The Ultraviolet Cafe is a local independent business located at 292 Delaware Avenue in Albany, right next to the Spectrum 8 Theatres, which is under the same ownership and management.
Monday through Friday, the hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends, they open at 10 a.m. instead. They offer independent films, cake in their concession stand, and real butter on the popcorn.
The Spectrum 8 Theatres have been located and operated in the Delaware Avenue neighborhood since 1983, when two film enthusiast couples started the establishment, branching off from a previous location that the business outgrew.
There are presently eight separate theatres in which independent films are screened year round.
Ticket prices are set at $7.50 for a matinee showing and a regular adult price of $9.50. On Tuesdays, the price is $7.50 regardless of the time. On Wednesdays, there is a student discount, so the price is $7.50 with a student I.D.
Anyone looking to see a film that deviates from the mainstream would be interested in the business, according to the theatre’s web page.
The Spectrum 8 was established because the owners believed that cinema should be an art form accessible to people everywhere, not exclusively in metropolitan areas.
The cafe next door features art pieces by local artists, and there is a constant flow of music to compliment the atmosphere.
The business aims to support other local businesses and much of what is sold in the cafe is brought from places in and near the Capital Region.
The variety of teas offered on the well-stocked shelves is a tea enthusiast’s dream. These teas are brought from Schenectady and, considering their quality, are reasonably priced at about $2 a cup. Another option is to order an entire pot for one or several people to sit down and enjoy.
The teas go anywhere from a basic decaffeinated English breakfast tea to a Moroccan Mint, and the cleverly named John Lemon, a lemongrass infused green tea, just to name a few.
A wide range of foods and baked goods are available on the menu. Paninis range from $3.50 to $7.50 and there are several vegetarian options. Brandy Apple Walnut Cake, vegan cookies, and biscotti are some of the many pastries offered.
All of the standard cafe favorites are served, including cappuccinos, cafe mochas, vanilla lattes, and the Americano.
Something that makes the business even more special is its solar panels, which produce about one third of the necessary power each year in the form of a clean, renewable source. Their method of energy production takes away a significant amount of pollutants that would otherwise be released into the air, according to estimates by NYSERDA.
The cafe and theatres are situated on a block that is relatively quiet and not difficult to locate. A parking lot is located at the back of the building for patrons, so parking should not be much of a hassle, even on weekends.
The Ultraviolet Cafe and the Spectrum 8 Theatres have much to offer to anyone who is looking for an affordable place to spend time while escaping the crowd.