The coffeehouse has played a vital role in the American countercultural landscape since the middle of the last century. In addition to being an off-the-beaten-path venue for songwriters, artists and poets to ply their crafts, the coffeehouse also has been a popular under-the-radar meeting place for budding young revolutionaries plotting to bring down the powers that be.

OK, so maybe that's overstating things a bit. But still, from the Beat poets of the 1950s to the performance artists of the '70s and '80s, the coffeehouse has a long history as a popular proving ground for daring young thinkers, artists and performers.

With the explosive growth of Starbucks in the '90s, coffeehouses are no longer strictly the domain of artists, musicians and poets. However, many of them remain places where people go to perform, converse and commune. Here you'll find a list of Indy spots that are keeping the coffeehouse-as-performance-space concept alive.

The Abbey Coffeehouse

The Abbey hosts open-mics just about every single Friday night -- "providing people show up and want to play," according to its manager, Steven Ezell.

Ezell said the spacious Downtown coffee shop accepts all comers when it comes to open-mic participants -- within reason.

"No metal music," Ezell said.

The Abbey occasionally books musical acts for weekend nights, but only sporadically. "We'll book artists if they call far enough in advance," Ezell said.

Live music or not, the Abbey is known for attracting artists and other freethinking types. Ezell credits this to the many vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menu items the coffeehouse serves.

"People come in and just stare at our menu because there is so much stuff on it," he said.

Abbey Coffeehouse

Where: 825 N. Pennsylvania St.

What: Open mic night.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays.

Cost: Free.

Info: (317) 663-4739, www.myspace.com/theabbeycoffeehouse.>

Bjava Coffee and Tea

Info: (317) 280-1236, www.bjavacoffeeandtea.com.

The Bean Cup

Everything from bluegrass to acoustic indie rock accompanies the sound of sips and slurps from mugs every Friday night at the Bean Cup. And that's not all, according to owner Chris Carr.

"We've had a whole Native American group perform here," she said.

At 2,000 square feet, this Southside haunt is big enough to accommodate a full band, but small enough to still feel like a cozy hangout rather than a big venue.

Music isn't the only thing you'll find at the Bean Cup. It also hosts poetry readings, fundraisers and book signings. On Nov. 16 the shop will host an event called the Artists Peace Project -- a non-political peace-themed gathering. And Carr says the Bean Cup has more in store for the future.

"We are still trying to get our roots," she said. "But there are plenty of things that we want to do down the road."

The Bean Cup

Where: 8908 Saint Peter St.

What: Live music.

When: Every weekend; check Web site for times and artists' names.

Cost: Free.

Info: (317) 888-8700, www.thebeancup.com.

Cognizant Coffee

If its name is any indication, this still relatively new haunt is not without its philosophical pretenses -- which means it'll fit right in with the ever-artsy Fountain Square district.

In spite of its lofty appellation, Cognizant Coffee isn't hosting Nietzsche discussion groups just yet. But it does host a book club on the last Thursday of every month, as well as an art reception every First Friday. Local painter Susan Hodgins will be on hand on Oct. 4 for a reception featuring her work.

According to manager Dave Jablonski, Cognizant Coffee also hosts open-mic nights and books music acts, but added that the music schedule is still unpredictable at this point.

"We're just working on being a cornerstone of the community here," Jablonski said. "And to offer a little bit of everything to all the different artists and musicians and people who want to meet here."

Cognizant Coffee

Where: 1112 E. Prospect St.

What: Live music.

When: Call or visit the shop for details.

Cost: Free.

Info: (317) 631-0331, www.myspace.com/cognizantcoffeecompany.>

Eagle Creek Coffee Co.

Info: (317) 353-0777, www.lazydazecoffeehouse.com.

Mo'Joe Coffeehouse

Mo'Joe Coffeehouse is all about eclecticism. It starts with Wordsmiffs, a monthly performance series that features both open-mic performers and featured talent from as far away as California and New York. Wordsmiffs performances range from spoken word to hip-hop to folk music, according to event organizer Casey Bridgeford.

"The niche market for Wordsmiffs is that we are one of the positive forums in the city for performance," Bridgeford said. "All of our performances are curse-free."

Wordsmiffs happens on the first Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. and costs $7 for open-mic performers and $10 for everyone else. Past performers include local spoken word artist Tasha Jones and musician Tish Lyndsey.

Mo'Joe also hosts sporadic music events outside of Wordsmiffs; you can track these events on the shop's online calendar. And although it is decidedly a coffee shop rather than a club, Mo'Joe does boast something that most of its coffeehouse colleagues don't: A liquor license.

Mo'Joe Coffeehouse

Where: 222 W. Michigan St.

What: Open mic and live music events.

When: Several times a month; check Web site for a full schedule of events.

Cost: Varies. Check Web site.

Info: (317) 822-6656, www.mojoecoffeehouse.com.

Monon Coffee Co.

This Broad Ripple meeting spot doesn't have any regularly scheduled entertainment, but it's a veritable institution among artist-types who work and live around the famously artist-friendly neighborhood.

Although it's relatively small size makes hosting musical acts a minor challenge, Monon Coffeehouse occasionally brings in singer-songwriters to entertain the patrons. For information about upcoming performances, simply call the shop or just drop in.

Monon Coffee Co.

Where: 920 E. Westfield Blvd.

What: Live music.

When: Call or visit coffee shop for details.

Cost: Free.

Info: (317) 255-0510, home.indy.rr.com/mononcoffee.

Strange Brew

Original music by local singer-songwriters fills the air every Friday night at this Greenwood coffeehouse, but what really sets Strange Brew apart (and justifies its name) is its penchant for magic -- and we're not talking about the fantasy card game.

According to co-owner Toni Carr, magicians perform at Strange Brew "occasionally on Saturday night, and usually about once a month, to give them a little time to get their acts together."

Strange Brew also has been known to host the occasional open mic, too. But even then, the coffeehouse enforces its strict original-material-only rule.

"We have to," Carr said. "BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated, a performance-rights organization) has been keeping an eye out."

Strange Brew

Where: 4800 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood.

What: Live music and magic shows.

When: Check Web site for a full schedule of events.

Cost: Free.

Info: (317) 881-5282, www.thestrangebrew.net.

Starbucks

Local spoken-word artist aLLEN iMAGERY hosts an open-mic event called the Cypher on the third Friday of every month at this cozy little Starbucks in the heart of Broad Ripple. But unlike many similar events around town, you won't find poets waxing graphically about sexual matters or using foul language as they perform. This is a strictly clean affair.

Cypher is free for spectators, but people hoping to get in front of the mic must cough up $2.

Starbucks

Where: 850 Broad Ripple Ave.

What: The Cypher Open Mic Night.

When: Third Friday of every month.

Cost: Free for spectators, $2 for participants.

Info: (317) 255-1624.