darkroom Café (DRC) will be opening late Wednesday (11/22; hours 10pm - 12am) closed Thursday through Saturday, and closing early Sunday (11/26; hours 8pm - 10pm) this week for Thanksgiving Break (Study Break is also not being offered). We at the DRC are, of course, thankful for all of you and your continued presence during our regular hours and events, but everyone needs a break! We look forward to seeing you all again next week.
Since this week is shorter than most, we decided it was the perfect time to have a throwback to our Fall Break special. After all, this is technically our second fall break. In case you missed it last time, stop by to give Maven's Falling Leaves Tea 🍁🍁 a tea-ste (or a re-tea-ste).
11/13/2023
Tonight's the last to get Hot Honey, but don't worry, because this week's weekly special is just as sweet! (Re-)introducing.... Honeycomb!!! 🍯🐝 Spread the buzz: this Gregory fan favourite from previous years, a seriously sweet oolong (or chamomile) tea latté, is back for the week! Stop by the Darkroom Café on or before 11/20 to give it a try.
11/09/2023
This week's weekly special is Hot Honey 🍯🍯 !!! Every so often, a drink that's a part of Gregory College House's elite Hot Gregory drink series (stay tuned for updates on the next installment) pops up. This time it's Hot Honey!
Returning Gregorians may remember this drink as Honigmilch from International Food Night a couple years ago. It's purported to have some medicinal properties like helping with nervousness, sleep disorders, sore throats, dry coughs, and some colds.
And it's back again! For this week only, stop by the Darkroom Café on or before 11/13 to give it a try.
Address
3941 Irving Street
Philadelphia, PA
19104
The Darkroom Café can be easily reached by public transport or car. If you are using public transport, take the train/bus to 30th Street Station, then transfer to the Market-Frankford Line towards Frankford Transportation Center and get off at the Girard Station. From there, walk east on Girard Avenue to reach the café.
If you are driving, take Interstate 95 to Exit 23 (Girard Avenue). Turn left onto Girard Avenue and continue for about 1 mile until you reach Irving Street. The café is located on the corner of Irving Street and Girard Avenue. Parking is available on nearby streets or in a paid lot across from the café.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
8pm - 12am |
| Tuesday |
8pm - 10pm |
| Wednesday |
8pm - 12am |
| Thursday |
8pm - 10pm |
| Friday |
8pm - 12am |
| Saturday |
8pm - 10pm |
| Sunday |
8pm - 12am |
Alerts
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What people say
The Darkroom Café, located on Irving Street in Philadelphia, is a hidden gem that caters exclusively to the residents and staff of Gregory College House. This cozy coffee shop offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for studying or catching up with friends. With its regular schedule starting at 8 PM, The Darkroom Café provides a convenient spot for late-night caffeine cravings.
One of the highlights of this café is its annual Valentine's Day event, Roses & Romcoms. This event features specialty romantic drinks from their event menu, weekly specials like War of the Roses, and one-day-only holiday specials like Love Potion No. 9! Customers can also enjoy excellent romcoms playing in the Class of '25 Basement TV Lounge.
The Darkroom Café's website provides all the information you need about their hours, menu, and more. They even have a Communications Poll where customers can share their preferences regarding how often they receive café emails.
Although The Darkroom Café will be closing for the year soon, it will undoubtedly be missed by its loyal patrons until it reopens next fall. Overall, The Darkroom Café is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a cozy coffee shop experience in Philadelphia.
