Caffe Lena is widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating coffeehouse in the United States. It is an internationally renowned cultural center and an American treasure. Opened in 1960, the cafe has helped to launch many of America's best loved songwriters, including Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco and many more.

Upon the death of our founder, Lena Spencer, in 1989, Caffe Lena was converted to a non-profit institution which today continues as a living legend: breathing in ideas, dreams, and possibilities-breathing out music, poetry and theater. Caffe Lena has always been a place where people renew their faith in the power of music. They come up the stairs and enter a room where a world-class performer is only feet away from the audience, where they can see every movement of fingers on frets and feel a foot tapping rhythm on the stage.