Jeremiah Brooks, the chef of Hamilton on Main in downtown Newark.
The “Barbie” movie put pink in the spotlight. But the color had a special significance even before Barbie and Ken took a road trip into the real world.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and pink ribbons are the international symbol for the campaign.
Inspired by the color’s popularity and meaning, Anthony and Jeremiah Brooks decided to create a Pretty in Pink popup in the upstairs room of their restaurant, Hamilton’s on Main, in downtown Newark.
Partial proceeds from the sale of specialty cocktails and a bar menu will benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
They have transformed the restaurant’s 1776 Bourbon Lounge into an adult-size Barbie playhouse with shimmery pink curtains, salmon and rose-colored flowers, pink lightbulbs and shell-pink shades, and area rugs.
“It’s pink-a-palooza up there,” said Anthony, who runs the dining room while chef Jeremiah handles the kitchen.
Fun fundraisers
The Pretty in Pink promotion is the first of many events to leverage the space, which was primarily booked for special occasions.
Patrick Boyd, mixologist at Hamilton’s on Main in Newark.
Each month will have a different theme and beneficiary, Anthony said. (The exception is May, when the room is booked for UD graduation events.)
A Harry Potter motif will help raise money for testicular cancer research in November, and a winter wonderland in December will include Champagne and oysters.
Charities will receive 25% of the proceeds from the specialty cocktail menu designed by mixologist Patrick Boyd, who recently joined the restaurant staff.
“He really has an excellent knowledge of wine and craft cocktails,” Anthony said.
Current libations include the Barbie Dream Shot, made with Stateside Vodka, raspberries, lime juice and coconut.
As for wine, Hamilton’s partnered with Stella Rosa, which has a line of blush wines, including Rosa Berry, Rosa Watermelon and Strawberry Rose.
More ways to fight breast cancer
Hamilton’s on Main is not the only food-related fundraiser helping to support the fight against breast cancer.
Grotto Pizza created a special pizza and boli menu for October, with $2 from the sale of each item going to the DBCC. Last year, the chain raised $12,474 for the nonprofit.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, Dewey Goes Pink hits the beach. Spearheaded by Steve “Monty” Montgomery of The Starboard, the race includes a post-event spread from Bethany Blues BBQ, live music and pink grapefruit crushes.
On Oct. 12, DBCC’s Great Stuff, Savvy Resale & Home will have an after-hours sip-and-shop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Oct. 22, it’s the Deer Park Tavern’s turn to go pink with a walk/run.
Also on Oct. 22, Making Strides Delaware’s walk will take place at Bellevue State Park. Jaimie Watts is staking it one step further with a guest bartender night on Thursday, Oct. 12 at The Nomad in Wilmington to benefit her team.
The bartenders will take shifts from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Hamilton’s on Main Pretty in Pink popup hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 4 p.m. to close, and Sundays, 2 p.m. to close.
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