Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC

[donkbee]

Incubus (my all time favorite band) is playing at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on the 31st and I am going to see them. My tickets are general admission. I NEED to be on the rail. Therefore I plan to get there hours before doors open to ensure this. I'll be with one person.

Now I have questions. First off, what's the area surrounding the doors like? Is there anywhere remotely comfortable (relatively speaking) to wait for hours around the doors? What should I bring to prepare for this? How should I amuse myself? Am I totally retarded here?

Secondly, has anyone here done this before, particularly at this venue? How early do you think I should get there? I'm thinking at least 5 hours before doors open, but maybe I'm wrong.

Third problem. I'm staying in Pennsylvania, not in New York. Therefore, we need to get to NYC somehow. I'm assuming that the best idea is to stay in NYC the night of the 30th so that we'll be in the city already, but I don't wanna do this because we'd have to have a bunch of overnight stuff with us. Unless we stay two nights ... but I'm already spending WAY too much money and this is the least desirable option money-wise. So what else can I do? Get up super early and drive? If I do that, where do I park? How about taking a train to the city?

Someone in NYC wanna become friends with me and let me stay with you for a night ...?

Anyway, ideas and comments appreciated!

[bigspenda73]

Damn I love Incubus

Can't help with anything else

[Phantaroth]

I thinkkkkk ive been there.... I think. I'll get back to you about this.

Oh but no you cant stay here. Sorry. :'(

[Phantaroth]

Okay, i am 99% sure I saw Alkaline Trio + others here a few years ago.

1. Waiting for the doors to open is waiting in line on the side walk. It will go around the corner. Inside I think sitting on the floor is your most common option, perhaps the occasional chair.

2. There is a coat check, I believe it is downstairs.

3. If it is an all-standing concert, you can not get there early and just push your way up in between bands. This takes some strength or dedication.

4. Being up against the rail sucks. I reccomend standing directly behind the mosh pit, or in front of it but a few rows ahead so you don't get elbowed in the face.

5. Standing against the rail for the opening bands that sucks to keep your spot is boring. I have been known to get cramps in the legs. This is dangerous buisness.

6.I don't think you need to camp overnight, but honestly, I don't like many "reallllllly" popular bands. Perhaps you should get there 5-7 hours early... I go about 2 hours early for some punk shows and am usualy about 30-40 people back on line.

7. Your best option from Pennsylvania might be to drive into New York City and find a parking garage. I highly perfer the train, but I am not sure what if any trains run from there to NYC.

[boost]

at some concert at a midwest college lil wayne got banned and fined for "making it rain" which caused several people to get trampled. How balla is that?

[donkbee]

Okay, i am 99% sure I saw Alkaline Trio + others here a few years ago.

1. Waiting for the doors to open is waiting in line on the side walk. It will go around the corner. Inside I think sitting on the floor is your most common option, perhaps the occasional chair.

2. There is a coat check, I believe it is downstairs.

3. If it is an all-standing concert, you can not get there early and just push your way up in between bands. This takes some strength or dedication.

4. Being up against the rail sucks. I reccomend standing directly behind the mosh pit, or in front of it but a few rows ahead so you don't get elbowed in the face.

5. Standing against the rail for the opening bands that sucks to keep your spot is boring. I have been known to get cramps in the legs. This is dangerous buisness.

6.I don't think you need to camp overnight, but honestly, I don't like many "reallllllly" popular bands. Perhaps you should get there 5-7 hours early... I go about 2 hours early for some punk shows and am usualy about 30-40 people back on line.

7. Your best option from Pennsylvania might be to drive into New York City and find a parking garage. I highly perfer the train, but I am not sure what if any trains run from there to NYC.

Awesome post, thanks muchly!

I've been elbowed (more often kicked, though) in the face plenty of times at rock shows, it's all good

I definitely know that standing at the stage to keep my spot during the openers is boring as hell, but this is the one concert where I have to do it. I think I'll probably get there around 7 hours before the doors open.

As of now, we're gonna be spending the night of the 30th in the city and then parking our car somewhere on the 31st. If anyone thinks of a better idea, let me know ...

Thanks again, Phantaroth.

[Phantaroth]

No problem, you say youll spend your night in the city, then park the car somewhere else... Where are you planning to park overnight? The city = kinda card to park in... anywhere

Edit: Are you staying somewhere overnight or camping out overnight, as that certainly changes the parking situation, as im guessing wherever youd be staying with someone has somewhere to park...

Edit again: nevermind, i misread the transit map.

[donkbee]

We're going with a hotel for now and we'll pay to park somewhere overnight. Then during the next day, we'll pay somewhere else to park Damn parking ...

You live in NYC?

[Phantaroth]

A hotel in NYC? Shit i wish i had money

I live in Westchester NY, I go to college in New York City via train, its 40 minutes on the local train about 30 on the express, so I'm pretty close to thur. I love the city but driving there = sucks, and hotels there = $$$. Train isn't so bad tho! Grand Central Station is nice and the subways go basically everywhere, so yay public transportation.

[biondino]

Are you hoping for a Courtney Cox moment, Courtie?

I wouldn't stand anywhere in winter for 7 hours, though. Are you fairly short?

I saw Belle and Sebastian at the Hammerstein, had a terrible time, then went to the club night I was putting on and got it on with a lovely NYC girl

[donkbee]

A hotel in NYC? Shit i wish i had money

I live in Westchester NY, I go to college in New York City via train, its 40 minutes on the local train about 30 on the express, so I'm pretty close to thur. I love the city but driving there = sucks, and hotels there = $$$. Train isn't so bad tho! Grand Central Station is nice and the subways go basically everywhere, so yay public transportation.

I've done the subway jazz a couple years ago and didn't find it too bad. I might reevaluate our decision to drive because parking is getting ridiculously expensive and you're right, the hotel in NYC is getting ridiculously expensive too, lol ... Especially since I chucked $500 last night playing poker

Are you hoping for a Courtney Cox moment, Courtie?

I don't get this joke

I wouldn't stand anywhere in winter for 7 hours, though. Are you fairly short?

I'm like 5'4 ... why? Why don't I understand any of this post, lol

I saw Belle and Sebastian at the Hammerstein, had a terrible time, then went to the club night I was putting on and got it on with a lovely NYC girl

Why did you have a terrible time?? How was the venue? I had a choice of a lot of shows and I chose this particular location because of the things I've heard about the Hammerstein.

That's a good idea though. If the show sucks, I'll have to make sure I have a good sex back up plan.

[bigred]

That's a good idea though. If the show sucks, I'll have to make sure I have a good sex back up plan.

I live like 5 hours from the city, I can be your backup plan!

[donkbee]

That's a good idea though. If the show sucks, I'll have to make sure I have a good sex back up plan.

I live like 5 hours from the city, I can be your backup plan!

threesome?

[Phantaroth]

I'd def. reccomend the train, but I looked and didnt see anything going from PA to NYC... But I'm not from around there so i dunno.

[donkbee]

I don't think there's anything from PA but we could maybe drive to NJ and go from there?

[zook]

Where will you be in PA? Plenty of trains from Philly to NYC.

[Phantaroth]

There is a station in Trenton, NJ that goes to Penn Station.

[bigred]

That's a good idea though. If the show sucks, I'll have to make sure I have a good sex back up plan.

I live like 5 hours from the city, I can be your backup plan!

threesome?

Ur friend's a chick right? I'm only eGay.

[donkbee]

Where will you be in PA? Plenty of trains from Philly to NYC.

We're gonna be in Lansford ... I've never been to PA, so that means nothing to me ATM

[donkbee]

I'm only eGay.

Oh

[bigred]

So it's a dude? I don't do threesomes with another dude, no matter how cool you are bee. Maybe with Xianti...maybe

[zook]

Where will you be in PA? Plenty of trains from Philly to NYC.

We're gonna be in Lansford ... I've never been to PA, so that means nothing to me ATM

Lansford's not very close to Philly. If you don't want to deal with parking in the city, you could stop in Jersey on your way to NYC (Morristown might be closest/easiest?) and catch a train there. Might be more hassle than it's worth though. I'd call the hotel and see what they think.