New Orleans’ Neutral Ground Coffeehouse, the city’s oldest coffeehouse and home to its longest-running open mic night, is facing an uncertain future. The coffeehouse has been forced to move from its location on Danneel Street after the building was sold to new owners, and the coffeehouse lost its lease with only a few weeks’ notice.

Co-owner James Naylor confirmed they are actively searching for a new building to continue their legacy. They are currently working with a friend who may let them buy into one of their properties, but it will take time and resources to refurbish the building and get through the zoning process.

In the meantime, the coffeehouse will continue its Sunday open mic night with the help of NOLA Spaces, a nearby venue. To raise funds for a new location, The Neutral Ground Coffeehouse is hosting its first-ever Neutral Ground Fest on April 22 at the Batture Riviera (1 Monticello Street, beyond the levee). The festival will feature musical acts that played at the coffeehouse over the past 40-plus years.

The Neutral Ground Coffeehouse has a rich history in New Orleans, starting as the Penny Post on Maple Street in 1976 before moving to its current location on Danneel Street in the late 70s. It has become a community staple, nurturing musicians and poets from all over the world. It has always been a place of collaboration and mentorship where people of all ages and backgrounds can share their art and stories.

The coffeehouse is contacting its community for help raising funds to continue its legacy. Supporters can join them on April 22 at the Batture Riviera to celebrate the coffeehouse’s history and support its future.