The Underground Coffee Works isn’t really subversive, just physically submerged, tucked under a large store at the end of Clematis Street, down an easy-to-miss staircase.
Your descent, however, leads to an upbeat room of bricks and beams, dominated by a long, dark wood bar with swivel stools. Tables near the stage at the rear of the lounge and side booths in the open-plan room offer a clear view from anywhere.
A small nook off to the side, decorated like a study with overflowing bookcases and overstuffed sofas, offers a cozy alternative.
Prices are reasonable, especially considering the lack of a cover charge. House coffees are about $2, while a superb chocolate brownie — homemade, like all the desserts — is $4.25.
Beer selections include eight drafts and 20 bottle varieties.
The stage the night of our visit was taken over by Nicole Yarling, a South Florida favorite known for soulful vocals and haunting violin instrumentals.
Backed by drums and guitars, she rocked the cave with a repertoire that varied from a techno I Touch Myself to a bluesy Game of Love, along with requests from an eclectic crowd.
After nine years, the Underground Coffee Works remains as a solid underpinning of Clematis Street nightlife.
Nightlife news
Tonight: Get down and have fun tonight. From 7 to 10 p.m. catch Reggae Street Party on East Atlantic Avenue, beachside, Delray Beach. Party hearty at Hugh Jorgan’s, 96 NE Second St., Delray Beach, a large lounge with dueling piano players, lots of sing-along and a fun-filled atmosphere.
Saturday: Listen to a local band at Delray Beach’s Ugly Mug, 5065 W. Atlantic Ave., the neighborhood hangout with a sports bar atmosphere. Attend the Saturday Night Dance Party at West Palm Beach’s Monkey Club, 219 Clematis St., a trendy nightspot with an island theme, plantation-style shuttered windows, French doors, huge palm trees and gazebos. Arrive before 10 p.m. to skip the cover charge.
Sunday: Match motion to music at Club Safari, Palm Beach Gardens Marriott, 4000 RCA Blvd. This different kind of disco has a jungle theme complete with life-size animals positioned throughout and a DJ on hand playing high-energy Top 40-dance music.
Tuesday: Attend a Sinatra tribute performed by Bob Hoose and His Orchestra 8:30 p.m. at Christine’s, 1061 Indiantown Road, Jupiter.
Wednesday: Relax and enjoy classic rock, country, oldies, r&b;, blues, jazz, swing and reggae performed by the band Kickback at Lantana’s Old Key Lime House, 300 E. Ocean Ave.
Thursday: Check out Lake Worth’s Bamboo Room, 25 South J St., and enjoy “surfabilly” band the Dillingers. Rarely is the music disappointing at this second story music club housed in a historic building. Good news for the cost conscious — no cover charge tonight.
Staff writer Jeremy Lang can be reached at or 954-356-2338. Joan Brazer Durante, a freelance writer based in Plantation, writes the nightlife news portion of this column. Please fax news concerning local entertainment events and performers to 954-835-2347, e-mail or mail to Joan Brazer Durante, Entertainment Department, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293.
