Lin Manuel Miranda could never anticipate the hype The Heights has been getting.

The recent shutdown of one of our well-loved and visited bars Mel’s, has led to mania within the freshman community. Where will they go when they can’t go to frats? The terror! The horror!

I went to The Heights last semester and I fear that I might not return. The third floor of The Heights is drowning in frozen margaritas, and we are standing on their high chairs just looking for a way out. As I tried to make my way over to the bar, the only way I could get through was to part the Red Sea. Swarms, I would say tens of hundreds of people all forcing themselves to the bar. I feel for the bartenders because if I were to deal with them I would also be frantic. A freshman couple sandwiched me into their conversation as they asked the classic NSOP questions: What is your major? Are you a Barnard student? The Heights is now the epicenter of where Columbia students pick up Barnard students. 

Is it too much to ask to have a frozen margarita in peace? I was a frequent fan of The Heights before The Heights was popular. Yeah, I said it. I was ahead of the trend. Now, with the increased popularity, I can only go back for dinner, which might I say is fantastic and none of these newcomers will understand. 

No one will appreciate the basil pesto pasta with chicken like I do. Where else can you go for such a lovely meal? This experience tainted my view of The Heights. Yet The Heights could never disappoint me, just the people.

I understand that I am part of the masses. I am one of them though I try my best not to be. I am on those same high chairs that my ancestors once sat at. I, too, was a freshman just in search of a local bar. 

Fromarg via Bwarchives