# Micro Theater Coffee Houses The Mini Ecru Cafe Creates Actors Out of Its Patrons By Meghan Young | Published 2011-02-01 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecru-cafe References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2011/02/ecru-a-micro-cafe-mini-theatre.html) & [atelierhuge.blog83.fc2](http://atelierhuge.blog83.fc2.com/) The [Ecru](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/season-patisserie) cafe and bar is a unique concept based in Japan. A [micro-cafe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-chapel), it not only serves drinks and treats, it also acts as a mini theater to outside passersby. With its strategic location and large, glazed windows, outsiders can glimpse at the activities within the small space. Designed by architect firm [Atelier Huge](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atelier-sun), the Ecru cafe promotes intimacy despite showcasing its frequenters. Small yet organized, it features wooden tables and a dropped ceiling that utilizes every bit of space in the cafe. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Micro Theater Coffee Houses:** The concept of combining coffee shops with mini theaters can be applied in urban areas to provide a unique experience for customers while promoting local artists and creatives. - **Miniature Performance Spaces:** Creating a dedicated performance space inside a small cafe or bar can provide a low-cost alternative for local performers to showcase their talents. - **Intimate Food and Entertainment Experiences:** Incorporating intimate performance spaces into restaurants and cafes can create a memorable and cozy dining experience for customers. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Hospitality Industry:** Incorporating mini theaters into cafes and bars can attract customers looking for unique experiences while also providing additional revenue streams for businesses. - **Arts and Entertainment Industry:** Small cafes and bars with dedicated performance spaces can provide an alternative venue for local artists and performers to showcase their talents. - **Architecture and Interior Design Industry:** Designing micro cafes with strategic space utilization and a focus on intimacy can create memorable and Instagrammable spaces for customers to enjoy. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Seasonal Patisserie Interior](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/season-patisserie.md) - [Cross-Influence Fusion Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/challe-caf.md) - [Boldly Designed Minimal Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vinklu.md) - [Art Deco Café Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/atypique-1.md) - [Minimalist Café Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/12-matcha-caf.md) - [Pared-Back Coffee Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bottle-coffee-shop1.md) - [Spaciously Modern City Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brandor-coffee.md) - [Interaction-Based Japanese Cafe Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bottle-coffee-3.md) - [Dynamic Layered Interior Cafés](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caf-tondo.md)