Last night was the grand opening of the new posh lounge, OH, located in the Sugar Hill section of Harlem. The lounge is a beautifully restored townhouse filled with antique furnishings. OH was kind enough to invite members of the media and Harlem bloggers to join them for a tour of the newly renovated space and to sample some of their dining options.
One improvement that OH made was adding a double door entry to keep the guests who are seated on the first level from freezing each time the front door opens. The new well-lit awning and projection on the building across the street, replace the old recessed entrance which hide the restaurant from street view.
The first and second level are open to the general public. At the rear of the first level is the main bar which has a tin plated ceiling above it. The back door leads out into the garden that has been enclosed and will have heat lamps to keep patrons warm on chilly nights.
A twin row of two-seaters line the brick walls as you enter the establishment. The ceiling is painted with bold black and white stripes, which coordinate with the black and white tile floors. It is all tied together with exposed brick walls and twin garden doors that open out onto 145th Street.
The second level is the dining area where members of OH and members of the public can social together. There is a second bar located on this level, as well as a retro-inspired parlor where guests can lounge on the custom made red vinyl benches and antique sofas and chairs. The room is decorated with a blown up Jet magazine cover that reads, “Sex in Bottles” balanced on the opposite wall by a colorful pastel painting of a woman in silhouette.
The Operations Manager, Marilyn Bowman, patiently waiting for everyone to finish snapping pictures before leading us up the next set of stairs where the members only lounge is housed. While the second floor was elegantly appointed, the third level added a contemporary twist to the period decor we saw on the second floor. It was also noticeably more masculine, especially after being enveloped in the overwhelmingly pastel decor of the lower level. It would be safe to say that each floor of OH has its own style and flavor, yet somehow still maintains an overall air of sophistication.
The third floor is exclusively open to members and their guests. There are two levels of membership available at OH. The black card allows members and their guests access to the third floor, where they have a private bar and are served by a personal wait staff assigned to that floor. They will also have private dining, access to the cigar terrace, state of the art high tech entertainment, and special invitations to members only events.
The VIP level has all of the benefits of the black level, with the addition of a personalized lock box where they can store their complimentary cigars and cigar cutter provided by the house. VIP members will also receive a complimentary bottle of liquor of their choice. All members of OH receive discounts on food and drinks and memberships are good for one year.
There are a total of 136 memberships available, however only 36 of those are VIP status. Presently, close to half of those slots have already been filled by well known figures in Harlem like Pierre Sutton and the publishers of Uptown Magazine (not affiliated with UPTOWNflavor.com). Membership to OH is open, however a selection process is required. Ms. Bowman informed us that this is to ensure that the club remains sophisticated, while catering to a mature crowd. The VIP members are tastemakers who now have an upscale place in Harlem where they can relax and socialize with contemporaries.
I found the space to be very warm and inviting. Ms. Bowman says that OH hopes to offer a top notch experience to all guests, whether they are VIP members or average Joes from the down the block ordering coffee. Some people are concerned about OH being pretentious. However, the first two floors are open to public. The only level that is exclusive is the top floor and membership does have it privileges.
Once the tour was over, we were offered another glass of Nuvo (the event sponsors) while we waited for the appetizers to come out. Unfortunately I had to leave for another event so I did not get a chance to taste the offering prepared by Chef Emilio Drake.
OH will be offering brunch on the weekends and dinner on weekends. The menu includes a diverse selection of food that offers everything from thin crusted pizza, to roasted free-range chicken, to grilled salmon, to chicken and waffles, to three cheese mac and cheese. The prices are very much on par with what you’ll pay downtown. For example, you can get French toast for $6.50 and grilled salmon for under $15.00.
The OH business model doesn’t seem to diverge much from other restaurants where investors receive VIP special treatment; this model just adds a slight twist to it. The first tier membership is $500 and the VIP level is $1000. When you consider how much many New Yorkers spend on dining out and entertaining each month then the membership prices are not as exorbitant as you might think.
People in Harlem often complain about paying cab fares upwards of $20.00 to get home after socializing downtown. With the crop of new lounges and restaurants in Harlem, perhaps it will eventually be a distant memory of the past. We might one day say…‘remember when we had to go downtown to party and eat?‘ It’s a new day in Harlem!
OH will be open for business tomorrow. Reservations are strongly suggested.
OH
458 West 145th Street
Harlem, NY
646-688-4389
www.ohloungenyc.com (coming soon)
Related: OH! Harlem gets a new members only VIP lounge
bradhurst living
November 22, 2008
Glad to hear that the first two floors will be pubic – we’re dying for an affordable sitdown option in this area. Maroon’s seems like a lost cause – my last peek through the doors showed that they haven’t done any construction on the place since the spring – still a good bit of work to be done if it ever opens. Believe I heard on this site or other that Maroon’s was having financing problems also with this outpost but they haven’t put a ‘for lease’ sign in the window so hoping Maroon’s can get it together.
Per OH – service will be key. BR was overpriced and we had terrible service on 2 occasions so we never went back. Have a restaurant with reasonable prices, decent service and good food, you’ll get a regular client base up here. Can’t hurt to deliver too for winter months. Thanks guys for giving us the info on the place and dispelling the members-only rumor.
D. Bell
November 22, 2008
Not sure which concert space you are speaking of Emile. I know that Harlem Stage is a beautiful new space that offers great programs in the neighborhood and the Apollo has been offering great programs as of late. In addition, the space way uptown in Washington Heights has concerts as well. As for the space, I wrote about the feel and energy of the space which must not have translated through the pictures. You are right that the rehab wasn’t extensive yet the use of the space is more open than it was in BR. It always felt really tight in there whereas now the flow is better. Again, each room has it’s own personality, so the dining room is understated while the sitting room is bright and eclectic. I would advise others to see it for themselves. BTW, the prices and menu are more in line with what is suitable for the area. My hope is that folks will try them out at least once before making a judgment since we don’t have any other sit down places in the Hamilton Heights/Sugar Hill area. Thanks for commenting.
emile
November 22, 2008
I actually considered eating at Baton Rouge when it first opened but the prices were ridiculously out of line with the kind of food they were serving. If I remember correctly the cheapest appetizer was like $14. Cajun fine dining? On 145th st?
I’m glad to see somebody did something with the space but…. a semi-private club with $1000 membership fees?
Looks like a super low budget rehab too. Cheap repro furniture and sorry, but absolutely hideous paint colors. A red pleather couch in front of fuschia walls??!! They had a lovely brownstone to work with why wouldn’t they make the space warm and inviting? This looks like a sleazy Russian massage parlor.
Now if someone would open a concert venue in that theater space behind Hamilton Palace (they changed the name recently I think) we’d be all set. Oh yeah, and decent coffee (sorry but cafe bonjour blows), some Indian or middle eastern food, some thai food, decent Italian, decent anything really.
Joy
November 21, 2008
Thanks for the post! Btw, what is going on with Maroon’s–is it going to open? If not, is something else going in it’s place?
D. Bell
November 21, 2008
Exactly, Gwin! It wasn’t inviting and seemed private. It was very easy to pass it by without noticing it because the block is entirely residential. To top it off they were closed for private events or closed the early part of the week anyhow. The only downside is that it is a narrow passage where you have to wait if a group is coming in before you can exit. While it might create some backlog at the door but can also be a way of controlling the traffic flow and people will be inside out of the cold.
And, I agree…it is pretty dire up that way for nightlife. St. Nicks is pretty much it in the area, since Maroon’s still hasn’t opened.
Gwin
November 21, 2008
I was always daunted by the entrance of Baton Rouge (could I go in? is it private?) so I appreciate these clarifications on Oh.
While I’m too “house-poor” at the moment for a membership, it’s nice to know there is another bar option in the neighborhood!
D. Bell
November 21, 2008
Illoq: Yeah, I thought the same thing. Everyone there kept asking for clarification on this issue.
illoquentgent
November 21, 2008
I’m glad you guys cleared that up. The way the description of the place was presented it looked like the entire establishment was a private spot for members-only. Like Harlem132 I thought it sounded a bit too exclusive. But if it’s just one floor with the VIP section then there’s really no problem. That just follows the paradigm of most lounges and clubs in the city. Thanks for representing D!
D. Bell
November 21, 2008
Harlem 132: I understand your concerns and I had the same concerns when I first heard about this place. That is why I had to check it out for myself. Keep in mind, the first two levels are open for the public. Only the top floor is VIP. All clubs and many restaurants (especially downtown) have VIP sections. If we talk about exclusion we could turn our attention to Ivy League schools and their cliques, sororities and fraternities (of which I am a member), and even the red velvet rope in many clubs in the city. In all of these cases, the institution meets the needs of its members. From speaking to the representatives at OH, they have some of Harlem’s top names and tastemakers interested in investing in this model. There are people still making good money or who have managed their money well enough to invest in this business as a VIP. It is a matter of lifestyle. This lifestyle isn’t suited to everyone, therefore they wouldn’t look to join as a member. However, they would still be welcome to come dine on the first two levels. I doubt most people would even be aware that there was a VIP level if it were not being marketed.
D. Bell
November 21, 2008
Yeah, I was rushing back but you know what a hassle it is to travel across town. Great event over at EHC. Will try to get that post up today.
Mike
November 21, 2008
Harlem 132:
The space is very inclusive. I don’t think they are excluding anyone…it’s just that they want to build up a serious professional network of people who are serious about networking and doing things for the Harlem community. You really have to go and experience the location for yourself and then you’ll get it. And only the 3rd floor is for members only. The other 2 levels are open to the public. So you won’t feel excluded at all. It’s no different then being a member of a country club or frat.
I think they will do just fine…they need to tweak the menu a bit and bring in a bit younger crowd to add some more flava to the mix but otherwise I’m not mad at them for trying something different.
Mike
November 21, 2008
Hey it was cool meeting you last night. We have chatted over E-mail forever! Wish you could have stayed longer but we have fun laughing with your friend for the rest of the night. We left out about 10ish a little bit after the ribbon cutting.
We are going to check out 17 Below tomorrow night. But overall I’m happy Harlem has all these options now. But Talay and River Hudson still have it on lock for me. But Nectar is really about to become my hang out spot.
Harlem132nd
November 21, 2008
“…VIP members will also receive a complimentary bottle of liquor of their choice…..” Noted lots of commentary about Cigars. I am a Black Ivy League educated professional home owner in Harlem, and very proud of Harlem. This sounds entirely out of step with Harlem ’08 and going forward. The aura of “specialness” around alcohol and tobacco? Then the whole aspect of exclusion in this day and age as we’re heading into a recession? Baffling. I can’t imagine my Black Harlem peers catering to this style of place. It does not sound inclusive, The exclusion aspect strikes as very uninviting and rather immature. I would think they would appreciate anyone coming in an spending a hard earned dollar on any one of their floors. I thought with Obama and all, we were heading into a theme of “inclusion” in all quarters of society, not separation and division. Can’t say establishments that thrive of exclusion, alcohol and tobacco are my cup of tea. However good luck to them just the same.
westsiderumple
November 21, 2008
place looks hot!!! a little exclusivity with the membership is catchy. gonna make me get my recession swerve on!!!