Society Coffee - The Place to Be Seen

Every one's minding their own business these days or at least they're busy trying their damnedest to look busy. The Crackberries, cell phones, Me Inc.; the 21st century is all about making the change to all things green and organic, becoming the next "You Tube", being the free lance writer, finding love on the Internet, or otherwise living life on your own terms. It's all about free thinking and easy living. And what better way to do that than sipping coffee in the most hippest coffee house in Harlem.

Welcome to Society. The well thought out northern Harlem hot spot that exudes Harlem meets Boho, Buppie, with a touch of monied Bohemian. Here you will find great coffee; smooth, bold, and plenty of varietal wines. It has a touch of trendy, but it ain't obnoxious. It's obviously the new place to be seen if you are planting your flag in Harlem's newly minted Plymouth rock. As with all coffee houses, Society is equipped with free WiFi and filled with trendy Mac Users, so if you care about appearances, don't you dare whip out that 8lb clunker from 1998. A labtop is not a must have, but you'd better be reading Baldwin, Morrison, Hurston or anything that makes you look like you've been admitted to a university. Yeah it could be Corn Husk university or the University of 110th Street, but this place is only for people who looked like they've step into a college classroom. If you happen to just be in the neighborhood and you just want to chill for a sec; not to worry. They have a cool shelf of ultra hip magazines and books to borrow on their coffee time.

On the exposed brick wall you'll see monthly artist's exhibit's that range from avant garde expressionalism to totally trendy. But it's all good and it's way cool. Society can also boast that it's restroom is living feng shui: purposeful, complete and in the right place.

They serve brunch all day; and there are no labtops allowed on weekend days; and rightfully so. I mean they are supposed to make money right? Whomever comes up with a solution for the buy one coffee and use eight hours of free WiFi user will become a billionaire. For the customer keeping our order under three dollars, while IM'ing, conducting business, sending e-mails, and browsing on the Internet for free is a dream come true; however for the business owner it must be the ultimate pain in the arse because that kind of customer takes up space and time. I've been that customer, but nowadays I'm a tad more thoughtful.

Society is located on 114th and Frederick Douglass Boulevard. You can't miss it because it's a gem.

M.

St. Nicks Pub and The Monday Night Jam

If you're not afraid to get your hands dirty for a piece of Harlem's continuum on jazz history, venture uptown to St. Nick's Pub on the Corner of 149th Street at 773 Saint Nicholas Avenue. There you will meet people from all walks and corners of life; from the local alcoholic vagabond and ivy-league aficionado's to the Euro-Asian invasion eclipse of tourists. At St. Nick's Pub it's all good. Here the rickety tables are covered with plastic vinyl from the late sixties, soul food plates are microwaved and sold for five bucks, and the ceilings hang low with cheap ass Christmas lights. But somehow St. Nick's pub works by blending tons of local, original and sublime authentic charm. Once you experience live jazz at St. Nicks pub you'll want to find an apartment right around the corner.

At the Monday night jam session you will see, experience and discover the creativity, passion and expression of the music that gels the spirit of international humanity. The coronet, trombones with toilet plungers, scatting, beat poetry, fanatic drumming, are all examples of the die hards that sign up to share the primal human need of expression. St. Nicks pub is the twilight zone of jazz. The cover is only three bucks and the drinks are no more than seven. And if you want, you can hang out all night until four in the morning; St. Nicks is a true after-hours spot.

Not your contrived or polished Jazz space; Jazz purists will get their jones fix. Get there around 10pm and you'll get a good viewing seat and an experience that will remain a surreal memory.