Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Nuyorican Poets Cafe Nuyorican Poets Cafe is a historic cafe located in E 3rd Street that has been celebrating culture for 50 years. The cafe offers a variety of events including open mics, live music performances and poetry slams that cater to all art forms. Their famous Banana Puddin is a must-try dessert. Join them for an unforgettable cultural experience.
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Are you ready for the Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s 53rd Anniversary?We originally planned to host this year’s Halloween Annive...
10/24/2026

Are you ready for the Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s 53rd Anniversary?

We originally planned to host this year’s Halloween Anniversary celebration at our newly renovated home, but when you’re revamping a nearly two-century old building, delays and unforeseen circumstances are bound to happen. We’re now looking forward to reopening our doors in mid-2027.

In the meantime, some incredible community organizations have stepped up to help us make sure this Halloween celebration is still one for the books! A huge shoutout to , .center, and all of our participating vendors and collaborators for coming together for a night of remembrance, community, and most importantly, a little fright!

From 3-6PM, families can enjoy Indoor Trick-or-Treating, a Costume Pageant/Open Mic, Bilingual Children’s Story Hour, Face Painting, an Ofrenda Altar by Viajero, Family Portraits, and vendors from local community organizations.

Stick around after 6PM for a theater performance by & special guests, an Alter Activation Ceremony by Pepe Flores, music by , revisiting “Poe-Rican,” and special costume prizes!

Food and alcoholic beverages will also be available for our guests.

While we’re disappointed that we can’t welcome our friends and family back into our home venue just yet, we’re determined to make our 53rd Anniversary a night to remember.

Join us at Bronx Music Hall on October 31st from 3-9PM and be a part of Nuyorican history!

Shout out to our Halloween Event Collaborators:






Location: Bronx Music Hall
Address: 438 E 163rd St. Bronx, NY 10451
Time & Price:
3PM-6PM: Free
6PM-9PM: $10

Today we honor the life and legacy of Puerto Rican HIV/AIDS activist, Yolanda Serrano. She started her career in New Yor...
10/21/2026

Today we honor the life and legacy of Puerto Rican HIV/AIDS activist, Yolanda Serrano. She started her career in New York City as a community health worker and nurse. After some time, she returned to Puerto Rico to become a leading advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS during the height of the epidemic both on the island and in New York City. During a time when public opinion was driven by stigma, misinformation and fear, Serrano chose to fight for compassion, treatment and education for the most marginalized groups, which included LGBTQ communities, those who used drugs, and s*x workers.

Wednesday October 21st, take your performance art to the next level! Sign up for The Nuyorican Open Mic .center hosted b...
10/19/2026

Wednesday October 21st, take your performance art to the next level! Sign up for The Nuyorican Open Mic .center hosted by and featuring .avemaria🎙️ You'll get to perform in a professional studio setting and elevate your work. Signups only occur in person and are limited to 15 guaranteed spots for those who arrive prior to 7pm, so arrive early to secure yours! Tix can be bought online at nuyorican.org/calendar or in person!

Join the Nuyorican Poets Cafe & La Tea Theater @ Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center in a Procession and T...
10/15/2026

Join the Nuyorican Poets Cafe & La Tea Theater @ Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center in a Procession and Tribute to the Nuyorican Poets Cafe & Sandra Maria Esteves! The day will be broken into two parts. The Procession, our first part will meet OUTSIDE the Nuyorican Poets Cafe (236 E. 3rd St) for an update on NuyoricanStruction from . We will then dance our way to LaTea Theater with Bomba and Plena for the second part of our day. At La Tea Theater @ Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center an all out celebration hosted by will be held. This celebration will be dedicated to Nuyorican Poets Café Legend Sandra Maria Esteves and will include live bomba y plena from Matthew Gonzalez and Kinto Zono.

On October 17th from 4PM-6PM, our FREE Teen Open Mic with Writopia Lab returns! Through a special collaboration with an...
10/13/2026

On October 17th from 4PM-6PM, our FREE Teen Open Mic with Writopia Lab returns! Through a special collaboration with and , teens will be given a chance to share/practice any form of art in front of a supportive audience. The event is FREE for all teens. Adults are encouraged to make a $10 donation and shop at Yesi’s Book Store!

MON:This Monday’s Nuyorican Bowery Slam is hosted by 💥🏙️ Winners are given a $20 cash prize and invited to compete in ...
10/12/2026

MON:This Monday’s Nuyorican Bowery Slam is hosted by 💥🏙️ Winners are given a $20 cash prize and invited to compete in our Final Friday Slam for a prize of $100. Final Friday winners also get a feature at a Nuyorican Open Mic and nominate themselves for our $1000 Grand Slam!

TUES: Slam Workshop: Theory in Practice is a FREE, online workshop facilitated by Joel Francois ✍🏽The multi-part series features 6 poetic disciplines. Learn more and RSVP at nuyorican.org/calendar

WED: Oct 14th, take your performance art to the next level! Sign up for The Nuyorican Open Mic .center hosted by 🎙️ You'll get to perform in a professional studio setting and elevate your work! Signups occur in person only and are limited to 15 guaranteed spots for those who arrive prior to 7pm, so arrive early to secure yours!

THU: Tune into The Online Open Mic hosted by 🎙️ This week’s theme is Poetry Day (Ink & Identity). Sign up and reserve one of 20 limited Artist RSVPs on Wed 8pm ET, available within 24 hours before showtime!

SAT: Join us as we come together with neighbors and to build collaborative group poems throughout the day — reflecting on our neighborhood, Loisaida, through a series of posed questions.
The afternoon will also feature a special performance by one of our beloved Wednesday Open Mic hosts

SAT: On October 17th from 4PM-6PM, our FREE Teen Open Mic with Writopia Lab returns! Through a special collaboration with and , teens will be given a chance to share/practice any form of art in front of a supportive audience. The event is FREE for all teens. Adults are encouraged to make a $10 donation and shop at Yesi’s Book Store!

Wednesday October 14th, take your performance art to the next level! Sign up for The Nuyorican Open Mic .center hosted b...
10/11/2026

Wednesday October 14th, take your performance art to the next level! Sign up for The Nuyorican Open Mic .center hosted by 🎙️ You'll get to perform in a professional studio setting and elevate your work. Signups only occur in person and are limited to 15 guaranteed spots for those who arrive prior to 7pm, so arrive early to secure yours! Tix can be bought online at nuyorican.org/calendar or in person!

Join us as we come together with neighbors and to build collaborative group poems throughout the day — reflecting on ou...
10/10/2026

Join us as we come together with neighbors and to build collaborative group poems throughout the day — reflecting on our neighborhood, Loisaida, through a series of posed questions. We’ll be celebrating the Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s impact and legacy in the Lower East Side, discover ways to get involved through volunteering and educational programs, and hear exciting updates on our building’s “Nuyoricanstruction,” reopening in 2027. Additional news will be shared pertaining to ongoing initiatives like the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Founders Archive Project, our weekly and monthly events, partnerships with organizations shaping arts, culture, and education across NYC, and new programming on the horizon. The afternoon will also feature a special performance by one of our beloved Wednesday Open Mic hosts

Looking to support the arts and gain experience in non-profit programming?As nears its end and we prepare to officiall...
10/07/2026

Looking to support the arts and gain experience in non-profit programming?

As nears its end and we prepare to officially reopen our brick and mortar, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe extends the opportunity to work alongside the Programs team at two iconic, weekly events in the beloved Lower East Side! Volunteers will learn about the organization’s legacy as a prominent cultural institution in NYC and engage in the administrative and technical work necessary to make our weekly events happen.

Check out Nuyorican.org/volunteer today for inquiries and applications for upcoming events!

Breaking news 🚨🚨🚨🖊 The Nuyorican’s Slam Workshop got a revamp for the new fiscal year! Slam Workshop: Theory in Practice...
10/06/2026

Breaking news 🚨🚨🚨🖊 The Nuyorican’s Slam Workshop got a revamp for the new fiscal year! Slam Workshop: Theory in Practice is a FREE, online series facilitated by 2015 Grand Slam Champion and MFA holder, Joel Francois

The multi-part workshop series will feature six poetic disciplines throughout the year, each drawing from proven methods to articulate personal narratives. There will be two sessions per poetic discipline.

Though all sessions are structured to build upon each other, drop-in attendance is still welcomed!

Learn more and RSVP at nuyorican.org/calendar

Celebrate Dia de Los Mu***os with the Nuyorican Poets Cafe at BPCA! Enjoy a Bougie Charcuterie spread and arts & crafts ...
10/05/2026

Celebrate Dia de Los Mu***os with the Nuyorican Poets Cafe at BPCA! Enjoy a Bougie Charcuterie spread and arts & crafts with .carita Ashlee Rodriguez followed by a musical performance by The Marilyn Castillo Trio with vocals, guitar, drums and electronic bass. The celebration will conclude with an open mic for poets in attendance hosted by the Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s Executive Director, Caridad De La Luz, "La Bruja."

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is so excited to see another October! For those of you who don’t know, our birthday is on Hallo...
10/05/2026

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is so excited to see another October! For those of you who don’t know, our birthday is on Halloween! This year we’re planning a blowout HALLOWEEK, so don’t be afraid to show up to any of our events during the last week of the month in costume! Extra points for those who represent Boricua Icons and Poets!

The first Wednesday of the month is our Womxn Orator Wednesday hosted by the Nuyorican 2024 Grand Slam Champion and fea...
10/03/2026

The first Wednesday of the month is our Womxn Orator Wednesday hosted by the Nuyorican 2024 Grand Slam Champion and featuring .wav 🎙️ Signups occur in person only and are limited to 15 guaranteed spots for those who arrive prior to 7pm, so arrive early to secure yours.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to foster a safer and more intimate space for sharing and bonding amongst participants, we will no longer be streaming/filming our WOW events! For those of you who have skipped out to avoid the cameras, now's the time to come out and connect 💥

Tix are only $10 to participate! Get your ticket at the door or order online today at nuyorican.org/calendar This project is made possible in part through the Mid Atlantic Folk and Traditional Arts - Community Projects program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

10/02/2026

Shout out to our Final Friday Slam Winner

We at the are so blessed to be in a position to empower poets and performers to cut up on our stage, but most of the time it feels like the poets are the ones blessing us with their amazing work! is a shining example of this trend. At September’s Final Friday Slam every one of Chev’s poems drew groans of pain and yelps of surprise from the crowd (and our staff too). Chev’s poetry and performance style is what happens when an artist nears the peak of their medium, and continues to keep getting better!

Please give a follow and your congratulations! Chev, we hope to see you at our Grand Slam!

Occurring EVERY THURSDAY: Sign up and reserve one of 20 limited Artist RSVPs starting Wed 8pm for our Free Online Open M...
09/30/2026

Occurring EVERY THURSDAY: Sign up and reserve one of 20 limited Artist RSVPs starting Wed 8pm for our Free Online Open Mic! October’s TOOM themes are:

Oct 1 – Spellbinding (Magic of Vocabulary)
Oct 8 – Hauntings (Ghosts We Carry)
Oct 15 – Poetry Day (Ink & Identity)

Our Online Open Mics are hosted by and feature a wide range of artistic mediums, from poetry, to music, to comedy. So, what’s stopping you? Check in to the greatest community in the world from the comfort of your couch!

Address

Lower East Side
New York, NY
10009

Public transport: Take the subway to the 2nd Avenue station and exit at the 1st Avenue exit. From there, walk southwards for three blocks on 1st Avenue and then take a left onto East 3rd Street. Walk for one more block and the destination will be on your left.

Driving/parking: From any location in New York, head towards East Village and turn onto East 3rd Street from either Avenue A or B. Parking can be limited in this area but there are a few parking garages nearby.

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What people say

Nuyorican Poets Cafe is a must-visit spot for anyone who loves poetry and the arts. Located on E 3rd Street in New York, this cafe offers a unique experience that combines coffee, food, and live performances. The cafe hosts various events throughout the week, including open mic nights where artists can showcase their talents. The LGBTQ PRIDE EDITION of BEATNIX was a recent highlight, featuring talented queer artists from across the globe. The Wednesday Night Slam winner and self-professed "home depot lesbian" Devin Koz is also a regular performer at the cafe. The open mic nights are non-competitive and have no cover charge, making it an inclusive space for all art forms. With its welcoming atmosphere and diverse lineup of performers, Nuyorican Poets Cafe is truly a gem in New York's cultural scene.