Blackout and Halloween Haunts

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 5:54pm

Halloween is coming and with it some of New York's best interactive theatrical experiences. Not a fan of, Nightmare. Haven't ventured through Times Scare, yet. Have enjoyed, Blood Manor, but the one that truly stands out for me is, Blackout. Wow!

Blackout is truly unique and "dangerous" in that it is over the top and pushes the boundaries. Very excited about this year's, Blackout Elements. Wondering if anyone else here has any thoughts on New York's Halloween offerings and specifically, Blackout.

Thought this might be an interesting topic, although perhaps a little early.

Updated On: 8/15/13 at 05:54 PM

[DEClarke]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 6:42pm

For those of us who don't live in NYC, please share a bit more. What are these?

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 7:03pm

I was wondering if anyone would add to this thread. I was surprised when it was slowly sinking. I love NYC's Halloween offerings and I thought this would make a great thread.

Blackout

http://www.blackouthh.com

By far the best in my opinion, Blackout, is an extreme walk through haunted house where the boundaries of what is and isn't "safe" are blurred. They accomplish this by having all of the participants read through a rather detailed list of rules and then sign a waiver. This only adds to the anticipation, although after having been through their "experience", you understand why this is necessary. They really do go overboard to the very intense.

In the past years, the event has been well received by critics and audiences alike. Although noted for being a bit extremely, isn't that what we're all looking for in a haunted Halloween experience. Last year, I was thrown up against a wall - more than once - asked to slow dance with a naked man down a darkened hallway, physically and verbally attacked, at one point had a plastic bag put over my head while the perpetrator tongued my ear and whispered sweet nothings to me. Very creepy.

These are just a few of the humiliating and disturbing - and brilliant - techniques they used to truly push boundaries and provoke a sort of fear / horror.

Blood Manor

http://www.bloodmanor.com

Is a more traditional walk through haunted maze. Its good, at moments very good, with a decent budget and a true commitment to create something fun for the New York audiences. My issue is simply that its not as unique and frightening as I like my haunted houses. Definitely fun though and worth an evening with like-minded friends who enjoy this sort of event.

Nightmare

http://www.hauntedhousenyc.com

The first year had a brilliant first scene and because of that I have gone back year after year. What a waste. By far, the least creative of the New York Halloween haunts. Nightmare is also a traditional walkthrough maze with a far more limited budget than Blood Manor. It also seems to survive on marketing, having by far the best subway poster campaign each year. I want this to be good. its not. Amateurish.

Times Scare

http://timesscarenyc.com

Haven't tried this out, yet. I will though. I suspect that this year I will include it among my Halloween adventures. Word of mouth is mixed, but I'm still hopeful. It is a permanent installation and as such, can grow in ways that the others can't.

If anyone has tried this, your thoughts would be appreciated.

***

Two years ago, there was also another walk through maze in the 20s. I don't remember the name of that haunted house, but it was good. I didn't see any sign of it being revived last year, so it may have not been very economically successful and didn't reopen.

Anyway... there are some great haunted experiences in the city. Of course, both Sleep No More, and Then She Fell, will also be performing this Halloween and they are a very welcome addition to the line-up of fun "scary" events.

Updated On: 8/15/13 at 07:03 PM

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 7:10pm

I like this topic, since I'm a fan of Halloween Horror Nights

The Blackout house seems a little bit too intense though...

Updated On: 8/15/13 at 07:10 PM

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 7:25pm

Blackout is intense and definitely not for the faint of heart. It is also the event that really delivers a truly unique horror experience. I can understand why some people would avoid Blackout, but I found it really exciting, creative and I appreciate that they push the boundaries.

Also the cast of Blackout are far more "committed" than the traditional walk through maze. These are actors who have clearly worked together on creating a fully realized theatrical experience.

It is by far my favorite New York haunt, and one of my most favorite in the genre in general, and I've been to many many haunted house.

[PTOPhan]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 9:46pm

I've only been to one Halloween haunted house, plus the haunted house at Universal Studios in LA. I can't imagine going to something like "Blackout," which appears from the description to be a case of paying to be assaulted - the guy grabbing people at Universal scared me enough!

Because I'm just a wimp, my idea of a great Halloween event is to see "The Phantom of the Opera" or to ride through the Disney "Haunted Mansion." What do you expect from someone who likes to look at Web sites with adorable animals snuggling with babies? Besides, living in Virginia, with Halloween right before Election Day, there's enough true horror here with the possibility of Ken Cuccinelli as governor.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 9:58pm

Love your post. And, I adore The Haunted Mansion.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:21am

I really thought this thread would have "legs". Hmmm? This is bump to see if anyone wants to comment before it sinks to obscurity.

[justincharacter]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:27am

Have you ever attended Sleep No More on Halloween, or around the holiday?

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 1:48am

I have. I love Sleep No More. I have been back several times and have taken many visiting friends with me. Its a great show, and it is eerie enough to make a wonderful Halloween evening.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 8:46am

I am one of Blackout's "Survivors". When Blackout started several years ago a few of us came together when we realized that we were the regulars. We attended not only the seasonal (October haunt) but also the off-season by invitation only events. In order to attend the off season you had to have attended at least one seasonal haunt. We became known as the "Survivors".

Yes Blackout is not for the faint of heart. Traditional haunted houses with the fake blood, props and zombie actors at this point to me are laughable. It does take guts to go alone into the darkness of Blackout. It is by far a theatrical experience to the wildest degree. Try it. You aren't going to get hurt (obviously) but letting your mind think you will get hurt is that edge of freight.

I have attended the seasonal haunts the past 4 years as well as the off season (mid year) haunted that take place in the spring/summer.

Happy to answer questions and encourage virgins.

[ARTc3]

Posted: 8/16/13 at 8:58am

I am glad that someone else sees Blackout as "a theatrical experience to the wildest degree". I agree with Brian07663NJ.