Tag Archives: Lenox Lounge

Read full statement on Lenox Lounge brand continuing in Harlem

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Back from holiday vacation and going through gazillion emails on Harlem. The big Harlem story that happened over the holidays was the continuing saga on Harlem’s Lenox Lounge. Several news outlets reported recently on how the Lenox Lounge brand will continue by moving a few blocks up on Lenox Avenue in Harlem-333 Lenox Ave to be exact. Stories were generated due to Alvin Reed’s peeps releasing a statement on January 3. This blog did receive the full statement Jan 3 while on vacation and wanted to share it in its entity.

Lenox Lounge Statement 010313

Lenox Lounge will be renamed Notar Jazz Club, Richie Notar and Alvin Reed finally cross paths

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If anyone thinks there is a grain of hope left for Lenox Lounge in Harlem, forget about it! Read the latest article from The NY Daily News. Richie Notar is now publicly speaking about his plans for the vintage Harlem establishment. Notar told Community Board 10 “he does not want to change much.” However, Notar confirms he will change the name to Notar Jazz Club.

By the way, Notar and Alvin Reed crossed paths for the first time according to the article. That had to be interesting.

After reading the article, all I could think about is “what a pity that Notar does not see any value in saving the Lenox Lounge brand?” There are plenty of smart business people who have taken on well-known brands and successfully lifted those brands higher. Say Fiat? Say Izod? How about Puma? Guess Richie Notar is a play-it-safe-kind-of-a-businessman?

The good things coming out of this story is that Notar plans to hire Franco the Great to do a mural and Harlemites will continue to have a jazz club to patron, which won’t be the same only the structure will exist. Buh-humbug.

It’s goodbye for Harlem’s Lenox Lounge, may it RIP

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The days are numbered for Harlem’s famous Lenox Lounge. Grub Street.com double confirms today what Black Enterprise reported yesterday, which was the commercial space will now be rented out to Richie Notar. Also, the NYMag blog reports Robert De Niro is involved. See story below.

That’s it for Lenox Lounge in Harlem. It’s done. Over. Finished. Go there by December 31st to say your goodbyes. That’s the last day Lenox Lounge will be open! May it rest in peace.

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Drinking Liberally launching Harlem Chapter, first gathering is tonight at Lenox Lounge

For those of you that are left of center on social issues, that would mean the Big L for liberal, listen up! Drinking Liberally, a national organization that focuses on “promoting democracy one pint at a time” is launching a Harlem Chapter. And the launch party is tonight (May 16) at Lenox Lounge. Start time is 6 pm! If you are interested, sign up on their Facebook page or go to their national website to learn more.

Lenox Social becomes Corner Social in Harlem avoiding legal drama with Lenox Lounge

As most of us know already, last week the owners of the former Lenox Social in Harlem decided to change its name to the Corner Social because that’s where they are actually located in Harlem, i.e. on a corner, and to avoid confrontation with the historic Lenox Lounge. It has been a smooth transition from what I have heard and patrons are flowing in at a steady pace to that “Corner” on 126th Street and Lenox. And if you’re wondering-like I was-if the former Lenox Social and Lenox Lounge ever really came to blows in court, I have confirmation from the Corner Social’s peeps that it never happened and there was never any settlement around a trade infringement. The folks behind Corner Social told me they decided to change their name because they wanted to “take the high road” and move on with building a successful dining and bar establishment in Harlem!

So there you have it. No court drama ever happened between the two entities. We can now all move on, which most of us have, and party on at the Corner Social and Lenox Lounge in Harlem!

Lenox Lounge in Harlem goes after Lenox Social on trademark infringement?

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I am so disappointed right now by Lenox Lounge in Harlem if this article in Crain’s New York proves true. Crain’s reported April 8 that “Harlem’s Lenox Lounge sent “representatives” to the bar [Lenox Social] to inform the newcomers that using the name Lenox Social “constituted trademark infringement.”

Get outta here! Can you believe this? This just smells of pure desperation and greed on one side. Why is Lenox Lounge going after Lenox Social when they can’t even pay their rent, according to a recent article in the Daily News? Shouldn’t the owners of Lenox Lounge worry about saving their own home before going after someone else’s? And why can’t there be a Lenox Lounge and Lenox Social on Lenox Avenue in Harlem? There’s room for everyone to play in the restaurant sand box and who ultimately has the rights to the name “Lenox?”.

This is just sad and making me want to sort of retract my earlier blog post on Lenox Lounge. I really hope this article proves to be wrong or I hope Lenox Social doesn’t end up caving to this potential nonsense and change their name.

This story is clearly not over. Stay tuned.

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!

Zagat surveyors grant Lenox Lounge in Harlem high marks

Mar 1, 2011 @ 23:40
By HarlemGal
According to NY1,  Zagat surveyors, the experts on rating everything, have bestowed our historic and charming Lenox Lounge in Harlem with strong ratings, not necessarily for drinks and music, but for food, i.e. dining out. Sharron Cannon, general manager of Lenox Lounge, said their entire menu has been revamped where they now offer homemade made items.

In the NY1 video, the Lenox Lounge food dishes look divine and they must be because Zagat issued Lenox Lounge high marks. Located at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue, Lenox received a 23 for appeal, nineteen for decor, twenty-one for service and an E for expensive. What can one expect from a place where legends like Billie Holiday, BB King and Miles Davis use to hang.

Lenox Lounge
288 Lenox Avenue
212-427-0253
www.lenoxlounge.com

Harlem in watercolor through the eyes of a local artist

Feb 24, 2010 @ 7:55

Watercolors by Lynn Lieberman

By HarlemGal
Since our inception well over a year ago, HarlemCondoLife (HCL) has been introduced to several interesting people living and working in Harlem-particularly local artists who have a positive link to Harlem. HCL would like to introduce  some of these individuals to you, along with their work, in hope that you will be moved and amazed by the wealth of talent that lives right here in our Harlem community. We certainly are impressed and excited to have you meet some of these talented individuals on our blog site. To help us kick off our first HCL Artist Profile, first up is a local watercolorist. In a Q&A (questions and answers) format, meet Lynn Lieberman in her own words on Harlem in watercolor.

Watercolors by Lynn Lieberman

What is your area of specialty? And why do you feature Harlem in your art work?
My primary area is watercolor. I live, work and create right here in Harlem.  Most of my work is small format-note cards of everything from the famous Lenox Lounge to Apollo Theater to Lee Lee’s Bakery, where Mr. Lee displays my painting of his bakery. In an effort to capture more of Harlem, last year I created a watercolor map of Harlem, which was updated this year and can be viewed on my website.

As for why Harlem, we have street after street of graceful prewar buildings, each with their own unmistakable curves and lines. Many have been home to the people who reside there for decades, and signs of love and longevity protrude from window boxes, along with flower pots and signs in the windows.

Watercolors by Lynn Lieberman

Does Harlem move and inspire your art work?
Inspiration here in Harlem is endless for a watercolorist.  No matter how many times I walk the streets of Harlem, I always see something different and new to paint, from the Harlem Meer in the Fall to Fields Court at Christmas to the colorful Minton’s Jazz Club, Mike’s Newsstand on 122nd Street and Lenox Avenue, and to Tonnie’s Minis, where they also display my note card painting of the place.

Watercolors by Lynn Lieberman

Is it challenging to use Harlem in your work?
The only challenge to painting Harlem is what to leave out.

Aside from watercoloring Harlem, HCL has to ask what are some of your favorite things about it?
Harlem Seasons. At the first sign of Spring and all through the Summer, window sills are abound with color right up until Halloween pumpkins and Christmas trees with lights. No Holiday is forgotten here.

Watercolor by Lynn Lieberman

Harlem people. Where else in this City can you find people sitting on the sidewalk in their beach chairs enjoying a beautiful Summer evening or barbecuing in front of their building?

Harlem has a plethora of green space from our major Parks to our local Green Thumb gardens-giving us easy access to hours of walking or bike riding from the minute we walk out our front door.

Watercolors by Lynn Lieberman

Our diversity is great. I was born here in the City and have lived in a variety of places over the years, always returning home. Harlem is a place where I feel most comfortable and the place where I live with my family.

And Harlem has s vibrant art community with plenty of ongoing events at the Studio Museum of Harlem, the Harlem Arts Alliance and Casa Frela Gallery, which represents my work.

Watercolor by Lynn Lieberman

In full disclosure, I have purchased notecards from Lynn as gifts. They were a hit on the receiving end with friends and family. Don’t miss out on seeing Lynn’s work in person. Her work is currently hanging, with framed pieces for sale , at Native Restaurant and Il Caffe Latte-both on Lenox Avenue and for sale unframed at www.afinelyne.com

Watercolor by Lynn Lieberman

And if you know of a local artist we should spotlight on HCL, who resides in Harlem and their work is linked to all things positive about Harlem, please send your recommendations to feedback@harlemcondolife.com.

Harlem’s Lenox Lounge turns 70

Nov 10, 2009 @ 16:44

By HarlemGal
On November 11, 1939 a jazz institution was born on 288 Lenox Avenue. On Wednesday, the Lenox Lounge, the long standing and well known jazz bar, is marking its 70th anniversary! But do not uncork the champaign bottle just yet. The Lenox Lounge has something big planned in honor of turning the big 70. Those details are being handled just like a jazz song, smooth and delicious, and will be released at a later date. Come back here for more info on their celebration.

In the mean time, feel free to drop by this weekend if you have the urge to celebrate their 70th now or you need a good dose of jazz. The line up this weekend is the Harlem All-Stars. They are playing Friday and Saturday night at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 PM.

In closing, HarlemCondoLife says congrats to the Lenox Lounge on their milestone and may there be 70 more years of authentic jazz in this great place!!! Salude!

Lenox Lounge
288 Lenox Ave
New York, NY 10027-4921
(212) 427-0253