Times Scare, New York City’s only year-round haunted attraction, just might be the ultimate Halloween experience. The ghostly frights, eerie bars, live shows, and horror flicks attract thrill-seekers from all over the country.
Haunted House and Bar
Built-in a 1920’s crematorium, Times Scare occupies one of the most haunted buildings in the nation. According to their website, “this state-of-the-art haunted house has been built in the same rooms which years ago were stalked by one of the east coast’s most notorious killers.” Rumor has it that the killer actually claimed the life of one of his victims here and that ghost continues to roam the rooms and corridors to this day.
The historic building conveys a hair-raising sensation of horror and intrigue, remnants of New York’s darker past. Today, this cutting-edge haunted experience takes you into a demented world replete with gore, startle scares, mental patients, chainsaws, zombies, and psychotic clowns.
(Personally, I can handle everything but the clowns. WHO came up with the idea that clowns are supposed to be funny?!)
Ticket prices are what you would expect to pay in the heart of New York. $27 for adults, $22 for children (although there is no minimum age, this experience isn’t recommended for anyone under 10 years old).
This terrifying venue has a lot more to offer than just thrills and heart-stopping frights, however. In fact, it’s probably advisable to work up a little liquid courage before heading into the Haunt.
The Kill Bar, with its ominous ambiance, offers a full bar service complete with Absinthe tastings. You can indulge in specialty cocktails like Death in the Afternoon, Dracula’s Kiss, Curse of the Screaming Druid, Corpse Reviver, or Shut Up and Swallow.
Be sure to arrive early and take advantage of the ‘unhappy’ hour specials until 8:00 pm. You can also enjoy Ladies Night every Wednesday, but beware: the kitchen is only open Friday and Saturday nights.
Halloween enthusiasts wanting the full experience can take advantage of the Haunt and Ghost Cocktail Combo. For $30 you can choose from The Phantom, Ghost Wearing White, or The Bogeyman to go with your haunted attraction ticket.
The definitive thrill-seeker can even partake in a Haunt and Absinthe tasting. You can try 3 samples of the anise (black licorice) flavored drink before experiencing the haunted attraction if you dare. Tickets for this combo deal are $35 per person or $60 per couple.
No night out in New York City would be complete without a live show, and Times Scare has several spooktacular appearances for you to choose from.
The Atomic Café – The Gore in Horror is a new variety show featuring comic horror plays, musical acts, comics, and more. Performances run every Tuesday evening beginning at 8:00 pm and are not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. You can grab a couple of Premium Priority Seating tickets, which include 2 drinks off the Kill Bar menu and a Times Scare gift, for $55.
Goon River promises to be a show unlike any you have seen before. The acclaimed comedy group, Face Off Unlimited, has created a theater experience inspired by the classic Spoon River Anthologies. “Completely improvised and performed in total darkness, Goon River is a unique journey into the imagination.”
Immersed in darkness, listeners are surrounded by the tales of wonder and woe being woven around them. At only $15 in advance ($20 at the door) tickets are amazingly affordable. Showtimes are Sundays at 2:00 pm.
If the haunted house, Absinthe tasting & pitch-black theater experience aren’t enough to scare you, there’s always Saturday night Scaryoke. Claimed to be the “craziest x-rated karaoke in the world,” you can sing your guts out with Shequida from season 3 of America’s Got Talent every Saturday night beginning at 10:00 pm.
You can also plan ahead and hit up one of the many special events, like Zombie Game Night at the Kill Bar or the Dead Sexy Burlesque Show.
In their own words, “whether you are braving the haunted house or just stopping by to grab a drink you won’t want to miss this unique venue on your next trip…we’re dying to serve you!”
Info:
Times Scare, New York City
669 8th Ave. Between 42nd & 43rd
Prices:
Haunt only: $27 – Adults, $22 – Children
Haunt & Ghost Cocktail Combo: $30/person
Haunt & Absinthe Tasting: $35/person or $60/couple
Haunt Hours:
Tues-Thurs 6 – 11pm, Fri 6pm-1am, Sat 2pm-1am, Sun 3-11pm
Bar Hours:
Tues-Thurs 5-11pm, Fri-5pm-2am, Sat 2pm-2am, Sun 3pm-11pm
*Currently, both Groupon and Living Social are running deals up to 43% off, so be sure to take advantage of them.
Are you a fan of haunted houses? Would you be willing to try an experience like this? What’s the spookiest Halloween encounter you’ve ever had?
