Drab

Drab is a coffee bar in Uilenburg, located in the city center of ’s-Hertogenbosch. The shop is located at Kruisstraat 12, 5211 DV Den Bosch. In public listings, the name also appears as Drab Coffee Beans & Machines. Their own website uses the description “coffee, crumbs and comfort”, positioning the business within the realm of coffee, light bites, and a cozy atmosphere.

The opening of DRAB, Beans & Machines was announced in October 2016. The shop was set to open on Saturday, October 22, 2016, on the Kruisstraat. Merijn Kuiper and Tom Wingens were named as the managers who took the initiative. Both had a business background with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and Kuiper also had experience in the coffee sector.

The original format was described as a combination of a retail shop and a lunchroom. The business focused on coffee, tea, small pastries, and coffee machines. This setup explains the name “Beans & Machines”, which appears in several public directories. Consequently, Drab’s profile is not just about on-site consumption, but also about coffee knowledge and equipment.

In 2022, it was publicly reported that Sharon was the manager and had the opportunity to take over the business. The source does not mention a full surname. This later mention indicates a change in operations, though it does not provide a complete overview of ownership or management following the startup phase.

Regarding the coffee, Drab is linked in public mentions to Blommers Coffee and Blommers Coffee Roasters from Nijmegen. It was also reported in 2018 that the shop worked with a roastery from Nijmegen and used beans from various countries. While the roastery’s name was not mentioned in that specific statement, other sources explicitly name Blommers.

The documented brewing methods include Kalita, V60, and Aeropress. Additionally, a La Marzocco machine is mentioned. For milk options, whole milk, soy milk, and oat milk are listed. These details place Drab within a segment where brewing methods, machine choice, and bean supplier are visible parts of the public profile.

Documented drinks and preparations include espresso, cappuccino, filter coffee from a Kalita Wave, espresso tonic, and gingerbeer espresso. Latte art workshops are also mentioned. The latter shows that coffee at Drab is not just described as a product, but also as a subject for education and practice.

Drab was featured in Koffiecaartje Den Bosch, an initiative where participants visited multiple coffee shops across the city. During an inspiration visit in 2018, owner Merijn Kuiper spoke about coffee blends, while colleague Bram prepared various drinks. The initiative was sold through participating coffee shops and VVV Den Bosch.

Additionally, Drab was mentioned as a location for a latte art workshop within an urban day program. This mention included a price and a minimum number of participants. Based on the available information, it is unclear whether such workshops were part of a fixed schedule. However, it is evident that education regarding coffee preparation was part of the shop’s public image.

A public description from 2022 characterized Drab as a place where people work, read, talk, and play games. This phrasing primarily describes how the space is used. While it is not evidence of a formal events program, it provides context regarding the shop’s role as a social hub in the city center.

In the public information examined, no sustainability practices formulated by Drab itself were found. Therefore, no substantive conclusion can be drawn on this matter. However, the supplier relationship with Blommers Coffee is publicly documented, as is the fact that beans from various countries were used.

For readers interested in origin and procurement, this distinction is relevant. The available data mentions a roastery and a general distribution of origins, but provides no details regarding farmers, certifications, pricing, or trade models. Without such data, the picture of sourcing remains limited to the supplier and broad geographical origin.

In 2018, Drab received national and regional attention through the Misset Koffie Top 100. The shop ranked number 4 that year and was named the provincial winner for Noord-Brabant. It was also reported that Drab was the highest-ranked entry from Brabant. These mentions represent a clearly documented milestone in the shop’s public profile.

Furthermore, Drab appears on various coffee and city platforms. European Coffee Trip lists the location at Kruisstraat 12, including opening hours and café details. Caffe Atlas lists Drab as a specialty coffee stop in Den Bosch. Local and lifestyle guides have also included the shop. Together, these mentions show that since 2016, Drab has held a recognizable place in the public coffee landscape of Den Bosch.