135th (B, C)

If you want an incredible night out in Harlem, here you go.

Start tame with dinner at The Edge. It’s a perfect spot for date night. (Or date brunch!)

Then, work your way through Striver’s Row until you reach Harlem Nights. By and for the local Black community, Harlem Nights is a classic bar that hosts incredible events.

Some of the city’s best burlesque takes place within Harlem Nights. If you can catch an Uptown Stripdown show like I did here, consider yourself lucky. I consider it the best social justice and consent-forward strip show I will likely ever see.

A performer waiting for her stage cue.

Yaaaas, queen!

Get it honeeeeyyyyy!

Look, I know the outside of Harlem Nights looks like a tiki bar crossed with a Scandinavian sauna. Just, trust the process, ok? And say hi to the bouncers for me. Wonderful lads. Don’t be surprised if they pat you down. They don’t bite.

A Striver’s Row mural outside Harlem Nights.