Our Story

We want to be visible. Bold. A proud part of the city’s fabric. Every cup of coffee poured, every piece of art on the wall, every conversation shared at a corner table is a declaration: queer people are here, and we have always been here.

Pup and Tiger was born out of a need — a need that has been growing more persistent all across the world, and right here in Canterbury. As LGBTQ+ rights are feeling eroded and attempts are made to legislate us out of existence, we knew it was time to create a space that stood firm. A space where queer people are not just tolerated, but welcomed, celebrated, and made visible.

When Jared moved to Canterbury over a year ago, he immediately sensed something bittersweet: a quiet queer energy in the city, vibrant but ghost-like, existing just beneath the surface. The gay bars were gone. The gathering places had faded. Queer community felt like a soft breath, when it should have been a living, breathing force. We wanted to change that.

Pup and Tiger is our answer — a coffee shop, an art gallery, a community hub — built unapologetically by and for queer people, and open to anyone who believes in the power of creativity, inclusivity, and connection.

Between us, we bring a range of experiences. Jared is a senior lecturer, artist, and writer originally from Washington State in the US, with multiple awards, three published books, and years of curating successful galleries and art spaces. He has worked with LGBTQ+ organisations, independent coffee houses, and educational institutions, blending creativity with a deep sense of community. Ash comes from a background in retail and coffee shops, honing a deep understanding of people and service, and later brought those skills into the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. There, he built strong leadership and management experience — and an even stronger commitment to building spaces where people feel safe and seen.

Our mission is simple: to provide a safe, inclusive space for queer people to gather and feel the spirit of community. A place for conversation, creativity, and inspiration.

At Pup and Tiger, our values are non-negotiable. Inclusivity is our foundation. Creativity is our language. Sustainability is our responsibility to the future we believe in.

We fell in love with Canterbury — with its history, its beauty, and its potential — and felt a deep, almost urgent need to create something here. We believe it’s not enough to exist quietly. We want to be visible. Bold. A proud part of the city’s fabric. We want to know our neighbours. Every cup of coffee poured, every piece of art on the wall, every conversation shared at a corner table is a declaration: queer people are here, and we have always been here.

The art we showcase aims to challenge, to inspire, and to make people think. We spotlight LGBTQ+ artists and under-represented voices, because their work matters — not as an exception, but as an essential part of the cultural conversation.

More than a café, Pup and Tiger is a living, breathing community space. Inspired by the rich café culture of Seattle where Jared grew up — where coffee shops were homes for music, poetry, exhibitions, and activism — we aim to recreate that spirit here. A place where details matter. Where the atmosphere is warm, earthy, and a little queer (in the old sense). Where you can hear folk punk and synth music playing softly, where raindrops hit the windows, and where creativity brews alongside the coffee.

Looking ahead, we dream big. In five years, we hope to expand our work across the community: producing events, curating exhibitions that blend local and international artists, creating new dialogues through art and activism. Maybe even growing into a larger space, with a dedicated gallery and more room for the conversations that need to happen.

Above all, Pup and Tiger is about weaving a new fabric into Canterbury and beyond — a community where queer voices are not just included, but amplified. A place where our voices, art, and lives move the conversation forward, together.

We’re so glad you’re here. Welcome to Pup and Tiger.