Postcrypt Coffeehouse

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Postcrypt Coffeehouse
The official logo of Postcrypt Coffeehouse, designed by Ginia Sweeney.
Location(s)	St. Paul's Chapel, Columbia University, New York
Years active	1964-present
Genre(s)	acoustic, folk
Capacity	35
Website	http://www.postcrypt.org

Postcrypt Coffeehouse is an all-acoustic music venue in the basement of St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University in New York City. Founded in 1964, Postcrypt has hosted countless up-and-coming folk musicians, including Jeff Buckley, Dar Williams, Shawn Colvin, and Ani DiFranco. Additionally, Suzanne Vega, a graduate of Barnard College, returns to Postcrypt each Spring to play one secret, coveted concert.^[1] The young and talented Anthony da Costa performs there regularly.^[2] Despite popular conceptions, the Postcrypt location was never a "crypt," but rather a storage closet in the basement of the chapel; it takes its name from the Søren Kierkegaard book, Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments. This was then shortened to C.U (the initials for Columbia University) Postcrypt to reflect the fact that the venue was in the basement, or crypt, of the chapel.^[3]

Postcrypt Coffeehouse is completely run by student volunteers. It is open each Friday and Saturday night during the school year from 9pm-12am, featuring three artists during that time. It is always free and open to the public. Postcrypt is supported by funding from the student government and their sales of coffee, baked goods, and a notoriously good selection of beer. In a 2006 article about Morningside Heights, the New York Times wrote:

One thing you won't find anywhere else is the Postcrypt Coffeehouse, a musty hideaway tucked into the depths of the St. Paul's basement where singers from the accomplished to the totally disastrous perform Friday and Saturday nights. The tiny spot serves $1 coffee so awful they should refund your dollar if you finish it, but makes up for it with free popcorn.^[4]

Since that article, the staff of Postcrypt has tried earnestly to improve the quality of their coffee, using fair trade and organic coffee as part of the effort to go green. This effort has also included the institution of a "Bring Your Own Mug" policy: coffee and locally produced cider is offered at a 50% discount to patrons who bring their own mugs. ^[5]

Postcrypt is indeed a unique venue. It is one of the few free, volunteer run venues in New York. Its size is also notable: it legally can only host 35 people at a time, giving the venue a very intimate feel.

Postcrypt has faced its share of trouble with Columbia's administration: in 2001, it was nearly shut down because of fire violations.^[6] Recently, the source of the famous low lighting has changed from candles to electric lights.

On May 4, 2008, Postcrypt Coffeehouse hosted their first annual Folk Festival, an all day event on Columbia's campus. All acts featured were completely comprised of Columbia students.^[7]