Live performances
Yes
Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs
Categories
Location on the map
Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, New York, US
Highlights
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible lift
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Amenities
Toilets
Yes
Restaurant
No
Comments (176)
It started small and its stayed that way. Operating since the 60s this is a place where the greats played before they were great. With seating for just over 100, at tables and on couches, this storied music venue has an intimate atmosphere that unites the audience and the performer. There is a menu offering beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks as well as a few appetizers and snacks.
This is such a cool place , historic coffee house a great open mic on Mondays. Great staff and great musicians.
Ive been coming to the Caffe Lena since 1964. I saw all the greats that got their start at Lenas. Im proud to say Lena was a friend, mentor, and had the sharpest eye for talent that I ever saw. -Now that the building has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation, including the performance space at Lenas, the old place is more fantastic than ever. If you are looking for a real listening room, where the focus is the performance, where great coffee is served, a wonderful, bohemian atmosphere, and a first-rate sound system expertly operated, you have found the best place in the United States. -One never knows when one might see the next Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Don McLean, or David Bromberg, but the chances are great youll see them at Lenas.
What a treat to visit this beautifully restored, historic folk music venue. Lovely setting, excellent service, great acoustics, and we saw Archie Fischer and Garnet Rogers on their Farewell Tour! Excellent in every way!
Lena was a cute little café that I drove 4 hours to be in. We went there for a performance of Janis Ian and what a performance it was! She was charming and this place was very friendly!
Amazing experience and definitely a must-see in Saratoga. We were lucky enough to get tickets for one of the first in-person shows since beginning of the pandemic, first one weve been to since 2019. Forgot how much I missed live music... The band (Warden and Co) was great and the atmosphere was very intimate and special.
Great customer service and lovely intimate atmosphere with diverse music repertoire.
It was my 1st time there. Awesome!!! Cant wait to go back!!! I had so much fun!!! It is so beautiful and clean and just a great place to be😇!!!!
My new favorite place in Saratoga. Great live music and a great ambiance. A jewel to preserve.
Attended a little folks concert with my grandsons. I cannot imagine why the place was not packed. Ellis Paul was great and this venue is awesome.
Caffe Lena is an iconic venue in the genres of folk, roots, blues, bluegrass and more! The facility has been loving updated with state of the art audio/video equipment and is currently hosting live stream concerts and remote music lessons as we survive COVID together. I encourage you to enjoy the outstanding livestream performances and support the Caffe via the tip jar. And soon (per safety guidelines) they will open up the venue for live audiences!! Cant wait!
We saw the Racquette River Rounders here. Our friends were kind enough to make reservations for five people. We were seated at our table about 10 minutes before the start of the show so we had plenty of time to order drinks from one of the servers. There are menus on the tables and notes about how to be a good audience (when to order, when to pay, no whispering during the show). The performance was great with nice acoustics and sound. Somehow, we ended up with huge fans of the band behind us who enjoyed shouting directly to the performers. We like the small, cozy vibe theyre trying to create even when some patrons check the no whispering rule at the door. All the servers are volunteers so be nice to them! Parking in Saratoga is really difficult so allow extra time and expect to have to park and walk a few blocks. It’s a casual, non-trendy venue so you can wear comfortable shoes. We did have to walk up stairs although the website says they have 100% handicap accessibility to the concert hall. Well check their calendar and go back to see another group sometime - they get some pretty big names.
Possibly the best local place for live music. The offer adult and family friend events. The volunteer staff are always kind and easy to enjoy the music with. Might be tight for strollers or walkers but the staff will work with you. The food and cookies are amazing!!! Easy walk to parking garage and other food options.
Outstanding venue for folk music (and some poetry). Oldest continuously operating venue of this type. Very charming, comfortable space. Recently renovated (completely rebuilt for all intents and purposes). Limited but tasty menu. Beer and wine served. Seating on sofas or cafe-style tables. A wide variety of very talented performers. Most are well-known. Daily performances. I would recommend making reservations online; this place is popular and it and many of the performers have dedicated followers. Reasonably priced. Lots of great area restaurants nearby if you want a more substantial meal before or after a performance. ADA accessible.
Small, cozy venue for musicians with drink and snack service available. 60 years of memories!
Warm, inviting live music venue, tasty food.
First time since Covid issues that they were allowed up to 20 guests. My wife and I were there. Saw Sawyer Fredericks and the show was amazing. Sound was great. Hope to do this again.
This was the very first time I was here, courtesy of 97.7, my fave radio station ever! Came to see Dabneit Doyle who was phenomenal. Its a terrific venue, cozy, warm, inviting and nicely decorated. All staff was great. We will definitely be back!!
Intimate venue for eclectic music in almost living room setting. Reasonable rates and excellent service of unique hydration and baked goods.
Amazing service and live music is beyond compare! I cant begin to describe the unforgettable experience after seeing Mary Leigh. Very intimate and got to see her after the show! Crowd was amazing as well. Highly recommend!
Wonderful venue to experience live performance. John Paul White is beyond amazing.
04/04/2020 I just listened to the most amazing stay at home session. Brilliant and I was even warmly welcomed by the hosts (digitally of course). I will definitely visit again online very soon and a dream of mine is now to go back in real life when were allowed to travel again. Thank you Caffe Lena!
This is a historical treasure. Great venue for live music, not a bad seat in the house.
Small, intimate setting, and rich history give this place iconic status. Truly a treasure in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY. If you havent been here, find a performer you like and go! You will return for more 😊
Love this coffee house, slash music venue. The recent remodel has expanded and totally reconfigured the performance space, keeping the warm and intimate feel, while adding an outstanding modern sound system. Good coffee and snacks served by volunteers. World class performances, up close and personal.
Fantastic venue, definite bucket list
Iconic venue for musical performance, with a limited but surprisingly great food choices.
Literally had the time of our lives here. We attended one of the shows in the bright series. A little wine some wonderful coffee fresh made cookies and bluegrass. Everyone there went out of their way to make this a wonderful romantic and extremely special evening the people were fun and adventurous and very kind
This listening room has become famous and lasted all these years for a reason. Its the perfect place to see acoustic music. Great sound, intimate space, not a bad seat in the house.
This is the oldest continually running coffee house for music in the US. Redone facility is lovely, and open mic nights are dirt cheap. The focus really is on stage, not on food and drink, and dont even think about conversing through a performance. Thats for a pub, not a performance venue with snacks! Check it out.
The fourth Wednesday of every month is blues Open Mic at Caffe Lena. My wife and I go most months to enjoy good blues at a reasonable price. $5 to get in. Its run by the Saratoga acoustic blues Society, which has two members who play every month and are in the New York State Blues Hall of Fame. Its a really great night
Venue was storytelling both featured and volunteer. Wait staff friendly, not intrusive, lovely small menu. Elevator accessible and opens at 4-person table seating. Sound system fine as is room temperature.
The Manager of Caffe Lena is amazing. If you email her with questions for an upcoming event she will respond that same day. I went for the Chely Wright performance and it was amazing. The staff was so friendly and kind. The Caffe was spectacularly clean and the food was pretty good and for a good price. I am a huge fan of Chely Wrights so it was so awesome to get to see her again at such a small venue. Hope they get Chely to come back again really soon. It was worth the hour and a half drive.
Full house for Tom Paxtons 15th appearance in the last 57 years. Always enjoyable.
Had delicious food and drink, loved seeing all the historic photos and meeting wonderful people. Go here!
Dad used to work there. Friends do too. And the love Me singing and playing the piano at open Mic nights. My mom has also done storytelling gigs there on and off since before I was born. Her picture is on the poster downstairs in the lobby. My dad also has the main room in honor of him since they renovated. He was chairman of the board til 12 yrs ago. But still comes. Just not as much.
Saw Bill Staines here: a perfect setting for his stories and music. An amazingly intimate and historic venue for folk music. And the volunteers and audience added to the warmth of the whole experience.
Historic coffeehouse music venue that has had a major update without losing the original charm. They are also expanding their booking to include more jazz, R&B , and gospel. Word to the wise food options are limited Eat before you arrive.
Very nice, quaint, place. The group that sang today was fabulous!! Very uplifting (and much needed on a cloudy, rainy day!). The caffe Lena coffee is EXCELLENT! I highly recommend it
Its like hearing live music in someones living room. Intimate. Good sound. Well worth the visit.
Covid safe. Had a great time with friends enjoying Syrsy!
First time there. Traveled ~4 hours to see The Bobs. Had asked for a water when the server came by, but it never arrived. Great atmosphere and an awesome tiny venue to see a performer in!
What a fantastic renovation job. Concert was excellent
Caffe Lena is a famous music venue for folk music and singer/songwriters. It was recently renovated and now has modern facilities (new bathrooms, elevator, etc.), but it still retains its authentic hole-in-the-wall charm. Many of the servers and employees at Caffe Lena are actually volunteers that work shows for the love of the music.
Always great music, always great atmosphere, dont miss the chocolate chip cookies.
Great iconic music listening venue. Bob Dylan and Rev. Gary Davis performed here. Management and staff give great quality, service, and cleanliness. Must visit!
Great venue, great crowd, fantastic performance
Love this place and all the unique music they attract !!
Warm, cozy, not to mention legendary music venue. Volunteers provide exceptional service. Menu is limited yet quality is good.
Great time! Last night I had the privilege to see and enjoy the talented Cyrille Aimée. Caffe Lena is a nostalgic landmark full of historical talent.
First met Lena Spencer when I was 17. Returned to Saratoga to Caffe Lena by invitation many years later to share my poetry. Love this place. Good people. Good times.
Great intimate setting for music, beverage, and even food if youre so inclined. Very enjoyable blues experience the night I was there.
Great intimate listening room, and part of folk music history. Wonderful and sublime place. Just go!
Great place! Cozy, friendly, eclectic, and tasteful. Live music, food, wine, coffee, and history. One of my new favorite spots in the Capital Region!!
I went for open mix night and it was such a great experience with an eclectic mixture of talents getting in stage. The staff/volunteers were kind and the new venue is stellar!
Love open mic nights here
Excellent experience. A joyful place where musicians and singers can show their crafts in true form without any distractions.
Great venue. We went to see Hal Ketchum, and while he had some trouble remembering his songs, the acoustics were great.
Went there for the first time and had a blast. Loved the acoustics and cozy atmosphere. Lookind forward to going back.
Tiny venue, which was awesome, the service was great, and the organic fair-trade coffee, which Im usually warey of, was inexpensive and delicious. The music was folksy and fantastic, too.
Our first visit. Nice vibe to the place. Good food, drink and live music. It gets a little crowded!
Amazing talent, great venue, great people! Cant wait to watch remotely, too, so I will never miss a show.
Small place filled with a large amount of history. Great place to see bands unplugged. Also a nice venue for local bands
Lives up to it’s reputation. Have had enjoyable evenings with friends. The performances at times are conversation stoppers. Worth the regular visits
Havent been there in years. It has been beautifully remodeled and still has a quaint atmosphere. Could use more comfortable chairs.
Nice venue for high quality musicians. Seats are less than comfortable for sitting for a couple of hours.
Great venue for live music with over 50 years of fine tradition of bringing quality acts to the city of Saratoga Springs.
Wonderful historical venue location recently renovated...just big enough where everybody can have a great seat
First time back since remodel expansion and upgrade. Saw Pierce Pettis in October 2017 in classic coffee house with real 60 year history now with handicap accessible, elevator.
A good vibe, and great talent. Dont miss Rev Peytons Big Damn Band if they come back through!
The most enjoyable music experience I have ever had in my life. A very intimate setting with a great vibe.
Just saw a great Blues performance. Great, relaxed atmosphere with drinks limited menu.
Absolutely one of the finest venue for music, storytelling, poetry or any other performance.
A fun venue with pretty good artists, and of course, their amazing chocolate chip cookies!
Fabulous little venue w a huge history.
Super cute ! Really friendly lovely staff and super chill setting we went for Monday night open mic
A wonderful and historic venue where you can find high quality entertainment from touring and a few local artists.
So historic, recently remodeled for both comfort and importantly, sound! They finally included an elevator for handicap access!
Great nights out here. Music nights. Can eat there and serve alcohol. Great cosy atmosphere.
Love the energy of this place! Fun way to experience a musical performance.
Historic venue, still in business after almost 60 years, great coffee house.
Attended a Rochmon Record Club show. Been to several. Theyre great and entertaining.
Caffe Lena is still one of the best venues around. You cant duplicate the vibe of this place.
A great venue with a cozy coffee house ambiance and always great entertainment ❤
Great venue with awesome music and cozy setting!
Great music venue!
We saw Tom Rush, who was just great. The coffee & food were good, as was the service.
Charming, cozy, and intimate. Truly a delightful place to hear an acoustic performer.
Small intimate venue with no bad seats. Always close the the entertain ment.
Saratoga is fortunate indeed to have this historic and yet very accessible venue!
Great atmosphere for music shows!
My first time here and will not be my last.Jack Broadbent was absolutely the best.As always :) Please bring him back
Not a bad seat in the house, fantastic venue for intimate performances.
Great music and staff! Always an enjoyable time.
Intimate room offering an ideal place to see a music performance.
Amazing venue to see GREAT live folk music.
Special place,always has been. The MacCourys tonight was exceptional.
Great intimate venue...volunteers treat you like rock stars to use stupid phrase
The perfect place for folk. Good folk music, and just plain good folk people.
This is a cool rustic place to see live entertainment
Cozy venue. Great entertainment. Reasonably priced.
They book the best musicians and it is always enjoyable.
First rate place for music great staff great show
Awesome
Incredible place to see music.
Excellent wedding reception, well done by Cafe Lena Staff
What a beautiful renovation job- was there tonite for a concert
Nice venue, limited drink menu
Excellent music venue. Friendly staff.
Where I always go for open 👐 mic 🎤 Best place to go.
Annie and the HedonistsNight after Thanksgiving show. Outstanding!
Great looking after renovations, same homey feel and gentle vibe.
I dont know what to say. Please respect the performers. Thats important.
W/o,derful renovations,great acoustics
A wonderful venue with a rich, intriguing history.
Love the renovations. Will definitely go again.
Went to open Mic night. Love this place
Good music. Good coffee. What else can one ask for?
A very cozy and intimate setting to listen to local talent.
Beautiful place! Great venue!
A great place to experience music.
Comfortable space. Friendly staff. Mostly volunteers!
Fun place to see up and coming musicians
Fabulous time
Love this place good music and food
Excellent service music and atmosphere.
Warm, inviting, artistic fervor. Good turkish coffee.
Great place, great shows and great people
Great place for a small concert
Wonderful open mic on Mondays!
Love the monthly poetry open mic.
Great place to listen to live music
First time there it was a wonderful experience
Hot Club of Saratoga Springs @ Cafe Lenas
Great entertainment and good food
Historic room lovingly run. Dig it.
A historical gem. Thank you to all the volunteers!
One of a kind amazing experience!
Great stage and sound system.
A great experience and friendly space.
Great venue for music
Great venue
Another boring place in Saratoga Springs.
How can you not like Rochmon?
Great music venue
It is so beautiful in there
Not a bad seat in the house!
Wonderful listening room!
Holy awesomeThank you🙏
A true listening room!
Great venue!
Excellent a sure winner.
Intimate music venue
Great venue
Awesome
Love me there
Good entertainment.
Just perfect...
Very nice place
First class.
First class
Love it....
Love it!!!
Great place
Cooooool
لقفبلاىل
Total reviews rating 4.8
176 Reviews for Caffe Lena 2023:
Review №1
2021-11-24Cozy and comfortable venue. The building is fascinating. They have a nice compact menu of drinks and side dishes to enjoy before/during a show. Friendly volunteers and staff, overall a very positive experience!
Review №2
2022-02-23The entertainment was fabulous, the food affordable and delicious. The volunteers were kind and efficient. I would highly recommend Caffe Lena for a evening out!
Review №3
2022-06-12Great small venue to see well chosen musicians and other nights for poetry for instance.
Review №4
2021-11-03Felt great to be out enjoying live music. Kathy Mattea has always been a favorite and her performance was stellar. Love the intimacy of Cafe Lena!!!
Review №5
2022-02-24A truly historic venue there is everything to love about Caffe Lena. Of course we go for the music, but the atmosphere is so comfortable that we didnt want the show to end. The volunteer servers are great and theres a nice selection of snacks, light fare, beer and wine. If youre any kind of a music fan this is a place not to miss.
Review №6
2022-02-18I attended Rochmon Record Club. Very interesting presentation in a very nice coffee house. Bravo to those that put in all the research!!I had gingerbread pear cake with homemade whipped cream that was fantastic!They are back to full capacity and I didnt feel crowded at all.Overall great experience! I have already booked 2 more.
Review №7
2022-05-28Its been awhile since I attended an event here, but on the 62nd anniversary of the venue it was a very worthwhile show by Jocelyn & Chris (Arndt.) Debuting there upcoming new album release live in concert, it was a great show in a nice intimate and historic venue.
Review №8
2022-04-18Great venue to see Janis Ian... Very close and intimate show...
Review №9
2022-07-10Small, intimate venue for world class acts. Light refreshments, great sound. Lots to see/do in surrounding neighborhood.
Review №10
2021-06-26Not a bad seat in the house. You can feel Lenas spirit and hear great music - what could be better? Just saw Red Molly. Unbelievable show! Thank you, Caffe Lenas.6/25Nothing better for beating the COVID blues!! Just saw Carolyn Wonderland, Shelley King, Kevin Lance, and Naj Conklin. Unbelievable show - still vibrating with happiness. Thank you, Lenas. So great to attend live performances again!