There are about 45,000 coffee shops in the United States. How can you stand out in such a competitive environment? The right playlist can help.
The music you play in your coffee shop can set the mood, entice people to linger, and increase the amount customers spend during their visit. A perfect playlist could encourage them to recommend your coffee shop to others, increasing your reach within your community.
Pandora CloudCover’s musicologists are trained professionals who create perfect playlists for coffee shops around the United States. Here’s what they recommend.
The Power of Background Music in Coffee Shops
Music has a deep impact on your customers. Research suggests that people who appreciate the playlist within a coffee shop rank their coffee 18% higher than those who don’t like the music.
A happy musical experience also leads to a higher percentage of consumers ready to come back for more coffee.
Create a Great Impression for Your Customers
When customers open the door to your coffee shop, the smell of roasting beans combined with the right music leads to a sense of comfort. Customers know they’re right where they’re supposed to be.
When you set the right stage for your customers, you increase the chance that they’ll stay longer and spend more money.
“Coffee houses are often synonymous with good music. Whether the overall vibe of your coffee shop is elevated or indie, the right music can help customers feel comfortable and keep them coming back.”
- Nate, Pandora CloudCover Musicologist
Increase Customer Spending
A perfectly curated music selection keeps customers coming back. They stay longer during each visit, encouraging them to spend more. They might pick up a refill to hear the next song you’ll play or order something to snack on with their coffee.
Reduce Unwanted Sounds
Coffee shops can be noisy spaces with hissing steam, chatty customers, and clanging plates. Music can cover up these noises, ensuring that your customers can have private conversations with their friends over a cup of joe.
Promote Sales
Coffee shop owners can maximize their audio investment with brand-specific messages. Sprinkling ads among the music can entice customers to take advantage of drink specials, reward points, and more.
Top Songs to Play in Your Coffee Shop
Our team of musicologists has compiled some of the best songs to play in your coffee shop, broken down by mood and setting.
“Our musicologists can guide the creation of your playlists, expertly choosing tunes that fit the overall feel of your coffee shop and your target customer base. We make the process easy and effective.”
Top Songs for National Chain Coffee Shops
National chains must create a similar experience from one shop to the next. As a result, the ideal playlist is somewhat broad. Think basic “coffee shop vibes” that consumers immediately understand.
Ideal musical characteristics include the following:
- Genre: acoustic pop or soft indie
- Volume: loud enough to mask sounds but quiet enough for conversation
- Tempo: mid-tempo of 70 to 90 BPM
The following tracks are ideal for this type of coffee shop:
- "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae
- "Better Together" by Jack Johnson
- "Sunrise" by Norah Jones
- "Coming Home" by Leon Bridges
- "Gravity" by John Mayer
- "Budapest" by George Ezra
- "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith
- "A Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
- "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5
- "Rhythm of Love" by Plain White T's
Top Songs for Local Coffee Shops
Local shops should emphasize personality and community. The playlist should be deeply personal and reflect both your brand and the space in which it operates.
In general, ideal music characteristics include the following:
- Genre: indie folk or neo soul
- Volume: variable and often slightly louder than corporate shops
- Tempo: fluctuating throughout the day
The following tracks could fit in this environment, depending on the community:
- "Texas Sun" by Khruangbin & Leon Bridges
- "Weightless" by Arlo Parks
- "Coffee" by Sylvan Esso
- "Pink + White" by Frank Ocean
- "Agitations tropicales" by L’Impératrice
- "Holocene" by Bon Iver
- "Tadow" by Masego & FKJ
- "Telepatía" by Kali Uchis
- "Garden Song" by Phoebe Bridgers
- "A Go Go" by Khruangbin
How Our Musicologists Select the Best Music for Each Coffee Shop
Pandora CloudCover’s musicologists are dedicated to creating the best playlist for every location. They start by researching the brand and location, and then look for songs to support the experience.
Testing and iteration are an important part of the process, ensuring that each playlist is as optimized as it can be.
Why You Need Licensed Music in Your Coffee Shop
Personal Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube accounts aren’t designed for corporate use. Playing music from your personal accounts inside your coffee shop likely breaks copyright laws.
If you play unlicensed music and get caught, fines can range from $750 to more than $30,000 per song played. Those fines could be large enough to drive you out of business.
When you choose a music for business streaming service, you ensure all the songs you play are fully licensed.
Pandora CloudCover Can Help Streamline Music Management at Your Coffee Shop
Pandora CloudCover has decades of experience in helping organizations of all sizes find and share the perfect playlists. Your contract ensures that you’re playing fully licensed, legal music in every coffee shop you own.
Our musicologists can also help you build customer playlists around your brand, ensuring consistency in messaging in each area of the property.
We offer a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Try us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is background music important in coffee shops?
Customers expect background music in coffee shops. Songs set the tone for the business and cover up unwanted sounds, making the experience so much better.
Does coffee shop music need to align with the brand, or can I play whatever I feel like?
The music you play should align with your brand and create a cohesive experience for your customers.
Do I need a license to play music in my coffee shop?
Yes. If you play music without a license, you are violating copyright law and could be subject to hefty fines.
Does Pandora CloudCover offer music for different types of coffee shops?
Yes. Our musicologists can even create unique playlists for your brand.
Can Pandora CloudCover help build customer playlists for my coffee shops?
Absolutely. Our musicologists often build unique playlists for brands.
How do I get started with licensed work playlists from Pandora CloudCover?
Start a 14-day free trial to experiment with the platform.
References
Number of Coffee Shops in the United States from 2018 to 2025. (January 2026). Statista.
Here’s How Café Music is Influencing Your Coffee Break. (May 2025). The British Psychological Society.
Chapter 5: Copyright Infringement and Remedies. U.S. Copyright Office.
Playing Music in Stores or Restaurants — How to Avoid Copyright Infringement Lawsuits. (October 2025). Justia.
Music in Venues. (February 2024). Texas Music Office, Office of the Texas Governor.