Cafe Society

In the 1930s, Cafe Society, NYC, was the first racially integrated nightclub in the United States, priding itself on treating black and white customers equally. Performance legends Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughn and Big Joe Turner got their starts there. It was also where Billie Holiday first sang "Strange Fruit."

Today the term has grown to include Asbury Park coffeehouses that act as salons for our contemporary art and music cultures. These eclectic establishments that cater to this set also invite locals and daytrippers in for their daily cup of joe.

Winter's approaching. Enjoy your neighborhood coffeehouse. A warm cup of java, and maybe a new friend awaits!

Photo taken by William P. Gottlieb

Portrait of Sarah Vaughn, Café Society

(Downtown), New York, NY

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