Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Website: www.nuyorican.org

Address

236 East 3rd St
New York, NY 10009-7437

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Public Transport

By Subway:
Closest Subway Stop is 2nd Ave on the F Train:F Train to 2nd Ave Station. Get out at the 1st Ave exit and walk east to Ave B. This is the closest subway train stop, since you'll be getting out on East Houston St, which is already below 14th St, and you'll be getting out on 1st Ave, which is pretty far east.R Train to 8th St Station. This is a bit of a walk but you're in the neighborhood. You'll end up on Broadway and West 8th St when you get off the subway.

Accessibility

Parking

No parking convenient to theatre.
Curb Ramps

No
Restroom

Yes
Elevator/Escalator

None
Entrance

Street level, no steps. There are no steps inside the theatre.
Visual Assistance

No visual aids.
Water Fountain

No
Assisted Listening System

No
Wheelchair Info

Theatre is not wheelchair accessible.

Theater Description

Founded circa 1973, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe began as a living room salon in the East Village apartment of writer and poet, Miguel Algarin. Algarin, a college professor at the center of this blossoming arts community, was dedicated to bringing new work into the public eye.

By 1975 it became clear that there were many poets and too much energy for Algarin's living room. William Morrow Inc. had just published an anthology titled "Nuyorican Poetry". Miguel Piñero's "Short Eyes" had just won two awards as best play of the 1974 season. Poetry, the vital sign of a new culture, needed to be heard live. So Algarin rented an Irish bar, the Sunshine Cafe on East 6th Street, which was christened The Nuyorican Poets Cafe. By 1980, the overflow of audiences led the Cafe to purchase the building at 236 East 3rd Street to expand its activities and programs.