Caffe Lena — Attraction in City of Saratoga Springs

I came to Saratoga Springs as a Skidmore student in 1978. I had heard about Caffe Lena and how people as famous as Bob Dylan and Don McLean had played there. I intended to go soon after my arrival, but alas, 4 years later, I had never made it there.

I lived in Connecticut, New York City, and briefly Boston after a graduated college, but moved back to this area in 1998. Caffe Lena was still open, and I again resolved to go, now that I once again lived nearby. I finally made it---last week!

The place was renovated several years ago, and so is now different than it would have been had I gone sooner, but it is a very nice place as it is now. On the night I went there was a bluegrass jam, a monthly event that costs a mere $5. They have a light fare menu that impressively includes Boylan Soda (with real sugar, not HFCS). Since it is light fare, you may want to eat your evening meal somewhere else before coming here, but they do have interesting desserts.

They also sometimes do have some well-known people performing here. Al Steward of "Year of the Cat" Fame is performing there tonight (8/27/2024) and tomorrow. Rory Block has also been there recently. These shows tend to be much more expensive then the bluegrass jams. Open mike nights are also only a few...

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 they're 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. We'll check their calendar and go back to see another group sometime - they get some...

I've been coming to the Caffe Lena since 1964. I saw all the greats that got their start at Lena's. I'm 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 Lena's, 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 you'll see...