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Published on 7/23/08
Published on 7/23/08
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1. Londel’s Supper Club
At our first stop, we sip champagne as the sweet sounds of a jazz trio drift in from the white-tablecloth dining room next to the bar. A man with a gray beard, bow tie and gold pocket watch saunters over and, without introduction, starts in on the dangers of a McCain presidency. It’s Londel himself—his picture is on the wall with every celebrity who’s ever swanked it up at the supper club. 2620 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Eighth Ave) between 139th and 140th Sts (212-234-6114). Drinks $6–$10.
2. Judi’s
Judi’s looks like your grandmother’s apartment from the outside (white lace curtains tied with pink plastic ribbon) and even more so on the inside (white leather couches and birthday banners on the wall). A woman on her way out reassures us it’s a good spot, saying, “This is a nice place, comfortable,” until the man on her arm pulls her out the door. “What’s up with your hooker friend?” he asks her. We never figure out to whom he was referring. 2308 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Eighth Ave) between 135th and 136th Sts (212-690-0353). Drinks $3.50–$9.
3. Wright Bar and Grill
This place doesn’t actually serve food and has an insider, strangers-are-unwelcome vibe. The bartender, who is wearing a leopard-print lace unitard and carries her cell phone between the twins, serves my friend a glass of Scotch with a splash of ginger ale. 2528 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Eighth Ave) between 134th and 135th Sts, (212-694-9133). Drinks $5–$6.
4. PJ’s Bar and Lounge
Very few patrons are here when we arrive at 10:30—just a friendly bartender who tells us to come back around 2am, when a younger Harlem crowd packs in between the red walls and white banquettes. 2256 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) between 132nd and 133rd Sts (212-862-1511). Drinks $6–$8.
5. Seville Lounge
A blue facade frames a fogged-up window and what looks like the abominable snowman inside, but it’s just a man in the biggest white rabbit coat I’ve ever seen. The patrons are all at least 40, but they’re exceptionally welcoming to us whippersnappers. At some point, I feel a fingernail poking into my back: Apparently, in old-school Harlem, putting your back to the bar is a silent offer to buy everyone a round. Whoops. 2130 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Eighth Ave) at 127th St (no phone). Drinks $5–$7.
6. Harlem Lanes
Central Harlem’s primo Saturday spot—with bowling lanes, a boisterous crowd and an eager throng of drinkers upstairs—is a little slow on service, so we have one beer and skedaddle. 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) between 125th and 126th Sts, third floor (212-678-BOWL). Drinks $5–$9.
7. Revival
Here we sample a Harlem Hazelnut (vanilla vodka and Frangelico, $10), which tastes like a piece of tiramisu. Problem is, at 11:45pm, there’s no one else here. 2367 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Eighth Ave) at 127th St (212-222-8338). Drinks $6–$10.
8. Paris Blues
This is the type of dark, rustic ’70s-style hole where good drunks go to die. Because the place is empty, we have control of the pool table, the dartboard and the jukebox (we go with Bob Dylan and Marvin Gaye). Heaven. 2021 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Eighth Ave) between 121st and 122nd Sts (212-864-9110). Drinks $4–$6.
FINISH Moca Bar and Lounge
Moca describes itself as “chocolate smooth, sexy [and] soft with beautiful curves” on its business card and website. The crowd is all black, but my diverse little crew is immediately comfortable amid the high energy. There’s little room to dance, but the hip-hop is too good not to. I like the place so much that I don’t even mind being nicknamed “Pink Tones” by the guy next to me. 2210 Frederick Douglass Blvd (Eighth Ave) at 119th St (212-665-8081). Drinks $5–$10.
FRIDAY, 3/14/08
Wanna try this crawl? Join TONY writer Nicole Tourtelot at Londel’s Supper Club Fri 14 at 9pm. Just don’t put your back to the bar.*
* WARNING: If you join a crawl, TONY is not responsible for your tab, health, hangover or morning-after humiliation.
N.Harlem
Sun, Mar 16, at 01:48pm
CORRECTION: Judi's is located on ADAM CLAYTON POWELL BLVD. (7th Ave.). Between 135th and 136th St.
Edmund Voyer
Thu, Mar 13, at 01:18pm
I'd like to join you,. Please note Judy's is on Adam Clayton Powell /7th Avenue, not 8th as you listed.
