The Black-owned bars on this list don’t just do good cocktails, they’re also places where Black musicians, artists, and brands can thrive. From a few spots in Brooklyn where you’ll find the city’s best DJs, to a craft beer bar in Harlem that serves beers from Black-owned breweries, here’s where you should plan your next Happy Hour.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Bryan Kim
The Rum Bar
You don’t have to love rum in order to appreciate The Rum Bar. As long as you enjoy hip hop, reggae, peaceful back patios, and jerk spring rolls, you’ll have a nice time at the little island-themed Crown Heights spot. From the owner of The Rogers Garden , this is one of the few NYC establishments that focuses on sugarcane spirits, so, ideally, you should have some rum here—in the form of a painkiller or Cuban daiquiri—but if all you drink is tequila soda, they can do that as well. Come by for a DJ set, or take advantage of the Happy Hour specials.
photo credit: Willa Moore
Pearl Lee’s Washtub
Bars are cool and all, but have you ever been to a laundrobar? Pearl Lee’s Washtub is a laundromat in Crown Heights with a bar in the back, so once you’ve started your laundry, order a beer, then revel in the fact that if you spilled it on your shirt you could toss it in the washer within seconds. Everybody seems very happy to be here—maybe it’s because you get a 10% discount on beer, wine, and bar snacks if you’re doing laundry—or maybe it’s because the bartender’s mother is on aux, and doing an excellent job.