Eclipse Cyber Café offers free drinks, Internet, entertainment Published April 17, 2008 By Corey Dahl 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- With its dim lighting, comfortable couches and large selection of coffee drinks, Eclipse Cyber Café looks a lot like the average coffee house. But the café, located in Building 1164, isn't the norm. Actually, it's better. Thanks to sponsorship from the Peterson and Schriever AFB chapels, the café is completely free. There's no charge for any of the café's drinks and snacks, and customers don't have to pay for use of the café's wireless Internet or any of its 15 computers. There's also a flat-screen TV for movies and video game tournaments, board games, books and a karaoke machine. "It's a really nice, cozy atmosphere," said Missy Quale, who manages the volunteer-staffed café. "Airmen can come here and connect with other Airmen, meet people other than the people they just work with." The popular café sees at least 50 customers on any given night, Ms. Quale said. Most visitors are young Airmen who live in Peterson's dorms and security forces Airmen on night patrol, looking for a caffeine pick-me-up. With summer coming up, Ms. Quale said the café plans to host lots of weekend events, such as live music, sand volleyball and gaming tournaments, to give Airmen a safer, cheaper alternative to bars and nightclubs. "We like to promote better options for the weekend, rather than going out, getting in trouble," Ms. Quale said. "And I think we've been pretty successful." The café has also been a hit with the Airmen who stay on base while on temporary duty assignment or while attending the Forrest L. Vosler Non-commissioned Officer Academy. "They just rave about it and say, 'I wish our base had something like this,'" Ms. Quale said. "I've actually gotten a few calls from people on other bases asking how we started it so they can do something similar where they are." Airman 1st Class Tim Sanders said he's not surprised. Eclipse Cyber Café is one of his favorite places to eat, hang out and study, he said. "It's one of the best places on Peterson you can relax, kick your feet up and enjoy a caramel apple cider topped with whip cream and a dash of chocolate sprinkles," he said. "Can Starbucks top that?" The café is open 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays; 5 p.m. - midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 1-9 p.m. Sundays.