A bold new creative space is coming to Brooklyn next year. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones is launching The North Star + Bar, a Black-owned literary salon and bar in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The project promises a revival of Black artistic energy while giving writers a true home in the neighborhood.
The North Star + Bar blends a bookstore, bourbon bar, and café into one space. It is designed to support Black writers, celebrate Black culture, and offer a place where ideas can grow. The new space also stands as a major cultural addition to Bed-Stuy’s creative landscape.
A New Literary Hub Arrives in Brooklyn
The North Star + Bar aims to create a safe and inspiring home for Black writers. Hannah-Jones explained that many major book events in New York rarely take place in Black neighborhoods. She wants to change that.
“I’m very plugged into the writer community,” she told Brownstoner. “Whenever you have big book events in the city, they’re not at Black bookstores and not in Black neighborhoods, so I really wanted to bring that to Bed-Stuy.”
The establishment will host writing workshops, book clubs, author conversations, and live performances. Visitors will also enjoy Black-owned spirits, reflecting the space’s commitment to uplifting Black creators and entrepreneurs. Its motto is simple but powerful: READ. DRINK. PLOT.
Business Partners Bringing Fresh Vision to Bed-Stuy
The North Star + Bar is not a solo project. Hannah-Jones partnered with Rotimi and Ayo Akinnuoye, owners of Bed-Vyne Wine & Spirits. She also brought in DJ Johnson, owner of the New Orleans bookstore and café Baldwin & Co.
This team brings experience in literature, community building, and hospitality. Their combined vision aims to give Brooklyn a place rich in culture and rooted in community care.
Moreover, the project arrives at a time when Black creative spaces are becoming more important. The partners hope the new spot will inspire writers and attract literary talent from across the country.
Honoring the History of 339 Macon Street
The North Star + Bar will open at 339 Macon Street, a historic address in Bed-Stuy. The location once housed Macon Hardware, one of the area’s longest-running Black-owned businesses until its closure in 2023.
The hardware store had deep community roots. Peter and Clara Hayes owned it for decades. Peter started working there at age 12, eventually buying the business from its Polish immigrant owners. After Peter died, Clara kept it going until her passing in 2022. Months later, her son also passed away, leaving Warren Hayes alone to manage everything. Overwhelmed, he had no choice but to close the store.
Hannah-Jones understands the importance of this history. She shared, “Mr. Hayes was very happy to sell it to someone who cares about the community. I’m very much honored to keep the building Black-owned, frankly.”
A Space for Writers to Work, Stay, and Connect
The two-story building will offer more than books and drinks. The first floor will house a full bar and a kitchen. The second floor will serve as a private apartment for visiting writers.
This setup will allow writers to live, work, and engage with the community in the same space. It gives creatives a quiet place to finish a project or prepare for a reading while staying close to local audiences.
Construction and setup are ongoing. The website states that the doors are expected to open in early 2026.
A New Renaissance for Bed-Stuy’s Creative Community
The North Star + Bar represents more than a business. It symbolizes a return to communal creativity, cultural pride, and literary excellence. Hannah-Jones hopes the space will uplift both new and established writers while honoring the neighborhood’s long history.
With its workshops, events, and community-centered mission, the establishment could mark the beginning of a new creative wave in Bed-Stuy.
