Kaffe Live sets stage for family-friendly food and fun in Summerlin area

The name is cool and gives patrons a hint as to what to expect when they walk through the doors of Kaffe Live.

Part artisan sandwich shop and part live entertainment hub, the business recently opened at 5135 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 145. The man behind it is Josh Davis, 40. He put in a five-channel sound system, adequate so the performers can be heard above the machines making smoothies and espressos.

“When I was in college, I was a theater major and a business major,” he said, “so I kind of went back to that, and I said, ‘What can I do that combines the two things that I love? I love watching musicians … and my dad plays a lot of instruments, so I went back to that.”

Near the front door of the 2,000-square-foot space is the triangular stage with a mic, ready for the next entertainer. A chalkboard announces that evening’s act. Davis said some are so fresh, they’re “taking the next step from the bedroom mirror.” He said he’s open to booking a variety of acts, including magicians. A hula hoop artist has even contacted him.

“No karaoke, unless it’s a little kid who wants to do a song from ‘Frozen,’ ” he said. “Everything is rated PG here. … It’s not a bar. It’s a place where locals can hang out and entertain locals.”

There’s also no canned music, and Davis requires a video of the act so he can determine if it’s right for the cafe. Local performers Jed and Rick have been booked regularly. Because they bring in a crowd, they are compensated.

Anthony Castro, 15, was there recently. He has been performing since fourth grade at school and community events. His biggest claim to fame to date is being flown to Miami for the Latin version of “The Voice,” called “La Voz Kids.” He made it through a couple rounds but not enough to appear on TV.

“The footage of me hit the (cutting room) floor,” he said with a self-deprecating shrug.

Castro said he appreciated having another place to perform.

“It really touches my heart because I have somewhere where I can actually come and have fun and just like hang out,” he said. “Before this, I did things like county fairs or I’d pick up a gig here and there.”

He started his set off with Ed Sheeran’s “Been This Way Since 18,” accompanying himself on his Yamaha six-string guitar.

Davis said his idea was to make Kaffe Live as family-friendly as possible. Cups of crayons sit near the condiments area, alongside printed coloring sheets. The tables comfortably seat four, with a larger size for bigger families.

His wife, Dana, chose the cafe’s colors: a sunny yellow paint called tostada for the walls, with chipotle red accents. The couple have two children, Charlie, 3, and Savanna, 7.

Perhaps the most notable feature in the cafe is the counter where you order. Its top is made of reclaimed wood, shined with a thick resin, with the edges still gnarled where the bark had been.

To help promote the music theme, or perhaps to inspire performers, posters of local bands that have made it big line the wall: The Killers, Panic! at the Disco, and Imagine Dragons. One never knows who might show up.

“It’s not meant to be a quiet show, where you have to be quiet,” Josh Davis said of the entertainment, “because we have kids running around, families here.”

Miguel Live brought his family. He’s acquainted with Davis’ father.

“He told me about the menu, and I’m a chef, so, I thought, ‘This sounds interesting.’ So we had to come try it out,” he said.

The menu is on an oversized reader board above the counter where you order. Breakfast is served all day and includes the breakfast burrito. For lunch or dinner, sandwiches dominate the menu and can be served on bread or made as a wrap.

Those interested in performing at Kaffe Live are invited to submit a video or YouTube link to talent@kaffelive.com.

Kaffe Live is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 702-489-5955, or to check out a list of upcoming scheduled acts, visit kaffelive.com.

To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.