The Underground Cafe, the popular student coffeehouse in High Rise North's basement, will reopen tonight. Opened in January in response to student demands for a campus hangout, the cafe features a wide-screen television, video games and a pool table in addition to live entertainment and casual conversation. Yenni Chen, the student manager of the coffeehouse, said new plans for this year include extended hours after fall football games, expansion of the gourmet pastry selection, and more live entertainment. "We were thinking about theme nights or open mike nights, but it all depends on what the students want to do," Chen said. In fact, student desires seem to play a big role in the functioning of the cafe. Operated by PSA -- a student-run organization that provides services including newspaper delivery, linen service and catering -- the cafe is run solely by, and for, students. "Our intentions aren't to make money but to give a place to the students for them to go hang out at," Chen said. The coffeehouse's menu includes gourmet coffees, teas, pastries, and cakes. Live student bands and other campus groups perform in the cafe, which is located in the High Rise North basement. The cafe broke even last year, surpassing initial expectations. "We were just trying to keep it open," Chen said. Lisa Cohn, assistant manager in charge of entertainment, said she enjoys working at the coffeehouse because the atmosphere is relaxed. "It's not going to be like Expresso Bongo, where people come in in black," Cohn said. During the school year it will be open from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
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