Suffering from a severe case of poison ivy but not wanting to stay home on a Friday night, I called up some friends and we decided we’d go to the Underwater Coffee House at 6194 Washington (at Skinker).
We went in the front door Where we paid our 55 cent cover charge then we went underground. It’s dark in the basement, the only light coming from the spotlight (for the singers) and the citronella candles on the tables. There are fish nets hanging on the ceiling, and the tables are arranged in no particular order. There’s even a small dance floor!
We took a table and were brought potato chips and pretzels. The girl told us that the coffee and tea were free, then asked if anyone wanted drinks. When she brought the drinks, I asked her what her name was and started the interview.
Her name is Diane Rathert, and from her I learned that the coffee house is sponsored and run by an organization called Christ for Youth Today. Christ for Youth Today is a group of high school and college, kids who believe that God is alive and relevant to youth. Five members of this group make up the committee that runs the coffee house. Diane then explained the letters on the menus and signs.
They are the Greek letters IZΘYC. When translated into English letters it comes out -as ICHTHUS. Ichthus is Greek for fish and the fish was a symbol used by the early Christians. That’s the reason the place was named the Underwater Coffee House. Also, the Greek letters stand for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior.
I asked about the Monday night rap sessions mentioned on the signs. Diane informed me that there is no entertainment on Monday nights but that people sit around and talk to each other, even if they don’t know each other. Anyone who wants to can give a poetry or prose reading or put on a play or do anything really, but the management doesn’t plan anything. Sounds’ great doesn’t it?
The last things that Diane told me were that they need more clientele, customers on any of the nights they’re open. They also need volunteer workers. If you’re interested in working at the coffee house, please call 721-1517. The Underwater Coffee House is open on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 to 12 and on Monday nights from 7 to 10.
I really like the place and you will too. Give it a try!
Originally published in The Paper, October 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1970_10.pdf, printed page(s) 5.
Archive transcription note
The unusual letter sequence “IZΘYC” is retained as printed, rather than silently replaced with a corrected Greek spelling.
