THURSDAY NIGHT THROWDOWN.

Once a month, Austin’s best baristas gather to pour their finest latte art in a head-to-head competition. Hosted by various cafes across the city, TNTs are a great way to meet new friends, drink free beer, and show off your skills. Whether you’re an industry veteran or barely steaming milk with that Breville you bought during the pandemic, all are welcome at the TNT.

THE DESIGNS

ROUND 1: HEARTS

Hearts should be in the center of the cup, with good contrast. Ripple hearts are welcome.

Tulip Latte Art

ROUND 2: TULIPS

Tulips should be symmetrical, with as many stacks as your little heart desires. Good contrast is key. Good separation between layers, also key. Ripple bases are fancy, but not required.  

 
Rosetta Latte Art

ROUND 3: ROSETTA

Ahhh, the fern. The leaf. The wiggle one. Rosettas should have good definition and positioning in the cup. Slowsettas may or may not get you to the next round, depending on the judge (and whatever your opponent just poured).

FAQS

  • Show up, sign up, enter the bracket randomly.

    We play a 32-person single-elimination bracket. Round one is hearts, round two is tulips, round three is rosettas. Semi-finals are the barista’s choice, third place is judge’s choice, and finals are is host’s choice. We’ve seen left-handed phoenixes, swans in wine glasses, and cortados with phallic images.

  • It is free and open to the public to attend, but there’s a $5 buy in if you wanna pour. First place gets the cash prize from the buy ins, so you can just think of it as an investment.

  • Get there early! Most sign ups start at 7 p.m. Keep an eye on our Instagram for the latest details. There’s a $5 buy in to pour and we accept cash and Venmo.

  • Different cafes across town host a throwdown on the last Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Keep an eye on our Instagram for the next location.

    Wanna host a throwdown? Let us know!

  • We like how you THINK! First place receives the cash prize, plus free swag from our sponsors, plus the legendary TNT TROPHY. Second and third place get swag, too. Swag ranges from milk pitchers to brewers to gift cards to the best restaurants in ATX.

    Interested in becoming a sponsor? Let us know.

  • Absolutely not! Latte art throwdowns are open to anyone who knows how to operate a steam wand. Miss that cafe job you had in college? Come pour! Getting pretty good at that home espresso machine? COME POUR! Got promoted off the floor but wanna see if you still “got it”? COME POUR!!!

  • Symmetry, contrast, and difficulty of design.

  • The winner of the last throwdown, plus two other people from the community. This could be your favorite regular customer, a cafe owner, or just, like, your roommate.

    Wanna be a judge? Let us know!

  • Sure ya can! You don’t have to, but we know how y’all love those handleless pitchers. You can use whatever you bring.

 

Any other questions? Send us a DM via Instagram or email us (but Instagram is probably faster).