I started going to Shrine when I lived in Harlem in 2010. This is a place you go when you want to have a good time. I've been with a large group, a few people, and I've even gone dolo. Â Its always live and its always fun.
The music depends on the DJ but its mainly world/reggae/hip-hop. I believe its a restaurant during the early/evening hours. Once 11pm hits the tables are pushed to the side. It usually doesn't get live until like 1am.
Its a mixed crowd. Most people are between 21-40, but I'd say a good handful of men are well over 40. Â Nothing against older men, they need love too lol.
Ladies - no need to put on your stilettos! The dress code is fashionable, but not traditional clubby. I've worn leggings and didn't feel underdressed at all.
The best night is usually Fri/Sat.
Favorite place to dance and party in NYC. Somehow they have recreated a true 70s vibe here, and its been the same every time i've come. This is the kind of place where 90% of the time you ask someone to dance, they will. Prices are good. DJs are always good. I am always here after midnight, so I don't know about the live music.
Review Source:What fun I had here last Saturday night! Â I had been here before, but never to dance. The West African singer who was performing when we got there was fabulous. My drink was a little too strong, but, hey, I guess that's better than being too weak! While sitting at the bar, a woman who was falling down drunk, sat next to me and tried to order more booze. The owner promptly and gently told her she needed to go home, and escorted her out the door. While dancing, someone lit a spliff, and immediately, the air came on full blast, and the lights went up. The owner once again
circulated through the crowd searching for the culprit.
I like the fact that they obviously want us to have a good time, but will not tolerate drugs and inebriation on the premises. Safety is so important that  the bouncer checked our bags and the men were patted down.
The cover is $5, the music is fabulous, the crowd is fun and the drinks are strong.
Leave the weed at home and come out and party!!
Wow I just got back from The Shrine. Fun times were had by all tonight. Â
The prior reviews are on point. Â If you love to dance your socks off to varied genres of music, enjoy live bands, want a stiff drink that is worth the price, enjoy a diverse and eclectic crowd and lots of fun people the Shrine is worth checking out. Â Â
We had a good time and saw some wild dancing thangs! I am saying that in my best Tone Loc voice too. Â WILD THANG dunt dunt dunt da dunt. Â The freaks sho come out at night up in there. Â It was hilarious. Â Also I've never seen a club where the men out numbered the women. Â A few folks really needed to just go get at room already! Â Go check it out even if you don't dance because people watching at the Shrine is pure entertainment. Everyone was super cool nonetheless.
Went on a Saturday nite, specifically for the clubbin.
.. was surprised at how packed this place was. granted, it was also a kinda small dancing space.
the japanese looking dj was goodish, but I didn't care much for the huge tv playing the videos to the songs. I found it a bit distracting- I went there to dance, not watch tv. Â and the place wasn't dark enough : )
definitely, it was too crowded.. I had to continuously elbow ppl outta my way.
nope, I don't think i'll be making that trek up to harlem again ..
Long overdue review of a place that's at the epicenter of the new Harlem Renaissance.
Food good not great ... Best is the grilled fish and The Shrine's take on hamburger - more like a good thick meatloaf to my taste.
Best is the music! It ranges in style ... And I can truly say I've seen bands that made me say, "Why don't more people know about them?" NEVER A COVER BEFORE 12am!
Recent favs: Ten Foot Pole Cats and Fillet of Soul; also caught this great British songstress- golden voice with some great original music (can't remember her name).
Also checkout Rakim Walker on Fridays and Lu Reid on Sundays; the jam sessions on Sundays are great!
Very eclectic international crowd and there's always a game on the flat screen over the bar. Â Bar prices are more midtown that neighborhood priced but the level of musical talent balances it for me.
One waitress in particular is an ebony goddess - her friendly demeanor and professionalism add to the evening. Â (for a period they had this waiter who walked around with his pants off his hips showing his boxers - OMG! - no one wants to see butt crack when they're eating) ...
... The cash only thing doesn't bother me because it's reasonably priced overall. Â I've also seen people coddle two or three beers while catching two or three bands if it's not busy.
GO! DRINK! DANCE!
This place could easily be a 5 star venue. But I docked one star for not taking cards and having a shady Fri/Sat night schedule.
The overall vibe of this venue is earthy and Harlem. At any night you may hear an awesome Jazz, Funk or Folk band. Maybe even a poetry reading. Sometimes the acts are terrible but in a comical way that is still entertaining. It's a hit or miss that you don't mind. The music between the sets mirror the old R&B/Jazz 70's/80's vinyl covers plastered to the ceiling and the African art on the walls and on the bar.
The drink specials are generious and I always get the fried chicken and fries. The rest of the menu looks great, West African I believe, but I'd rather do bar food with my loud music and booze. They have some decent beers on tap too.
Weekend nights at Shrine are the most disappointing. Some nights it will turn into a hip-hop club. Hip-hop that no one listened to 3 years ago. Other nights, there may be some sort of insane $15-20 cover charge for a crappy group that no one has ever heard of.
Oh, Shrine...gotta love it.
I have never danced my booty off so hard in my life. And the drinks were bang for your buck too, so that's always a plus.
Went on a Saturday night, having never been to an African spot, and I can't believe how much fun I had. We danced on stage next to the DJ most of the night, and he was just killin em. Half our group was Cameroonian, the other half was Hispanic, and the whole bunch of us were going nuts.
Cons: It is freaking HOT. I could deal with the crowdedness if it wasn't so unbearably scolding hot. And they gotta weed out some of the older men who go there, because they take creepy to a whole other level. These guys even have the balls to come up to us girl when were surrounded by guys, or already dancing with a guy. One even grabbed our friend's ass when she was standing with her boyfriend o.0 so that was almost a situation.
So I definitely recommend it, but make sure to get to the front and get on stage. There's more air up there, and no creeps.
The reviews are misleading. I came here expecting a great place to go out with my friends. I left the place 25 minutes later, disappointed. We paid the 10 dollar cover and entered to hear the dj playing unfamiliar music. I'm a first generation American born African. Because during the day this place is a Senegalese restaurant, I expected to hear some ndombolo, coupe de cale, or even some reggae. But I guess this place doesn't have that vibe. Its just kind of weird. The dj was playing unfamiliar music I had never heard of before, and the people on the dance floor were swaying left and right. I honestly couldn't describe the music. It wasn't house(i love house), it wasn't techno, it wasn't r and b, and it wasn't top 40, but the people around us seemed to be having a grand old time. There was a hipster vibe to the place, but at the same time everyone just looked like they were trying too hard. All right no problem, I told myself. Let me get myself a drink and make the most of it. Â did not know this place took cash only. Went to the bartender, got my drink, and was told after she made the drink that they didn't take credit card. no problem. Went to the atm machine to retrieve some money. and long story short, none came out. Looked on my account to see that the vending machine had charged me four dollars and given me nothing in return(my account balance was fine). informed the lady at the door who told the manager/owner? He came up to me and screamed in my ear(the music was loud) as his dreads hit my face. I told him the problem, he said it wasn't his problem. I said alright that's fine, but that means that drink at the bar(which i hadn't sipped) would not be paid for because his ATM machine wasn't working. He then told me to go outside the club across the street to use theirs. I told him(politely)heck no its cold outside, its fine, I won't get the drink. He immediately caught an attitude and huffed over to the bar. I put it behind me and didn't think much of it, till i saw him and the bartender pointing at me whilst talking. I decided to leave. I had had enough, wasn't enjoying myself,
I'm still scratching my head at these reviews. Maybe I went on a bad night. Maybe I'm off my rocker. Maybe other people would enjoy getting slapped in the face with dreadlocks. However it may be, I had no fun. Shrine? Ill pass. Ill come to your place during the day time though, I hear your food is good(ill bring cash).
Need a spot where u wanna go to just DANCE? Â Then all hail the SHRINE!
I've only been here on the weekends for the late night parties (after midnight).
The Cover is usually $5
The Shrine is a big hang out spot for some Africans. A little history lesson,  The Shrine is name after the famous club in Lagos, Nigeria which was owned  by Fela Kuti  where he performed regularly in the 70's.
When my friend from DC comes to New York, we both enjoy a night out here to dance the night away to Afro beat tunes, hip-hop, and reggae. I love when they play different tunes from Africa especially Hip-Life music from Ghana
They also have Reggae nights on Sunday.
Beware of the African men that troll this place. lol. Â Some can be quite pushy and annoying. But gotta love my peoples.
This place kind of sucks.
My friend Aaron sang here a few weeks ago. It's one of those places I walked by three times because I was on the other side of the street, it was like 9:00 PM at night, and it's very poorly labeled. Also, a bunch of people were having some sort of random street party that was terribly loud and it was confusing to my brain. But still, don't look for a sign - they have one of those chalkboard deals outside. Also, from the outside- it looks more like a cafe than a bar, but when you go inside, you realize it's all bar all the way.
Now, it wasn't too busy when I got here. But it still took the bartender about 20 minutes to get to me just to see if I WANTED a beer. P.S. there were two people in front of me when I got there. I don't think he could handle it being too busy very well. So, I get a beer, because I'm a good sport about the whole thing... and he literally pours it in a warm glass. Super warm. Pretty sure it had just come out of the dishwasher.
Scott B. met me here for the show. He was a good sport about it, even though the place was divy in all the wrong ways. There was major problems when the sound system started broadcasting the show, and the first two songs were just ruined. It wasn't really properly fixed for the rest of the time Aaron was up there singing. I just wish they had took the whole thing more seriously.
I don't really ever want to go back here. Boo.
I have nothing bad to say about "Shrine" and I tend to be difficult to please. What I absolutely love about this spot is that any given night there's an awesome band playing. (Every time I go, there has been a band playing....I don't know if there's a night when there is no music...you might wanna check their website for further details). Drinks are pretty strong and reasonably priced. I love the crowd and the menu. Many times, it has been difficult to get a seat but truthfully, it never messed up my experience. Drop by and enjoy!
Review Source:Walked into this place looking and thinking it was some place else, looking for a chill jazz spot((since Harlem is the place to be for jazz right)). But alas, I walked into a joint that was something just as soulful and just was chill. Reggae night at Shrine is awesome! So I can imagine any other night here is just as brilliant.
Oh happy accidents.
Stop by and you won't regret it.
:)
Live bands, no cover, cheap drinks. How can you go wrong?
I live in the Bronx, so this uptown joint is more convenient than the Village. I never have trouble finding parking. It's not that big, but has old album covers posted wall to wall, with funky, sparkly lights reflecting everywhere. The crowd is eclectic, as is the music. When the dj comes on afterward, don't expect the usual mindless techno thump. Percussive world beats get everyone on the floor.
The uptown address keeps the place from getting too packed, which is a good thing...
Came here one night for some dancing.
It was about midnight when we showed up and there was 5 dollar cover at the door. Not that bad.
It was totally happening, and the live band was great!
The drinks arent too pricey which is nice. I think I got a marg for $6, and lets face it, for NYC thats a STEAL!
The music was a funky reggae/blues meets dance hall. I think they have different types of music playing each night of the week.
The band even had a segment where they invited big booty girls to come on stage and shake it. That was funny. I wasnt about to go up.
Once the band stopped they switched to a DJ who stuck with the theme of the music. It was a great beat and everyone was dancing.
When I got home I noticed that my feet were bleeding from my shoes pinching them!
I was having too good of a time to even notice,
and I guess I literally danced my feet off! ;)
I came here with some girlfriends on a Friday after midnight to dance and blow off steam. LAWDAMERCY. Men be thirsty! I found the men to be exceptionally aggressive in trying to find dance partners. At one point, a man wrapped his arm around my chest and physically dragged me to him.
Enough about that. I danced my BOOTY off! DJ played a good mix of hip hop, dancehall,etc. I would say that I sweat my hair out, but I'm wearing Senegalese twists :) But you get my drift. It was that kinda night. 5 dollar cover starting at midnight, and be warned that the music is hella loud. But, really, would you want it any other way? :)
This spot is too much fun! You will find nothing but love here! Everyone comes to have a good time so you will meet people from all backgrounds, putting aside their differences to let it all just hang out!
Warning...you will NOT want to sit! Be prepared to jam, dance, drink and meet new friends. Tell them Jessie sent ya! ;-)
I can't give the Shrine enough love....I came here once to meet up with a friend, and fell in love on sight...and came back a few times afterwards (even celebrating a birthday there). Â Some cool points about the place are:
- An eclectic range of live music acts to groove to every evening  (I am not a big fan of the after-Midnight party.  I tried it once and left after half an hour into it.).
Very cool retro decor...Old record album covers on the wall and a dark intimate ambiance that makes for a cozy feel.
- Very chill crowd. Â People of all ages and races come here for the music and fun.
- For those of us who live north of the BX: Â It's a quick hop-skip-jump (and brief train ride) to the 125th Street Metro North Station...which makes this a PLUS.
My only two complaints with the place is that the live music is soooo loud that you can't carry on a conversation. Â And the cocktails, although delicious, are a little pricey ($10+ a pop). Also if you come here on a Saturday night- it's better to order your drinks via the bar rather than to get waitress service because you'll wait for ages. Ergo the four star rating. Â
Otherwise- the place is awesome!
As an active musician i'll tell you that this is easily one of the best live music places in NYC right now.
As a musician I personally love playing in this place.
The sound and the gear is excellent and you actually get treated with respect. The owners love and respect great music.
It's also free to get in up until about 11pm (i think)
I haven't been there past midnight in a while but I do remember that in the past it would get super packed with dudes after midnight . Hopefully thats changed once they started charging the cover.
They have a decent beer selection (Anchor Steam on Draught!!!) and also pretty good food
FYI this place is Cash only !!!
First time we ordered food, and the roasted chicken and coucous was delicious. The live music every night is really hit or miss, but the happy hour till 8pm is a constant, EVEN ON SATURDAYS!
I feel as though the waitress may have double charged us for a few drinks this time, but her african ascent distracted me and basically lulled me to sleep. All the waitresses who work there are uber model attractive and make me question my choice of attire.
Checked out this spot back in December as a possible show venue.
Most importantly, this place has the BEST LED light show I've ever seen. Â LOL. No, just kidding. :) Â Just like everyone else said, The Shrine is intimate, dark, bartender made a great strong drink, reggae was BLASTING, great vibe overall. Â
It's no lie when everyone says it's loud, but who the hell goes to a spot like this to TALK?? ;)
Shrine definitely has a cool vibe & great music, and it makes it even better that there's no cover. I've never had the food but I've heard great things so perhaps I'll add a star after sampling the menu. The drinks are strong, but you definitely pay for what you are getting, don't let the laid back atmosphere fool you (unless its happy hour) :P
People tend to LOVE Shrine, but here are the reasons why it just isn't really my kind of place:
-Don't expect to talk to (or hear) the people you are with unless you want to stand by the entrance. The music is VERY loud.
-There is very little seating. And if its crowded & you want to sit at a table, you have to order food. When you order drinks from a waitress they include %20 service charge on each drink (or your bill).
-If you are standing and there is music playing (which there always is), you must do some version of dancing. If you don't dance a stranger will come over and try to get you to dance. Some people enjoy this. I don't.
So sorry Shrine lovers, don't hate me! But I guess, when crowded, its just not where I'd like to be.
LOVE THIS PLACE. Love the vibe, love the patrons, love the music/bands that play here. They really have something good goin on and it's steps away from my apartment....winning!
The Shrine Burger....changed my life. I'm a burger connoisseur of sorts and idk how they prepare it (what mix of cuts, seasoning, etc.) but OMG!!!! They have a good drink selection and great happy hour specials.
Music wise (depending on the night), you can find it all here :) Â From new jazz to Afrobeat, from alternative and rock to hip hop, from reggae and on. LLOOOVEEE it. And the owners, I believe, are Kenyan (not for sure) who wanted to fashion a bar akin to what you'd find in the Motherland. I've spent time in South Africa and one of my fave bars (Cool Runnings) really reminds me of this place so I feel so at home here. And of course, Shrine is the name of the famous music hall in Nigeria where Fela Kuti once performed.
Check it out and you'll see what I mean!
Price: No cover
Highlight: Live music
This intimate bar/lounge/restaurant is great for a nonpretentious vibe and pairs well with Uptown Fridays at Studio Museum which shuts down at 9pm. I am in love with the ambience - walls and roof covered floor to ceiling, corner to crevice with vinyl records and album covers, prompting you to recount the days you spent listening to and rifling through your mother-father-aunt-uncle's record collection. Drinks are strong. And along with the intimate jam session on stage and the dance if you want to vibe, it is all around straight pleasant. The food portions seem generous and I'll be back to try. I love this place.
Shrine can be best described as Harlem's West African bar hub for people in the community. Â I always see a diverse mix of people from the continent as well as gentrified movers and shakers (myself included) partaking in nice pints, wine and simply mixed cocktails. Â The menu is not extensive - it's your regular bar food treats (wings, fried things, etc) but the drinks are cheap.
This wouldn't be my first place for an out of towner experience in Harlem, but it's a solid partner of the Harlem community. Â Shrine should be visited when you are in the mood for something simple.
I just got home from this place, and it was SO FUN I couldn't even wait to sleep or sober up before I wrote a review (it's 5:45am)
Let's just start here: I've lived in Harlem for almost a year now and have not gone out in my neighborhood AT ALL - mainly because none of my friends would come up here from lower Manhattan to join me. After tonight, I have two words for them: SCREW YOU.
Honest to god, I don't think I am leaving Harlem this summer. I have not explored this place more than 6% and I could almost cry, especially after what an awesome time I had at this place tonight. The vibe, the poeple, the atmosphere, the music = A++.
The drinks were a bit pricey for uptown - around $9 for your standard screwdriver (I normally pay around $6 in midtown) but whatevs.
The live band was phenomenal - no cover - great reggae after the band finished their set. Tons of nice guys to dance with and have a laugh or two. This place has renewed my love of Harlem, and I am here to stay.
Sipping a Brooklyn lager at this Harlem watering hole, I made a mental note to myself that not everything cool about NYC resides downtown. The Shrine is a gem.
Decorated with old records, African tribal art and paintings by local Harlem arists, The Shrine feels like a true neighborhood joint. Very friendly service. Great small tables up front. A cool bar scene. Lots of elbow room. And live music most nights.
Plus, anyplace that pays homage to Bob Marley and Peter Tosh is A-OK in my book.
Yes!!!!! Finally a safe spot I can go chill whenever I come back home where I can drink, listen to music, and not have to dress up. There are "neighborhood" bars like this in Philly all over the place but I have never seen one in Harlem until now. Very eclectic and relaxed, the atmosphere and decor were well thought out to portray where the owners come from and what type of vibe they were trying to set.
From my understanding it seems to be open till 4 am every night so you don't have to rack your brain out if you should go one place or another. The Shrine will always be there. I think I heard from other reviewers that the drinks are a little pricey, but they are strong and with no cover just suck it up.
One disclaimer: My cousin said to not tell that many people about this place so don't let it spread too far.
Ok, you don't come to this groove den for the wings... you come in to enjoy the stew... Â and eclectic.. Â francophone african/ soul/ french.. uniquely harlem stew... Â
saddle up at the bar... Â gaze at the album jackets.. Â retro 70's.. Â Aretha fro'ed out and slim.. Â Nancy Wilson jackets... Marvin.. check... and many others..
anchor steam. Â guiness..and a few others on tap.. Â a nice wide selections of spirits proudly on display on the backlit bar...
as a musician.. I was delighted to note.. that they book local artists.. and they have a vintage fender rhodes.. Â drums.. minus the hardware..and a descent bass amp and cabinet on the wooden stage in the back..
ample space to sit.. both out on the street.. Â a' la' cafe stylie... Â or indoors...
I entered... after taking an uptown 2 train and walked one block down 135...and a short turn of the corner down to 134th...
I walked into some groovy highlife music.. bubbling on the sound system.. Â and a mixed crowds of Harlem denizens.....
What more can you ask for after working a long day... and in need of refreshment....?
If there's one thing wrong with The Shrine, it's this: Â it will make you feel downright stupid for having waited so long to check it out.
Thus ends my beef with the joint.
As for my props: Â surprisingly delicious sandwiches (I had the Mediterranean panini with feta), friendly and responsive service, and a collective groove-iness that'll inspire you to commit your remaining weekends on planet earth to hanging out in Harlem jazz clubs.
While I'm no doubt biased by my affection for one of its members, the act this past Friday  (The French Cookin' Blues Band) managed to plaster a permagrin on my face that not even a double bourbon could loosen.
Blame it on the beautiful wails of my loverman's Mississippi sax, or the picture of President Barack Obama that hung above my table. Â After only half a beer, I was awash in a reverie of the ceaseless blessings America (or possibly, this latest chapter in my lovelife) has to offer.
What I want to add to all the previous reviews are 2 things:
1. Â The Shrine is also a venue for local, amazing musicians to play.
2. Â They have a new chef, and the food is really outstanding, the tilapia filet was incredibly moist, and everything is super fresh.
I am not much of a party animal, so I really love their Sunday afternoon jazz.
It starts at 5pm, no cover charge, the musicians pass the hat. Really good time, with great music, and atmosphere. Â
If you are not from the neighborhood, before the Shrine, Â go to the Studio Museum of Harlem, it's free on Sundays.
Shrine is a fantastic venue that caters to an eclectic crowd. On the night I went down to see a show there were vintage grooves playing with matching video montages and projections to match. Around 10 the indy rock started and the crowd was equally receptive. Afterwards, around midnight the DJ started spinning some excellent reggae-infused beats. I danced, I sweat, I shimmied and shaked.
Then I helped my friends load their gear into the van, stopping with one or two neighborhood folks to chat about the show.
The decor inside is dark, intimate, and fresh - album covers decorate the walls, and most light comes from votive candles set on each table. The staff are friendly too - just as welcoming as the crowd that inhabits the club. Our server also deserves a shout out - she was on her feet the whole night serving drinks and food up without missing a beat. Not only was she probably the most stunning woman I've ever seen, she was also very professional and nice.
Overall a five star experience, but I'm curious to see what Shrine is like on other nights - and I have yet to try the food, though I will say that the menu I skimmed was exceptionally veg friendly. I'm eager to try it out - especially the plaintains. Â Next time, Shrine, next time.
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