The minute I heard a bar for creatives was opening in Harlem, I made plans to go. Rough Draft is a craft beer, whiskey, and arts space in the Hamilton Heights section of Harlem. Their motto is “Write Drunk, Edit Sober, Gather Here,” which couldn’t be more perfect.
They focus on community – New York and Harlem more specifically. They prioritize local brews and coordinate events that bring creatives together because what do we have if we don’t have each other?
The vibes are immaculate. A rich teal coats the walls, dark veining covers the tables, and cozy banquettes offer intimate gathering or writing nooks. With scrabble keys on the taps and books in the walls, there is a definite nod to lovers of the written word.
But this space is not exclusively for writers. They organize live music, coordinate industry nights for writers and filmmakers, have craft nights, and host movie trivia nights. They’ve also served as one of the most recent beers for queers meetup spots, which just underscores both the super welcoming environment and the attention paid to the direct neighborhood they’ve moved into.
My first visit was in the first week of December and it was so cozy and twinkly during the holiday season. It was the perfect time to try their version of an old fashioned, which was great – as was their espresso martini, which u tried on a return visit. I’ve since been back for a writers’ night where I met some great people who are amped to be on the same writing journey that I am. I feel so comfortable writing and mingling there…though the imbibing needs to be kept to a minimum to avoid having to throw away whatever garbage I write while tipsy.
Peaches to Apples 