Larry Williams, 20, is a music synthesis student at Berklee College who studied under nationally recognized trumpeter and teacher Fernando Pullum in South Central Los Angeles. Williams is one of the many students who has taken advantage of the opportunities at Café 939 to make a little extra money. (Margarita Persico photo)

By Margarita Persico

Café 939 has three rooms: the café, the nightclub, and the Allan McLean room, pictured here, which is a sitting room in the back. Named in appreciation of McLean, a trustee of Berklee College of Music since 1977, the room features photos of important and famous personalities who visited Berklee such as jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, Quincy Jones, Lawrence Berk and Duke Ellington. (Margarita Persico photo)

Three months after Café 939 threw open its doors to the city’s music-playing masses, it looks like the Berklee College of Music venture on Boylston Street is accomplishing its goal: giving students support, offering artists a place to play, and providing live entertainment to people of all ages.

It’s also home to a mean panini, a tasty latte and some rocking cakes.

But the food is secondary to the coffeehouse/nightclub’s status as a space for students, artists and the community at large. According to Jacqueline Indrisano, booking agents and performing artists tell her that Boston was “long overdue” for such a multipurpose venue — particularly one that is alcohol-free, allowing entry to performers and fans under the age of 21. [to continue reading, click here.]

At Cafe 939, Berklee's venue, Benjamin Taylor (born 1977) is a musician and actor, and the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon. (Photo: Margarita Persico)