REMEMBER: GAY BARS OF THE RECENT PAST

There have been a couple of stories on the old Silver Rail Bar just below 125th Street on 8th Avenue in the past but Bespoke readers are the ones who have revealed the forgotten LGBT history at some of Harlem's establishments in 70s, 80s or 90s.  This block would eventually be demolished for the big glassy Harlem USA complex but before that happened, 2321 8th Avenue became Andre's which appears to haves been the spot for the gay community to socialize.

Andre's filled-in where the Silver Rail left off and did very well. Another gay bar on 125th St. was known as Jay's and lets not forget the Big Apple. All three catered to a particular sub-set within the black gay culture of Harlem. The Big Apple catered to older, middle-aged gay black men while Andre's was known for its demimonde and Jays catered to everyone else including hustlers.  

We visited each site this week to see what they look like in 2016.  Anyone with more details on the actual dates they were open should comment accordingly or contact: harlembespoke@gmail.com

REMEMBER: THE LANGSTON HUGHES HOUSE CIRCA 1940

Harlem Bespoke: We have written a lot about the Langston Hughes House at at 20 East 127th Street over the years but never pulled up an archival photo.  The above historic images from the city files show the matching brownstones on the block between Fifth Avenue and Park a few year before the Harlem poet would reside within on the top floor as his workspace.  

DRINK: COCKTAILS & CULTURE AT MCNY

Thursday, June 22nd, 6:00PM-9:00PM, Cocktails & Culture: Celebrate Pride at Museum of the City of New York, 104th Street and Fifth Avenue. Celebrate Pride at our June edition of Cocktails & Culture! Dance the night away to the sounds of veteran New York DJ Chauncey D, spinning a versatile selection of house and dance beats throughout the evening. Catch exciting drag performances from Hibiscus and Mary Muscles. Enjoy themed cocktails cocktails and other libations from the MCNY Bar, plus delicious light bites from our pop-up cafe. Museum galleries will be open during the event so everyone can check out the latest exhibit New York Now: Home. Online tickets now available:  LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2023

REMEMBER: GLADYS BENTLEY'S CLAM HOUSE

Harlem Bespoke: We are revisiting some of the great LGBT history post over the years on Bespoke and one of the larger than life icons of the Renaissance years was a cross-dressing lesbian that became an instant celebrity throughout the speakeasy society of New York City.

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

REMEMBER: THE PINK ANGEL ON ST. NICHOLAS AVENUE

Harlem Bespoke: In celebration of Pride Month, HB will be revisiting some of the great history of uptown's LGBT legacy that goes back to the Renaissance years. This article was previously published back in 2015 and reveals the range of diversity in Harlem seldom covered by the mainstream media.  Since the article was written, St. Nick's Pub was gutted and demolished soon after a fire destroyed most of the townhouse building 4 years ago. 

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

REMEMBER: THE LEGENDARY IMPERIAL LODGE OF ELKS

Harlem Bespoke:  In celebration of Pride Month, HB will be revisiting some of the great history of uptown's LGBT legacy that goes back to the Renaissance years.  This article was previously published back in 2015 and reveals the range of diversity in Harlem seldom covered by the mainstream media.

Over the weekend, we caught up with some Harlem cultural history by watching Paris is Burning for about the 30th time and still wondered where the main ballroom in the film was located at within Harlem.  There is so much going on in the amazing Jennny Livingston documentary from 1990 which showcase the underground ballroom scene of Harlem that one can miss out when the narrator mentions the Imperial Lodge of Elks at 160 West 129th Street.  Viewers actually can see the taxidermy of an elk's head up at the lacquered red balconies in many of the scenes.

CELEBRATE: HARLEM PRIDE IN JUNE 2023

Harlem Bespoke:  Mark those calendars for a great day in Harlem featuring food, vendors and a stage with live entertainment. The annual celebration will be set up on 12th Avenue at the north end of the viaduct with great views of the Hudson just steps away. 

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

LGBTQ MEETUP AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM IN OCTOBER

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second Tuesday of every month.

LGBTQ MEETUP NIGHT AT THE CLIFFS HARLEM IN JULY

Harlem Bespoke: CRUX empowers members of the LGBTQ community to participate in rock climbing and outdoor recreation in New York.  CRUX will host meetup nights at The Cliffs at Harlem on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month and it is only $15 for the night.

PRIDE FLAG OVER THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING

Harlem Bespoke:  We noticed that the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building at the corner of 7th Avenue and 125th Street was also showing some pride this week.  The rainbow colors of the LGBT Pride flag was waving in the wind alongside the state and national flags which was quite a sight to behold.  Seeing that Harlem has had so many famous gay luminaries in neighborhood over the decades, it would only make sense to recognize the community at the government level as a sign of unity.  We have noticed more and more rainbow flags on uptown homes over the years and the visibility really shows the overwhelming support in the neighborhood.  Happy Pride Month everyone!

HarlemBespoke.com 2022

REMEMBER: THE ROCKLAND PALACE CIRCA 1940

Harlem Bespoke: We had to do some digging to find archival photos of the forgotten Rockland Palace at 280 West 155th Street by Frederick Douglass Boulevard and these are the only other images of the block on file through the city records.  Originally called the Manhattan Casino, the Rockland Palace would become infamous in the roaring 20s for the Hamilton Lodge drag balls that would attract over 8,000 revelers from all over the city and country. Uptown's underground LGBT ballroom scene would live on into modern times but the event space did not endure recent decades. 

DRINK: UPTOWN LGBT BARS 2022

Harlem Bespoke:  Uptown gays bars took a hit during the pandemic since Boxers shuttererd on Broadway by 159th Street but a new addition has since arrived on the scene.  Below are some current alternatives to LGBT nightlife in upper Manhattan.

REMEMBER: GLADYS BENTLEY'S CLAM HOUSE

Harlem Bespoke: We are revisiting some of the great LGBT history post over the years on Bespoke and one of the larger than life icons of the Renaissance years was a cross-dressing lesbian that became an instant celebrity throughout the speakeasy society of New York City.