A Look a Minton’s Supper Club in Harlem

Growing up in Harlem, my mother used to tell stories of the all the old haunts she and my aunts and uncles visit every Friday and Saturday night.

Back then, jazz clubs were a staple in Harlem, and none attracted musicians quite like Minton's Playhouse. The legendary jazz lounge, which saxophonist Henry Minton opened in 1938, has since become known one of the incubators of modern jazz. It’s even said that bebop was born there.

After decades of closure, Minton’s reopened in 2013 during the new Harlem Renaissance, and has found a second life as a supper club offering Southern-style cuisine served to the tune to a live band.

If you’re looking for a rich breakfast (think blue cornmeal griddle cakes, savory grits and crisp bacon), the weekend brunch is perfect for a casual morning of fine dining paired with jazz classics from the famous Minton's Players.

Or, if you’re in the market for something a little more romantic, dress your best and book a table for the weekly Friday Night Late Jam. Order a specialty cocktail—like the Kermit, a gin drink with fresh lime juices, citrus bitters, and Moscato—and a hot dog with Minton's special sauce.

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