Pop-up restaurants in Harlem, New York
Helping Black-owned restaurants to keep operating during winter months.
Black-owned restaurants were disproportionately affected by COVID-19. To help Black-owned restaurants and businesses to keep operating during the winter of 2020, we collaborated with Nikoa Evans-Hendricks of Harlem Park to Park, Valerie Wilson of Valinc PR, and EatOkra to create an outdoor dining experience in the historic neighborhood of Harlem, New York, US. Located at the Renaissance Pavilion at Strivers’ Row, the structure supported 6 independent restaurants by providing a safe, warm, and sociable outdoor-seating space.
We’re facilitating pop-ups and restaurant experiences that showcase their incredible food to new customers, boosting their presence on our platform, and ensuring that they’re continually supported in a way that will help them flourish.
Each section was paired with artwork by one of 6 commissioned artists who’d also worked on the Harlem Black Lives Matter mural from the summer of 2020. Heaters and plenty of ventilation added to the dine-in comfort for these restaurants and businesses.
Alibi Lounge
One of New York’s few Black-owned LGBTQ+ bars is owned and run by Alexi Minko, a queer Black immigrant from Gabon who has created a fun, elegant, intimate, safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. All are welcome at Alibi, famous citywide for its classic cocktails that are made to perfection.
Harlem Chocolate Factory
Truffles, bonbons, bars, and more: Jessica Spaulding, the founder of Harlem Chocolate Factory, creates sweets inspired by the rich ethnic heritage of the Harlem community.
Ma Smith’s Dessert Café
This family-run bakery blends delicious homemade cakes and desserts with friendly Southern hospitality. Old favorites sit alongside new creations, including brown velvet cupcakes.
Ruby’s Vintage
Named after actor and civil rights activist Ruby Dee, this sleek and sultry throwback restaurant prides itself on good tunes and great conversation.
Sexy Taco
A playful spin on Cal-Mex cuisine is served up here. Customers travel from across town for the signature burrito and punchy margaritas.
The Row Harlem
A fish and grits brunch, a shrimp empanada dinner, lobster truffle mac and cheese on the side, and a cocktail or 2 after—the Row specializes in flavor-packed seafood with a soulful twist.
The owners of these restaurants explained that the space helped their businesses survive at an extremely challenging time. “Uber Eats has really set a standard for how corporations and communities can work together to create strategies and solutions to support small businesses,” says Brian Washington-Palmer, co-owner of Ruby’s Vintage. “The focus of this national initiative on Black-owned restaurants illustrates how in touch Uber Eats is with the needs of the communities they serve and the impact of the pandemic on Black communities specifically.”
Visit the great restaurants we’re supporting in Harlem.
Read more about our impact work
Enabling Black-owned restaurants to expand their business in a new neighborhood.
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