Erie's Best Coffee Showdown

Jessica Hunter

A truly good cup of coffee is a work of art - and Erie gets to celebrate all of our local coffee artists as they go head-to-head in Erie's Best Coffee Competition, an event that benefits the St. Martin's Center of Erie.

SUNDAY, FEB. 23

Erie's local coffee shops will soon compete for the title of Erie's Best Coffee in the Erie's Best Coffee Competition hosted by the St. Martin's Center. Taking place at the Zem Zem Shrine Club, the event will feature music, children's activities, gift card raffles, and of course, lots of coffee samples. "We believe and always have striven to have a family-friendly kind of coffee shop atmosphere," CEO of St. Martin's Center David Gonzalez said.

Those who sample the varieties of coffee will have a chance to vote for their favorites in four categories: best specialty coffee, best flavored, best decaf, and best coffee overall. A panel of local-celebrity judges will also cast their vote in a special judge's award category.

Gonzalez, who considers himself an avid coffee drinker, explained that the event gives the community an opportunity to sample the new coffee shops opening in Erie all in one location. "It's also a win-win for the vendors," Gonzalez said. "They get to reach a broader audience."

Last year's event in 2024 brought in over 700 people.

The event also benefits the St. Martin's Center, which provides emergency and long-term assistance for community members in need. "Like most nonprofit organizations, we really need public support and so it is a wonderful opportunity for us to tell our story." Gonzalez said.

Looking ahead to future coffee competitions, Gonzalez said, "We naturally want to keep having this event and to grow it. Coffee is not going out of style anytime soon." 

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. // Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 W. 38th St. // $10 // For tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com