HIGHLANDS. Local artwork adorns exposed brick walls in this Highland Park area coffee shop. Regulars know it as a good place to order a fragrant coffee drink and a pastry and spend time catching up with old friends. Live music and poetry readings are often scheduled in the evenings, and books abound so you can peruse one of your favorites while sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate and munching on a bagel. WiFi available.

This artsy coffee shop does all the things that hip patrons love: They exhibit local art, offer free WiFi, let folks linger over their laptops and journals, and showcase area bands and performers. Plus, the owners are widely reputed to be incredibly friendly and neighborhood-focused, which always provokes a good measure of loyalty. As if that's not enough, the locally-roasted coffees are fantastic, and snacks and baked goods are available for nibbling. To top it all off, Hooked on Colfax promotes green living and puts its money where its mouth is ­ cups and straws are made of biodegradable corn!

GOLDEN TRIANGLE. As you approach Java Moon, you'll notice that there's no window separating you and the coffee-sippers overlooking Broadway; this partially open-air arrangement is just one of the features that makes the spot so pleasant. Four or five freshly-brewed varieties of coffee are always available, as are truly transcendent pastries (try the lemon squares), prepared-to-order sandwiches, and hearty breakfast fare like breakfast burritos and biscuits-and-gravy. At lunch, folks from the public library and the art museum pack the joint, so avoid the noon hour if you crave a more relaxed experience.

SOUTH DENVER. Located a few blocks from the Denver University campus, Kaladi Brothers brews only java that is certified as having been organically grown on farms that promote environmentally sustainable practices. Their vendors also attest to promoting fair trade. Furthermore, Kaladi Brothers roasts their own beans, so every cup has its own rich distinct flavor.

COMMONS PARK. Although the service at this venerable coffee house is notoriously slow, the people-watching is unmatched on a late Friday night, as evidenced by tables full of high school goths and smatterings of yuppies capping off their bar-hopping jaunts with punches of caffeine. If music and coffee aren't enough, the WiFi is free, and you can use one of their computers or CD burners for $4 an hour.