UPDATE: New sign is up but the lounge still looks under construction as of 6:00PM. A couple of tips have come in reporting that Cove Lounge on 126th Street and Lenox Avenue will finally open Monday, May 7th. There was some activity within 325 Lenox Avenue in the past weeks and apparently the Food Network featured the new establishment's lobster mac-n-cheese for an upcoming special. Another signature offering to look out for is The Cove which is the lounge's marguerite. Most soft opening are during the evening hours so folks are advised to swing by after work hours.
Just passed by today. A crew had just arrived to install what looks like the signage. I know it's still early but it does not look like that soft opening will be happening today. All the work desks are all still in operation inside. But who knows. Maybe everything will be cleared out by this evening. I am excited though.
ReplyDeleteDo we all think this area can sustain both this place and Lenox/Corner/Harlem Social?
ReplyDeleteAh, I hate to play the guessing game, but I wish them the best of luck. Hopefully the attraction of decent bars/restaurants/cafes in this part of Harlem will draw enough new residents up here to actually give them a fighting chance. Fact is, however, there is probably a very small % of people in the area who can even afford to frequent these places. More market rate housing and market rate renters would help.
ReplyDeleteSo Chris, you are suggesting that people who live in affordable houses should move so that we can have more bars? Hmmmmm.
DeleteChris, you make unsettling assumptions & assertions. Why do you emphasize NEW residents as opposed to simply stating residents? There are plenty of born & bred residents and long time residents who have longed to have such amenities that reflect what they appreciate in their own neighborhood. I love being able to have dinner at Chez Lucienne, then drop by Corner Social for a drink and now perhaps I will have another options all w/in a block of each other.
DeleteBy Anonymous on ☞ DRINK: Cove Lounge Opens Today? at 6:06 PM
Sanou's Mum, just stating facts. Median income for 10027 is $28,569. So Guest, that tells me the majority of existing residents who are on that sort of money are not going to be frequenting Cove Lounge. It isn't an unsettling assumption, just fact. From my observations Harlem is a family based neighborhood similar to what I grew up with in London. Most families there cooked and entertained at home because it was cheaper.
DeleteJust to add...I don't know anyone (old or new resident alike) who can afford the $15 whiskys at Londels!
DeleteGak. I'm sorry. How much for a whiskey?
DeleteJust so you know--Londel's opened around 1994/5 and is still open, so say what you want.
DeleteOh, sorry. "L" on 2131 FDB.
DeleteI'm pretty sure that this restaurant can sustain the business in the area. As long as they know how to provide a great customer experience with quality drinks/food, etc. I don't see this place going anywhere anytime soon. I'm a recent transplant to the Harlem area and my friends and I rather frequent spots in and around the Harlem area rather than making the trek downtown. I'm not sure if the OP has been out in Harlem, but I've been to various newcomers in the are recently and they don't seem to be hurting for business at all. Corner Social was bustling last night......felt like a Thursday.
DeleteCityDweller: You are right that the front room looks unready, but this is because the "Lounge" proper is reached by a separate entrance. The front room with the desks and all the young people with cameras and laptops will eventually be "overflow space," the bouncer told me. He has no idea what it's being used for now.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can tell, the soft opening is today and they expect their formal opening very soon (this weekend?).
Ah...that makes sense. Thanks.
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ReplyDeleteArent there two fairly big Condos in walking distance from Cove?
ReplyDeleteI don't think market renters are the issue here. This isn't a "haves vs have nots" thing, in my opinion.
Many of the folks who do live here and can afford places like Cove Lounge choose not to party here. They hang out downtown.
So ideally, the increase in neighborhood bars and pubs would get those people to try these places instead of heading downtown. Cove is also probably trying to attract the same crown that Red Rooster/Ginny's Place does as well.
I have $5 in my pocket so I hope they will have space for me :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have more bars, restaurants and lounges like this in Harlem. As many here already said, it means you don't have to head downtown all the time.
ReplyDeleteWe attempted to stop by Corner Social on Thursday about 8 o'clock for a light bite. It was completely full, with a young attractive, well-dresswed crowd of what appeared to be 25-35 year-olds. We weren't up for the 20 minute wait and if Cove had been open, we would have gone there. Draw your own conclusions. By the way, re: the $15 whiskey at Londell's, I don't drink, but the restaurant is in the regular rotation of places we dine. Londell's is a Harlem institution of many years, so I don't understand the comment.
ReplyDeleteVal: I agree w/ you...Londel's opened around 1995 and continues to do a brisk business...$15 drinks and all!
Deletevalgb, meant to say "L" on FDB. Owned by the same guy.
DeleteBack to the original comment... Is Cove open??
ReplyDeleteyes as of tonight!
ReplyDelete