Drinklings Coffee House

Drinklings is a Lewis-and-Tolkien-themed cafe in Wilmore, Kentucky, in the small Asbury University college town, and the literary decor isn't subtle: artwork from both authors on the walls, themed mugs in service, little nooks built around bookshelves. The beans are locally roasted, the syrups are made in-house, and the back deck overlooks the railroad tracks running through downtown. They picked up a Best Cold Brew in Lexington nod, which is the headline credential.

Order the Tanzanian peaberry drip. That's the bean to know about, distinctive enough that regulars order it by name. The award-winning cold brew is the iced move. Orange Ginger Latte and the London fog are the warm flavored drinks with followings. Espresso and tonic for the people who like something bright and unsweetened. Hot chocolate for the kids in the booth. House-made syrups are what tie the menu together; this isn't a cafe pouring pre-bottled flavoring.

The room fills up fast with Asbury regulars and community members, which is the social heart of the place but also the reason the early morning hours work better for solo focus. Get there before the rush if you want a quiet writing session. The back patio adds outdoor space for the warmer months, and the railroad-track view from the deck is worth a half-hour with a notebook.

This is the right cafe for Asbury students looking for a study or writing spot tied to a literary aesthetic that isn't ironic about it. It's also the right cafe for Tolkien and Lewis fans passing through Wilmore for the Asbury connection, and for families with kids who'll get hot chocolate and feel welcome. The fit is specific but it lands.

Get the peaberry, sit on the back deck, watch a train go by. That's the visit. If the deck is full, the nooks inside will hold you, and the Tanzanian peaberry will taste the same either way.