Local Science Cafés

Science cafés, science pubs, and science trivia nights are a growing movement across the United States, offering a more casual setting for science learning and sharing. These events allow science enthusiasts to meet working researchers in person, and offer researchers a chance to directly share their passion with the public. You can learn more about science cafés at www.sciencecafes.org, a website organized by WGBH NOVA and the National Science Foundation.

The following café series are currently active in the Capital Region:

Davis Science Café

Hosted by: Dr. Jared Shaw, UC Davis Department of Chemistry

Dates: Second Wednesday of each month

Cost: Free to the public; complimentary soft drinks

Website: https://chemistry.ucdavis.edu/seminars-events/science-cafe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davissciencecafe

The Davis Science Café series is organized by Professor Jared Shaw with the UC Davis Department of Chemistry. The series is supported by the UC Davis Department of Chemistry and UC Davis College of Letters & Science. Hosted on the second Wednesday of each month at G Street Wunderbar in Downtown Davis, café topics have spanned the likes of milk science, wine science, sea level rise, hyperdimensional geometry, and coral reef ecology. All ages welcome.

Elk Grove Science Café

Hosted by: A Seat at the Table Community Initiative

Dates: First Wednesday of each month

Cost: Free to the public

Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/science-cafe-by-asattci-4278373

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elkgrovesciencecafe/

The Elk Grove Science Café series is organized by A Seat at the Table Community Initiative, the nonprofit arm of A Seat at the Table Books. Hosted on the first Wednesday of each month in the bookstore’s community space in Elk Grove, the café focuses on making science accessible to everyone, regardless of background or expertise. All ages welcome.

Sacramento Science on Tap

Hosted by: California Groundbreakers

Dates: Second week of each month

Cost: Free to the public

Website: https://www.californiagroundbreakers.org/events

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/californiagroundbreakers

The new Sacramento Science on Tap science café series is organized by California Groundbreakers, a civic-engagement, community-focused organization putting together panels, interviews, discussions and events focused on cool people doing groundbreaking things in California and beyond. Hosted the second week of each month at New Helvetia Brewing Co., the café focuses on having a fun evening with engaging local scientists sharing their research and telling their stories. Ages 13+

Other science cafés with ties to the Capital Region:
 Science Uncorked (Bodega Bay)
Central Valley Café Scientifique (Fresno)

Past science café series in the Capital Region:
Astronomy on Tap (Davis, CA)
WOW Science Night Live (Lodi)
Sac Science Distilled (Sacramento)
Community Conversations (Sacramento)
Nerd Nite (Sacramento)

Interested in starting a science café series in your neighborhood? Email us at admin@capscicomm.org and we’ll connect you with local resources and organizers.