"Punch Up Your Life" Comedy Show (7/14)

A look inside to Bookstore Cafe's display and second level.

The Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, located on the border of Soho and Noho, is an intimate, yet fun setting for the comedy presentation that takes place every Tuesday night at 8:30 pm. However I arrived a bit early and got to feel out the atmosphere without the stage and lights. I was disappointed that I hadn't discovered the place before. Bookstore Cafe is a cool, casual getaway from the other overhyped and saturated cafes in NYC (::cough cough:: Starbucks!). As it's name denotes, it's not only a cafe, but also a fully stocked bookstore (think of a scaled down, more organized Strand bookstore). I was bummed out that I didn't pack my laptop because there was also... FREE WIFI! Instead, for the first time in a long time, I picked up a book to read (:-O) while I waited. I also observed that there was an extension of the cafe on a second level balcony area within the store.

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe hosts many events throughout the week and all proceeds go towards helping homeless peoples living with HIV and AIDS. Which means anything you purchase, whether it be a cup of coffee or one of the many donated books, it will be a donation for Housing Works. They also encourage you to come and giveaway some of your books and CDs. The store is fully staffed by volunteers and I even signed up to become one. So if you want to get in on the philanthropy, become a patron of Bookstore Cafe. Bring your laptop, drink the coffee, read the books, and enjoy the comedians all while serving your community. 

One of the comics, Matt McCarthy 

(aka the cable guy in the Verizon Fios commercials).