Harlem Hops – Manhattan’s first 100% Black-owned NYC local craft beer bar

United Way New York City’s program Together We Thrive and its work with Harlem Hops, Manhattan’s first 100% Black-owned NYC local craft beer bar.

Kim Harris, who had a 20-year background in event production, wanted to open a venue that would introduce people to the current pleasures and illustrious history of craft beer in the Black community. Along with two like-minded partners, she opened Harlem Hops in 2018.

Located in the heart of Harlem at 2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd., the bar exudes the lively, close-knit spirit of the community. The venue offers a rare selection of local craft beers along with creative cocktails, wines and food. During the pandemic, Harlem Hops only shut down for one day before they sprang into action to serve the stressed, hard-hit community by selling takeout beer growlers.

Kim and her partners support other businesses by serving only products from BIPOC or women-owned breweries, distilleries or vineyards, rather than the major brands They are also engaged in positioning craft beer as a Black tradition, stemming back to the earliest recorded history of beer-making in Africa as well as brewing traditions brought to the U.S. by slaves. Harlem Hops is not only continuing that proud legacy, but building on it, with new locations planned in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood and other states. Dedicated to giving back with purpose and education, the partners are also involved in an initiative to teach female brewers in African villages how to expand their production.

In United Way New York City’s Together We Thrive, Kim Harris found a valuable source of information and support for her business. For example, she was paired with a mentor who works in finance to learn more about financing and how to grow a business. Together We Thrive was created in response to the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black-owned businesses. Its goal is to build their financial health, and to align, activate and increase the capacity of existing systems to meet the needs of Black entrepreneurs in NYC.