In Rubinhaven’s new café, you’ll find heartfelt hospitality and great coffee

The Brothers David and Benjamin Hansen have rented a commercial space from Balder on Rubinhaven in Høje Taastrup, where they have opened the coffee bar Live a Little.

On May 11 this year, the doors opened to Live a Little – a new local coffee bar in the heart of Høje Taastrup. Behind the café are the brothers David and Benjamin Hansen, and with their shared passion for good coffee, community, and mental health, they’ve created a place they hope will become a local gathering spot.

Live a Little is located on the ground floor of Rubinhaven. Here, bright and welcoming spaces greet visitors with an atmosphere that invites both reflection and connection – and, of course, a really good cup of coffee and something to snack on.

“We wanted to create a place where people don’t just grab a coffee to go, but where they want to stick around, sit and work, talk to people – live a little,” says Benjamin. He is 31 and lives in Rødovre, while his 24-year-old brother David lives in a property near Rubinhaven.

It was also David who first saw the opportunity to make their dream of opening a café come true when he noticed the commercial space in Rubinhaven was available for rent:

“I was captivated by the beautiful natural light and, funnily enough, the interior, which included furniture from our cousin’s design company, &tradition.” After a bit of persuasion, he got his brother on board with the idea, and the dream of a coffee bar became a reality.

Coffee, community, and contemplation
Benjamin explains that Live a Little is built on two core ideas: Live mindfully and Live creatively.

“We want to host activities like breathwork sessions, paddle days, and running clubs. And there’s space for creative expression too. The idea is that local residents and guests can find room for both social interaction and quiet reflection.”

Choosing Høje Taastrup over Copenhagen was a deliberate decision. Not only because the space in Rubinhaven had the right vibe and size, but also because they wanted to contribute to a growing local culture outside the big city.

“Someone asked us, ‘Is Høje Taastrup ready for specialty coffee?’ Our answer was: ‘They are now,’” David laughs and adds:

“It shouldn’t be just the hip neighborhoods that get to enjoy good coffee and meaningful communities. We want to prove that Høje Taastrup also has room and potential for that.”

Turning a dream into reality takes more than good ideas – it also takes support. And that’s where the collaboration with Balder came in.

“The collaboration with Balder – and especially Simon (Balder’s head of leasing, ed.) – has been crucial. He’s been involved from the very beginning and has provided us with peace of mind and guidance throughout the process,” says Benjamin.

Leasing manager Simon Rosasco Hansen states:

“At Balder, it’s not just about leasing square meters – we engage in dialogue with potential tenants to find the right match. We focus on shared values and partnerships that can grow over time. Live a Little is a strong example of how the right lease in the right hands can hopefully bring life and value to an entire area.”

Rubinhaven and Høje Taastrup – an area in transformation
Rubinhaven is located in the middle of one of Høje Taastrup’s new urban development areas, where both architecture and community are central. Attention has been given to details such as green communal spaces, high-quality construction, social events, and partnerships that tie the area together.

“We can definitely feel that something is happening out here. There’s life, there’s activity – and there’s a local curiosity that we hope to help support,” concludes David.

You can follow Live a Little on Instagram or visit them in person at Parkstrøget 31 in Høje Taastrup.