Most folks think of the uptown's big historic clubs when reminiscing about the Harlem Renaissance decades but locals just went mainly to the smaller speakeasy type of establishments. The above photo of 71 West 127th Street is a good example of the brownstone lounges that were quite common on the side streets of Central Harlem but no longer exists today. These hometown establishments were most likely to be black-owned and did not have segregation policies for patrons such as bigger boites which were more popular with downtowners looking for a little excitement during the prohibition years. This particular row of townhouses just east of Lenox no longer stand today and community garden has sprung up at this location.
Archival image courtesy MCNY
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