Can You Get a Job at the Cafe in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? A Deep Dive into The Roost
The question of whether you can snag a part-time barista job at Brewster’s cafe, The Roost, in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a complex one, steeped in a bit of myth and evolving information. The short answer is: yes, sort of, but not in the traditional “actively working” sense. While you can’t clock in for a regular shift in the same way as you could with Tom Nook in earlier Animal Crossing games, the 2.0 update introduced a limited form of work. After building a strong enough relationship with Brewster, you will be asked to work making coffee. He will ask you to remember the customer’s orders, and the better you make their coffee, the better the reward.
Let’s unpack that a bit and explore the nuances of Brewster, The Roost, and the (limited) possibility of slinging coffee beans in this beloved game.
Unlocking The Roost and Meeting Brewster
First and foremost, before even thinking about a potential “job,” you need to unlock The Roost. This requires a series of steps, and it’s not a feature available from the start. It’s essentially a mid-to-late game addition.
- Reach a certain level of island development: Ensure your island is reasonably developed. This typically means having Resident Services upgraded from a tent to a building.
- Assist Blathers: Once your island is sufficiently advanced, Blathers will mention his interest in opening a cafe. He’ll then ask you to search for Brewster.
- Find Brewster: Brewster is located on a remote island accessible via Kapp’n’s boat tours. Kapp’n’s boat tours unlock after you’ve significantly progressed in the main story.
- Invite Brewster to your island: After finding Brewster, talk to him and convince him to open a cafe on your island.
- Talk to Blathers: Return to Blathers and let him know that Brewster has agreed to open a cafe.
- Wait for construction: The Roost will then be constructed within your museum. This takes a day or two.
Once The Roost is open, you can finally meet Brewster and begin your coffee-fueled journey.
The Dynamics of “Working” at The Roost
The notion of working at The Roost comes from the fact that you can make coffee for customers that visit the shop.
As previously mentioned, you can do this after buying seven cups of coffee from him. This triggers the possibility of working.
Rewards for a Job Well Done
The potential rewards include:
- Coffee Beans: Normal, Good, or Superb, depending on how well you crafted the coffee.
- Brewstoid: A special Gyroid item resembling Brewster.
- Strengthened Relationship: Continued interactions lead to deeper dialogue and even Brewster offering pigeon milk in your coffee!
Why Isn’t it a “Real” Job?
It’s important to understand why the experience at The Roost is not a traditional job mechanic. Unlike Tom Nook’s initial tasks or villager requests, The Roost work:
- It’s not a primary source of Bells: The primary reward is the experience and the relationship with Brewster.
- It’s sporadic and dependent on other characters: You’re not guaranteed to have the opportunity to “work” every day.
Essentially, it’s more of an extended interaction or mini-game tied to relationship building and adding flavor to the gameplay, rather than a true job.
The Appeal of The Roost
Despite the limitations of the “job” aspect, The Roost is a welcome addition to Animal Crossing: New Horizons for several reasons:
- Atmosphere: The cafe provides a cozy and inviting space for relaxation and socialization.
- Character Interactions: It allows for unique encounters with villagers and special characters outside of your island.
- Relationship Building: Interacting with Brewster adds depth to the game’s relationship system.
- Collectibles: The rewards, such as the Brewstoid, provide unique items to collect and display.
- A welcome diversion: It adds another small activity to vary and make the game more enriching.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
To further clarify the mechanics of The Roost and Brewster, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. How many cups of coffee do I need to buy before Brewster offers me the job?
Typically, after purchasing around seven cups of coffee from Brewster, the option to “work” for him may become available, but keep buying more and engaging with him on a regular basis.
2. Can I work at The Roost every day?
No, the availability to “work” isn’t guaranteed daily. It’s often dependent on whether other characters are visiting the cafe.
3. What happens if I mess up the coffee order?
If you mess up the coffee order, you’ll still receive a reward, but it might be a less desirable item or less valuable coffee beans.
4. Does befriending Brewster offer any other benefits besides the Brewstoid and pigeon milk?
Befriending Brewster primarily unlocks deeper dialogue and a more personal relationship with the character. The Brewstoid and pigeon milk are the most tangible rewards.
5. Can special characters like Isabelle or Tom Nook visit The Roost?
Yes, special characters, including Isabelle, Tom Nook, and others, may visit The Roost, providing opportunities for unique interactions.
6. Is there a way to influence which characters visit The Roost?
There’s no guaranteed way to influence which characters visit The Roost, but playing the game regularly and maintaining relationships with villagers may increase the likelihood of encounters.
7. Does the time of day affect who visits The Roost?
Yes, the time of day can influence who visits The Roost. Some characters may be more likely to appear during specific hours.
8. Can I customize The Roost in any way?
No, The Roost is a fixed location and cannot be customized.
9. Is The Roost a permanent addition to my island once it’s built?
Yes, once The Roost is constructed, it’s a permanent addition to your museum.
10. Can I invite my friends to visit The Roost on my island?
Yes, you can invite your friends to visit The Roost on your island when they visit via local or online play.
11. Are there any seasonal events that affect The Roost?
While The Roost itself doesn’t have specific seasonal events, the characters who visit might have different dialogue or wear themed outfits during certain holidays.
12. Does drinking coffee from Brewster give me any special abilities or buffs?
No, drinking coffee from Brewster doesn’t provide any special abilities or buffs in the game.
13. Can I sell the coffee beans I receive from Brewster?
Yes, you can sell the coffee beans you receive from Brewster at Nook’s Cranny.
14. What is the significance of pigeon milk in Brewster’s coffee?
Pigeon milk is a special offering from Brewster that symbolizes a deeper level of friendship and trust. It’s a sign that he values your relationship.
15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics and nuances of Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
There are numerous online resources, fan communities, and guides available to learn more about Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Consider visiting reputable gaming websites, forums, and video tutorials. Additionally, you can explore academic research on game-based learning and virtual worlds at the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: A Sip of Satisfaction
While you can’t technically “work” a full-fledged job at The Roost in Animal Crossing: New Horizons in the traditional sense, you do gain access to working to make coffee and can enrich your gameplay.
The cafe offers a unique opportunity for relationship building, character interaction, and the collection of exclusive items. It adds depth and charm to the game, enhancing the overall experience. So, grab a cup of coffee, relax, and enjoy the simple pleasures that The Roost provides. After all, sometimes the most rewarding experiences aren’t about the bells, but the friendships you make along the way.