There are things in life that we all need: food, shelter, love and tickets to "Hamilton." The groundbreaking musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda has snowballed into popular culture, snagging a Grammy, a Pulitzer, and now just this week, a record-setting 16 Tony Award nominations! So it’s going to be even less possible for the majority of us to see the show for a long time (it’s sold out through 2017). But fear not! There are many ways to fill your "Hamilton" void while you’re hanging around Manhattan waiting for your shot.
1. Drink custom "Hamilton" beer.
Gun Hill Brewing Co. based in the Bronx has released Rise Up Rye, named after Miranda’s lyric. This craft beer is served in 40 NYC bars and is priced at $12-$15 a bottle. At first, you may feel like, “Meh I’m poor! I’m not going to spend $15 on a beer, what is this, a Yankee game?” But then you’ll remember that "Hamilton" tickets range from $1,400 to $2,200. Suddenly, the beer idea seems very doable. Now obviously it won’t be as satisfying as seeing the Pulitzer prize-winning musical, but it does certainly give you a taste of it! (I hate myself for that pun.)
2. Find the nearest ATM and withdraw a crisp ten dollar bill.
This is a great way to spend some quality time with Alexander Hamilton and while you’re at the bank, take a minute to look around and reflect on how your bank would not exist if it weren’t for him. The Bank of the United States, established in 1791, was Mr. Hamilton’s idea. That’s no small change! (Last bad pun, I promise.)
3. Take a leisurely stroll around Lower Manhattan.
Hamilton spent the last few days of his life in a colonial brownstone on Jane Street in the West Village. One of the coolest things to see in the village is the juxtaposition of ivy-covered dwellings and cobblestone streets amidst the modern shine of the Freedom tower. Wall Street is where Hamilton worked, practiced law and hung out in Fraunces Tavern. In fact, Hamilton dined at said tavern with Aaron Burr only a week before the fatal duel, which brings us to the next activity…
4. Visit the cliff in Weehawken, New Jersey to stand on the actual site where the Hamilton/Burr duel took place.
I mean, if you’re a history buff or a musical theater fanatic or both, this is a pretty cool opportunity. The Weehawken Dueling Grounds has a beautiful memorial with commemorative plaques and this majestic bust that stands against the skyline. Weehawken can be seen from West Midtown—it’s so close to Manhattan, it seems as if you could easily swim across the Hudson to get there! (But don’t. Please, please don’t.)
5. Celebrate Mr. Hamilton’s birthplace—eat at a Caribbean restaurant.
This might be an unexpected fact for a guy who wore tights and a powdered wig, but Alexander Hamilton was actually born in St. Kitts, an island in the West Indies—so why not take this opportunity to try New York’s amazing Caribbean cuisine? Miss Lily’s on West Houston Street serves authentic Caribbean food. The restaurant, self-classified as a “Sunny Jamaican Diner”, has a cool retro look with bright, tropical colors and a beachy vibe. They also have a location on Avenue A called Miss Lily's 7a Cafe! If you’re hesitant to go full-Caribbean on your digestive system, try Negril Village, a cool, contemporary restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village. Dubbed as “New York savvy Caribbean Cuisine,” it’s authentic, but with a New York spin. Classy, Caribbean, American and “savvy”: all words that accurately describe Alexander Hamilton!
6.This one’s rather involved: Get 10 of your closest friends together along with your best-functioning iPod speakers. Stage your own production of “Hamilton” in Central Park.
Worried that your rap skills might disappoint your friends? Well, that’s where the aforementioned Rise Up Rye comes in handy! After you’ve had your fill of the custom “Hamilton” beverage, you’ll feel a little more confident. By the time you and your ‘company’ reach the final track of the show—and there are 23—you’ll be (falsely) thinking: “move over, Lin-Manuel Miranda!”
There are tons of Hamilton-related activities to take advantage of in New York City while you save up, lottery, beg, borrow or steal (what?) to see the highly acclaimed, revolutionary new musical. After all, it is “the greatest city in the world!”
