Funky Venues

Venue Review

Character: New York inspired Cocktail and Soul Food Diner with late nightclub.

Funky Features: Window seating, gold gilded ceiling, grand chandelier,oversized picture frame encircling the bar, expertly crafted cocktails, underground DJ Den, Wifi.

Location and History

Set on the corner of Westbourne Grove near Bayswater station, this American style cocktail bar and soul food diner was first opened in 2003 by music producer Arthur Baker. Crowned the Best Branded Concept in the 2005 Theme Awards, Harlem attracts a mixed crowd of Notting Hill locals and world renowned musicians, who come for the expertly crafted drinks and contemporary and American Soul music.

Interior

The atmosphere of New York cool is enhanced by the long dark wooden bar which mirrors the floor throughout and the red velvet curtains frame the comfortable large window seating area, which makes it an ideal place to enjoy the American style ‘soul food’; from Harlem Uptown Brunch complete with pancakes and bacon to Soul Classics like the Harlem Special Buttermilk fried chicken and Harlem Surf and Turf.

Comfortable leather topped stools run along a second bar adjacent to the main cocktail bar, where drinkers and diners can take advantage of the free Wifi and tap on a laptop whilst indulging in an original cocktail creation.Try the personally recommended ‘Fa afafene’, Vodka shaken with lime and apple juices, honey and passion fruit syrups and a dash of grenadine.

The bar itself is encircled in an over sized vintage gold frame which complements the gold gilded ceiling and grand chandelier which lights the room. A selection of imported beers from the North American Moosehead to Anchor Steam Beer can be enjoyed within the bar and if you feel the need for something closer to home, try a specialist beer handmade in Greenwich.

Turning the traditional beer on its head you can also indulge in a‘Boilermaker’, which is beer and a shot combination such as, ‘Mexicalia’, which is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Dan Julio Anejo Tequila. Harlem double shooters are also a speciality as are freshly made smoothies and all cordials and juices are freshly squeezed on site.

The Harlem underground is an underground DJ den, which is more minimalist than upstairs but still retains the friendly atmosphere complete with disco balls and a specialist bourbon cabinet with many to sample. Various clusters of seating arrangements surround a good dance floor area in which to party along to the resident DJ’s until 2am.

Spaces For Hire

Upstairs is great for dinner and to relax with a cocktail and Harlem can take a wide range of bookings from a couple for dinner to a group party.Downstairs, The Harlem Underground is open late night and can be hired as a whole for up to 60 people with DJ decks included. The whole venue is capable of a maximum capacity of up to 110 people.