This summer, head Uptown with the family for a diversity of dining options — plus a welcoming schedule of weekend fun — at the Open Streets in El Barrio.
Every weekend through Labor Day, the Open Streets at Restaurant Row and the Open Streets at La Marqueta are programmed with street furniture for outdoor dining, games and sidewalk chalk, plus water play when the temps are high. Each street also features a daily schedule of Storytime in partnership with Harlem4Kids, Craft Time with local artisans and Live Music featuring sounds ranging from jazz to Latin to funk and more.
About the Open Streets at Restaurant Row:
Lexington Avenue in the lower 100s is increasingly known as El Barrio’s “Restaurant Row” — with cuisines including Mexican, Brazilian, Thai and Italian, plus seafood, barbecue, juices, coffee and wine. Plus one shop each dedicated exclusively to mousse, carrot cake and ice cream!
The Open Street at Restaurant Row is located adjacent to these dining options, at 101st Street and Lexington Avenue. Activities run each Saturday: Storytime with Harlem4Kids – 2 p.m. ~ Craft Time with local artisans – 3 p.m. ~ Live Music – 5-7 p.m.
Make sure to grab a meal before, during or after the fun from small businesses including Au Jus Oklahoma BBQ (Barbecue), Bar Goyana (Brazilian), Burritos y Mas (Tex Mex), Chu Ros Thai (Thai), Effy’s Kitchen (Mediterranean / Bistro), El Tepeyac Taqueria (Mexican), Frenchy Coffee (French Café), Healthy Frenchy (Smoothies), Lexington Pizza Parlour & Harlem Baking Co. (Italian), MY NY Bakery (Café), Naughty Crab (Seafood) and Plue Thai Kitchen (Thai). Plus dessert from Mojo Desserts (Mousse), Lloyd’s Carrot Cake (Carrot Cake) and Sugar Hill Creamery (Ice Cream), and something to sip from RWM Selections (Wine).
Additional activities include First Friday Movie Nights at 100th Street at Lexington Avenue. Co-hosted by the nonprofit Uptown Grand Central, ImageNation and the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival, Movie Nights are set for the first Friday of the month from July through September. The next date for movie night is Friday, August 4, starting at 7 p.m. with Corine’s Famous Bingo featuring prizes from local small businesses, as well as the screening of a film short by IPRHFF. The feature film follows at approximately 8 p.m., with the setting of the sun. Chairs are first-come, first-served – so come early, or bring your blanket or lawn chair.
About the Open Streets at La Marqueta:
La Marqueta is part of New York City’s public market system, and for decades was packed with hundreds of vendors and the destination for nearly everyone Uptown do their shopping. In the decades since, it’s become home to a commercial kitchen, garden center and emerging small businesses — plus Salsa Saturdays that attract salsa veterans and the best dance bands from across the five boroughs all summer long.
The Open Street at La Marqueta is located at 115th Street under the Park Avenue Viaduct. Activities run each Sunday: Storytime with Harlem4Kids – 11 a.m. ~ Craft Time with local artisans – Noon. ~ Live Music – Noon-2 p.m.
La Marqueta vendors offering brunch and lunch options include Amuse Bouche (French bistro), Cocotazo (Puerto Rican farm-to-table) and Lizzy’s Treats (Desserts). You can also pick up a plant or two at Urban Garden Center, a part of the La Marqueta complex that’s also under the viaduct.
Additional activities include the Cocotazo Community Table on Sunday, July 16, the Amuse Bouche Community Table on Sunday, August 20, and a show by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus on Sunday, August 13.
About Open Streets:
New York City’s Open Streets program transforms streets into public space open to all. These transformations allow for a range of activities that promote economic development and provide new ways for New Yorkers to enjoy cultural programming and build community. The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) works with community-based organizations, educational institutions, and groups of businesses to execute Open Streets citywide.
In East Harlem, NYC DOT’s community partner for the Open Streets at Restaurant Row and Open Streets at La Marqueta is the nonprofit Uptown Grand Central, an organization dedicated to creating a thriving neighborhood by delivering programs that put advocacy into action through collaborations with small businesses, residents and fellow CBOs.
Open Streets are made possible thanks to funding from NYC DOT, along with support from sponsors including Union Settlement, Community Board 11, Mt. Sinai Health System, Ascendant Neighborhood Development, Evenhar Development, ImageNation, Children’s Aid Society, Daniel’s Music Foundation, La Marqueta Vendors Association, El Barrio’s Operation Fightback, the NYC Department of Small Business Services, the NYC Economic Development Corporation and Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala.
While you’re in El Barrio, stop by El Museo del Barrio to view ‘Something Beautiful‘.
On August 5th, join Studio Museum in Harlem in the beautiful Harlem Art Park in El Barrio, for a celebration of the historic Smokehouse Associates.
Did you know that the largest stenciled mural in the world was completed by artist Logan Hicks, and on view at East River Plaza, 117th Street in East Harlem? ….. more art ~ don’t miss Keith Haring ‘Crack is Wack’ located on Harlem River Drive at 128th Street.
Check out the current art exhibition at Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) located in the historic firehouse on East 125th Street.
Get a preview of the much anticipated Second Avenue Subway.
A special treat would be to take a walk through the Graffiti Hall of Fame. Rarely open to the public, the 43rd annual edition of painting will be held on Saturday & Sunday, August 19th & 20th at 106th Street and Park Avenue.
Have a coffee at Ginjan Cafe on Park Avenue and 125th Street in the historic Corn Exchange Bank Building.
Follow along with East 125th Street, a work in progress.