Of History and Romance
On upper Broadway, where hair salons and barbershops bustle well into the evening and markets sell plantains in outdoor bins, a bar with incongruous chic invites the neighborhood in for a beer. Step inside Harlem Public on Broadway at 149th Street and the trendy touches borrowed from elsewhere in the city are easy to spot. There are 16 taps of craft beer and about a dozen whiskeys from local distilleries. The décor is made from reclaimed wood and corrugated metal. An ambitious menu includes avocado fries, a peanut butter burger and a decadent grilled cheese sandwich. Right now the cast iron gas fireplace, which took months of wrangling to install, is on the fritz. But the six-month-old bar generates its own heat, humming to an alternative soundtrack. And on Feb. 24, it will start brunch service.
ON THE STOOLS Jessica Mendez, 30; Betsy Marmol, 30; and Edith Tavera, 24, friends who are history students at the City College of New York, 10 blocks away. Ms. Mendez and Ms. Tavera live in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and recognized the vibe. “It feels like I’m in Brooklyn and I’m hanging out with a bunch of hipsters, although it’s mostly yuppies,” Ms. Tavera, who grew up nearby on 134th Street, said. She marveled how Harlem Public was an oasis she never thought she would see. “All you can get is a Corona around here,” she said.
WHY THEY CAME This was the women’s third visit, but on Wednesday night they were there to celebrate Ms. Mendez’s acceptance into the Ph.D. program for history at Columbia University. They compared notes on papers they wrote and brainstormed internship ideas for Ms. Marmol.
ON TAP, ON THE PLATES The women lingered for a couple of hours and a few rounds, munching on the fresh olive-oil infused popcorn made at the bar. Ms. Tavera had a Goose Island Bourbon County Stout ($9) served in a brandy glass. Ms. Mendez and Ms. Marmol chose the Sweaty Betty Blonde ($6). For dinner, Ms. Mendez ordered a Po’boy with roast beef, Cheddar, mustard aioli and an au jus dipping sauce ($9.95). Ms. Marmol ordered the basic Public Burger ($9.95), and Ms. Tavera had a burger with Brie ($10.95). All came with fries.
WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT The joy of primary sources. Foreign policy in the Nixon era. The cold war. Why do they love history? “Telling stories,” Ms. Mendez said. “Even if it’s an academic topic, you’re still telling an interesting story for people to read.” Eventually the conversation turned to less academic matters. “Guys, I guess,” Ms. Mendez said. Her friends were asking for advice, pointing to Ms. Mendez’s engagement ring. “Since she has that thing, she holds the key,” Ms. Marmol said. Ms. Mendez’s big tip? “Don’t date where you work.” But where did she meet her fiancé? “At work,” she confessed, as her friends cracked up.