Waypoint Coffee is stirring up more than just lattes this summer—they’ve launched Tapas Nights, a new evening experience every Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., now through mid-August.
From Madrid to the Pembina Valley
Waypoint owner Chris Unrau explained that the idea for Tapas Nights was born out of personal travel and community curiosity.
“My wife and I were walking through Madrid and we came across this really cool looking building,” said Unrau. “We walked in—it was a tapas hall. It must have had 50 or 60 different vendors, each with their own version of tapas. You’d walk around, tap your card, and sit at communal tables. I looked at my wife and said, ‘We need to bring this home.’”
After fielding frequent requests to open in the evenings, the team decided to offer something “a little different for this area,” said Unrau. “As a team, we came up with the concept of tapas night. And so that’s what we’re doing this summer.”
Related stories:
What’s on the tapas menu?
Employee Katie Unrau described the essence of tapas: “They originate from Spain and they are shareable plates… a charcuterie board, shrimp, roast beef tomato vinaigrette, a bruschetta. You order a bunch of plates with your table and share them.”
Fellow staffer Greta Wall confidently ran through the menu in near-perfect Spanish. “We have Gambas al Ajillo—that’s sautéed shrimp in garlic-infused olive oil, served sizzling. Patatas Bravas are crispy potatoes with spicy Brava sauce and house-made garlic aioli. And queso aceitunas—olives and cheese.”
She added, “Then the English ones—the roast beef tomato vinaigrette, tenderloin wraps, a charcuterie and cheese plate, and hummus with pita chips.”
Unrau emphasized the structure of the experience: “Generally, you want to order two or three plates per person, depending on how hungry you are.”
Coffee, cake, and cold brew
Although Tapas Nights are new, Waypoint's reputation for coffee still holds strong.
“I’m traditionally a cappuccino drinker,” said Unrau. “But one of my staff suggested trying cold brew mixed with lemonade. I thought it sounded disgusting… and now I’m hooked.”
Katie added, “I get an iced vanilla latte every day without fail,” while Greta shared, “I’m a matcha girl.”
Pastries are also part of the experience, thanks to Waypoint’s head cook Olia, who is originally from Ukraine.
“She’s extremely talented and makes incredible cakes,” said Unrau.
Waypoint is also enhancing the Tapas Night experience with live local music. “We had Ethan Wiebe come in and play Spanish guitar for us last Saturday. It was awesome,” said Unrau.
A taste of community
When asked why people should come out for tapas, Katie responded, “It’s great to come with friends or family. You can try everything on the menu and enjoy your night.”
Greta added, “It’s all about community—getting together, sharing these plates of delicious food, and just enjoying your time together.”
Tapas Nights at Waypoint Coffee run every Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. until mid-August. Menus and updates are available on their Facebook page and official website: TAPAS | Waypoint Coffee