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A Unique Gathering Place Where Vintage Automobiles Meet Artisan Beverages
For enthusiasts who appreciate both vintage automobiles and quality refreshments, Abu Dhabi has unveiled an extraordinary destination that combines all their favorite elements. DRVN Coffee serves as more than just a typical café—it functions as an immersive automotive experience where visitors can enjoy freshly brewed beverages while admiring some of the most exceptional vehicles ever manufactured. The establishment represents a creative vision conceived by Rashed Al Fahim, who introduced the concept to the public in 2019 with the intention of merging his three greatest interests into one cohesive space.
What makes this venue particularly special is its dual purpose as both a social gathering spot and a living museum. Patrons can sit among meticulously maintained classic cars while sipping lattes or enjoying slices of traditional Margherita pizza. The collection currently features over one hundred vehicles, many of which represent rare examples of automotive excellence from various eras. This impressive roster belongs primarily to Al Fahim’s father, though the younger man now manages the entire collection with considerable independence.
From Rebellion to Restoration: A Personal Journey
Al Fahim’s relationship with these magnificent machines began with an act of youthful defiance. As a child, he was strictly forbidden from touching any vehicle in his father’s treasured collection. Rather than accepting this restriction quietly, he decided to test the boundaries by driving away with his father’s prized 1964 Jaguar E-Type without obtaining permission. By the time his father discovered the missing automobile, Al Fahim had already transported it to a local garage, where the restoration process would eventually span seven years.
“Ever since, it’s been this cat and mouse game,” Al Fahim told CNN. “I try to touch one of his cars, change one of his cars. He yells at me but then ends up being proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
Today, the need for such sneaky maneuvers has diminished considerably, though his father’s occasional disapproval remains part of their ongoing dynamic. This personal history reflects a broader family tradition of automotive enthusiasm that stretches back several generations.
From Cockpit to Café: An Unexpected Career Transition
Before establishing DRVN Coffee, Al Fahim enjoyed a successful career as a commercial airline pilot working for Emirates. The seed for his entrepreneurial venture was planted during a lengthy flight traveling from Dubai to Manila, where he sketched out his business plan. The timing proved serendipitous, as the inaugural DRVN location opened near Al Bateen Executive Airport—fittingly close to his aviation roots. Since that initial opening, two additional locations have emerged across the region, including one situated near the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
This career shift from flying to automobiles was perhaps inevitable given his family’s deep involvement in the automotive industry. His grandfather, Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, established an auto-repair business in 1958 that eventually evolved into the ALFAHIM Group—a diversified family enterprise with operations spanning real estate development, energy production, and travel services. Mohammed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim currently directs the conglomerate, and his passion for vintage vehicles clearly influenced his son’s interests from an early age.
“We’d arrive at school and all the other kids are gathered around this classic car and parents are looking,” Al Fahim recalled of his childhood. “I wanted to share that passion that so many other people share, but turn it into an experience that not only car lovers could enjoy, but (also) those who know nothing about cars.”
Curating Excellence: The Selection Process
DRVN operates under a distinctive curatorial philosophy that ensures only truly exceptional vehicles grace its floors. The establishment maintains a strict policy: any automobile that can be purchased through conventional retail channels will not be featured in their showroom. This commitment to rarity has attracted remarkable pieces, including a race-converted Mercedes-Benz 300 SL bearing Brad Pitt’s autograph and a Mercedes 600 Pullman that transported Queen Elizabeth II during her 1979 state visit to Abu Dhabi.
The Dubai location, which opened in collaboration with Porsche in 2022, once displayed nearly $400 million worth of Porsche history, including the brand’s inaugural model. Beyond vehicle exhibitions, the café hosts diverse activities ranging from automotive gatherings and Formula One viewings to Pilates sessions, creating a multifaceted community space.
“(And) When you go for a drive or you take your car out, the destination always seems to be a coffee shop,” he added.
Looking toward the future, Al Fahim envisions DRVN expanding beyond the Middle East to reach international markets. His philosophy centers on recognizing automobiles as both engineering achievements and artistic expressions. “Every car that’s built, it’s a form of art,” he explained. “These engineering marvels are what built humankind, and it will continue to be like that.”
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