With the recent commercialization of Harlem, it is refreshing to know that some things will always remain the same. Founded in 1939, the Lenox Lounge maintained its original look to remind the Harlem Community of the original Harlem. When it first began, the Lenox Lounge catered primarily to the "Lost Generation," which is a white audience fascinated by jazz. Although the Lenox Lounge attracted primarily a white audience, the performers were essentially African-American. Many influential performers have passed through the Lenox Lounge, however, some of the most memorable were Billy Holiday, Miles Davis, John Hicks, Diana Nixon, and Robert Denver (just to name a few).

In 1988, Alvin Reed Senior purchased the Lounge from its former owner and dedicated his time to restoring the lounge. Reed restored the lounge with the intentions of attracting a more diverse crowd. He wanted people from downtown to experience the real Harlem, and realize that the conventional negative reputation of Harlem and replace if with a positive one. One of the ways that Alvin Reed accomplishes this is through Jazz. He sees jazz as not as a "black and white thing but as an everybody thing." He uses jazz as a means to bring all nationalities together.The Lenox Lounge also allows open mic nights in which people with in the lounge can perform. The Lenox Lounge believes that music is a key element in life and it can be used as a means to bring everybody together.

Jazz, however, is not the only thing that the lounge is famous for. The Lenox Lounge has debuted in many famous films including Malcolm X, Dead Presidents, Shaft (2000), and many others. These appearances in the films have helped publicize the lounge, and bring in a more diverse audience. Not only has the Lounge attracted attention from people from other areas, but it also has the support of the community. One of the goals of the Lenox Lounge is to expand so that it can create more jobs for the people with in the community.

The Lenox Lounge is hoping that it can expand from strictly being a bar, and come out as a restaurant. It is important for the Lenox Lounge to maintain its originality, while still allowing contemporary entertainment. However, the most important aspect the Lenox Lounge is Alvin Reed Senior, without his dedication then the bar would never have survived through the 1990s. The most important legacy of the Lenox Lounge would be the legacy of Alvin Reed Senior to his commitment to the lounge.

The Lenox Lounge is located on 125th Street and Lenox Ave. You can take the 2 and 3 train to 125th Street and you would be let off right in front of the Lounge.

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