Caffè Lena
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Located in Saratoga Springs, New York, Caffè Lena is one of the oldest continually running coffee houses in the United States.[1] Founded in 1960 by William and Lena Spencer (née Nargi),[2] it claims to be the oldest folk-oriented coffee house, in the U.S.,[3] featuring acoustic concerts and cultural events showcasing folk music, traditional music, and singer-songwriters of a wide range, including artist Bob Dylan, who performed for two consecutive nights at the cafè in 1961, a year prior to the release of his debut album.[4]
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 Interactive map of Caffè Lena | |
| Location | Saratoga Springs, New York |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°04′50″N 73°47′00″W |
| Type | Coffeehouse, non-profit |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1960 |
| Website | |
| http://www.caffelena.org/ | |
History
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021, Caffè Lena began streaming live music on a donation based pay scale, featuring the music of folk musicians like Kate McDonnell and Natalie Haas.[5]
Since Lena Spencer's death on October 23, 1989 (she was born on January 4, 1923),[6] Caffè Lena has been a not-for-profit organization.[7]
In 2025, Caffè Lena celebrated 65 years in Saratoga Springs by holding its 4th annual Sing in the Streets festival.[8]