Cafe Escape co-owners Cedric Parlade Jr. and Jason Rha may have found a new way to entertain, as the cafe, 2402 Lincoln Way, is now equipped with a license to sell alcohol.

“A lot of customers were anticipating when we were getting our liquor license,” Parlade says. “Hopefully, we’ll attract more of the professional crowd now. Having the liquor license attracts a more diverse crowd, for people who drink for social reasons rather than to binge. We’re not here to get people drunk.”

Anyone who has been to Cafe Escape knows it is not the average cafe.

It has the relaxing atmosphere of a jazz club, the romantic setting of a restaurant, and the laid-back appeal of a coffee shop. Parlade Jr. insists it combines all of those elements and then some.

“We’re more than just a coffeehouse, more than just a restaurant,” Parlade says. “We’re a little bit of everything.

“There’s nothing wrong with the other businesses around here,” Parlade says. “Boheme and Big Shots are cool, but if you want a place to just sit back and relax at, then this is the place for it.”

Indeed it is. Cafe Escape is adorned with couches and soft chairs, with spotlights over the table. The jazz music playing in the back lulls customers as they enjoy their food and drink. With the liquor license, though, comes a two-sided issue: Legal drinkers are welcome all night, but the underage customers will have to leave after 10:30 p.m.

“With the liquor license I feel we’re more accomplished as a business,” Rha says. “A majority [of the customers], however, were disappointed because they are underage. It was a hard decision, but we made it so only people who are 21 and over are allowed after 10:30 p.m. It was more of a business decision because we know that older people will bring in more money. I think the younger people understand.”

Parlade says there were a few things the cafe had to do to get established and to gain a liquor license.

“We had to add an extra bathroom, because the requirement is two, and we had to meet all of inspection’s requirements. Plus, it’s not cheap to get a liquor license.”

Another distinction about Cafe Escape is that it is completely smoke-free, even though there is a bar now.

“People expect to have a smoking zone since there’s a bar, but we don’t,” Parlade says. “I just think it’s kind of nice to go out without having to worry about the smell of cigarette smoke getting in your clothes or brushing up against cigarette butts. Where I come from, in California, there are no public venues which allow smoking indoors.”

Cafe Escape also serves as a venue for live music.

The sultry, jazz-induced atmosphere certainly does allow people to escape. On Friday nights, the cafe features a DJ for light jazz and house music.

“We have live music frequently,” Parlade says.

This Saturday, they will feature a DJ performing his own music — a mixture of jazz, house and Asian music.

“Once we had a live jazz band for a Valentine’s Day special,” Parlade says. “We charged $60 per couple, which included a full meal, drinks … and the show. It was really great; the customers really enjoyed themselves. We’re thinking about doing that again next year.”

All in all, the co-owners say they are trying to share something unique with Ames.

“We’re just trying to introduce people to something else, something new,” Rha says. “It’s no fun having something you enjoy if you can’t share it and let other people enjoy it as well.”