Kelly Regan
Equinox Staff
The Night Owl Cafe has been a part of Keene State College since the Young Student Center opened in 1995. Last spring semester, a mural class repainted the bright blue walls of the cafe. The walls in the cafe now depict murals inspired by album covers.
The Night Owl Cafe is a space for students to socialize, attend various events and play games.
Free popcorn and soda drinks are served, and the cafe is also famous for its Sizzlers. “From 12 pm to 3 pm we have Sizzlers, which are American style gyros,” Valerie Mamish, team lead at the Night Owl Cafe, said. Students can purchase Sizzlers for $9.25 with Dining Dollars, Owl Cash, American dollars or with a credit or debit card. Sizzlers can also be purchased using meal swipes as part of a student’s meal plan.
Mamish manages the schedule and supervises the daily operations of the cafe. She started working at the cafe in the second semester of her sophomore year. Mamish works under Brittany Gallagher. Gallagher is the Coordinator of Student Activities and Organizations.
“Mainly, this is a place to just hang out,” Mamish said.
According to Mamish, The Night Owl Cafe is popular among students and staff at Keene State.
“Of course my favorite part about the NOC are the sizzlers! They are delicious and Zach and Josh are the best Sizzler makers ever,” Casey Justice, Director of Transitions and Parent Programs, said.
Wednesday nights at 7 pm, the Night Owl Cafe hosts Pub Trivia with prizes. During Pub Trivia, the cafe serves free wings and root beer floats. On Thursdays at 7 pm, the Cafe hosts Bingo with prizes. All students can play seven rounds of bingo. If a student brings a non-perishable food item, they can play an additional round of bingo.
Sydney McGough, a Public Health major at Keene State, said, “My favorite part (of the cafe) is bingo.”
The first Bingo Night is September 5. The first Trivia Night is September 4, and the theme is Name that Brand.
Different clubs and organizations hold their events at the Night Owl Cafe. Gallagher manages the scheduling of events at the cafe. All events at the Night Owl Cafe are free for Keene State Students.
“Sometimes SAC, the Social Activities Council, holds (their event) Coffee House in here. So a local artist comes in,” Mamish said.
The Night Owl Cafe also offers a game room where students can play ping pong, different board games and pool. The game room has puzzles and coloring books as well as skeeball and foosball. The game room is free for students to use as long as they bring their Owl Card.
“The Night Owl Cafe is a great place for students to connect with other students, it’s a low-key vibe with free popcorn and soda,” Justice said.
“My favorite part? Popcorn,” Nate Flyzke, a History and Communications major, said.
The Night Owl Cafe opens Mondays through Thursdays from 12 pm until 4 pm and then again from 7 pm to 11 pm. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the cafe is open from 3 pm until 11 pm. Students can visit the game room from 7 pm to 11 pm any day of the week.
Kelly Regan can be contacted at kregan@kscequinox.com
