Hear from Newcastle’s charismatic coffee lord
It’s that time again where we’ll be taking you behind the scenes with our favourite local business owners and creatives to find out where they go to eat, what playlist they’re listening to, where they take their out-of-town friends, and ultimately, what makes them tick.
For our 17th instalment of SPILL, we’re catching up with Newcastle’s charismatic coffee lord, Dan Brown, or Browny, as he is more commonly known, of Lords Coffee & Associates.
Dan 'Browny' Brown
Firstly, what and where would people across Newcastle recognise you from?
People would recognise me from Lords Coffee on Beaumont Street (Hamilton) and now in Waratah, in the surf, and on social media.
Where are you from?
From the Central Coast originally then moved to Sydney and came to Newcastle to bring Sydney-style coffee making to Newcastle – a faster pace and 5-star service.
Do you consider yourself more of an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird for sure, can’t stay awake past 8.30pm!
What’s your morning ritual?
When I’m not in the cafe working I wake up and have a coffee before the kids wake up, have breakfast, hang out with the kids, and then drop them off at daycare. I will then try to get in the ocean and do something for myself before getting into creating content for the businesses or roasting coffee.
What’s your coffee order?
Small triple-shot cap.
Speaking of coffee, which local venue knows your order off by heart?
Lords of course!
Tell me about your biggest career highlight…
Far out – I don’t know if I’ve had one yet! I’m working on that! It’s all been great, but we are currently working on a few things which are pretty big and exciting.
In your spare time, what are your THREE top favourite things to do in Newcastle?
Surfing, making funny videos, and going to cafes.
If you wanted to dazzle your out-of-town friends and family, where would you take them?
Harrisons Food & Wine! The crew there are nailing it with amazing service and top-notch food. My other favourite is Flotilla – they are killing it.
Beer? Wine? Cocktail? Mocktail? What is your tipple of choice and where do you frequently visit?
Non-alcoholic beer – Heaps Normal or Carlton Zero. I don’t frequent any bars but if I was to choose one it would have to be Coal and Cedar.
On the daily, what’s guaranteed to make you smile?
My family and the surf being good.
What do you NEVER leave the house without?
Lip balm.
We’re all about keeping it local here at HUNTERhunter – tell me THREE of your favourite local businesses that you live and breathe by and why you couldn’t live without them…
Lords! Dave Anderson’s surfboard ding repairs (haha), and Slimes Surf.
What are you reading / watching / listening to now?
I’ve been reading the same book for five years now – The Autobiography of a Yogi – I don’t have much time to read. Plus, I’m listening to all sorts of techno music.
If you’re needing a short break away from Newcastle, where do you go and why?
Blueys Beach and Boomerang Beach area. We love it there – it’s so close and peaceful. Surf is good too.
What’s your go-to playlist?
I started to DJ, so I’m creating all sorts of playlists and I am always on the prowl for new music.
What would you like to see more of in Newcastle?
I love Newy with how it is.
Lucky last – who would you recommend we interview next for SPILL
Daniel Johns from Silverchair.
