Some Canadian Starbucks set to start slinging wine and beer: report

Starbucks Canada is set to give a whole new meaning to its coffee bars.

Toronto and other major cities could see booze-stocked Starbucks by the end of the year, according to a report in the Toronto Star.

The coffee chain is ubiquitous in major city centres, and there are more Starbucks per person in Canada than anywhere else in the world. But, Starbucks if facing still competition from Tim Hortons and McDonald’s coffee, as well as other change and a growing taste for small, artisanal coffee shops. The chain is also now competing against single-brew home coffee systems that are nibbling at its customer base.

Now, in an effort to lure more customers, Starbucks Canada plans to import an American idea: an “Evenings Menu,” with tapas-style savoury foods and truffles as well as wine and beer.

“Over the last year, McDonalds, which has enjoyed great success with its McCafé cup of joe, bumped Starbucks as the second-largest coffee player by market share in Canada after Tim Hortons, says market research firm NPD Group,” the Star story states.

That’s at least part of the motivation, Starbucks Canada president Rossann Williams tells the Star it’s also about reaching out to its female customer base, who might not always want to hit the bar scene to grab a glass and gab with friends.

The Starbucks “Evenings Menu” first launched in Seattle and has since spread to Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and even Orlando, which has one such location in Downtown Disney. Each city has dozens of Starbucks, but just a handful of locations offering the evening menu. Drinks are only served after 4 p.m. and all coffee- and tea-based products are still available.

From bacon-wrapped dates to a blue brie and apricot plate to truffle mac and cheese, the food offerings have a distinctly grown-up and tapas-like feel. Sweet offerings like truffles and brownie bites are shareable indulgences, perfect for a girls’ night.

The food is consistent across the American locations, but the wine and beer changes to include local offerings from California, Washington or Illinois, as the case may be. That could be good news for Ontario and British Columbia vintners and craft brewers, who are always looking to introduce their wares to new audiences, which the Starbucks customer could afford.

Even the daytime menu will change soon, as Starbucks has said it plans to offer more savoury and locally-sourced foods. Next month, it will launch La Boulange bakery products across its Canada locations. The new products, “will include a new assortment of French-inspired pastries” and revamped favourites like loaves and cookies,” a Starbucks spokesperson confirmed in an email. Nine new food products will launch March 3.

But when will they bring on the booze? Well, in May 2014, reports flew in Vancouver that baristas would soon start slinging booze, but that city is not yet included in the company’s list of “Evenings Menu” locations. And Starbucks is mum on a timeline, other than to say “by the end of the year” a few Canadian locations will offer the same. A spokesperson said which Canadian cities and locations will get the new goodies is “not yet confirmed.”

So, would you pop into a Starbucks for a beer and a bite? Or will you stick to your local pub? Take our poll and let us know.