Who are we?
On Call Café was founded by a group of students in 2023 who wanted to build a warm, welcoming third space on campus. Today, we’re Stanford’s only student-run, late-night cafe, open Mon to Thurs 8PM - 12AM, in our home in Old Union. Our team of 60 student baristas and toastmasters serve hot drinks and toasts, creating a cozy refuge for intimate chats, midterm study sessions, or a late-night bite.
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.
The Story of Our Space
April 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 community. The On Call family grew to 50 students and started building out our long-term home in Old Union, envisioning our menu, our values, and our culture.
Feb 2024: Valentine’s Pop-Up
Introducing our new home in Old Union, we hosted a pop up in Old Union to foster love and community on campus with “Love, On Call”!
March 2024: Brews
Every Monday and Wednesday during winter quarter, On Call “Brews” served hot drinks, music, and good vibes.
Apr 2024: A Permanent Home
We are OPEN and can’t 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 weekly event calendars :)
