via MICHAEL FEENEY / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

When Harlem Tavern opened last summer, it was the place to be uptown – especially the spacious outdoor patio.

But it left customers constantly asking employees the same question what would happen to the outdoor space when the weather turned cold?

Owner Gareth Fagan said the solution was to enclose the patio so customers can continue to dine on the popular outdoor space.

“The patio was the draw,” said Fagan, whose restaurant on the corner of W. 116th St. and Frederick Douglass Blvd. opened in July.

The busy corner eatery, once the site of an auto body shop, often had a long line of people waiting just for a seat outside.

“It just shows you what a need there was ,” he said. “It’s kind of like the ‘Cheers’ of the neighborhood. People can come in and see people that they know.”

Outdoor seating has become increasingly popular in Harlem, with many restaurants along Frederick Douglass Blvd. and Lenox Ave. offering the option for their customers.

But Harlem Tavern is one of the only restaurants to keep the seating option available all year round.  READ MORE >>>