The "Beat Generation" (a term coined by writer Jack Keroac in 1948) refers to a group of post-World War II intellectuals who both developed and inspired a counterculture movement that would change American youth culture forever. They typically rejected materialism, embraced eastern religions, encouraged experimentation with different lifestyles, and forged new ways of self-expression. The movement began in New York but eventually spread all across the country. A popular place for these groups of intellectuals to meet was coffee houses.

Cup of Coffee : Beat Movement and Coffee

Cup of Coffee : Imagine a World Without the Internet

Today, counterculture writers and artists have little trouble reaching out to the world thanks to the World Wide Web. Instant access to publication is easy, and we use it well. At the time, however, people like this needed a physical meeting place to share their ideas. Coffee houses were perfect. They were relaxed and quiet enough to have discussions and share ideas, and yet at the same time they were busy and vibrant enough to attract young, restless crowds. A bar scene wasn't exactly appropriate (though they did not shun alcohol) because as much as this movement spurred things like the hippie movement of the 60's, it was at the same time a highly different thing.

Cup of Coffee : Literature

Most people associate slam poetry with the beat movement. While this came some years after, there is a reason. The Beat Generation was a generation of writers of poetry and prose alike. People (today, still) associate coffee houses with literature. They can make the perfect spot to settle down with a book, have poetry readings, share ideas, record your thoughts, and be inspired by like-minded others. Coffee and writers, as well as readers, go together like peas and carrots (and pretty much always have), and this was just as true for the Beat Generation (which had a whole lot of both). Writers like William Burroughs and Amiri Baraka thrived in environments like this.

Cup of Coffee : Music

Have you ever heard live music at your local coffee house? If not, you should really make an effort too. The Beat Movement had a lot of influence on popular music, including Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, and The Beatles. Young artists would collaborate (often meeting in hip local social hubs over some hot drinks) to share their interests, and maybe make some plans to jam together. This generation would meet up, write songs, and eventually influence a whole lot of what rock and pop music has grown to today.

The Beat Generation has passed its prime, but cafés are still great places for modern intellectuals to meet. If you are an artist or a writer you probably already know this. The next time you're hitting up your local café, keep your ears peeled for the kind of information exchange that can only happen in a place like that!