The Sugar Hill Historic District in Hamilton Heights probably has the largest cluster of old Harlem lounges still intact but no longer in business. Just west of St. Nicholas Avenue on 148th Street, one will find the old sign for 400 Tavern but that storefront evidently has been abandoned since the 70s. Then there is Lundy's on St. Nicholas and 147th Street which still has the signage up also but has long been empty. Out of the 7 bars that used to be on the hill in the upper 140s, only St. Nick's Pub has survived in recent times but was shuttered a couple of years ago because of management issues.
We have also heard of Jimmy's Chicken Shack of which was frequented by Malcolm X but have not heard the names of the last three. Does anyone know the rest of the missing Sugar Hill pubs?
A couple of things for those tracking down info about these places.
ReplyDeleteRemember that St. Nick's Pub is not the St. Nick's Arena that some Harlem Bespoke readers may know from the (astounding) live recording that Charlie Parker made there in 1950.
Note that the 400 Tavern is not the same as the 400 Club, which apparently the 400 Club referred to exceptionally talented Lindy Hoppers (among them Dizzy Gillespie starting in 1937) who starting in 1927 were allowed to come to the Savoy Ballroom during the day to practice while the band rehearsed. They also apparently ruled the club on Tuesday nights.
By the way, the best single place for this sort of information in the Grove Encyclopedia of Jazz, under "Jazz Clubs."
I assume any of these would be successful if resurrected as the Red Rooster model has shown and St. Nicks Pub was certainly busy until recent mismanagement issues.
ReplyDeleteBowman's Cocktail Lounge, 92 St. Nicholas Place.
ReplyDeleteCliff's Melody Room (same address, upstairs).
My dad (drummer), played there in 1946 with Charlie's Musical Rascals, consisting of Charlie Lee, tenor sax, Charlie Gunn, bass, Little Caesar Whittington (not Whittingham), drums, and Al Tiney, piano. News article with photo published in The New Age dated 3/12/1949.
There is a "Flats Fixed" tire establishment there now.
I don't know much about it as I was about 7 y o.
How do you post a photo here with this article?
Hi Sabatie, we can post photos if you send them over to: harlembespoke@gmail.com
DeleteUlysses, Thank you, I will. I'll name it "Jazz Group 1946-1949, Harlem".
ReplyDeleteit has info on bottom of page.
Can't seem to upload the pics (computer problems) but I found a blog called "Keith York City" (scroll down on rt. side, to "Most Popular Posts", then to, Now & Then: Troger's Hotel) and used google maps to find 92 St Nicholas Place as it is now. In the past, the Troger's Hotel, 92 St Nicholas Place, is a 2nd story building (now a fried chicken store),so that was probably turned into "Bowman's Lounge/Cafe", and next to it is a one story place (now a Flats Fixed place), also 92 St Nicholas Place, was the "Bowman's Bar & Grill". Keith's blog has some info & pics of the area from the late 1800s.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the old newspaper, The New York Age, (3/12/1949), has the article I mentioned above re: Jazz groups playing there. Thanks