Category Archives: Lenox Avenue

OMG…Lenox Lounge in Harlem could close. Please no!


According to The New York Daily News, Harlem’s famed music establishment Lenox Lounge “could be on its last set.” The current owner, Al Reed, says the landlord of the property wants $20k a month from the prior $10k. The article states Reed is shopping the place around and that there are interested parties, such as Harlemite and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. I hope that is really true about Samuelsson.

Overall, this is sad news to hear. Closing Lenox Lounge would be like closing the Apollo Theater. These establishments are Harlem/American icons. Our community and New York City needs to desperately try to hold on to these treasures. It’s part of NYC’s fabric of life. Lenox Lounge is so special cause of its long history. It’s vintage. I will go as far as saying it should be a landmark and should be preserved. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that an investor views it that way…soon!

Top 50 things to do with kids in Harlem

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According to Mommy Poppins, there is a boat load of fun and interesting activity to do in Harlem with kids! So much so that they have done the heavily lifting for us and compiled a list of the Top 50 Things to do with kids in Harlem!

The site mentions a ton of activity to do in Harlem from shaking your bon, bon at the Sundae Sermon in Morningside Park, which right now is happening at El Museo in Spanish Harlem until the weather warms up. They also mention participating in family concerts at Kidberry, taking family yoga classes at Land Yoga, watching concerts at Richard Rogers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, ice skating at Lasker Rink in Central Park North, bowling at Harlem Lanes, explore Hamilton Grange and more. The list is 50 lines long. Take a look.

The only other items I would have added is renting bikes at MODSquad Cycles and biking in the northern part of Central Park and attending the annual Pumpkin Sail at Harlem Meer. Aside from that, Mommy Poppins covered plenty of things to do in Harlem. What do you think? Are there other activities that should be on that list? If so, tell us!

Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month starts March 1

It is that time of year again…where Harlem Park to Park presents Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month for the month of March! Starting March 1 and running to March 31, a select group of Harlem businesses will be offering prix fixe menus and select retail items all for $20.12. Check out the list below and head on over to your favorite Harlem hangout this month for Harlem Restaurant and Retail Month!

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Watch Savoring Harlem on the Food Network Friday, February 24


This coming Friday (Feb. 24) at 8 pm our very own celebrity chef, Red Rooster owner, and Harlem local, Marcus Samuelsson, will give Food Network viewers a closer look at Harlem’s food revolution through a special TV program called Savoring Harlem.  In the TV special, Savoring Harlem will showcase the food culture of  several Harlem restaurants, such as Red Rooster Harlem, Melba’s, restaurant pioneer Sylvia’s and more.

Yum! This will be fun to watch and then go out to eat in Harlem afterwards. Turn your tube on at 8 pm to the Food Network!

Lenox Social coming soon to a busy Harlem corner near you

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Harlem is getting another bar and grill soon, but this time it’s going to be on Lenox Avenue, caddy corner to Red Rooster Harlem and directly across the street from Sylvia’s. Lenox Social is the name of this upcoming place and its going to be located on the northwest corner of 126th and Lenox Ave-321 Lenox Ave to be exact. You may have seen the signage outside already when you walk by?

“Lenox Social will be a gathering spot where friends, co-workers, neighbors and families can count on quality food and drinks at reasonable prices,” says Anahi Angelone, a Harlem resident and owner and general manager of Lenox Social.

HarlemGal Inc. reached out to Angelone recently and she has shared some details with us on her new business. According to Angelone, Lenox Social in Harlem will have “a twenty-two foot long bar with 18 traditional and craft beers on tap, and a great cocktail and wine menu. It will have a fireplace, banquette and communal seating, flat screen televisions as well as projectors and drop down screens for special events.” Lenox Social also plans to have WiFi for customers during the day.

As for when Lenox Social will open, all Angelone would say is “they intend to open in the very near future.” So stay tuned Harlemites. We are about to get another new place to hang and dine at!

Amtrak publication makes major faux pas with Harlem, but calls it cool and hip

While Gothamist was quick to point out how Amtrak’s external publication titled Arrive called Harlem a borough, which is a poor journalistic and potentially costly PR mistake, I’d like to point out and focus on how Arrive called Harlem “cool” and “hip.” The article says “New Yorkers are taking notice” of Harlem and “if you blink your eye, something changes.” Yes, this transportation company clearly only sees New York City and it’s sub-sections as a bunch of boroughs. Given the ignorance, it could have been worse. But lets focus on what they really got right, which is featuring our beautiful community and local businesses, talking to good spokespeople about Harlem, and ultimately using the best verbs to describe us, which…hey, we have always known, is being a place that is “hip and cool!” Thank you Amtrak!

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Harlem Holistic Center hosting Skechers’ event January 28

There is a Skechers event happening in Harlem! If you have ever wanted to demo Skechers shoes while working out, head on over to Harlem Holistic Center, located at 115 West 128th Street, this coming Saturday, January 28th. They will be hosting an opportunity to demo Skechers’ new GoRun shoes while taking a Boot Camp class with one of Harlem Holistic Center’s trainer!  After the demo, there will be goody bags, snacks, and a raffle for a free pair of Skechers’ shoes.  To attend the event, the cost is $15.

Harlem Holistic Center is also offering specials now through the end of January, such as $40 for 1 month unlimited yoga, $40 for 1 month unlimited kickboxing, $30 for 1 month Yin/Yang Boot Camp.

To learn more about this event or the specials at Harlem Holistic Center, call 646-477-1421.

Christina Ricci dressed in red in Harlem

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The ABC television show ‘Pan Am’ was filming once again in Harlem (they’ve filmed in West Harlem as well) and one of its stars was seen walking the streets in uptown Manhattan dressed in period piece red! Actress Christina Ricci looks fabulous in this red coat! Hope she got to go out in Harlem in that red coat! That look fits right in Harlem-even if she was in costume as a stewardess from the 60s.

New Harlem coffee shop opens, Lenox Coffee


As one coffee shop closes in Harlem, another opens. It’s called Lenox Coffee, a specialty coffee-house located in Central Harlem at 60 West 129th Street between 5th Avenue and Lenox Avenue. At the moment, Lenox Coffee serves breakfast items i.e., pastries, baked goods, and bagels. They soon hope to be adding lunch items, such as sandwiches and various other sundries.

Lenox Coffee is owned and operated by two Harlem locals and is open seven days a week: 6 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and 8 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday. See you there!

Participate in Harlem’s Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association Online and Silent Auction


There is still time left to participate in Harlem’s Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association Online and Silent Auction, but you better hurry up.

MMPCIA’s Online Auction closes Wednesday, December 7 at 10 pm. Go here to bid on several interesting items. The Silent Auction will take place during the Holiday Gala.

The Auction is part of the associations annual Holiday Gala and Fundraiser, which is taking place this Thursday, December 8 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at Ristorante Settepani, located at 196 Lenox Avenue. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Also required for admission–one toy for a child (up to 10-years old) or canned or dry food for a food pantry. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.