Nuyorican Poets Cafe, New York City

Name: Nuyorican Poets Cafe
Address: New York City, United States
Telephone: +1 212-505-8183

#30 among attractions in New York City

Dancing, Nightlife

Gallery (1)

Map

Facts and practical information

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is an iconic cultural institution nestled in the heart of New York City's Lower East Side. This vibrant venue, founded in 1973 by Miguel Algarín and a group of fellow poets, has become a sanctuary for the spoken word, poetry, music, theater, and visual arts. Over the decades, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe has emerged as a pivotal platform for underrepresented artists and voices within the city's diverse cultural landscape.

Originally a part of the Nuyorican literary movement, which was a response to the social and political issues facing the Puerto Rican diaspora in New York City, the cafe has expanded its mission to include artists from all backgrounds. The term "Nuyorican" itself is a portmanteau of "New York" and "Puerto Rican," and the cafe has played a crucial role in fostering the Nuyorican identity.

The intimate venue, often bathed in dim lighting and adorned with eclectic artwork, offers an array of events that include poetry slams, open mic nights, and theatrical performances. These events have been instrumental in launching the careers of many prominent artists, who view the cafe as a birthplace for their creative expression.

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is not just a performance space but also an important community hub that has withstood the test of time, surviving economic hardships and gentrification. It continues to uphold its commitment to artistic innovation and education, offering workshops and outreach programs for aspiring poets and performers.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 40°43'19"N, 73°58'54"W

Address

Downtown Manhattan (East Village)New York City United States

Contact

+1 212-505-8183

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New York City

Day trips

Nuyorican Poets Cafe – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Mercury Lounge, Club Cumming, SideWalk Cafe, 300 Park Avenue South.

~1390 ftW
Dancing, Nightlife
Mercury Lounge, New York City
7 min walk • Mercury Lounge is an iconic music club in New York City that has been a mecca for live music lovers for years. Located on the Lower East Side at 217 Houston Street, it has become one of the most significant venues on the city's music map since its opening in 1993.
~1340 ftN
Nightlife, Dancing
Club Cumming, New York City
7 min walk • Nestled in the vibrant heart of New York City's East Village, Club Cumming is an eclectic and welcoming nightlife venue that has garnered a reputation for its unique blend of entertainment and inclusivity. This intimate bar and performance space, co-owned by actor Alan...
~1390 ftNW
Nightlife, Dancing
SideWalk Cafe, New York City
7 min walk • The SideWalk Cafe was a music venue and restaurant/cafe in East Village, New York City founded in 1985. It became a known venue for its underground music scene, and in particular, was known as being the center for Anti-folk in the United States.
~1020 ftN
Park, Beaux-Arts architecture, Building
300 Park Avenue South, New York City
5 min walk • 300 Park Avenue South is a building on the northwest corner of East 22nd Street in the Flatiron District/Gramercy Park neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York City.
~1740 ftN
Park, Performing arts
Tompkins Square Park, New York City
9 min walk • Tompkins Square Park is a 10.5-acre public park in the Alphabet City portion of East Village, Manhattan, New York City. The square-shaped park, bounded on the north by East 10th Street, on the east by Avenue B, on the south by East 7th Street, and on the west by Avenue A, is abutted by St.
~1660 ftNW
Nightlife
Death & Co., New York City
8 min walk • Death and Company is a cocktail bar located in East Village, Manhattan, New York, United States. Established in January 2007, the bar is owned by David Kaplan and Ravi DeRossi. The bar is known for its lengthy cocktail menu, which contained about 50 selections prior to late 2016, when the list was shortened to 30.
~930 ftNW
Church, Baroque architecture, Victorian architecture
Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, New York City
5 min walk • The Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as Santísimo Redentor, is a Roman Catholic parish church under the authority of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, located at 161–165 East 3rd Street between Avenues A and B in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.
~1620 ftSW
Museum, Art gallery
The Clemente, New York City
8 min walk • The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center, often called The Clemente, is a Puerto Rican/Latinx cultural center named after Puerto Rican writer and activist, Clemente Soto Vélez.
~1750 ftW
Park
Peretz Square, New York City
9 min walk • Peretz Square is a public park in Lower Manhattan, New York City, which marks the spot where Houston Street, First Avenue, and First Street meet.
~320 ftS
Park
Le Petit Versailles, New York City
2 min walk • Le Petit Versailles is a New York City community garden in the Lower East Side neighborhood. It was established in 1996 by artists Peter Cramer and Jack Waters, who wanted to create a queer public space in the city. The garden is a part of the NYC Department of Park's GreenThumb program.
~1670 ftN
Street
Avenue A, New York City
9 min walk • Avenue A is a north–south avenue located in Manhattan, New York City, east of First Avenue and west of Avenue B. It runs from Houston Street to 14th Street, where it continues into a loop road in Stuyvesant Town, connecting to Avenue B.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Nuyorican Poets Cafe?

Nearby attractions include Old Reliable Theatre Tavern, New York City (2 min walk), Le Petit Versailles, New York City (2 min walk), The Stone, New York City (2 min walk), Congregation Chasam Sopher, New York City (4 min walk).

How to get to Nuyorican Poets Cafe by public transport?

The nearest stations to Nuyorican Poets Cafe:

Bus

Avenue A & East 3rd Street • Lines: M14A Sbs (6 min walk)

Metro

Essex Street • Lines: J, M, Z (10 min walk)
Delancey Street • Lines: <F>, F (11 min walk)