Every city has a wealth of generic, yuppie coffeehouses, but only New Orleans has The Neutral Ground.

The Neutral Ground Coffee House is the anti-Starbucks. Hidden away on Danneel Street Uptown, there is nothing pre-packaged or franchised about it.

In the dim light, regulars lounge on well-loved couches and armchairs, catching up over cups of tea, while college students drink coffee floats and push aside their schoolbooks for a game of chess. Not many of the sets have matching pieces, but no one seems to mind.

In a bind, a plastic toy cow makes a perfectly good rook.

Two bookcases tucked in the back corner overflow with dog-eared Tom Clancy novels and the games Mom used to pull out on rainy days.

Clue. Scrabble. Trivial Pursuit. Life. Grown men and women regress to childhood and bicker good-naturedly as they play.

“I called dibs on the red car!”

“Hey, don’t look at my cards!”

“‘Poof’ is not a word!”

Local musicians play in hour-long sets, ranging from acoustic singer/songwriters and folk quartets to lively rock bands and techno DJ’s.

Customers keep time with the homemade maracas scattered on every table and get up and dance when the spirit moves them.

Musicians relax with a cup of coffee or a slice of cheesecake after they perform.

Philip Melancon, the owner of the Neutral Ground, often leaves his post at the counter to play jazzy, decidedly New Orleans songs on the piano.

A guaranteed crowd pleaser is “Whatever Anne Rice Wants, Anne Rice Gets.”

The Neutral Ground is an escape. People go there to see familiar faces, listen to good music or poetry, get a caffeine buzz, and maybe do a little work.

It is personal, inviting, laid-back – Cheers in coffee shop form.

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