The Hamilton

“It is a wholly unexpected, elegant cocktail bar nestled close to Columbia University on the Upper West Side.”

“We tried the chicken liver pate and warm scotch egg (pork belly sausage wrapped around an egg) which were both delectable.”

“They also have other savory indulgences like the grilled cheese with truffle or baked mac and cheese, and who doesn't want those after one, or several, beverages.”

The Hamilton

Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes

Price range.

$$ Price range $11-30

8 reviews

  1. This is a small whiskey bar. It is a sister establishment of Caledonia Scottish Pub (2nd Ave & 83rd). They have a great selection of whiskey and bourbon.

    The bar, playing on the popularity of Alexander Hamilton in pop culture, is Hamilton themed, with photos of Alexander, Eliza and a depiction of the duel on the walls.

    I was here for brunch on a Saturday. It was quiet, there was only one table and two other people at the bar. The brunch menu looked great and all brunch entrees come with a cocktail.

    I would definitely return here. Due to the small size, it's not great for large groups. All but one of the tables are two-to-three tops, so I wouldn't come here with more than 4 people.

  2. Not sure what's up with 5 star reviews here.

    Came here with my cousin, his girlfriend and my sister. I go out pretty often in LA since all my friends are from the nightlife scene. I can surely say I know the difference between a good drink and a bad one.

    I ordered Moscow Mule for $14 and I don't think I saw it on the menu. If I order Moscow Mule usually it's served in a copper mug, I see fresh ginger and fresh mint leaf. The alcohol is strong but light enough. And usually the taste of spicy ginger and lime is in the drink as well.

    At The Hamiltonit was served in a very sad glass and a straw. Almost no taste of ginger and no alcohol at all. I complained and the server told me they just mix Ginger Beer and Vodka. And to solve that problem she just added more Ginger Beer to it. Great now there is no Vodka in my drink and all I taste is a lemonade kind of drink. SO SAD! And $14?

    Yes the drinks of the others were not strong either.

    Overall a place that I would not recommend. There may be only me who gives it 1 star rating and people are still convinced by the good reviews of others. But if you wanna have a great time…. NYC has so many amazing bars to offer.

  3. What a gem this place is.

    I have been here quite a few times and will return again and again. From the servers to the bartenders, all of the staff is wonderful. They chat you up just enough with a smile that gets anyone in a good mood.

    Though having good staff is almost the most important, the food is what brings us here. IMO the neighborhood doesn't have the greatest food options..but this is by far one of the best in the area. The Philly Cheese steak is delicious and I never ever leave a fry behind. The grilled cheese is also one of my favs.

    Whiskey bar or naht I get the gin. Bees knees is the bees knees for sure. I absolutely love the dark cherry garnish. My boyfriend loves the bramble and gets that every time. We try to sneak into the awesome elevated corner seat in the back. You can't miss it. Best seat in the house

    Go here!!

  4. Buried treasure on the upper west side, thrilled to have found this spot. I came here with my cousin for dinner and we were blown away by the Philly cheesesteaks, which were served panini-style on a garlic toasted fluffy roll. Came with a side of killer fries, too. Possibly some of the best I've ever had. It's a lovely space, small but with a lot of character. I wasn't thrilled by their drink selection, they didn't have too many cider options (my favorite) but based on other reviews I think they're supposed to be more of a whiskey bar anyway.

  5. Walked in here around 11 for some time with friends. Mike is amazing. Very courteous. Ambience is quite intimate. Classy. Excellent collection of whiskeys. One of the best ones. A lot to choose from. I did not try the food but the menu did appear quite innovative.

    Recommend for the ambience, decor and for mike who's amazing!!

  6. The Hamilton is a small, hole-in-the-wall establishment in Morningside Heights. It's pretty new to the area and seems like it has great potential for longevity. If you are a whiskey connoisseur, it's an absolute MUST. Our bartender Dave was very friendly and kept us entertained during happy hour and beyond.

    They have many specialty cocktails, house rules that should be written into our Constitution, and some really lackluster food. (Note: apparently the steak sandwich is amazing- and smelled it- but we didn't order that). I had both the Old fashioned and the Penicillin cocktails. Both were well-made, strong, and pleasing to the eye. I'd recommend them.

    I had a bite of Julio's warm Scotch egg and I wasn't terribly impressed. The sausage surrounding the egg was quite dry. Julio's steak frites was decent, considering the bar atmosphere and probably the best food we sampled all night. Mardory claims the chicken liver pate was excellent, but I wasn't able to try that, either. 🙁 Finally, there was my burger, which was disappointing. I'll give them a bonus point for tossing my fries, which were perfect, in truffle butter. However, the burger itself looked like Wendy's but tasted like White Castle. Not acceptable for $16.

    If you're looking for a solid time, and you enjoy whiskey or Alexander Hamilton, you should check this place out. They offer a laid back atmosphere, a warm staff, and great cocktails. The prices are great during happy hour and maybe the steak sandwich is worth ordering, but I'd probably opt for dinner elsewhere. I look forward to my next drunken experience here.

  7. This is a darling little bar that makes great Manhattans. I happened to be reading Ron Chernow's biography at the time, and asked the server if I could get a discount if I happened to have the book on me, she said no and didn't think I was funny. Great drinks and atmosphere, will be back soon.

  8. It was a definite good time. We both terrified and entertained our mixologist, Dave. He, in turn, gave us mind blowing, tasty drinks. The old fashioned was divine. Beware the strength of the sazerac. They also offer beer and wine. Everyone was happy.

    Ordered the chicken liver pate that also came with a side of bacon jam and crusty, delicious bread; two pickled carrots were part of the presentation. Paté is made in-house and was smooth with a hint of sweet. Yum.  (I heard and smelled good things about the steak sandwiches –next on my list).

    Laid back atmosphere, great for a quick stop or a longer stay. The restrooms are tiny but efficient.  Happy hour is a must. Crowd is mixed but interesting. Worth the visit–and a repeat.

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Amsterdam Avenue 998
New York 10025 NY US
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Monday, 4:00 pm - 2:00 am
Tuesday, 4:00 pm - 2:00 am
Wednesday, 4:00 pm - 2:00 am
Thursday, 4:00 pm - 3:00 am
Friday, 3:00 pm - 4:00 am
Saturday, 11:00 am - 4:00 am
Sunday, 11:00 am - 2:00 am