Lounges and bars are coming back to Harlem in a big way now and the Harlem Public under construction at 149th and Broadway is the next notable watering hole to arrive uptown. We have been following the renovation progress at 3612 Broadway in West Harlem for the past few months and the gutted commercial space appears to be ready for its new storefront. The proprietors just posted the sketch of the forthcoming facade on Facebook and it looks like the aesthetic is spot on for a classic new spot in Hamilton Heights. As far as better establishments are concerned, there's not much to do this far north on the west side so the Harlem Public should really set the tone for the new businesses in the area. Follow Harlem Public via Facebook:
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Good to see the upper part of Harlem finally get some love!
ReplyDeleteyeah, no doubt! I was pretty bummed when I saw the other new bar in the neighborhood (141/Broadway) was going to be a "cigar bar," but hopefully this will make up for it.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain Gwin. My oasis in West Harlem used to be Cafe Largo but when they shuttered their doors I was beside myself. Fortunately places like Trufa, Picante, and Tanto Dulce have steeped up to the plate but I still haven't found my 'Cheers' spot. That being said don't knock the cigar bar...lol. I live a couple blocks from there. It's a really awesome spot and has been getting a lot of good traffic. The exterior and interior are old school classy. It's something different for the neighborhood but at the same time something to that attracts a huge following among the Dominican population that has called the area home since the 80's. It's a nice throwback without alienating everyone else the way that a caviar bar would...lol
ReplyDeletedont forget the 160s......great area near Jumel....just need some stores.....anyone looking to open a coffee bar/ lounge/ beer hall...come on up! we would welcome you....calling entreprenours
ReplyDeleteNotice that the plans include outdoor space in the front. Looks like it could be a great addition to the neighborhood.
ReplyDelete@CityDweller: I'm an adamant non-smoker and hate cigar smoke most of all. Therefore a cigar bar is out of the question as a hangout for me. I know a lot of local people who feel this way about the bar.
ReplyDeleteI'm a non-smoker as well (perhaps not adamantly though). I have tried a cigar a couple times. I couldn't make that spot MY hang out either. What I'm saying is that it fulfills a need and one that for the time being is making business sense based on the traffic it is getting. And of course there are a lot of local people who feel that way! That's democracy! Opinions are all over the place on any choice of business that sets up shop.There's something for everyone and that's one slice of consumers who are happy about it.Plus it's not like their standing on the corner blowing smoke in my face.I never thought a creperie was even in the list of options...but there's Plick's.Haven't visited yet though.In the end the dollars will justify the wisdom of those decisions as we've seen with Emperor's Roe and other cigar bars in Harlem.
ReplyDeleteOK, I do see what you're saying... although if I could play devil's advocate for a moment, it just goes further in promoting an unhealthy lifestyle in an area where people should really be cutting down on smoking in general (if I have to pick one more cigarette butt out of the tree pits on my block...).
ReplyDeleteAlso, a regular bar would have made EVERYONE happy, and not just the cigar-smoking set.
Btw, I know Emperor's Roe is caviar. I lumped it in there with niche businesses that have shuttered in the past.
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! We need this!
ReplyDeleteWhy has Hamilton Heights been this weird Dead Zone of Determined Non-Development? I am delighted to look forward to Harlem Public and hope that it ushers in many more such spots. This is the most conservative, unimaginative neighborhood retail scene I've ever witnessed in 32 years of living in New York. Everyone who lives here deserves better than to have to go 20 blocks up or downtown just to share a nice cocktail with a friend at a welcoming neighborhood spot. I'll be spreading the word about Harlem Public. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand your frustration StNickCitizen. Hamilton Heights has been baron for the most part.It seems that those who have been brave enough to step out to bring something new have met some bitter ends.Starbucks showed up too soon.Café Largo was an oasis in that desert and they couldn't stick around.Other places like Acapulco Caliente(I think they changed names recently) never really launched.All other spots follow the Dominican Restaurant model which doesn't cast as wide a net.Fortunately places like Trufa,Tanto Dulce,and Picante have weathered the storms.And now Plick's seems to be getting very good traffic. But between 139St and 165St it's mostly dry.I'm glad to see Harlem Public treading new terrain.I wish them uber success. I do highly recommend Picante for cocktails though.They have a really nice bar.And they're food prices are really cheap.The place is awesome for groups.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget Tonalli! Owned by the same people who own Picante and there's a lovely bar. Let's support all our new establishments - they truly exemplify the word Entrepreneur!
ReplyDeleteI think it's also worth mentioning that Harlem Public isn't about the cocktails. It's about the beer--microbrews, specifically. If it's as good as The Bronx Ale House (same owner as Harlem Public), which opened in a far less congenial setting to a brewpub several years back, and is now doing land office biz, it should be packed with customers within a week of opening.
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