A born and raised Harlemite, Kim Harris constantly had to travel outside of her neighborhood in search of a good beer. And so, she figured it was time that Harlem had its own. Partnering with fellow HBCU grads Jason Wallace and Stacey Lee, the trio founded Harlem Hops in 2018, the area's first Black-owned craft beer bar. Made to be a place for all to gather, the interior is a sleek find with black, wood-paneled walls and a handsome black bar that nearly runs the length of the space. You know you have truly arrived, as the word "Harlem" is spelled out in lights up above you.
The talented team specializes in hard-to-find beers, with suds sourced from Beacon to Bed Stuy. The bar is also thoughtful to include all, as beers from women- and POC-owned businesses constantly rotate on tap and in cans. There's even a tight lineup of snacks for when the hunger inevitably hits, with salted Bavarian pretzels to pies filled with veggies, beef and even crab on order. When the weather is pleasant, it's easy to take your brew to the backyard and admire the bold mural out back. But for a bit of booze and conversation, you can take a seat at the long bar to learn from the bartender about the science and magic of craft brews.
Time Out tip: If Harlem feels a bit out of reach, the brewery has a small satellite location in Pier 57 so you can have a brew or two right by the water's edge.