ABOUT US

Airplay Café, now open in the Lower Burnside district, caters to Portland’s music lovers of every age. 

Owner Andy Simon is a musician and an audio engineer who has performed for years as part of a band and as a solo performer.  He found venues featuring live music typically cater to a limited audience of young adults, and most of those locations either treat the music as background sound or crank the volume so high that the music is distorted.  He became determined to create a new kind of venue.

Simon says, “Airplay Café has been designed to put the focus on the performer, and the acoustics have been designed so that patrons will be able to hear every word, without suffering from painfully high volume levels.  We wanted to create a place that respects both musicians and their fans.”

Simon and his wife, Patti Jagger, have been working toward opening this venue for almost five years.  “We were inspired by the kind of coffeehouses you could find in the middle of the last century,” Jagger said.  “Before gourmet coffee became the main draw, live music and other forms of performance were important parts of the coffeehouse experience.  With the availability of high-quality coffee, the focus shifted to beverages.  We’re putting the performance component back in the mix, and inviting the whole family into the experience.”

Simon notes statistics showing consumers over 25 are responsible for the majority of CD sales, but the music industry and radio programming continue to target teens and young adults.  “Many of the adults we know grew up loving rock and pop music, and still enjoy the experience of discovering new music, but few places offer them that experience in a way that fits their schedules or their tastes.  We plan to fill that gap.”

With a toddler of their own, Jagger and Simon realized some of Portland’s most enthusiastic music lovers are children.  Kid-friendly daytime performances are planned, Jagger says, and “we’re planning some special family events where parents will have the opportunity to introduce their children to the music they love, whether that’s classical music or the blues.”

The Café will offer gourmet coffee, beer, wine, light meals, snacks, baked goods and unique desserts.  A selection of CDs by featured performers will be on sale as well, making Airplay Café a resource for anyone interested in local music.

Even when no one is on stage, Airplay Café aims to offer patrons a uniquely satisfying experience.  “We’ve worked hard to create a comfortable, welcoming environment, where people of all ages can enjoy great coffee, and other delicious refreshments.”