Motorcycle Culture Inspires National City Coffee Hub

Bringing the tradition of motorcycles and coffee together in the South Bay, Midnight Animal is now pouring in National City. The shop menu offers a straightforward list of espresso-based and drip coffee drinks made with the shop’s own medium blend, roasted in-house on a vintage Diedrich IR12. Midnight Animal’s specialty drink menu includes beverages inspired by Mexican ingredients, such as the tres leches latte, café de olla, and Mexican mocha made with the traditional Chocolate Abuelita. A canned cold brew is also in the works.

Paying homage to classic Italian motorcycle culture, Midnight Animal’s interior is outfitted with vintage bike diagrams and mid-century modern furniture. Additional seating is located beyond the back door.

Much like James Coffee Co,’s setup in Little Italy, the roastery and cafe shares its industrial space with a variety of other businesses, including DDIY Garage, a motorcycle shop that customizes Ducati motorcycles, renowned shaper McCallum Surfboards, an appointment-only barber, and BRNT Co., a boutique design agency. Midnight Animal proprietor Christian Ardel says that more tenants are expected to join the mix in the coming months.

Its hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.