In Barfender, coffee serves as a non-alcoholic beverage that gradually sobers up drunk characters and patrons. Instead of offering an instant reset, drinking coffee mitigates intoxication over time, helping to keep unruly behaviors and drunk statuses manageable during a busy shift.
What Does Coffee Do in Barfender?
Coffee functions primarily as a sobering beverage in Barfender. When drunk customers or player characters consume it, it reduces their drunkenness level.
Key mechanics confirmed by the developers and game updates include:
- Gradual Sobering Effect: In the "Difficulty Options, Streamer Mode & Performance" official update, the developers adjusted both Coffee and Coke so that they sober customers up gradually rather than instantly.
- Player Recovery: A developer response on the official Steam forum confirmed that if your character is drunk, drinking coffee improves the situation by counteracting drunkenness. While developers noted they are considering a short speed boost or adrenaline shot for coffee in future developments, the sobering effect remains its active function.
- Non-Alcoholic Menu Option: Coffee can be ordered by regular patrons, providing income without contributing to customer drunkenness or sudden bar brawls.
How to Prepare and Serve Coffee
During the tutorial in Act One, the game introduces the coffee machine mechanics alongside other basic drink orders.
- Pick up an empty coffee cup: Locate clean tableware or glassware behind the bar.
- Fill from the coffee machine: Carry the cup over to the dedicated coffee machine and interact with it to pour hot coffee.
- Place the cup on a serving tray: Move the filled coffee cup onto your tray (or carry it directly to the patron).
- Deliver the order: Bring the coffee directly to the table or counter slot where the customer requested it.
- Collect payment and clear tableware: Once the patron finishes drinking, collect their payment, take the dirty cup to the sink, and wash it before re-serving.
Coffee vs. Other Drinks in Barfender
Barfender balances different beverages with distinct healing, sobering, and alcoholic properties:
| Beverage | Primary Role | Effect on Intoxication | Healing Mechanics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Sobering / Warm Beverage | Reduces intoxication gradually | None confirmed |
| Coke | Soft Drink / Mixer | Reduces intoxication gradually | None confirmed |
| Bottled Lager | Standard Low-Tier Alcohol | Increases intoxication | Heals about half health |
| Red Wine | Mid-Tier Pourable Alcohol | Increases intoxication | Scaled by alcohol strength |
| Strong Cocktails | High-Tier Mixed Alcohol | Increases intoxication | Full health restoration |
Following the game's balance patch, alcoholic drinks heal injured players based on strength (with lager giving roughly half health and high-end cocktails providing a full heal), whereas non-alcoholic choices like coffee and Coke specifically manage sobriety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does coffee instantly cure drunk customers?
No. An official gameplay update modified coffee so that it sobers up customers gradually over time instead of delivering an instantaneous reset.
Does drinking coffee give a speed boost?
Not currently. On the Steam community forums, the developer noted that a speed boost similar to an adrenaline shot was under consideration as a future addition, but its current implemented mechanic is strictly sobering.
Where do I get coffee in Barfender?
Coffee is dispensed from the counter coffee machine using an empty coffee cup, which is available during the game's drink-serving tutorial and standard bar service shifts.
