Coffee Under Fire: The Resilience of Café Culture in Tehran During Wartime

Temporal Distortion and the Café Clock

War alters the perception of time. Days may feel longer, nights more uncertain. In Tehran’s cafés, time takes on a different rhythm. The duration of a coffee break may stretch, as people linger longer than usual, reluctant to return to the outside world. Alternatively, visits may be shorter and more frequent, fitting into unpredictable schedules.

Clocks on café walls continue to tick, but their meaning shifts. Time inside the café feels partially insulated from external events. This temporal distortion contributes to the sense of the café as a parallel space—connected to the outside world, yet operating on its own terms.

The Ethics of Staying Open

For café owners, the decision to remain open during wartime is complex. It involves balancing financial necessity, personal safety, and a sense of social responsibility. Staying open can be seen as an act of service to the community, providing a space for connection and normalcy. At the same time, it carries risks.

Employees must also navigate these considerations. Choosing to work in a café during conflict is not a trivial decision. It reflects a combination of economic need and personal commitment. Together, owners and staff form the backbone of this resilient culture, enabling cafés to function despite challenges.