With the requisite warm beverages and relaxed atmospheres, independent coffeehouses across Long Island are the perfect remedy for those looking for some serious post-holiday party recovery. But there's more to most coffee shops than a cup o' joe.

"We like to support the community," said Patricia McCarthy, an owner at Cool Beanz in St. James. "We're more than a coffeehouse."

Cool Beanz holds fundraisers and sells the jewelry, paintings and DIY crafts of local artisans and books acoustic musicians exclusively from the Island.

From open mic nights to evenings spent with psychics, art shows to spa treatments and more, it's become common for lattes to play second fiddle to an impressive variety of late-night offerings at local cafes.

Here are a few places worth checking out:

If you want a cool vibe and good music ...

The Cup
3268 Railroad Ave.
Wantagh
516-826-9533
www.thecupcoffeehouse.com
Open: Friday-Saturday: 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday-Thursday: 6 p.m.-midnight

Mere steps from the Wantagh LIRR station, The Cup is a relaxed spot that draws a young, hip clientele to view the artwork of local artists, play board games and drink coffee. The latter is half-off daily from 6-8 p.m.

Menu: House specialty concoctions include the "Shakey Tracks," "Choo Choo Nut" and "Third Rail," a highly caffeinated blend of coffee, espresso, steamed milk, chocolate and whipped cream. Food ranges from dips and sandwiches to decadent desserts, like the smushed-pie-in-a-mug (it's just what it sounds like). Vegan options abound.

Nightlife: Musicians, mostly singer-songwriters, play around 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Wednesday's open mic night packs the house from 9-11:30 p.m. A $1 cover charge applies to all music events.

If you want to be entertained ...

Cool Beanz
556 North Country Rd.
St. James
631-862-4111
saintjamescool beanz.com
Open: Mon: 8a-7p; Tues-Th: 8a-11p; Fr: 8a-12a; Sat: 10a-12a; Sun: Closed

Located in a strip mall that also houses a fitness club and salon, Cool Beanz is a warm space with a decor of mismatched leather couches, tasseled pillows, chandeliers and local artwork.

Menu: Traditional coffees, seasonal drinks and cocktails made with liquor. Soup, biscotti, pound cake and other pastries are all prepared in-house.

Nightlife: Local musicians perform Friday 8-11 p.m. and host open mic nights during the same hours Saturday and Wednesday. Weeknight events include poetry readings, teen open mic, jewelry parties and tarot card readings ($30 for 15-20 minutes).

If you're looking for good eats and serious schmoozing ...

Spoon
125-A S. Wellwood Ave.
Lindenhurst
631-957-7666
spooncoffeehouse.com
Open: Mon-Tues: 11a-9p; Wed: 11a-10p; Th: 11a-10p; Fr-Sat: 11a-12p; Sun: Closed (Open for private parties)

Open three years, Spoon has always focused on performances by local musicians. Patrons can view the work of local artists or play board games such as Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit.

Menu: Seasonal drinks and fruit smoothies are listed beside standard coffees and teas. There are quiches and homemade pizzas, plus an array of tempting desserts (molten lava cake, peanut butter mousse torte).

Nightlife: An eclectic mix of performers play jazz, blues and other music Friday and Saturday from 8 to 11:30 p.m. for $1 cover charge. Open mic nights (Wednesday, $1) and psychic readings (Thursdays by appointment, $25 for 15 minutes) round out the week.

If you're in the mood for people-watching ...

Witches' Brew
311 Hempstead Tpke.
West Hempstead
516-489-9482
Open: Mon: Closed; Tue-Th: 10a-12:45a; Fr: 10a-1:30a; Sat: 11a-1:30a; Sun: 1p-12:45a

In a big old Victorian clapboard house, a heavily tattooed and pierced staff serves up a mind-boggling array of specialty drinks in this comfortable spot with a Goth vibe.

Menu: It's a 12-page affair decorated with doodles of spider webs and bleeding hearts that includes an astounding variety of coffees and teas. The espresso menu alone lists 70 different choices, each with an inventive and appropriately Goth name like "Black Widow" or "Witch Doctor." Food includes the usual desserts -- brownies, pies, cookies -- and savory items, such as focaccia with rosemary and olive oil. Vegan offerings are also available.

Nightlife: Witches' Brew is the one coffeehouse completely devoid of theme nights and other gimmickry. This is the place you go to sit with friends and have a long talk. No live music, no games and no psychics, just conversation -- and plenty of java.

Complete list of local coffee shops:

In Nassau County...

Coffee Nut Café
250 E. Park Ave.
Long Beach
516-987-6616

The Cup
3268 Railroad Ave.
Wantagh
(516) 826-9533
http://www.thecupcoffeehouse.com/

The Grind
2975b Merrick Rd
Bellmore, NY 11710
516-409-6633

Java Room
314 Main Street
Farmingdale
516-752-1420

Kookaburra Coffee Company
69 N. Village Ave.
Rockville Centre
516-255-1750

Mazi Cafe
4133 Merrick Road
Massapequa
516-557-2082
http://www.mazicafe.com

Mo' Joe
95 Mineola Blvd.
Mineola
516-294-0714

Sea Cliff Coffee Company
100 Roslyn Ave.
Sea Cliff
516-671-4411

Witches Brew
311 Hempstead Turnpike
West Hempstead
516-489-9482

In Suffolk County...

Babylon Bean
17 Fire Island Ave.
Babylon
631-587-7729

Brown Dog Café
14 Main Street
Kings Park
631-269-2610

Classy Coffee
20 Clinton Ave.
Huntington
631-421-5745
http://www.classycoffee.com/

Cool Beanz
556 North Country Road
Saint James
631-862-4111
http://www.saintjamescoolbeanz.com

Eastenders Coffee House
40 E. Main St.
Riverhead
631-727-2656
http://eastenderscoffeehouse.com/

Hampton Coffee Company

869 Montauk Highway
Water Mill
631-726-2633

194 Mill Road
Westhampton
631-228-4480
http://www.hamptoncoffeecompany.com

Milk and Sugar Café
49 West Main Street
Bay Shore
631-969-3655
http://www.geocities.com/yore_11733/index.htm

Pisces Café
14 Railroad Ave., #A
Babylon
631-321-1231
http://www.piscescafe.net/

Spoon
125a South Wellwood Avenue
Lindenhurst
631-957-7666
http://spooncoffeehouse.com

Tic Toc Café
410 Lake Ave.
St. James
631-862-2233

Urban Coffee
313 New York Ave.
Huntington
631-935-0100