Why this barista founded a cafe in PJ that teaches others how to up their own coffee game

At 35 years old, Han has had a long winding career, going from tech startups in Singapore back to his home business here, until finally, reaching his dream of building a coffee business.

But more than that, empowering a community.

Bad Artist Coffee Co came about from a love for coffee, and the desire to educate and inspire others to pick up the art form, one cuppa at a time.

How bad could it be?

“The idea behind Bad Artist Coffee began when I started learning how to brew and roast coffee at home during the pandemic, and I became intrigued by the idea of starting my own coffee brand,” Han told Vulcan Post. 

“That was when I realised that coffee brewing can be a great hobby and that it has also become a way to connect with others.”

Image Credit: Bad Artist Coffee

With the tagline, “How Bad Can it Be?” Bad Artist Coffee Co was born, a micro roastery selling roasted coffee beans sourced across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and beginner-friendly coffee equipment.

More so, Bad Artist Coffee became a platform for Han to spread the “gospel” of home brewing, with one of Han’s earliest projects being a coffee cupping workshop.

“The intention behind Bad Artist Coffee is to encourage more people to brew at home because I believe everyone is an artist. And while we’re all bound to be bad at first, my goal is to help aspiring ‘bad artists’ get better.”

“Ever since I started Bad Artist Coffee, it has always been my intention to be educational instead of just selling roasted coffees,” said Han in an Instagram post.

Not long after, Han was taking over cafes and speaking at workshops, becoming a prominent figure in the coffee community

Soon enough, after two years of running the business out of his home, selling at pop-ups, and taking over coffee bars, Han found the opportunity to take his purpose further, and it came in the form of his dad’s old office space.

A new home with old roots

A humble space sitting atop auto parts shops and overlooking the quiet SS2 suburbs, this spot once served as an office space for Han’s dad, before being left vacant for years.

“It felt right for me to take it over and turn it into something more purposeful. In a way, starting something where my father once began was encouraging,” Han said.

Now featuring an open-concept layout with a minimalist aesthetic and furnishings, Bad Artist Coffee finally had a physical space of its own, from which operations were conducted and coffee lovers were united.

Image Credit: Bad Artist Coffee

“One of my goals for Bad Artist Coffee has always been to create a third space where coffee lovers can connect, explore, and learn about coffee. I believe coffee is deeply personal, and the best way to introduce it to more people is by inviting them into your space.”

“This space is not designed to be a cafe, but rather a coffee collaborative space, a place for you and me to be ‘bad’. ‘Cause how bad can it be?”

Image Credit: Bad Artist Coffee

Along with its simple menu of filter coffees and espressos, Bad Artist Coffee showcases light bites and non-coffee beverages from local vendors reminding visitors that, in the end, it’s all about the community.

For the hipsters, addicts, and enthusiasts alike

Since the early days, Han has relied on the support of the barista community, from taking over bars and participating in collaborative projects.

Now with a physical space of his own, he’s giving back to the community that raised Bad Artist Coffee to the brand it now is.

Image Credit: Bad Artist Coffee Instagram

Indeed, the space also hosts workshops and other coffee-oriented events, including coffee-tasting and sharing sessions where they host baristas from the local community.

“Stepping outside my comfort zone has become a big part of my journey with Bad Artist Coffee and I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the local coffee community; even for a new brand like mine, starting from scratch with no prior knowledge of specialty coffee.”

Since the beginning, Han’s commitment to the coffee community has been apparent. Not just to the hipsters with their vac pots, or the upper echelon and their “premium” brews, but also to the everyday worker and early risers, showing them that there’s a way to get some good home brewed coffee into their routines.

• Learn more about Bad Artist Coffee Co here.
• Read our other F&B stories here.

Featured Image Credit: Bad Artist Coffee Co