Set the Mood
Between El Barrio and Central Harlem is the best of the best restaurant called The Good Good.
A different kind of energy stirs as dusk settles in East Harlem, a more intimate gathering in the making. Nestled on the corner of 119th Street and Park Avenue, sits a place called The Good Good, a beacon inviting you to discover the unfolding story of uptown nightlife.
Co-owner Justine Masters describes the corner as "a rich intersection between two different worlds.” You're moving from the brownstones of West Harlem towards the thriving spirit of East Harlem, El Barrio. The restaurant stands in between those neighborhood centers, a meeting point, a testament to the growth happening uptown, north of the traditional bright lights
You're not likely to stumble upon The Good Good by chance. As Justine points out, “It's off the beaten path, not a lot of foot traffic on 119th and Park compared to main boulevards like Lenox and Frederick Douglass or 2nd or 3rd.”
This wasn't a mistake; it was a deliberate choice. "Whenever you're coming to the corner of 119th in Park, you're going somewhere," Justine explains. It becomes an intentional act, a journey with a destination in mind. People are drawn to this area because cornerstones like La Marqueta draw folks to this part of Harlem. The Good Good offers a new reason to make that trip
The owners, Justine and Juliet Masters, and Lesly Bernard, are deeply invested in The Good Good. "We all have our hands on the venue," Justine shared. "I think when owners are involved, really involved, they're present. Not only to maintain the business, but the physical space itself that people feel - that it resonates with them.” For Justine, this means bringing in the flowers and fauna every week, ensuring that the space feels cared for. "We care about that space as if it is our living room and I think that's something that people feel when they come into the space, the venue.”
What awaits you when you arrive?
No glaring neon signs, no boisterous crowds spilling onto the street. Just a "small little logo in the window with the name and that's it,” Justine explains. You might even wonder if you've found the right spot.
“Then you open the door and there's a curtain and then you part the curtain and you're like in another world,” Justine explains as her eyes light up mimicking every customer that’s set foot into their establishment. It's a transition, a deliberate stepping away from the everyday hustle and into something altogether more special.
The atmosphere inside is something they’ve poured their hearts into creating. "Our partner, Lesly, designed The Good Good to feel more like your Auntie's living room parlor in Harlem. More curated, lived in and accumulated over time and not ‘designed’ per se,” Justine explains. “It’s curated over time with different pieces of fabrics and the textures. Everything is stacked on top of one another to create this warmth. You're enveloped in warmth.”
And the lighting?
Initially a source of playful debate over cost, the lighting became crucial to the atmosphere of this speakeasy vibe. As Justine chuckled, "At first Juliette and I were like ‘Why are we spending so much money on a light bulb?’ ... and then once it all came together we understood the importance.” It all works together to create a feeling of intimacy, of being welcomed into a cherished space.
Justine notes that they felt compelled to “create something phenomenal” because of their location. They envisioned a space that would draw people in; a place that was both a neighborhood spot and a travel destination. In doing so, they tapped into a need in the community. As Justine reflects looking around Harlem, "There were not a lot of cocktail bars that also served food, not just bites but like a restaurant.” There was a desire among Uptowners, Justine emphasizes, for those who "want to spend our money locally and stay in our neighborhood in order to achieve the feeling of ‘Oh honey, let's go on a date. Let's go somewhere sexy tonight and it's still Uptown.”
The Good Good fills that void, offering that sophisticated yet comfortable experience right here in Harlem. “We haven’t even talked about the music,” Justine interrupts, as she expands on the constant evolution of the venue. “We started bringing in DJ's on Thursday and Friday nights that compliment dinner service and then get you on your dancing feet in the late night.”
This somewhat "out of the way" location with the Park Avenue address, far from being a drawback, actually enhances the experience. As Justine eloquently puts it, "You definitely are transported. Whenever you're coming to the corner of 119th in Park, you're going somewhere.”
Unlike the constant buzz of busier areas, arriving at The Good Good feels like a commitment to something different. "It's meant to make you feel like you could be anywhere. That you don't really know that you're on 119th and Park. You could be anywhere," Justine explains, her voice reflecting the magic they've created. "The surprise on their faces say ’This is not what I was expecting,’ because it gives a downtown feeling, an upscale spot and it's right here on the corner.”
If you're yearning to explore New York City nightlife, to step away from the familiar downtown scene, let The Good Good be your guide to the unfolding nights of Uptown. Venture to that unassuming corner on 119th and Park, part the curtain, and discover a space where the drinks are crafted with care, the atmosphere embraces you like a warm hug, and the spirit of Harlem's evolving energy comes alive. It’s more than just a night out; it’s an opportunity to witness and partake in the vibrant growth of a community, to find those good things in a place you might not have expected.