Cafe 939

Patron Information

What is acceptable behavior for attending a show at Cafe 939?

We ask for a few basic courtesies. Please silence your mobile device or anything on your person that may unexpectedly make noise. Photography and audio or video recording are prohibited unless otherwise approved. While we encourage patrons to visit our neighbors at the Cactus Club for dinner and drinks, please be advised that intoxicated individuals will be asked to leave the venue. We ask that patrons be mindful of their language and conduct, as young music lovers are sometimes present and could be standing next to you.

Do I have to be 21 to attend a show at Cafe 939?

No. All ages are welcome. We are proudly the only all-ages live music venue in the city of Boston. However, everyone needs a ticket to enter the venue side. Most shows are standing-room only, so check the website for details.

What type of food does Cafe 939 serve?

Food and beverages purchased at the cafe are welcome into the venue. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the space. The cafe serves mostly coffee, soft drinks, and light fare.

Will there be a seat for me?

Seating is limited and often not available, as most shows are standing room only. Any available seating is first come, first served. If you require a chair due to a disability please arrive to the venue early and notify the house manager. The venue setup is compatible with fire codes. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

Box Office Information

Tickets are available in advance online at cafe939.com. Tickets are also available between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center box office, 136 Massachusetts Avenue, Monday through Saturday. The BPC box office is closed on Sundays and most holidays. The Cafe 939 box office opens approximately one hour before every show for ticket sales; however, many shows sell out in advance so it’s a good idea to get your tickets ahead of time. We cannot guarantee that night-of-show tickets will be available at the door.

Accessibility

Entrance

The entrance to the cafe and venue is located at 939 Boylston Street, near the intersection of Hereford Street in Boston. Accessible curb cuts are located at the cross streets on either side of the venue-Hereford Street and Gloucester Street.

The venue is on the first floor of the building and is easily accessible via a ramp near the front door or by five steps leading from the sidewalk in front of the building to the lobby right outside the cafe and venue.

Emergency Exits

There is one emergency exit located behind the stage, accessible via the ramp leading backstage. The main entrance of the venue can also be used for emergency egress.

Restrooms

An accessible unisex restroom is located in the cafe, to the left of the cafe entrance on the first floor. This space is not shared by any other facilities, and the door can be locked.

Seating

Patrons with disabilities may purchase tickets from the general inventory, either at the box office or through this website. Advance notice for reserved seating on the basis of a disability is recommended due to limited space and a general admission layout. Please contact the Ticket Operations and Patron Services Manager at 617 747-3161 in advance to reserve a section, or ask for the venue manager for assistance upon arrival.

Information regarding the particular needs of individual patrons is very important to us. If it is desired or necessary, patrons may advise us of type of impairment, the size of a wheelchair (if applicable), preference to use our seats or remain in their own wheelchair, etc.

Note: Patrons with special needs may be admitted to the venue prior to the general public. Requests should be made at the box office cart or by asking for the venue manager at the front door.

For further information or general inquiries, please call 617 747-3161.

Performers

A ramp on the left side of the venue leads to the green room on the left with access to the stage on the right.

Assistive Listening Devices

Listening devices for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for all performances to assist with amplification and clarity. A radio-transmitted receiver is attached to a lightweight headset or neckloop, which couples signals from the audio output to the telephone coil of a personal hearing aid. Please contact the Ticket Operations and Patron Services Manager at 617 747-3161 in advance to reserve an assisted listening device, or ask for the venue manager for assistance upon arrival.

Use of a listening device is complimentary. A driver’s license, passport, or major credit card is required as a deposit and will be returned to the patron when the device is returned.

Parking

Berklee College of Music does not operate any parking facility. There are metered spaces on surrounding streets and numerous parking garages in the area. Accessible parking exists at all of the garages/lots listed. Accessible parking spaces do exist in the Back Bay but are extremely limited. At present, six spaces exist near the college, designated by street signs.

• Two spaces on Belvedere Street, near Massachusetts Avenue.
• One space on Haviland Street near the intersection of Hemenway Street.
• Two spaces in front of 15 Hemenway Street.
• One space where St. Cecilia Street intersects with Massachusetts Avenue.

Please obey all posted signs. Due to street cleaning, public events, or construction, the availability and legality of any given spot is subject to change without notice.

Booking Information

How do I get a gig at The Red Room @ Cafe 939?

Keep in mind we book shows at a minimum of two to three months in advance, so plan ahead and email early. Send a brief email to 939booking@berklee.edu with the subject line as follows: name of act/requested dates

In the email body please tell us who you are/who you represent, where you play in Boston, how many people paid to came see you/your band, and other artists you’ve played with in the city. Include your MySpace or website link. Do not email or snail mail press kits or CDs as they get lost and cost you a lot of money. Electronic communication is the preferred method.

Indicate whether your booking request is for a headlining or support slot. A headliner must draw 150-200 fans, and support must draw 50-plus. If you have an entire bill prepared (a package deal), even better. (Hint: Package deals work well for local developing bands building their draw.) We consider door deals the most equitable compensation; if you think you deserve differently, make a case for yourself.

We receive countless requests from all level of artists. We try our very best to accommodate everyone but simply have only so many nights available. Please understand that we cannot always respond to every email. We respectfully request no more than two booking inquiries per band—one initial and one follow-up. If you do not hear back, don’t take it personally. Patience is a virtue.

Can I stop by your office to see if you got my booking request?

No. Although your company may be delightful, our days are booked up (pun intended). We do not accept walk-in inquiries regarding booking requests; we are available by email only, no phone calls please.

What if I’ve haven’t played out yet? How do I get a gig at the Red Room @ Cafe 939?

Everyone has to start somewhere. 
You may be a perfect candidate for our open mic nights, which take place at least once a month. These are unplugged, simple setups that are first come, first served. Keep your eye on our calendar for the next one. We welcome open mic participants to bring CDs to sell or give away. Make friends with other local musicians and build that “package” deal that we referred to earlier.

What types of music do you book?

We are “genre-blind” and play host to a broad range of musical/artistic tastes. Keep in mind we are an all-ages venue with a capacity of 200 standing room. No alcohol is permitted; consider that so that there are no surprises. We are attached to a great little coffeehouse and light-fare café and do allow those items into the venue.

Can I sell my merchandise during my show at Cafe 939?

Yes. Artists sell and keep 100 percent of their sales. The Red Room @ Cafe 939 does not provide an in-house seller; if you need one please request them during your advance and note that a fee will be required. Space is limited, so please bring only what you need.

Do you have backline equipment my band can use?

No. Bring your own equipment. However, space is limited, so please discuss all equipment needs with our production manager when you advance your show. Bands may need to share equipment when possible. An in-house piano is available upon request to the production manager.

I’ve booked a show at Cafe 939. Now what?

Read our show guidelines below.

Show Guidelines

Once your show is confirmed with us, you cannot play a show within a 26.2-mile radius three weeks prior and two weeks after your show at Cafe 939. This is how the Boston music scene ebbs and flows. Be kind.

Fax or email us a signed W-9 form (irs.gov) at least two weeks before the date of your show. We need this in order to pay you. Checks will not be ready on the day of the show if we have not received your W-9 by the two-week deadline. If you have a door deal you will receive a live check on the night of the show. No cash.

Contracts/Riders

We will issue you the The Red Room @ Cafe 939 artist contract/agreement. Sign and return it via email or fax (617 747-2120). If you have a contract and/or rider send it to us and we will sign and return it you. There may be some rider requests that we cannot accommodate and that are not negotiable. The venue never covers parking, transportation, or hotel accommodations. Park your vehicle in a legal parking space or garage. The Red Room @ Cafe 939 is not responsible for any lost/stolen belongings inside or outside the venue.

Advancing Your Show

Please advance your show no later than two to three weeks prior to date. Contact the Red Room @ Cafe 939’s production manager Steve Nichols at snichols@berklee.edu and submit your stage plot and input list. If you do not have a stage plot, make one using the attached form. It is only to your advantage and will take just a few minutes to create. We require this to produce the best show possible. An advance sheet will be sent to you.

Comp Tickets/Hospitality

These items are negotiated upon show confirmation between you and your talent buyer. They will be listed in your contract/agreement. Please review this portion of your contract/agreement before you arrive at the venue. We cannot exceed 10, nor can the guest list (which needs to be submitted to the house manager prior to the venue box-office opening. Press will be given press passes with credentials.

Promotion

Once an event is confirmed we ask that artists update their websites and all social media networks. An event will be created on the Cafe 939 Facebook fan page by the venue, and artists can request to become administrators to these events. Submit bio and photo (at least 1800×1800 pixels) to talent buyers upon performance confirmation to ensure inclusion in venue promotional materials. We ask artists to send us posters and other promotional materials. We are happy to put them up around the Berklee campus and the City of Boston. When promoting your show at Cafe 939, please honor the city’s laws for posting bills and flyers. Berklee is not responsible for and will not pay fines associated with illegal flyering. It is important to respect our beloved city and keep it clean and beautiful.

We are more than willing to do our part, but we need your help in reaching the public. Help us help you have a wildly successful, well-attended show.

UPLOAD IMAGE GALLERY OF APPROVED VENUE LOGOS

Production

See attached files HERE.

Venue Rental Information

Cafe 939 is Berklee’s state-of-the-art, all-ages music venue and coffeehouse. Located at 939 Boylston Street, adjacent to the Cactus Club, Cafe 939 is an ideal location for a concert, private reception, or meeting. The 200-capacity venue—featuring high-end PA and lighting systems, video and DVD capabilities, and flexible seating—is equipped for a wide variety of events. Catering is available from the adjoining coffeehouse or through the college’s catering department.

Features include

• Yamaha C5 baby grand piano
• Projector and projection screen
• Connection to The BIRN, the college’s internet radio station

For more information, including rental rates and availability, contact Cathy Horn at 617 747-2474 or chorn@berklee.edu

First-time renters are required to submit a hall rental application in order to be eligible to hold or confirm dates.