NYC Tip: Sleep No More

While I lived in California for a while, I never visited New York City. Last year (2023) work briefly took me to the city and I would have to come back with more time to explore.

During my trip planning, I reached out to Orta who I know had lived in NYC for a while while also being deeper into the arts scene. While he gave me a wonderful list of things to eat, visit, and do, one item caught my interest: a weird thing called Sleep No More.

From the website it wasn’t clear what it was. A hotel? A haunted house? A bar? With a steep price of admission ($150), I was skeptical. I researched it a tiny bit more and learned that it’s best experienced without knowing too much about what you’ll experience. So one would have to take a leap of faith…

I somehow was able to talk two friends into going (tough pitch, not knowing what you’re pitching) and our minds were blown. We kept talking about it for days and it’s still woven into our dreams to this day.

Some Tips

  • Read at least a one-page summary of Macbeth to roughly know the characters.
  • Consider taking one or two friends, but roam independently. You’ll want someone to talk to after it.
  • Try to guess a slow night and book the earliest slot (e.g. 7pm). My suggestions would be Sunday to Wednesday.
  • Book “Oz’ Guest” (add $30) ticket for the expedited access line to avoid getting in line earlier. It also will reserve you a seat a table at the jazz bar in lobby of the venue.
  • Be there 15 minutes before your slot to be one of the first in the expedited access line.
  • If you order a drink after you get to the lobby, be prepared that you might not get to drink it before being admitted into the experience (definitely go in as soon as you’re called). You might consider asking your waiter whether they can get you a water and whether you can pre-order something for after the show ends at 10pm. Consider leaving the alcohol for later to be alert for the experience.
  • Optional: Consider wearing clothes that fit with the dark noir theme. But wear shoes that you can run in.

A few things that might make sense once you’re in:

  • Be curious and accept that you will miss things (the FOMO is strong here).
  • Identifying some of the Macbeth characters will help you navigate.
  • Don’t be afraid of being a follower with a group of other people. Especially during the first hour where less people are in the building. But following a side character can be equally rewarding.
  • Following loud music might lead you to interesting places.

Additional Reading

You might also consider reading another spoiler-free primer for Sleep No More which has a bit more information.