Welcome to the Barge Canal Coffee Co., better known to the Colgate and Hamilton communities as "The Barge." Since it opened in 1996 on Lebanon Street, The Barge has been serving a combination of coffee, hot and cold drinks, sweets, bagels, and entertainment.
Programming at The Barge
The Colgate Activities Board Barge Committee sponsors a wide array of events open to all and free of charge. These events generally include local, regional, and national folk, jazz, and acoustic performances; open mic nights; poetry and fiction readings; student music group performances; and the annual WinterFest Arts Competition.
Colgate students also work with Hamilton schoolchildren on arts & crafts projects during KidFest weekend mornings.
For more programming information, see this website.
What's being served at The Barge
The Barge serves its own specialty coffee, called the Colgate University Blend, that is available for purchase online. In fact, it offers a wide range of hot and cold drinks, including coffees, teas, smoothies, cocoa, and various iced beverages.
Hungry? The Barge offers a mouth-watering selection of things to eat, from cookies to pie to toasted bagels.
History of The Barge
The Barge Canal Coffee Co. opened its doors to the Hamilton and Colgate communities in September 1996. The coffeehouse has become a popular gathering spot for Village residents and Colgate faculty, staff, and students – a living room for the community that serves a wicked cup of joe.
The brainchild of several administrators, including Colgate's then-president Neil Grabois, the concept was to provide a non-alcoholic social spot for students, serve as an economic anchor to the downtown shopping district, and offer a meeting place for students and community members.
The Barge is managed by Judy Schenk and Susan Pasachnik and staffed by a loyal group of Colgate and area high school students. They help to make this coffeehouse a welcoming and comfortable spot in which to read the paper, catch up with friends, or just hang out.
How to reach us
Drop by The Barge at 37 Lebanon St. or call us at 315.824.4331.