Reviews & Ratings for Nuyorican Poets Cafe

01/28/12

Another reason why there is no place like NYC!!

by nomie

If you are into spoken word/poetry this place is a must-go! It is always crowded. The line is always long. I believe for $20 you can pay for VIP seating. Which in my opinion is well worth it. I don't mind standing. But if you don't pay for VIP that is exactly what you will be doing. No liquor is sold. I believe only a small variety of beer. But many don't mind because that's not what this place is about. Also, don't let the young people on line discourage you from entering. Many teachers bring their students to these events. Many times some of those same awkward teenagers get on the mic and blow the audience away! The host is always good.

P.S. I highly recommend poetry night

02/01/10

Speak your mind

by marisa 17

You can count on this place to deliver a unique and underground scene.

Their open mic nights are well known around town and when I stopped by it was something that must be written about. The MC was on point... and it was super crowded. I would suggest getting there before the crowd does so plan ahead about 40-45 minutes.

If you're up for some good history of nyc, this place can definitely fulfill your dreams.

• Pros: Open Mics, Culture

10/31/09

AWESOME SPOT

by eunit525

They make you feel comfortable..Very friendly people....

Poets are AWESOME....you will have great time..get there about half hour early for a good seat..place gets jammed pack....best nights i've been are Fridays....but i heard Wednesday and Saturdays are great too....Just go YOU WILL LOVE IT

• Pros: Good poets, good host...Lots of laughs
• Cons: crowded as heck

04/14/09

Lives up to it's rep

by NYC311

This place makes me smile. It lives up to it's rep. You leave feeling cultured, respected, and loved. Great vibe, cool music, poetry, readings...you name it. If you want drinks, the place has those too. It's basically the cornerstone of culture in NYC. I can't say enough good things about the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

• Pros: Culture!!!

03/10/05

what nyc is about

by lilnap

I've been here a few times for the Friday night Poetry Slam and its a nice place to get some "urban culture". Get there 1/2hour early (9:30) if you expect a seat, otherwise you'll find yourself on top of the piano or fire escape It's $10 at the door and the only thing the "bar" serves are beers and wine. The bartender was rude and demanded a tip even before giving me my drink. Drink afterwards, no reason to tip just for taking the cap off my Corona ($4). It has a small homey feel, red brick walls and a 4'x4' stage. Slams last until 1-2am. 3-4 poets compete, 3 poems each and audience members are given score cards. The highest and lowest scores are dropped, remaining 3 scores are averaged, at the end of the highest scorer gets the biggest cash prize, others get a smaller fraction.

• Pros: Nice, laid back spot, "authentic" new york
• Cons: bartender, SMALL

The leading venue for avant-garde downtown literary events.

by Contributor

With a unique urban energy, the Nuyorican poetry performers have created a new kind of audience. Poetry slams, hip-hop concerts, latin-jazz jams and plays are just some of the events performed in this Alphabet City cultural warehouse. The Friday Night Poetry Slam and the Moth StorySLAM are particular favorites. The Nuyorican has never been just a self-enclosed literary enclave. The cafe and its performers are as dedicated to their surrounding community as they are to their art. Teaching workshops and supporting emerging writers and programs like YouthSpeaks are all part of the vibe here.

06/03/03

Brain Food

by Carmen19b

If you're looking for a laid-back evening listening to concious poetry (while kicking back a couple of beers), then this is the spot!

Get there early! The place packs out quickly!

• Pros: Great poets, Intimate atmosphere, Inexpensive
• Cons: Small space, Crowded quickly

04/15/03

creative for us and cathartic for them..

by Corris

i stopped by nuyorican on a Friday. the price was great $5. but my feelings are mixed. the poets are real talented. but i didn't care for the audience voting on who was the best. also, the line was long. go early and prepare to stand outside and wait til they're ready to open after 9 pm. most of the poets were good and a lot were depressing. i love poetry and realize that some of the best writing comes from heartache and pain... but hardly any of them seemed happy about anything in their life. a lot of them that night were sharing their stories of abuse and struggle but there wasn't much about happier times. i will definitely come back to give it another chance. but if i wanted to be depressed i could have stayed home and listened to Sade or watched CNN all evening.

• Pros: great price, creative poets, no smoking
• Cons: crowded, long line, voting system

10/16/02

Talent Immeasurable!

by cdj211

This place is incredible! Despite previous reviews of the poetry not being up to par with what it used to be, the talent in this house is outstanding. The words spoken are politically, racially, sexually and emotionally charged. You walk away not understanding how these people aren't the ones we listen to on the radio instead of all the overplayed junk and pop music we repeatedly hear that is tasteless, vulgar and uneducational. I love it! And it's a great place to come on with a date... makes for stimulating conversation, which is rare these days.

• Pros: incredible talent, great music, great energy
• Cons: can get too crowded, can get too smokey

10/11/02

Useta Be

by Radnik

I used to like the poetry here, but it's been downhill for quite a while.