Instead of going to the pub in the evenings, blokes these days are meeting at cafes at the start of the morning to plan the day ahead over a cup of coffee.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In fact, cafes are increasingly becoming today's equivalent of community halls, says Alison Dutton, of Oggi's Cafe in Jamberoo.
"It brings a sense of community," Dutton says of the changing face of cafe culture.
"A lot of people travel to small towns to go to the cafe instead of the pub or club."
Business people are now choosing to have their meetings at cafes, mixing with mums who get together after dropping the kids off at school.
And then there's the unofficial Table of Big Ideas, which convenes at Oggi's.
The supergroup includes a builder, fire inspector, police inspector and a paramedic. It was five years ago that the men decided to have regular meet-ups at the cafe after getting to know each other when dropping their kids off at school.
Laughter booms across Jamberoo's main street on the mornings that locals John Klepczarek, John Hawes, Kel Milne and Warwick Sporne get together for a cuppa.
On this particular morning, three local women at a table alongside jokingly tell the crew to hush it up.
"Oh, did you hear that? The tree just talked," the men mock.
The Jamberoo lads don't hold back on the humour and it seems to be just the antidote to help them wind down after a busy week.
"Anyone can join the group, but you need to have a big idea," says Klepczarek with a laugh.
"It's a chat ... actually it's a community event."
"It's like an onion ... we have different layers here," adds Sporne, pointing to a book of poetry sitting on the table.
"It's counselling and guidance," adds Hawes.
"It's nice to get away from it all and have a yack," says Milne.
As the frivolity subsides, Klepczarek goes on to explain that the men became friends when their youngsters attended Jamberoo Public School together.
"After we dropped the kids off we'd come here for a cup of coffee and to relax," he says.
These days, with the kids in high school, many gatherings are organised with a quick text.
The Table of Big Ideas will also be chipping in for CafeSmart 2013, which Oggi's Cafe will be taking part in on Friday, June 7.
CafeSmart brings together coffee roasters, cafes and coffee drinkers around Australia to help people who are homeless.
Participating cafes donate $1 for every coffee sold and Oggi's will also have a donation box.