PublicUS

PublicUs is a neighborhood restaurant and specialty coffee bar situated at 1126 Fremont Street in the Fremont East District of Downtown Las Vegas. Founded in 2015 by Kimo Akiona, a Hawaii native and former gaming executive, the establishment was designed to foster social interaction through a canteen-style layout featuring communal seating. The venue operates primarily as a daytime destination, serving breakfast, brunch, and coffee, with a menu that reflects Akiona's Hawaiian heritage alongside locally sourced ingredients.

The development of PublicUs was a collaborative effort that brought significant specialty coffee expertise to the Las Vegas market. In 2013, Akiona sought guidance from Velton Ross of Velton’s Coffee Roasting Company, who connected him with Cole McBride, a coffee consultant and former employee of Visions Espresso. McBride moved to Las Vegas to join the project, helping to shape the cafe's operational standards and coffee program during its formative years.

PublicUs is widely regarded as a key player in the revival of Downtown Las Vegas, challenging local expectations of what a cafe could be. During its buildout, the team faced resistance from local health inspectors who were accustomed to standardized, chain-style floor plans. By prioritizing high-quality equipment and a specialized workflow, the cafe successfully introduced third-wave coffee culture to an area previously dominated by conventional coffee service models.

The cafe’s commitment to coffee excellence was bolstered by the presence of Cole McBride, who served as a high-profile representative for the brand on the competition circuit. In 2016, while representing PublicUs, McBride won the Western Conference opening round at the US Coffee Championships Qualifying Event, becoming the first-ever champion of that specific conference. This achievement underscored the technical rigor and professional standards maintained by the cafe's staff.

Beyond its coffee program, PublicUs is known for its "farm-fresh" culinary philosophy. The menu includes house-made items such as almond milk and macadamia paste, as well as signature dishes like the Brekkie Sandwich and various sourdough-based offerings. The cafe also offers unique, house-developed beverages, such as the "Death Cream," a cold-brew-based drink that serves as a specialty alternative to mainstream blended coffee beverages.

Today, PublicUs remains a fixture in the Las Vegas coffee scene, noted for its aesthetic—which includes reclaimed wood and live trees—and its fanatical approach to service. It stands as a documented example of how independent specialty coffee operators can successfully integrate into non-traditional markets by emphasizing both high-quality sourcing and a community-focused, canteen-style dining experience.