Black Lagoon, a pop-up bar debuting in nine cities this October, invites guests to experience true horror along with its cocktails. The brainchild of two industry veterans, Erin Hayes (Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles and Chicago's Lost Lake) and Kelsey Ramage (Trash Collective and Toronto’s soon-to-open Supernova), Black Lagoon promises an immersive, creepy experience that mixes the macabre with a splash of goth and metal.
The duo created their concept after running a successful pop-up at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans’ infamous Dungeon Bar. The first installment of Black Lagoon took over a popular bar in Toronto in October 2021 and was recently named Canada’s Best Pop-Up Bar by Canada’s 100 Best. It’s set to make an even bigger splash this year by bringing its macabre stylings to popular watering holes across North America.
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, guests will be able to immerse themselves in truly wicked environments that go beyond the traditional kitschy Halloween trappings and instead take their inspiration from goth culture and cult horror—think more House of 1,000 Corpses and less The Nightmare Before Christmas. Guests will encounter a dark, dungeon-like environment bedecked with skulls, life-size coffins, and other elements that pay homage to the occult and bizarre.
Black Lagoon’s playlist will mirror its more hardcore vibe, throwing in some punk and metal along with a soundtrack of eerie noises. Depending on the market, there may also be live entertainment that fits with the vibe.
Hayes and Ramage also hope Black Lagoon stands apart with its list of spooky but quality cocktails. “Kelsey and I both love the metal/goth/horror bars and those spots really inspired Black Lagoon, but they are more beer-and-a-shot type places,” says Hayes. “With our background in the spirits world, we wanted to pay extra attention to making sure our list is as tasty as it is blood curdling.”
The drinks menu is built around Halloween hues and guests can enjoy beverages that are orange, blood red, and dark black to celebrate the season. A few of the beverages will be served in custom glassware, which guests can purchase if they want to take home a souvenir.
Drinks include:
- Screaming Banshee (Botanist Gin, Giffard L’Abricot, pineapple syrup, greek yogurt)
- Lilith’s Cup (Mount Gay Black Barrel, Aperol, vermouth, passionfruit syrup, glitter)
- Closed Casket (Bruichladdich Classic, St. Remy, Giffard L’Abricot, passionfruit syrup, miso falernum)
- Hellraiser (Hornitos, Chairman's Spiced Rum, Cointreau, spiced oat orgeat).
Black Lagoon will set up shop at:
- The Dandy Crown in partnership with Hospitality 201 (Chicago)
- Hey Love (Portland)
- Lost Property Bar (Los Angeles)
- Nickel City (Dallas/Fort Worth)
- Yacht Club (Denver)
- Our Wicked Lady (New York City)
- 132 Bar Vintage (Montreal)
- Butcher & Bullock (Vancouver)
- Third Space (Toronto)
All spots will encourage guests to come in costume.
“We chose our roster of cities carefully,” says Hayes. “Each city has a robust cocktail culture, so guests expect quality drinks. We also wanted markets that have vibrant countercultures, so patrons who are likely to enjoy our immersive vibe will come and feel right at home.”
Overall, Black Lagoon is about celebrating everyone’s favorite spooky month of the year, but the pop-up is also about creating a safe space for those who may not feel at ease in every cocktail bar. “We want this to be a space for the weird, for the misfits and the goths,” says Hayes.
Ramage adds, “As an adult, this concept embraces my inner goth metal kid who just loved Halloween. We just want to let people have fun and experience true freedom from judgment.”
Black Lagoon debuts at each location in October and runs through Halloween.
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