Thunder Road Cafe opened last spring and has been steadily growing its traffic and buzz ever since. It’s one of the spots on this part of Santa Monica Boulevard that feels like it’s really back after COVID.
I live around the block, so I’m not driving over for it. I’m just seeing it day to day. The block looks better when places are full, and people are out, instead of everything feeling half-closed.
The owner is entrepreneur, Austin Melrose. He told me Thunder Road is “a cafe, with beer and wine,” built around a blend of motorcycle culture and neighborhood hospitality. Melrose said the project came together with his longtime friend Max, who owns Thunder Road Motorcycles, next door, and that he wanted it to feel like a “collective” rather than just another counter-service spot.
One of the many reasons it’s busy and buzzing is the event they do once a month in back, the piece that really kicks the patio into high gear.
“Second Saturdays, we’re calling it the Thunder Road Trading Post,” Melrose said, describing it as a small market with rotating vendors. “Candle makers, hat makers, vintage clothing, records,” he said. Sometimes they also do – pet adoptions. “We’ve done dog adoptions, cat adoptions,” he told us. Now that’s pretty cool. Austin grew up in Bend, Oregon and said they used to host events like this all the time in the parks. Trading Post is ongoing. Some vendors come back, and some are new depending on who’s available that month.
Thunder Road Cafe sells food, not just coffee. Melrose mentioned breakfast burritos and sandwiches. He also pointed to a bodega-style area with items like tinned goods, cheeses, charcuterie, sake, beer, wine and nonalcoholic drinks like kombucha and soft drinks. He described the place as “vintage vibes and curated goods.” In case you’re wondering, your caffeine kick is fueled by his Petrol coffee which is being roasting out of Altadena.
Melrose also owns Melrose Umbrella Company, a bar he’s run for about 11 years, and that Thunder Road is his first solo project and his first business in the City of West Hollywood, and said, he’s really proud to be a member of the community. Melrose credited Councilmember John Erickson for helping the project get across the finish line. “Really a nice guy and supportive of business, small business, and momentum and movement,” he said.
Melrose and his business partner, Zach Patterson, currently operate five concepts under Umbrella Hospitality Group, including Melrose Umbrella Company, LONO Hollywood, The Corner Door, Umbrella TaCO, and ELLA Beverly Hills at The SIXTY Hotel.
Thunder Road Cafe keeps the hours simple. “777,” Melrose said. “Seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.”
You can find the cafe on Instagram at @ThunderRoadCafe.
Address:
7253 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: (323) 366-2507
