caffe lena

It was back to the 60s for me!! I loved going to Caffe Lena with its excellent acoustics and an authentic 1960s atmosphere, apparently unchanged for decades. The brochure states "Good Folk since 1960" and we really enjoyed our evening in this intimate space along with the company of an enthusiastic but well behaved audience. The musicians were top drawer and it was great to be able to hear every word and see each performer up close. This place is GROOVY!

This is the place to hear acoustic and other performances in a intimate environment while seated at a table where you can enjoy a coffee or tea and perhaps a bite to eat. I cannot think of any other venue like it. Most places have rows of folding chairs. I like to sketch in my notebook so the tables are perfect for me.

Great place to actually hear the music without blasting your eardrums. Friendly atmosphere with fresh baked treats and drinks at reasonable prices......like sitting in your living room!

Arrived in Saratoga and wanted to visit the famous Caffe Lena. We were lucky to be there on the night Rusty Belle were playing. Fantastic nights music.Great atmosphere and the sound was wonderful. If in Saratoga Springs check it out.WONDERFUL.

On a very busy evening in Saratoga, we thought it would be fun to find a place with live music and people who would actually listen rather than talk over the people performing. Caffé Lena has been around for many years, it is actually the oldest continuously operated folk music club/Caffé in the US according to what we found out. We were not disappointed. We took in a show by a young and terrific signer named Jes Hudack. Talented musician with a sense of humor and great voice. We felt like we had joined family and friends. The actual caffé is small and no frills. They serve a good Turkish coffee, perfectly brewed ice tea and the entire staff are volunteers. Caffé Lena is a non profit organization that gives you a big bang for the money (show was $16.00). This is exactly the kind of place we always hope to find when we travel and we were so happy we did. If you enjoy live music as if people were playing in your living room while having coffee and desert, then this is a place to try out. We loved it.

Kudos to Sarah, the sound guy and all the volunteers for making Caffe Lena such a special place. The music mix was terrific and that sound guy made everyone sound so good. We hear a lot of singer-songwriters and Caffe Lena did not disappoint. I loved the lemonade iced tea and the cookies were to die for. Just a wonderful experience - so good in fact we went two nights in a row!

This is one of my all-time favorite places to watch a live show. Place just drips music history. Great live acts, historic photos everywhere, great desserts, coffees, teas, more. A living tribute to founder Lena Spencer.

Having worked in London's small music venues like The Troubadour, it's a bit embarrassing that I grew up my entire life just south of Saratoga without ever catching a show at Caffe Lena. A fan of upstate NY history, as well as thoughtful and really good music, my experience at Caffe Lena this past weekend was just as advertised by friends and family- an intimate concert venue that delivers the history and musicianship one would expect of the lauded musicians who play there. We happened to walk past the venue when they were about 2 minutes to showtime- and just happened to nab the last table in the place- what luck! We saw Steve Katz of the blues project and blood, sweat and tears for an acoustic bluesy set of story and song; which was really really great by the way. Caffe Lena continues to do what other venues only dream of doing- by delivering a special, intimate music experience for everyone who attends their shows. It's a show not to be missed and it's truly a gem in Saratoga, Upstate NY and music history that is here to stay. Go Caffe Lena!

Cafe Lena is just a cool old time folk club. The real deal! With limited sometimes tight seating and tons of atmosphere. Its a great place to have desert and enjoy live music. the price is great. this evening was $15@ booked in advance. We recently caught the Hot Club of Saratoga on a sold out night there. What a great performance! The deserts flouerless chocolate tart and the Turkish coffee were lovely. The all volunteer staff was right on top of things. Our waitress kept us well watered and the music was fantastic. Prices are great too.Be sure to make reservations on line well before for good seats.Enjoy!

This quirky little coffee house is a great spot to see top-notch performances - folk artists, comedy, you name it. Every show is worth seeing due to the high standards set by this historically important venue - Bob Dylan performed here - and they make sure when you come in, you have a great time. They also offer mouth watering desserts, along with coffees, tea, hot chocolate, and a bite to eat if you missed dinner. We have a great time every time we go.

For both those "in the know" and for the uninitiated, Caffe Lena is a serendipitous musical joy; an intimate, warm, comfortable, coffee-house with wonderfully eclectic and talented musicans, famous and not-so-famous, performing live throughout the year. The room holds no more than 85 and is a languid, dreamy, musical walk back in time (maybe to Greenwich Village the early 1960s.) The volunteer staff are warm and welcoming, as are the musicians and the room itself; and the sense of musical history is palpable. From it's founding in 1960 by the indomitable Lena Spencer through to today, Caffe Lena has played host to some of the very best musicians in the world. If you are in Saratoga Springs, come in and enjoy ... don't miss it!

Caffe Lena is the oldest continuously running coffee shop in the U.S. What a historic and fabulous spot to sit with friends and listen to awesome bands. The venue is so personal, you feel like they've put the whole show on just for you. Caffe Lena is a must for anyone visiting Saratoga Springs. They also have (a limited amount) of great food. Don't forget to tip, the waitresses/waiters and cooks are all volunteers as Caffe Lena is a non-profit organization. HUGE names have played there. Go there and you'll feel like they've set up a jam session just for you.

OMG, what a find. Going here to hear music is like being in your living room and having someone play for you. Very intimate place, and the history? You can almost feel the spirits of the performers from the past. The place has amazing energy. Do yourself a favor and check out the web site, read about it, then go there to hear some music. You won't be sorry.

From their website: " “Educate your audiences to expect the best in musical talent, familiar or unfamiliar, and always be governed by the dictates of good taste.” – Lena SpencerCaffè Lena is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating coffeehouse in the United States. It is an internationally renowned cultural center and an American treasure. Opened in 1960, the café has helped to launch many of America’s best loved songwriters, including Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco and many more."I was there in January 2013 and saw Steve Gillete and Cindy Mangsen perform. I had booked a table with a request to be close to the stage to be able to watch them play from a close range. We actually sat right in front of them on an arm's length distance. Yet, it wouldn't have mattered really where we sat because the upstairs venue only has 20 tables anyway which gives the room a cozy and intimate feeling. Thanks to Steve and Cindy we felt among friends.The food and beverage service is simple but good. You can get some snacks, warm and cold, and beverages too. They are planning on making it accessible to wheelchairs too.As a folk music lover this is the place to go . Check out their website for upcoming events. It's worth it.

Caffe Lena is a wonderfully classic, second floor coffeehouse celebrating fifty years of music. Folksinger/songwriters Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan have played there as well as up and coming emerging acoustical groups like Everest Rising. Service at Caffe Lena's is volunteer and the menu offers teas/coffees/simple snacks-all are tasty and fairly priced. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, allowing for good viewing and listening pleasure. Make sure to call before going-seats fill up quickly.