As one of the of the pioneers to operate out of shipping containers following the February 2011 Earthquake The Caffeine Laboratory are still serving up Christchurch's caffeine fix with their triple shot coffees as standard. After working as a barista in Melbourne for a number of years, James Bagrie started The Caffeine Laboratory in 2009 in Shades Arcade, serving takeaway coffees to the office workers in the area. Whilst other café's at the time focused on food and single or double shot coffees James wanted to put a big importance on good strong takeaway coffee, using a triple basket giving a stronger and richer coffee.
February 2011's earthquake put Shades Arcade and The Caffeine Laboratory behind the central city cordon. After a number of weeks of wondering if they could get back in to their café and the city centre itself it became clear to James another location needed to be found. As many businesses were displaced from the city centre physical buildings were snapped up quickly and the idea of being mobile did not appeal leading James to the idea of fitting out a shipping container. James found an 8ft container, the smallest size made, and fitted it out ready to make and serve coffee by June 2011, just four months after the earthquake. After getting stuck in so quickly after February’s event, James found himself ahead of the curve, utilizing a container even before Re:Start had come about, opening at 198 Montreal Street on the 20th June 2011.
Some of the loyal Caffeine Laboratory customers were involved in putting together the Rugby World Cup fan zone area in Hagley Park and knew how well The Caffeine Laboratory would go, asking James to come on board. He did and whipped up a second Caffeine Laboratory container, operating throughout the World Cup and stayed on in the park for another two months. The Caffeine Laboratory and it’s second container were head hunted by Paul Lonsdale to cater for the masses of people drawn to the Re:Start Container Mall, opening in the food court area in November 2011.
With both containers now humming along James is excited to move back to a permanent building, taking up the space previously housing Little India at 1 New Regent Street. The new Caffeine Laboratory will have a full kitchen, allowing for a menu and cabinet food to go with their renowned coffee. There is also the option of incorporating a bar and doing some nights to make use of New Regent Street’s central location with the rebuild of the Theatre Royal and other exciting plans coming together around them.

Hours:
Monday - Friday: 6.30am - 4.00pm