Owned by Kathy Hoorman — affectionately known around town as “Kickin’ Kate” — SideKicks has been serving coffee and conversation since the mid-1990s. What began as a vision to create a community gathering space has become one of Madison’s most beloved neighborhood spots.

A Coffee Cottage in Madison

    Step inside and you immediately feel something different. The atmosphere is eclectic, but warm. Relaxed, but lively. It feels less like a commercial coffee shop and more like having coffee in someone’s front living room.

    The cafe itself is actually a former brick home, lovingly transformed into what could best be described as a coffee cottage. Kate and her husband purchased the property in the mid-1990s and had it rezoned so it could become the café that stands there today.

    Since then, the neighborhood around it has changed in many ways. But one thing has remained constant: the family atmosphere inside SideKicks.

Where Coffee Meets Community

    SideKicks sits at the intersection of several things that define Madison’s spirit:

• Coffee
• Conversation
• Local art
• Friendships
• Community

That blend is what gives the cafe its heartbeat.

    One room features a cozy fireplace and a wall filled with photographs of famous Nashville figures — including icons like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson. These photos were captured by local photographers, and Kate allows them to display their work throughout the cafe.

    Another room showcases artwork created by students from Nossi College of Art & Design. Local artisans also sell handmade crafts and pottery inside the cafe. One of those artists, local craftsman Charles Harvey, teaches pottery and offers his work for sale there along with other regional artists.

The result is something special — a cafe that feels like a living gallery of Madison’s creative community.

Kickin’ Kate Coffee

    The coffee served at SideKicks comes from Kickin’ Kate Coffee, roasted by Kathy Hoorman herself. The beans are roasted on-site, giving SideKicks something many coffee shops lack — the smell of fresh roasting coffee drifting through the cafe.

Pair that with homemade pastries and desserts baked in-house, and the experience becomes even more personal. Guests come for:

• Fresh roasted coffee
• Homemade pastries and desserts
• Breakfast and lunch
• Handcrafted sandwiches
• Vegetarian and gluten-free options

Inside or outside seating gives visitors the choice of relaxing on the patio or settling into the cozy indoor rooms.

The Heartbeat of Madison

    Madison itself is an historic Nashville neighborhood about eight miles north of downtown and part of metropolitan Davidson County. Madison, Tennessee has long been known for its musical heritage and community roots.

    Places like SideKicks carry that spirit forward. It’s the kind of place where conversations start easily, friendships form naturally, and visitors often leave feeling like they’ve just spent time with old friends.

In many ways, SideKicks isn’t just a cafe.

It’s a community living room.

Things to Do Nearby

If you’re exploring Madison, there are several interesting spots just minutes away from the café.

🚂 Amqui Station

    One of the most fascinating historic landmarks nearby is Amqui Station. Built in 1910 by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, the station served passenger trains for decades before being retired in the late 1970s.

    Country music legend Johnny Cash loved the station so much that he purchased it in 1979 to save it from demolition and moved it to his property in nearby Hendersonville.

    Years later, after Cash’s passing, a community effort brought the historic depot back to Madison, where it now operates as a museum and community visitor center.

🎶 Harken Hall

    Just a short drive away is Harken Hall, a growing event venue known for concerts, private events, and community gatherings. The venue hosts live music, weddings, and cultural events, continuing Madison’s long musical tradition.

🛍 Nearby Destinations

    SideKicks is also perfectly located for exploring the Nashville area:

• About 15 minutes from Opry Mills for shopping
• Close to Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
• Roughly 20 minutes down Ellington Parkway to Downtown Nashville
• Around 25 minutes to Old Hickory Lake for fishing and boating

That makes SideKicks a perfect starting point for a day of exploring.

Final Sip

    If you're looking for a sleek corporate cafe, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a place where the coffee is roasted locally, the pastries are homemade, the walls celebrate Nashville artists, and the atmosphere feels like sitting in a friend’s living room…

Then you’ve found it.

    SideKicks Cafe is more than a coffee shop. It’s a little coffee cottage where Madison gathers every day. And it makes the perfect first stop on the Sip & Seek trail.