Melissa Manning and Alie Moya are multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs building a space that’s more than a bar. The Gradient, which opened in April, is a space to gather and it will almost certainly put you in a better mood. The staff will take care of you if you’re on a bad date, if it’s your birthday, or if you want to do some yoga followed by a glass of rosé or a mocktail.

Manning and Moya took over the space from Canadian-themed bar Up North and reopened the next day, after a few changes, including painting a wall pink, covering up the maple leaves, and adding some plants. Moya has a green thumb and has never lost a plant. The duo had been looking for a space together for quite some time, almost signing on to convert a loft in Ridgewood. There were plans for a huge color gradient there and they kept the concept for the new space, which was much more turnkey.

The Gradient also signals the space’s inclusivity. Moya saw lots of discrimination working in nightlife, “from places not serving Hennessey to dress codes” and works to create a different enviroment. They also pay their drag queens fairly at events, rather then having them work for tips, a common practice, and respect for artists and performers is paramount.