Petrol and engines are part of my DNA

They share a passion for classic cars and motorsports and are now joining forces: Zug architect Philipp Brühwiler and Zurich restaurateur Scout Behrens. The new Rare Street Coffee at Baarerstrasse 125 opens on Thursday, 9th July.

The corner of the Baarerstrasse and the Feldstrasse is not considered a particularly idyllic spot in Zug. Traffic hums. Asphalt dominates, and green space is scarce. The small gravel plaza with its shady trees, which surrounds the striking high-rise building on the border between Zug and Baar, feels like an oasis. The ground floor has housed Bar Niente since 2014. But a new chapter is beginning here now – with Rare Street Coffee, or RSC for short.

"The street, the cars, and the slight noise aren't a problem for us," says Scout Behrens, who will open the new café on the 9th July. "On the contrary: cars are part of our concept." The 26-year-old restaurateur and event manager already runs an RSC in Rapperswil on lake Zurich – in a former petrol station. Guests there enjoy their coffee surrounded by iconic cars, speedy mopeds, retro helmets, and photographic art related to mobility. As they enter, they are greeted by an old petrol pump. The café feels like a blend of living room, showroom, and museum, and the vehicles on display are constantly changing.

Car enthusiasts showcase their vehicles. Cars – especially vintage and rare classics – will also play a role in Zug, and will be present on the property in some form. Landlord and architect Philipp Brühwiler and Scout Behrens share a passion for cars and motorsports. "Petrol and engines are part of my DNA," reveals the restaurateur. Scout Brühwiler nods and admits that, besides himself, there are a few other car enthusiasts in Zug who have indicated they might be willing to showcase an exciting vehicle or a fantastic classic car from their private garage at the Rare Street Coffee for a few days. This is purely for the love of it, without any commercial intent. And, of course, to attract visitors. The area around the "B125" high-rise, which Philipp Brühwiler designed and built, is perfectly suited for this.

Vintage racing helmets are on display at Rare Street Coffee in Rapperswil.
Architect and landlord Philipp Brühwiler (left) and tenant Scout Behrens are looking forward to the opening of Rare Street Coffee in Zug at Baarerstrasse 125 on the 9th July.           
For Scout Behrens, coffee and engines go hand in hand   
The RSC in Rapperswil is located in a former petrol station              Photos: Sabine Windlin
 

The two met ten years ago. Scout Behrens was 16 at the time, and school wasn't really his thing. "I struggled with authority and couldn't express my ideas. Raising my hand and sitting still were difficult for me." Instead of going to high school, he considered what he could do with his time in a meaningful way and, with his father's support, opened a small café on Lake Zurich. He attended barista courses and served customers, and Philipp Brühwiler was one of them. Rare Street Coffee soon became a popular meeting place for a diverse crowd. At the same time, Brühwiler and Behrens began to solidify their plans. "I've always been enthusiastic about the atmosphere at RSC Rappi," says the 63-year-old Brühwiler, "as well as the relaxed way Scout ran the business." It sounds as if the two men are kindred spirits.

An iconic espresso machine
When they meet for a discussion at Baarerstrasse 125 in Zug shortly before the opening, there's no sign of any rush. Scout Behrens calmly opens cardboard boxes, arranges the espresso cups, and immediately tries to convince the visitor of the quality of the ground beans. A gleaming, polished steel Faema E61 Legend espresso machine is in use – an icon, as it was the first espresso machine to use an electric water pump to consistently generate the ideal pressure of nine bar.

And what else can guests expect besides coffee? "Swedish pastries made according to my 88-year-old grandmother's recipe," he reveals, raving about "irresistible cinnamon rolls." At lunchtime, salads, toasts, and light meals are served. "It's not set in stone yet," says the restaurateur. They're just going to start and see what the guests want. The same applies to the evening: sometimes they'll fire up the grill, or surprise guests with burgers and pizza. No one will go hungry, that's for sure.

Scout Behrens and his team will be commuting between Rapperswil and Zug for the next few weeks, observing how the new branch in Zug develops. "It's important to be there in person," he says. Because ultimately, it's not about coffee or cars. "It's about people meeting and having a good time." Philipp Brühwiler agrees that the neighborhood could use a bit more life. After all, activating ground floors and fostering social connections in the international city of Zug is a stated goal of urban development and is repeatedly called for in strategy papers and plans. "Plans?" asks Scout Behrens. "I prefer to get down to brass tacks."