Three Reasons to Visit Harlem
29/09/2022
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The once forgotten, northern neighbourhood of Harlem is all kinds of trendy these days, repping its rich cultural heritage and soulful gentrification with pride. If you’re Manhattan bound and looking to explore beyond 110th, here are three reasons to visit Harlem.
Apollo Theater
Neo-classical landmark, African-American icon and superstar launchpad, the lauded Apollo Theater can claim roots as far back as the early 1900s, but despite being an aged-old gal she remains as revered and relevant today as she was a century ago. Having helped establish many an American musical genre from Swing to Soul, and catapult names like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, Luther Vandross and Lauryn Hill into the musical stratosphere, the heritage music hall is still the go-to stage for amateur nights and big-ticket concerts alike, plus dance, comedy, educational, and historical events and seminars. Check online for full calendar details.
El Museo del Barrio
(Closed for Fall 2022 Exhibition installation. Will reopen on October 27, 2022) Nestled between the Museum of the City of New York and the future site of the Museum for African Art, the 6,500-piece-strong, nigh on millenium-spanning El Museo del Barrio highlights Puerto Rican and Latin-American art and culture via exhibitions, educational activities, festivals and events. August and September bring block party and bilingual kids’ outings, plus, this representing the best of Latin America and all, there’s a great cafe replete with ace empanadas, ceviche, tacos, platos fuertes and more, but natch.
Red Rooster
There’s no better way to acquaint yourself with local culture than via its cuisine, and nowhere is more renowned for its flavour both on the plate and in the air than American comfort food staple Red Rooster. From cornbread, shrimp n’ grits and biscuit n’ gravy brunch through yardbird lunch to short-rib and jerk chicken dinner, RR’s finger-licking, rib-sticking offering is all set to a vibey funk-soul soundtrack in humming digs perma-rammed with up-for-it party types. And if that’s not enough to sate the gourmand in you, check out Taste Harlem’s culinary tours to further your education.
Apollo Theater / 253 W 125th St / +1 212-531-5300 / apollotheater.org/
El Museo del Barrio / 1230 5th Ave / +1 212-831-7272 / 11am-6pm Wed-Sat, 12pm-5pm Sun / elmuseo.org/
Red Rooster / 310 Malcolm X Blvd / +1 212-792-9001 / lunch & dinner daily, brunch Sat-Sun / redroosterharlem.com
Apollo Theater
Neo-classical landmark, African-American icon and superstar launchpad, the lauded Apollo Theater can claim roots as far back as the early 1900s, but despite being an aged-old gal she remains as revered and relevant today as she was a century ago. Having helped establish many an American musical genre from Swing to Soul, and catapult names like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., James Brown, Luther Vandross and Lauryn Hill into the musical stratosphere, the heritage music hall is still the go-to stage for amateur nights and big-ticket concerts alike, plus dance, comedy, educational, and historical events and seminars. Check online for full calendar details.
El Museo del Barrio
(Closed for Fall 2022 Exhibition installation. Will reopen on October 27, 2022) Nestled between the Museum of the City of New York and the future site of the Museum for African Art, the 6,500-piece-strong, nigh on millenium-spanning El Museo del Barrio highlights Puerto Rican and Latin-American art and culture via exhibitions, educational activities, festivals and events. August and September bring block party and bilingual kids’ outings, plus, this representing the best of Latin America and all, there’s a great cafe replete with ace empanadas, ceviche, tacos, platos fuertes and more, but natch.
Red Rooster
There’s no better way to acquaint yourself with local culture than via its cuisine, and nowhere is more renowned for its flavour both on the plate and in the air than American comfort food staple Red Rooster. From cornbread, shrimp n’ grits and biscuit n’ gravy brunch through yardbird lunch to short-rib and jerk chicken dinner, RR’s finger-licking, rib-sticking offering is all set to a vibey funk-soul soundtrack in humming digs perma-rammed with up-for-it party types. And if that’s not enough to sate the gourmand in you, check out Taste Harlem’s culinary tours to further your education.
Apollo Theater / 253 W 125th St / +1 212-531-5300 / apollotheater.org/
El Museo del Barrio / 1230 5th Ave / +1 212-831-7272 / 11am-6pm Wed-Sat, 12pm-5pm Sun / elmuseo.org/
Red Rooster / 310 Malcolm X Blvd / +1 212-792-9001 / lunch & dinner daily, brunch Sat-Sun / redroosterharlem.com