Café Society

Café Society was a nightclub in Greenwich Village located in a distinctive wedge-shaped building from 1834 at Sheridan Square. The venue regularly hosted live performances by musicians and artists before eventually being transformed into a theatre space.

The club was founded in 1938 and became the first racially integrated nightclub in Manhattan. After its closure in 1948, the building continued its role as a performance venue under a new name.

The venue was known for welcoming artists and visitors from different backgrounds, creating a rare open environment in the city at that time. This approach shaped how the place was seen and made it a special gathering point for creative people.

The building is located in central Greenwich Village and is easy to reach on foot. The former nightclub space is no longer used for performances, but the historic structure itself can be viewed from outside.

The club was known by the motto 'the wrong place for the Right people,' which attracted a broad mix of artists and patrons. This phrase reflected the founder's deliberately inclusive philosophy.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1938

Founders: Barney Josephson

GPS coordinates: 40.73280,-74.00190

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:23