135th Steet (2, 3)

This station brings you to a massive hospital and housing complex, but poke around and you’ll find this part of Harlem to be a hub of Black excellence and the best biscuit brunch in New York City.

South from the station on Malcolm X Boulevard is Revolution Books, an anti-fascist bookstore and community event space. Across the street is Musette Wine Bar, which doubles as a daytime neighborhood cafe hang for locals.

Inside Revolution Books.

For more activity, walk west to Adam Clayton Powell, home of Harlem Biscuit Company, Project 472’s top biscuit brunch recommendation. For nightlife, visit Harlem Nights (featured on 135 BC) or Shrine. For dinner, try Africa Kine for Sengalese, and for a cafe, I recommend Harlem Cafe.

Inside Harlem Biscuit Company.

Contrasting with the nightlife scene out here is a strong Afro-Muslim influence. That’s New York for you: burlesque shows next to a masjid.

Ok tbh it’s a little rude to take photos of a hopping nightlife scene in the light of day… Project 472 does not recommend you come here before 7pm.

I spy the subway station entrance … do you? Difficulty level: hard.