The Starbucks Salon was conceived as a nomadic temporary coffeehouse combined with a gallery and performance venue, featuring two daily performances by musicians and artists such as Aimee Mann, Run DMC, House of Diehl, José Gonzalez, Angela McClusky, and Lansing Dreiden.

"Starbucks is increasingly positioning itself as a purveyor of premium-blend culture. The more cultural projects with which Starbucks affiliates itself, the more clearly a Starbucks aesthetic comes into view." The New York Times, "The Starbucks Aesthetic"