Once again, the world’s largest bar crawl supporting Black-owned businesses, Kwanzaa Crawl, is gearing up for the 2024 season!
This year, Kwanzaa Crawl is making a vibrant return to its Brooklyn roots. This event is set to attract thousands, organizing participants into 70+ groups exploring over 30 Black-owned establishments across different neighborhoods, including Bushwick and Flatbush.
Conceived in 2016 by comedian, writer, and community activist Kerry Coddett, along with her sister, talent manager Krystal Stark, this annual one-day celebration is dedicated to honoring Black culture, promoting economic empowerment, and fostering community-based on Kwanzaa’s principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Reflecting on the journey since 2016, co-founder Krystal Stark emphasizes the ongoing significance of focusing on practical solutions for cooperative economics and community building. The joy is palpable as local entrepreneurs expand their influence into Brooklyn neighborhoods, extending the Crawl’s impact beyond familiar areas. Stark sees this commitment as a way to solidify political and social capital in Black communities, not only in New York, but globally.
How does Kwanzaa Crawl work?
Join the crawl by selecting a venue of your choice. This will be the first stop on the crawl route. (The next two stops will be determined by the Kwanzaa Crawl representative and at the 4th stop, you can Crawl to a venue of your choice.)
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Choose any team that begins at your first stop. This is the team you’ll be crawling with.
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A Kwanzaa Crawl team leader will lead you and your team from bar to bar.
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Teams can have anywhere from 25 to 125 people.
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Teams will crisscross, split up, get back together, and at most venues; multiple teams will show up to the same bar at the same time!
How do you pick a route for Kwanzaa Crawl?
Your route is predetermined and you won’t know all of the bars your team will hit until you get your Kwanzaa Crawl® map at the Kick-Off ceremony. That’s a big part of the fun!
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Each team will hit four bars, and teams will rotate from bar to bar at the same time.
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There will be thousands of Crawlers participating, so the only way to ensure that there’s enough space is for everyone to stay with their teams. After 9pm, all crawlers can roam freely to any participating bar.
40+ bars across eight neighborhoods in Brooklyn will be open exclusively to Kwanzaa Crawlers with dope DJs, drink specials and food.
Since its inception, Kwanzaa Crawl has drawn over 15,000 attendees, injecting over $1,000,000 in revenue to 50+ participating Black businesses across New York. Rooted in the collectivist ethos of African culture, the event weaves ideals of unity and cooperative work into every aspect. Teams, led by enthusiastic guides with music-playing bullhorns, join forces to sing, dance, and celebrate on a day dedicated to fostering joy, community building, and economic solidarity.
Secure your tickets at Kwanzaa Crawl’s official website, kwanzaacrawl.com.