Office of Student Leadership and Involvement

Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse

Students playing various instruments.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Oberlin College

The Cat in the Cream (The Cat) is a student organization and a performance space on the Oberlin College campus. It is home to a world-loved stage, 'zine library, and famous giant Cat Cookies!  It has stood since 1975 as Oberlin College's only free-admission, student-run performance venue.  The Cat seeks to serve the Oberlin community as a space where people of all identities can feel welcome and where worldwide art can be appreciated and enjoyed.  It hosts excellent free programs, which have traditionally included:

  • Traditional coffeehouse fare of folk music, jazz, poetry, and storytelling
  • Indie, experimental, and other genre music concerts
  • Improv and sketch comedy
  • Student jazz ensembles
  • Student Theater and Dance Performances
  • End-of-semester performances/events by Oberlin Steel, O'Burlesque, and the Experimental College (EXCO)

The Cat is also a fully functioning coffeehouse that is open when the performance space is in use and for occasional study breaks during each semester.  With hot and cold beverages, customers can snack on World Famous Cat Cookies: giant homemade chocolate chip, oatmeal and raisin cookies. Vegan options are available.

Find out more about the Cat and view upcoming events on its website or by checking out TheCat in the Cream GOberlin page.

Browse the schedule

Contact Us

180 W. Lorain St.
Oberlin, OH 44074
440-775-8279
cat.cream@oberlin.edu

Get Directions