Barista: A Solo RPG

Barista: A Solo RPG

A journaling game about coffee, strangers, and quiet shifts.

You’re the barista.
It’s the morning shift. The café is still.
But soon, the first customer will walk in.

Barista is a gentle solo journaling game where you play through a single morning behind the counter of a quiet café. You’ll draw a card for each of your first ten customers. Their suit tells you their mood. Their rank tells you who they are—and what they order. From there, you’ll write a brief encounter in your journal: a sentence, a paragraph, or whatever moment lingers after they leave.

There are no stats. No dice. No character sheets.
Just ten coffees. Ten small stories. And maybe something you didn’t expect.

What You Need

• A deck of standard playing cards (no Jokers)

• A notebook, journal, or document

• A pen or keyboard

• A quiet moment and a warm drink (optional, but recommended)

Themes

Barista is about fleeting encounters, everyday moments, and the quiet kind of noticing.
You might write something intimate. Or lighthearted. Or surreal.
Some mornings are simple. Others aren’t.

Replay-Friendly

• Optional prompt tables

• Alternate moods and tones

• Guidance for changing the setting, drinks, or even the job

• Play it slow or all in one sitting

Format

• 20-page PDF

• Includes quick-reference sheets, writing prompts, and a sample playthrough

• Suitable for new and experienced solo players alike

Playtest Edition

This is a playtest version, open to feedback.
The core rules are complete and fully playable, but layout, visuals, or additional features may evolve based on player experience and suggestions.

If you try the game, I would love to hear from you.
Feel free to leave a comment, message me directly, or share your journal entries if you’d like. Every small note helps shape the final version.

Thank you for playing. The café is open.
Let the shift begin.