MISSION
On Call is committed to fostering a more connected Stanford community, for students, by students.
Whether through weekly live music or holiday events, On Call centers community at the heart of everything we do — it’s the reason people come to On Call.
And it’s the reason they decide to stay.
VALUES
Grassroots: We are scrappy, resourceful, and a platform for our communities’ ideas.
Warm: We are a haven that nurtures new friendships and ideas. Cozy vibes!
Quality: We care deeply about how our team operates in all aspects of operation and service. We hold ourselves to high standards and are intentional about how our community manifests.
Spontaneous: We invite the weird and the wonderful. From pop-ups to panels — we are here to bring creative ideas to life.
STORY
On Call is known campus-wide as Stanford’s only student-run late-night cafe in Old Union, offering a nurturing, warm, and cozy refuge for intimate chats, midterm study sessions, or a late-night bite.
However, the On Call you know today began as a small idea, delivered to campus at Stanford’s Post Office.
TIMELINE OF ON CALL CAFE
Apr 2023: The Mail Room
On Call was born out of ongoing conversations between friends — we lacked a place to gather, to meet new friends, and reconnect with old ones. We wondered: did others feel the same? In April 2023 we hosted our first pop-up in the Stanford Post Office. 200 students came together for a night of coffee, cards, and pastries. It was the beginning of something great.
Nov 2023: Opening Pop-Up
With momentum from the mail room experiment and aspirations for a more permanent space, we worked with the Stanford administration to launch a larger pop-up serving over 1,000 students in just two nights.
Jan 2024: Building Community
After the 2023 popup, we soon realized that On Call is more than a café — it is about community. The On Call family grew to 50 students and started making plans for our long-term home in Old Union. We spent a great deal of time thinking about our values, our menu, and our larger vision.
Feb 2024: Valentine’s Pop-Up
Introducing our new home in Old Union, we hosted a pop up in Old Union focused on fostering love and community on campus with: Love, On Call!
Mar 2024: Brews
Enter: On Call ‘Brews’. ‘Brews’ was started every Monday and Wednesday during Winter Quarter to serve hot drinks, music, and good vibes.
Apr 2024: A Permanent Home
We are OPEN and can not wait to serve you. Come by Old Union 8 pm - 12 am Monday to Thursday and join hundreds of your peers for drinks, toasts, and the best vibes on campus. Follow us on Instagram for a weekly calendar of events :)