5. Nuyorican Poets Cafe (236 E 3rd St.)
Since beginning in Miguel AlgarÃn’s apartment as a living room salon in 1973, Nuyorican Poets Cafe has hosted budding poets as well as established theatrical, jazz, and poetic stars as a creative haven in the East Village. Though events were temporarily held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are once again up and running in virtual, hybrid, and in-person forms.
Other than hosting the influential author, poet, and writer Allen Ginsberg, this space is a breeding ground for talent. The cafe’s book, Aloud: Voices of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, won the National Book Award in 1994. Artists of all shapes and sizes can share their work at open mic events and poetry slams throughout the week.