This article first appeared on Vulcan Post.
Coming up with a café name is no easy task.
If it sounds too cliché, it would come across as boring. If it sounds too simple, then it’s forgettable. And with that many cafés and restaurants out there, it’s hard to think of a name that is fresh and yet hasn’t been used. But Malaysians will surprise you with their creativity and there are some café names that sound completely random — so much so that you wouldn’t even guess that they are actually names of an F&B business.
1. Frisky Goat
72, Jalan Burhanudin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
03-7731 2965
Image Credit: www.spicysharon.com
Initial assumption: A butchery that sells primarily mutton. And there’s a rather frisky butcher in there.
The actual origin of the café’s name: According to The Yum List, the name ‘Frisky Goat’ was inspired by a legend about coffee — some goats in Ethiopia became frisky and energised after eating some coffee beans from a bush, and that was how coffee came about.
Image Credit: http://timeout.com
2. Cat In The Box
Lot 111 Heritage Lane, Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana
03-7611 0472
Image Credit: www.mortalnpetrified.blogspot.com
Initial assumption: A pet shop that sells cats in cardboard boxes. Or a cat shelter.
The actual origin of the café’s name: Muzhir, one of the founders of Cat In The Box, said that Cat In The Box actually started off as a business to organise events, and they thought of that name because “you know how cats are with boxes” (I assume he means fun, creative, unpredictable, exciting, and…cute?). Later on the business evolved into a café. Someone then pointed out to them that the word ‘cat’ could coincidentally be an acronym for ‘coffee and tea’ — perfectly appropriate because that is one of the key features of their café.
Image Credit: http://greedycats.blogspot.com
3. The Grumpy Cyclist
36, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
0377311400
Image Credit: The Grumpy Cyclist
Initial assumption: A very grumpy man who sells bicycles.
The actual origin of the café’s name: I asked Alex, one the co-founders of this café, if he and Zaid are grumpy people. Fortunately, he laughed and jokingly asked if he sounded grumpy (I was fully prepared to hang up if he started yelling at me). Alex shared that the concept behind the name was linked to how coffee lovers get grumpy when they don’t get their dose of coffee, which is similar to how he and Zaid (as avid cyclists) would get grumpy if they don’t go cycling. Therefore, customers can go to The Grumpy Cyclist to satisfy their coffee addiction and no longer be grumpy!
Image Credit: http://www.timeout.com
4. Thursdvys
22 Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
03-7733 6722
Image Credit: Thursdvys
Initial assumption: Someone got fired for misspelling ‘Thursdays’.
The actual origin of the café’s name: Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t know how to pronounce this café’s name; it’s actually still pronounced as ‘Thursdays’. The unique spelling is simply to help it stand out on Instagram and Twitter. Also, despite its name, Thursdvys is actually closed every Thursday!
Image Credit: http://jennifer-moke.blogspot.com
5. Tryst
74 Jalan SS15/4C, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya
03-5887 2085
Image Credit: http://strings-of-memories.blogspot.com
Initial assumption: A place for couples who are secretly dating to meet.
The actual origin of the café’s name: Haikal, the founder of Tryst, said that the definition of the word ‘Tryst” encapsulates what he wanted the cafe to be — a place for people and lovers to make a promise to rendezvous. But what is even more interesting is that if the word is divided into two, “Try + st” sounds like “try first”, which somehow adds a mysterious vibe to their venue and food.
6. Morningwood
No 73-1, Jalan SS15/8a, Subang Jaya
Image Credit: Morningwood MY
Initial assumption: A shop which sells wooden furniture. Or… a sex toy shop.
The actual origin of the café’s name: A lot of thought was put into this name, as the co-founder of Morningwood MY himself clearly and articulately explained:
“Lol, I wanted a wood-ish interior and I just thought of it -_-” – Jared Lee, co-founder of Morningwood MY
Image Credit: Morningwood MY
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you create a hipster café. As these 6 cafés have proven, it all begins with the name.
