Manhattan · NYC landmark
Caffe Cino
31 Cornelia Street · Manhattan, New York City
A small former coffeehouse helped establish Off-Off-Broadway and gave gay playwrights a stage for original work.
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NYFE Summary
Joe Cino opened a coffeehouse here in 1958 and let patrons stage poetry readings and experimental plays. Unknown writers could present work on small budgets. The venue helped establish Off-Off-Broadway and gave gay artists room to portray their own lives on stage.
Lanford Wilson, Tom Eyen and other playwrights presented early work here before reaching larger audiences. The cafe closed in 1968. Its former ground-floor space and the brick apartments above it can still be identified from the sidewalk.
NYFE summary from the official history and visitor sources linked below.
Plan a visit
Check the operator’s current opening, admission and access information before travelling. Historic status does not guarantee public access to every interior.
Official visitor information ↗