Modern café bar with a curved white quartz countertop, green espresso machine, wooden barstools with green seats, and tall open shelving stocked with liquor bottles, glassware, and coffee bags. Bright dining area with natural light pouring through tall black-framed windows, mint green wall paneling, light wood furniture, and a minimal, modern aesthetic. Side view of a café bar featuring a patterned tile floor, light wood high-top tables with green chairs, and a white perforated wall divider with trailing plants.

Retrograde Coffee – City Heights

Step inside Retrograde and you’ll find a space where design is as intentional as the coffee is strong. Custom lighting softly illuminates curated artwork, while a calming palette and natural materials set a tone that’s both inviting and effortlessly cool. It’s a space that doesn’t just ask you to stay—it dares you to leave.

Whether you’re settling in for a quiet work session, catching up with friends, or savoring a few minutes of solitude, Retrograde meets the moment. With a mix of open seating, cozy corners, and a sprawling outdoor patio, it’s built to suit whatever version of you shows up that day.

But Retrograde isn’t just a café—it’s a neighborhood anchor. A gathering place that blurs the line between locals and newcomers, caffeine and culture. More than a coffee stop, it’s a place to connect, create, and tap into the city’s creative pulse—one perfectly brewed cup at a time.

Year:

2023

Location:

Nashville, TN

Architect:

Smith Gee Studio

Client:

Retrograde

Services:

Architecture & Interior Design