Since the beginning, Don Krause intended to open Art Bar during the day as a cafe, it just took a couple of years to activate the plan. But last week, the popular Riverwest bar opened at 6 a.m., ready to caffeinate instead of inebriate its customers.

"It's amazing how many people are up at that hour," says Krause.

Art Bar, 722 E. Burleigh St., is now open seven days a week at 6 a.m., serving Alterra coffee and bakery, including scones, muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls, biscotti, banana nut bread and more.

But unlike other cafes, Art Bar baristas can add a little kick to their coffee concotions. All of the morning baristas are also licensed bartenders, so they can easily whip up Bloody Marys or splash a little Irish whiskey into cups of joe.

Krause says this is one of a few factors that differentiate his place from other area cafes, including the soon-to-open Alterra cafe and roastery coming to the neighborhood next fall.

"We have the 'if we can't beat 'em join 'em attitude,'" he says. "The thing that sets coffee shops a part is environment."

Krause says he's going for an older crowd -- not the teen scene that dominates other local coffee joints like Fuel -- and that his customers will appreciate the Wi-Fi, limited smoking policy, and ample parking that makes it easy to grab a cup to go before work.

"No one's going to milk one cup of coffee here for hours, smoke tons of cigarettes and carve their name in our tables," he says.

Although opening during the day was in the original business plan, Krause wasn't focusing on the café aspect until he unexpectedly discovered a great opportunity on Ebay. For a fraction of the original price, Krause bid on -- and won -- a cappuccino/espresso system that was such an incredible deal (he's not divulging numbers), he didn't mind driving to Nashville to pick it up.

Krause says the coffee bar is good for his nighttime customers as well, who might need a stiff cup of coffee to clear the cobwebs, or as an alternative to Red Bull as a pick-me-up mixer.

Eventually, Krause hopes to offer lunchtime sandwiches, but for now, he's focusing on getting his café going.

"We have a six-month lead to move some of Alterra's market share over to us," says Krause. "That gives us the whole summer to get our game on."

Art Bar's Web site is www.artbar-riverwest.com.