Shrine of Harlem is part of a series of tidbits from the chapters of my book Bars, Taverns and Dives New Yorkers Love, published by Rizzoli. You can order it online at Powell’s, Amazon, Rizzoli, and Barnes & Noble. Signed prints of the bars in the book are available here.
“Walk into Shrine of Harlem during the day to visit the venue and art exhibition,” owner Abdel Ouedraogo says, “We have different genres of live music performances every night beginning at 4 p.m.—rock, jazz, African, Latin, reggae, blues, country, indie. From midnight to closing, we have different DJs playing all types of music for music lovers to dance.”
And that’s the community Abdel and his wife Sivan have fostered at Shrine: a family of music lovers from all over the city who go there like pilgrims, early and late, any day of the week, to be part of this special place. Often with no cover. Gotta love that in New York.
Shrine is warm and lovely, and their patrons will welcome you like part of their family. Abdel says newcomers are struck by “the mix of people from all races and backgrounds and the very friendly customer service. Our goal is to make you feel at home.”
Best Time to Visit Shrine of Harlem: Sundays at 5 p.m. for the weekly jazz jam featuring Lu Reid. There’s a thinner crowd than Friday and Saturday nights, so you’ll be able to chill at the bar and check the place out, especially the eye-popping décor. After the jam, stick around and you might see anything: big band, reggae, punk, or even “hypnotic folk.” Bonus: On Sundays there’s no admission fee at the nearby Studio Museum in Harlem. It’s one of the gems of the neighborhood, “internationally known for its catalytic role in promoting the works of artists of African descent.” Check it out, then round out your cultural experience with live music at Shrine.
Best Seat in the House: Sit anywhere at the little bar, settle in, take your time, and enjoy a drink and a snack. “When you’re done,” says Abdel, “take two steps away from the bar and dance to the live music or DJs.”
Drink: Start off with a Henny Colada. Why? “It’s the best Hennessy Colada in town!” as the lady next to us at the bar said. My wife couldn’t ignore an endorsement like that and got herself a Piña Colada made with Hennessy cognac in place of the standard rum. Next get something from Shrine’s cocktail menu. How about the Baron, a bright, bubbly brandy-based riff on a French 75 that takes Sivan’s maiden name?
Recipe: Henny Colada
2 oz. Hennessy cognac
2 oz. coconut cream
2 oz. pineapple juice
Pour all ingredients into blender with ice and blend until smooth. Pour into a sexy Piña Colada glass. Top with a maraschino cherry and pineapple slice.
Happy hour: Monday–Saturday, 4–8 p.m. $3 draft beers, $5 frozen margaritas, $6 well drinks, and special prices on appetizers.
Next up:
The Rusty Knot of the far, far West Village in Manhattan: another chapter of my book Bars, Taverns and Dives New Yorkers Love, which you can order right here. Limited-edition signed prints of the bars are available here.