Re: Blackout. I highly recommend it to EVERYONE. I didn't know a lot about Blackout other than what I saw in glimpses on social media over the past few years. I've always loved haunts but I couldn't bring myself to do them anymore. I've been raped and sexually assaulted and the idea of people jumping at me or grabbing me scared the hell out of me. It's not something I thought about, but as someone whose love language is physical touch, it's something I needed to reclaim. I was so proud of my partner for going through with it and the way he described it, I knew I had to go. I bought my ticket yesterday and the anticipation killed me in the best way possible. When I arrived, I checked in with Faith upfront -- she IMMEDIATELY made me feel safe and was such a joy to talk to. And Kris -- I appreciate him so, so much. I knew the questions I was going to be asked before going in so I knew I needed to be honest about my anxiety. I just started taking medication again and although I feel significantly better, I know when I'm off or triggered. His check in was SO reassuring and he instilled that confidence in me that I could do this and be honest with myself if I needed to stop. The actors were everything. I knew I was in safe hands the entire time. Their generosity of vulnerability and control and their ability to read my body and what I needed in the moment was incredible. I was terrified and amused and happy among a shit ton of other feelings, and ultimately, I knew I was safe. And FUCK it felt so, SO good to scream. I'm very grateful for what this experience provided for me. I know I have a lot of healing to do when it comes to trust and understanding physical touch in different types of relationships, but this experience proved to me that it's something I don't have to be afraid of, it is something I need and I can embrace, and if I'm ever afraid, I'm in control. It also made me SO excited for rewrites on my musical, MAXA. My ultimate goal for the piece is to make it accessible to survivors like myself and leave the ending in a way that may not be satisfying for everyone, but at the very least, cathartic. I felt so much relief and dread when I finished it because I was deep in the pits of my depression at the time. Blackout inspired the hell out of me and I can't wait to dive back in. To their company, thank you for everything. I didn't know that this was something I needed and I'm so grateful for the experience. If you're curious about it, I couldn't recommend it more. Go, go, go before they close. read more

Blackout Haunted House - Haunted Houses Near Me - New York, New York

They need to seriously rethink the whole approach. It's hard to believe that blackout is tan by the same people that came out with the amazing serial killers experience. I had high hopes of being scared but I was mostly just freaked out and uncomfortable. I don't want to spoil it for some with too much detail, but the plastic bag over your entire body was more of a panic moment than anything. I really felt like I couldn't breathe for a moment, which yes I guess is scary but not in the way that most want to be scared. My boyfriend and I left feeling kinda gross and swindled. It's so expensive and just for all that, no thanks. read more

*****SPOILERS******* Just got home from my experience, it was exactly what i was expecting and it was pretty cool. Its not a scary haunted house type, so dont expect that. It puts you in situations where you are uncomfortable and a bit twisted (helping someone poop, being puked on, eating a used tampon that you remove from her... and other fun things.) Do not go if your homophobic because you will get fondled and groped. I liked the garbage bag suffocation part, it was pretty terrifying. My only complaint is I got sexually molested by dudes (its acting, im ok with that as a straight guy) but at least let me get evenly molested by some girls too. That would have been a better time for gay dudes, so throw us a bone too. Thanks for a cool experience! read more

By the time I made it into Blackout Haunted House this year (Halloween Haunted House's new name), it was more over-hyped than Y2K. But I soon learned that what is marketed as a haunted house is really more like an extreme psychological experiment... Marshmallow Test, meet the Blackout Test. You won't find any undead creatures or Halloween haunts within the garbage-bagged, jet black walls of Blackout. Instead, you will find situations that exist in real life. THIS is perhaps what makes Blackout most "terrifying." You can always comfort yourself in a scary movie by proclaiming that zombies or ghosts don't exist, but at Blackout, you are watching situations and people that live in the real world's darkest corners. Silver-spooned, cozy New Yorkers... Today, you will finally meet them. And - to top it off - you will play along in their sadistic, sexual, disgusting, insane, adrenaline-pumping games. The most psychological element of Blackout is that the situations themselves are objective. In truth, you are watching a well-rehearsed performance and you are the audience - the only member of the audience (which is a brilliant idea, by the way). It is HOW YOU RESPOND to these performances that reveal your inner psychology. Don't know what scares you? Never feel like anything can scare you? Well pay attention in Blackout - because you will know after. I promise that not every scene or actor will get to you, but there will be a moment when a bag is shoved on your head or you are literally thrown into a disturbing situation and you stop... time almost stops... and you think, "NOW, they've got me." What scares you lies within. You just have to find it. Without spoiling the plot of this twisted show, I will say that I learned a lot about my own fears. While some audience members have felt that being grabbed and shoved around the House made the experience more unnerving, I relaxed into the arms of my captor. For me- it was walking into situations completely confused and alone that made the experience more difficult. The psychological post-game analysis? I like being told what to do. It's decisions that throw me. My sole criticism is that Blackout takes their situations far, but not always far enough. Don't forget... we paid to come here. If the audience only spends 2 minutes in each situation, if it never gets truly uncomfortable, then it doesn't allow for the awkwardness and the confusion which I find truly scary. Vortex: you can be meaner and weirder and sicker with and harder on your guests. We asked for it! This performance is highly recommended not just for the month of October, but for a life-enriching, cool experience. It is certainly unique. Hopefully, if you don't call "safety," you will leave with respect for the production and more importantly, a better understanding of your own fears without having them truly violated. read more

Blackout Haunted House - Haunted Houses Near Me - New York, New York

Definitely not the "haunted house" that you grew up with. In fact, I wouldn't call this a haunted house at all. More like a "psychological readjustment experience house." My buddy Megan has been attending Blackout events for several years now (she's even been filmed by the Travel Channel for some features on Blackout) and when Halloween rolled around, she just wouldn't stop talking about it. While most of our colleagues were repulsed and looked at her like she was out of her mind, I was honestly kind of intrigued. Before you judge me, let me just give you some context: I grew up in a household where we watched horror movies instead of cartoons and my mom liked thinking of new ways to keep us on our toes (Oh, there's an abandoned psych facility in our town? Why don't you kids check it out?). Yeah, weird. But hey, I made it to adulthood, so don't knock it. Anyway, so when Megan offered me a free visit to Blackout, I just couldn't say no (especially when someone said that I WOULDNT go. WTH). The scariest part of Blackout is waiting in line. The best part of Blackout is that (a) you'll have a different perception of "personal space" after the experience and (b) you'll probably reconsider you're definition of "scary" and "uncomfortable" afterwards. This is a must try for any fan of anything horror (books, films, games, etc). I'd be lying if I said that I don't want to visit one of their events again. At Blackout, you're the star of a crazy-A$$ psychological thriller/horror. You don't know how or when it will end...so just do it! read more

I have to say...I was really nervous about going to Blackout for Halloween 2014, because of the bad reviews on yelp. I am really glad I went. It was my first time and although I wanted to do this by myself, I still enjoyed the experience in a group setting with strangers. The actors were very good. It's definitely not your typical haunted house attraction but instead is designed to make a person feel uncomfortable and mess with a person's psyche. I was not shocked by what I encounter, I found the event to be very humorous. Nothing really shocks me, being spank, blindfolded and wet is more of a turn on than freaking me out. I am looking forward to next year and seeing what they come up with. read more

Blackout Haunted House - Haunted Houses Near Me - New York, New York

Ok so I was SO excited when I discovered this show and then I started reading yelp reviews and got really discouraged so I went in with the bar set really low and I've gotta say: you yelp critics have NO sense of adventure. This house was AWESOME!!! So this is me here to set the record straight in case you're on the fence about going. There was an incredible balance of fear, confusion, discomfort, powerlessness and also care, guidance and engagement. Periodically the actors would guide me to stop and breathe. One reminded me to relax when I was close to hyperventilating and calling safety. I wouldn't have made it through otherwise. Before I went in I was asked about medical conditions and reminded of the safety word. I was hit SUPER LIGHTLY with a flashlight during a scene and after I came out someone from the team came to check on me because they'd been told what happened. The whole thing was very organized. I did not experience the long waits others warned of. I was warmly greeted and there was cool music playing and I probably waited about 2 minutes with baited breath. I guess if you're looking for the comprehensive plot of immersive theatre or the traditional ghosts and goblins haunted house maybe this isn't for you. But I found it so challenging and chilling. I left feeling like id accomplished something and faced my fears. I felt like I gained a few nuggets of wisdom about what I'm really afraid of. Such a rush. This place is really cool, and I'm really sorry to those of you who didn't have a good time. But I would highly recommend the show if you're looking for one last thing to add to your Halloween build up. read more

This isn't scary, it's just a cockfest. Located in Chelsea, it makes a lot of sense. They should just save the $ on the space and have it at a gay bar. A naked dude will make you dance with him as he holds a music box to your ear, another put a bag over my head and basically just tried to make out with me, I was also chained up and a dude acted like he was going to rape me if I didn't scream. When I didn't scream (or did a mock scream) he said he was going to "kick me out and tell everyone out front that I called safety in the first round". Then he put me in time out for not screaming. What a joke. There were other gross, but not necessarily scary situations as well. There was a little girl pretending to shit blood into a bucket that makes you touch whatever is in there. There's another girl sucking on a condom, a girl with no teeth that hands you pliers (a la Saw, I guess?), and a girl in a room with airplane noises playing that hands you some wet thing with hair on it then pretends to puke on you. The scenarios are mostly just molestations that would only scare someone that has been sexually assaulted. Thankfully, I didn't pay for this because my friend had an extra ticket. I had no idea what I was going to. read more

Extreme theater at its best!! SPOILER ALERT!!! Much more intense than last year. If you belong to a certain demographic, read, heterosexual males, I could imagine that this year's haunt could make you VERY uncomfortable because you were put in many compromised positions involving other men including an intense scene where one guy ordered you around, put you into what looked like a darkened walk-in freezer, took you out, strapped you unto a wall, and made it seem like he was going to gang rape you with another guy there. "Bromance" he called it. He said that they only way he would let you out was if you screamed and scream I did and it felt great!! It stuff like this that really gets into people's psyches and can be very disturbing. Blackout wanted to disturb as many people as possible by putting its audience into a variety of fucked-up situations that could trigger their fears/doubts about themselves/what made them feel uncomfortable/etc. They definately succeeded! There should be a disclaimer that reads: unless you submit to this experience and go with the flow (which is not difficult because the actors order you around and tell you what to do at every step of the way) you are guranteed to have a bad experience. The one scariest scene for me: I was put into sensory deprivation with a pair of dirty goggles over my eyes and a pair of headphones over my ears which played distorted rock/experimental music. My arms were strapped down to a table and I was made to stand for about 20 seconds in this position. Afterward, a guy made me feel like he was going to cut me fingers off! It doesn't sound scary because you weren't there! Many people complained about dancing with the naked guy. I thought that was one of the most amazing parts! It was a mind fuck, because the guy had his junk tucked behind him so he looked like he had a vagina. This combination of male/female played with your head even more than it would have because he was wearing a leather face/head covering with openings for his eyes and mouth and forced you to dance with him. He sang into your ear in a very deranged way while backing you slowly into a darkened room (there were a lot of darkened rooms). It was not only more hands on than last year, but, it was also grosser. In one scene, you knelled down with a girl as she took a shit then she made you put your hands in it and put the shit in your mouth. (not real shit and it didn't smell, thank God.) Afterward, a guy smelled you, which made him vomit in the corner. Then he vomited all over your back. Which was INTENSE. I am very happy that Blackout Haunted House went "there" this year and went to a place that plays on the insecurities of heterosexual males. BLACKOUT HAUNTED HOUSE: You did an amazing job this year. Don't listen to all the haters. Part of the point of blackout haunted house is to make you uncomfortable. I think people would enjoy the experience a lot more if they just went with the flow and submitted to it. ALSO: the actors did a GREAT job. They were very much in part. To repeat what they have to do OVER and OVER again, night after night, is very impressive. They were committed to what they were hired to it. It wasn't cheap at all, but very well done. I would be interested to see what angle blackout takes next year as I felt this year's haunted took themes from last year and year's past and developed them to their fullest potential. In short: This was the most thrilling thing anyone could hope to experience in a safe way. P.S. If the actors tell an audience member to call "safety" that means that the audience member is not coorporating. One of the rules in the contract you sign is that you do what the actors tell you do to. read more

Not scary, absolutely disgusting. And one guy is a real ass, and went beyond his part of the show. Last year's show was awesome, and they actually took pride in their work. This show was horrendous, and not worth the money or time. SPOILER ALERT: The fact that the first room is of a naked guy who forces you to dance with him (they make you go along with the show) is beyond me. It's not scary, just totally inappropriate. I'm not a homophobe, but it's just totally unnecessary to dance with a naked dude. How does that relate to Halloween at all? As was the part where they put a bag over your head and then some guy licks your face, nibbles on your lips and forehead. Again, not scary, just cheap and disgusting. There was also some guy who thought it would be fun to put his elbow in my chest and push on a pressure point twice. Then he grabbed my temples and used an excessive amount of force. I'm all for a bit of pain, but I felt like I was about to flip and kick his ass, if he wasn't so much bigger than me. He was a total fucking douchebag. The good parts are at the end, where the actors actually do some creepy stuff, and it's thought out, and the "actors" and don't accost you. I'm sorry blackout. You guys really sucked this year, and your cheap scare tactics by introducing gross eroticism is not respected. You should all be ashamed. read more

WARNING: spoiler alert. Details might not matter anymore since shows are way over. You go in, check in, give them anything that might get wet, and wait to be called in. One by one the line in front of you gets shorter and shorter until it's your turn. You go into a dark tunnel make some turns and are told to stop at an X. You get a paper mask and someone shines a light in your eyes for ten seconds, you are read instructions and go in. At first, it is dark. Pitch dark. You don't know whether to stand or walk. I walked and got pulled back. Stood and was threatened with a knife. I got a plastic bag over my head, wrists tied, was smelled by a nude woman, was 'waterboarded,' had to dig out a key from a toilet with vomit, suck on a bloody tampon, crawled around while being chased by someone in a tunnel, and rescued a tortured woman. It's a shock to the senses. Going in alone and not knowing exactly what will happen makes it even scarier. read more

We got tickets through Thrillist so they were discounted - $25 I think. This isn't your typical haunted house. THere aren't fake chainsaws and people jumping out at you. It is more about the senses. You are in the dark, alone, being yelled out, given commands, asked to scream, pushed around, watching weird shit, etc. I won't get into details because that will ruin it for you. I didn't think it was that scary. I would recommend it to people who are easily scared. It is more of a creepy experience. Sitting in the dark being told don't move and having people whisper or scream at you breathing on your neck. I can't see in the dark very well so some of the parts I needed to be semi-lead through. My heart rate was elevated and adrenaline pumped through my body like whoaa. Waiting to go was the worst part because my mind was racing. I legit thought I was going to get like raped and cut open because of the waiver. I was more afraid of not following the directions because they say this is for your safety. It was fun and interesting. Cons -It could have been a little bit longer. -I don't get the nudity thing. Why was there a naked guy with his soft penis flopping around? Why do I need to see some girl's boobs? They could have gotten the point across without these things. if it was for shock value it didn't shock me it was lame-o. -They say you get wet and you do. Unfortunately for me my pants got super wet and it looked like i peed myself. Riding the subway home in November wet and cold was no fun but it was worth it. I especially liked being pulled by the ponytail. Reminded me of when i was nasty to my mother. She would pull that thing daily. I felt like I was a troubled teenager all over again. I did a whole lotta screaming. They made me do it. No really they said scream as loud as you can. I have a VERY LOUD voice and a great horror movie scream. This prompted the actors to make me scream over and over and scream different things I'm guessing to scare the people outside. My boyfriend heard me at some point. So yea I woke up with zero voice this morning. wamp read more

What a crappy way to spend a Friday night. Let me recount the lowlights: 1. It isn't scary. It's just hokey and a bit silly. 2. The waiting is ridiculous. I arrived 5 minutes before the admission time on my ticket and waited outside for 20 minutes. Then they let me inside to the downstairs area where you wait before queueing up. I waited in this area for 35 minutes. Then another 10 minutes waiting in the actual line. It was after 10pm when I finally began the experience for a 9pm ticket. The actual experience only lasts about 20 minutes, FYI. 3. One of the actresses drew on my shirt with lipstick. The laundromat cannot get the lipstick out of the shirt after 2 tries. The shirt cost more than the price of admission to this (overpriced) awful haunted house. In summary, this is incredibly disorganized, overpriced, and not at all fun. If I could give it negative infinity stars to the infinity power I would. read more

(SEMI) SPOILER ALERT My mother and I went to check out this "Haunted House" tonight. Haunted house is sort of a misnomer since it's more like a mental institution cum torture chamber. There was a moment when, having just been led into a dark room by a naked man and being forced to stare at a wall, I really wished I'd read the waiver a little more carefully. All in all, this was definitely an interesting experience. The creepiest part, to me, was just being in a pitch black room and occasionally grabbed and prodded. The water-boarding was a little unnerving too, though, I have to say. Unfortunately, I didn't make it all the way to the end. There was one part of the interactive experience that I just couldn't go through with, so they called safety for me. Believe it or not, it wasn't fear that prevented me from finishing the haunted house; it was the principle of the thing... I don't want to give it away, but if you go, you'll probably know exactly which part I am talking about. I am proud to say, however, that my mom has a stomach of steel and completed the depraved experience. Good job, Mom. Will I go back next year? Ehh... I dunno. I think maybe I am an old-fashioned haunted-house gal that prefers shock and terror to attempted psychological horror. Time will tell. read more

Okay. Second year doing blackout. Loved it last year so I decided to cough up the $65 dollars (!!) to do it again this year. Overall, I don't recommend doing blackout if you have any knee or back troubles. What I liked about the 2013 blackout experience: The theatre. I like the uncomfortable absurd scenes. That's why I have done it two years in a row. Is it scary? No. It's just a different sort of intensity. What I didn't like about this years blackout (spoilers, sorta): The physicality of it. I don't mind being touched and forced around a bit and put in a box (!). But walking down a flight of stairs with a bag on my head while some d-bag held me by the back of my neck and yelled at me to walk faster was a different type of scary, like I could fall down these stairs and this guys reaction is going to be to grab my neck and paralyze me type of scary. Didn't like that. Also, didn't enjoy standing in 6 inches of water with water being dumped on me. I wound up walking around with wet shoes all night and the biggest horror of that was how bad my feet smelled at the end of the night. read more

This is not a haunted house it's a creepy house. I won't set up a spoiler for those who choose to waste their 50 bucks on this place. I should truly, only blame myself for not yelping b4 paying. They yell at you, pour water onto you/into your pants , hump you and other weird stuff. I payed to be scared but at the end of this horrid experience I wanted to smack the actors for wasting my time! read more

This haunted house is an absolute rip-off. For $50, I expected some production value, but Blackout has about as much production value as a church basement haunted house (unless you're the type of person who's impressed by black trash bags hanging from the ceiling). Also, there's nothing to see; there're are only three scenes in the entire place, none of which lived up to the hype. And, Blackout is disgusting (but not in a good way). Having a wet pillowcase that's been on countless other people's head thrown over your face, wasn't scary, but it was horrifically unsanitary. If Blackout cost $15, I think it would've been a good value, but for $50, Blackout is absurdly expensive for what you get. read more

Let me preface this review by saying that I am a 2012, 2013, and 2014 Blackout survivor, and I intend to continue adding [sick and twisted] notches to my belt. With that being said - there are VERY FEW experiences in my life that I would call terrifying. Skydiving solo for the first time was definitely one; experiencing Blackout for the first time was another. Trust - there are no "boo" moments intended to make you jump. There is no "haunted" house. Blackout is like... Saw meets Hostel meets I Spit On Your Grave. The intention of Blackout is to make you wonder why anyone would pay money to go through it - and yet there are many of us dedicated fans. UPDATE - 11/1: I've traded those shameful group tickets in for the "Alone Experience". Thank you, Blackout. I knew you couldn't turn your back on the cult following that made you the best in the first place. I had the chance to attend last night, and although not comparable to my 2012 or 2013 experience, that is the beauty of Blackout. The constantly changing scenarios / themes each year is what builds the fear of the unknown. This year was a lot more role-playing rooms vs. being helplessly thrown into the clutches of actors (which there was this too, but not entirely). This year I left more shameful and embarrassed than others in terms of what I looked like once I got out. I give the taxi driver a lot of credit for picking up two deranged, disheveled looking girls on the street. Needless to say, we did not venture back to the bar as we had thought we would. My 5-star review will remain as such, because there is no other experience like Blackout... none. If you don't like the idea of being manhandled, hazed, and put into extremely uncomfortable and inappropriate situations - this is not for you. My badly bruised knees are simply souvenirs, and Blackout's indirect way of saying "You're Welcome". BLACKOUT - do not ever turn this back into a group setting. This is a brutal, aggressive, and most importantly - a personal theatrical than cannot be shared amongst others. read more

Absolutely excellent performance! Mad props to the actors and actresses here; no way could I do this job! I was grossed out at times but mostly enjoyed it quite a bit. I guess if you're a guy with hang ups or have sexual trauma you wouldn't like it, but many men (straight) and women enjoy this show immensely. It's not for everyone but, for a desensitized horror junky like myself, it was a nice change from the normal haunted houses that don't scare me. I go to those for the scenery. I come to Blackout for the experience. On a side note, in response to an earlier reviewer, I don't think all the good reviews are coming from "girls that never get any". I think they're coming from people like myself that "get" plenty, but enjoy a good, well done show that you won't experience anywhere else! read more

Believe me, Blackout isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Yes it's wild, yes it's extreme, yes there's nudity, yes they touch you. Seriously... is that a big deal? It stopped being "scary" about 3 years ago, and now it appears to outdo itself each year with its level of freaky and messed up scenes. On another note, I accidentally purchased tickets for the wrong Sunday this year. I wrote to them asking if I could exchange them for the following Sunday (both days had every single time slot still available), and they blatantly denied the request. When I publicly called them out on their public Facebook page, they basically called me an idiot for buying tickets on the wrong day. When a small-time artistic endeavor flourishes to the point of being snobbishly conceited, I lose all interest. And, let's be honest here: at the end of the day, all they're doing is putting naked people in front of you and doing their best to make it uncomfortable. If you feel as though that's a good claim to fame, by all means- enjoy the show. read more

Not fun, not scary, just offensive and disgusting. Really disappointing. I literally joined Yelp to post a review since this was so disappointing. Operation looked like it cost $30 in aggregate. This was terrible, beginner S&M and not in a good way. Not sure who would like this so struggling to find redeeming qualities. A new and modern style haunted house is a great concept, this isn't it at all. Just really disappointing. read more

If you have ever been to a haunted house like Blood Manor (also in NYC), in which every room has extensive Halloween scenery and props, and all the actors are wearing elaborate costumes, you should know that this 'haunted house' is not like that at all. Blackout has very little in terms of scenery and props. Instead, it relies on sensory deprivation and physical contact. You will be touched and grabbed and forced to watch (or participate in) various distasteful things. I don't want to give too much away, but the other reviews I have read are all consistent with what I experienced. In my opinion, Blackout is not so much scary as it is unpleasant. In many rooms, the experience is more S&M than it is Halloween. You basically have a choice between submitting to uncomfortable physical contact (which approaches violence but, in the end, is only just icky), or else saying the safe word and then being removed from the tour with no refund. (I should also add that I had to sign a waiver before going in, which released the company from any liability and also made it clear that I was going to encounter everything I've described above.) Personally, I have no real desire to return to Blackout. But since they've got their own thing going on, and since it's hardcore, (and since the waiver means you can't really be too offended once you go in), I will give them 3 stars. --------How I assign ratings on Yelp (which I put at the bottom of all my reviews): 5 stars = Better than great, both in service and product. This place is completely unimprovable. It is among my favorites of its kind. 4 stars = Great. Product and service are consistently what I want. 3 stars = Not bad. This place is good but unremarkable. 3 is the lowest rating I will give to a place that I would still go to. 2 stars = Bad, either in service or in product. I won't go back to places that have a rating of 2 or below. 1 star = Worse than bad. Offensive somehow. The staff might be outright hostile or dishonest, or the product itself might be harmful. read more

My friend wanted to go last year and it was sold out. We managed to snag tickets this year. Last year of haunted house we tried was a mixed bag but mainly laughable. So I was excited to try this one with all the hype I've heard about it. I wasn't sure what to expect but I think once you check in, fill out the usual waiver of liability forms you are set. I have to say the way they set up the wait and build up was great. It really made you anxious, nervous and you see people ahead of you take the plunge. As a haunted house it isn't quite that. It is ad nauseum collective of rooms this year. All I can say was there was more groping and bodily contact in in the dark for ~20-30 minutes I've had in 3 days. Was this a house of horrors or sex club? I needed a cigarette afterwards. read more

I've been wanting to go to Blackout for years now, and finally I had the chance. I may have had a slightly different experience from others, but here goes: I had a ticket for Thursday night at 8, ready to go in with a group, but still wishing I could do it alone. There was no one in line since Halloween was a week ago, and I explained to the people working there that I've been an admirer for a while and I'm excited to go in for the first time. I guess I got lucky; they sent me in alone. Maybe it's a mixture of it being a slow night and it being the end of the run, but the actors went hard on me. They were ruthless, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not entirely sure if I can see this working with a group because it worked so well as an independent experience. I got ample time in each area - some tasks took me a while to complete (one involving eating... I almost vomited). The actors really devoted all their insanity to me, and I can see that being lost in a group. Major props to the actors, though. If any of you are reading this, great job to all of you. In terms of set design, I adored the club vibe. Totally unexpected, yet perfectly executed. The constant booming beats were amazingly disorienting, and I'm fairly certain I heard something from the Irreversible soundtrack at one point. I think there was a bit of a Japanese horror thing going on too? Not exactly sure, but I thought that was cool too. I loved this experience. I exited the building a soaking wet, bloody mess and I couldn't have possibly asked for more. I'm very strongly considering returning tomorrow night so I can see it one more time before it changes next year. $50 well spent. read more

If you enjoy being verbally, sexually, and physically abused then this is your cup of tea. 'nuff said. Not my cup of tea as I shouldve done more research. If you're looking for a haunted house and get scared, then this is not it. It's more of a wtf experience that forces you into uncomfortable situations as if you got kidnapped and tortured. Not to ruin the ending but they literally suffocate you with a plastic bag where one of my friends actually had to put the actor in a head lock to breathe. I was gasping for air and they need to remove that part. They press the bag into your face which is beyond dangerous. Aside from that we also spent 40 min outside in the cold rain and then 20 inside on another line. Seems they overbook the events. No thanks never again but now that's one off my bucket list I never added. read more

Went on Thursday at 10pm. I unfortunately haven't been to blackout before to compare, but it in no way lives up to its name this year. In summary, there were some funny moments, NOTHING that was remotely scary, and some mildly erotic moments were perhaps the best. Overall it had a cool "weird" vibe, but honestly I've seen weirder shit at bizarre bar on any wednesday night, for $5. Definitely not worth $45. Barely worth maybe $20. I was optimistic that the group idea was really them trying to experiment with cool ideas, but ultimately I think it was a money grab. *SPOILER ALERT* The walkthrough was too long so I put it on pastebin: http://pastebin.com/Anjjayry Actors were pretty good mostly apart from the fake angriness at the beginning. read more

Save your time and money, apparently if the actors don't like the way you do the things they ask for, they rudely kick you out without you saying the safe word, Overall I found it mediocre in every aspect: acting, effects, scenario, creativity and even artistic value. As a haunted house is really boring as well. I wish I read the comments before I went read more

After hearing all of the buzz about this "haunted house" (and I use the term loosely) I decided to make the trek from Philly in to NYC specifically to check it out. Having frequented many spectacular haunted attractions throughout the tri-state area I was truly ready for something completely different - and I was not disappointed. I feel the need to point out that everyone complaining about "production value" has completely missed the point of this attraction. It's not designed for cheap scare tactics, and overboard sets. It's meant to do everything its website claims - "F" with your mind and make you think "wow - this scenario could possibly happen on my worst day, and this is what it feels like". I consider myself very strong willed, and not easily shaken or disturbed. If you feel the same way you owe it to yourself to try this experience. Just go through with an open mind, forget all that bull you read about "unsanitary environment" (that's just people making excuses for themselves as to why they couldn't handle it) and experience something you will never forget - for better AND for worse! read more

A group of six of us went last night and we all had a great time. Three had never been before, and the other two had each been once (one in 2012, the other in 2013). I've been a few times, bought tickets early, and was worried about all of the negative reviews. However, none of us were disappointed. Our tickets were for 8:00, but we got there at around 8:30 and pretty much walked right in. Our group was split up between two groups, and the other participants seemed to have the same reaction we did. It's just important to understand this isn't a traditional haunted house. Their goal isn't to try to make you jump by giving you a cheap scare, it's to try to freak you out by putting you in bizarre, uncomfortable & surreal situations. Many of the negative reviews are likely because people had the wrong expectations going into it. The group set-up does make the experience different this year, but that's not to say if it's better or worse than past years (although I enjoyed this year more than 2013's "Elements"). You don't have as much of the intensity of the solo experience, but you gain a shared group trauma dynamic. This is definitely not for everyone, but worth checking out if you want a crazy 20 minute vacation from reality. read more

This place is like no other haunted house I have ever been to. I would like to think that I am a pretty level headed kind of guy who keeps cool under pressure....well not tonight! From the moment they snatched me through the door my senses were on extreme overload......... from the naked sweaty dancing to the intimate touching to the screaming (lots of screaming) to the blinding lights, etc... I finally just gave in, put my hands across my chest closed my eyes and screamed like a little girl.... ....but I didn't call safety! read more

Very disappointed at the lack of intensity of the experience. Not only was it not scary it wasn't shocking, disturbing, unsettling, etc. It's riding on reputation only. On the plus side: good setting design and lighting and ambience. Everything else in the 2014 iteration was very meh. read more

I was looking for a haunted house with more physical interaction than the traditional, and according to the reviews here, this was just the place. My friends and I didn't really know what to expect when we first went; first, we got lost because the address wasnt 115 W 27st, it was actually somewhere on east houston. We arrived 15 minutes late, but thankfully they let us in anyways. The courtesy of their manners end there- the minute you walk in, you're being yelled at and told what to do, shuffled here and there. You're not allowed to speak, and if the bouncer catches you talking, he will size you up and tell you stfu. If you come as a group with your friends, they will deliberately break you up into separate groups so you guys can get the full experience. Also, if you're looking to get the most out of the experience (in that case, getting the most harassed by the actors), try looking extremely scared the entire time- the actors usually go for those people (that being me...) Overall, it was more of a wtf is happening experience, instead of a legit scary haunted house. if you're looking for something less.."conventional" in a sense, come here. read more

The scariest part of Blackout Elements is by far the anticipation of your appointment. Leading up to the experience, mini freak out after mini freak out left me doubting if I even wanted to go through with attending the too-expensive-to-back-out event. Yet after finally walking through the house this evening, I find myself feeling quite stupid for how worked up I allowed myself to get. The experience is really nowhere near as scary as it's made to seem, and this is coming from a guy who scares fairly easily. In a lot of ways, the whole thing felt a little half assed and not nearly as clever as I imagined. Almost all of the sets were rather bland, few of the actors/story lines were scary, and the experience seemed especially short for 75 big ones. I can count the number of "rooms" on two hands, so there really wasn't a lot to the place. Having read about some seriously twisted scenes from past versions, it does sound like the experience was toned down in 2013, supporting what many other reviewers have noted. If you're okay with up close nudity, getting a little wet, and being stuck in small spaces, it's unlikely you'll even flinch. SUMMARY: Pluses -Each experience is slightly different. My friend's was not the same as mine. -You feel amazing once the experience is over. -Conceptually, it's a very unique haunted house. -I have never been so scared to enter a haunted house in my entire life. -Walking alone makes for an experience like no other. Minuses -Short and visually plain for price. -Sets feel underdone (sans one elaborate scene). -No special effects makeup. -A lot of the things that are meant to be scary/disturbing aren't that scary/disturbing. More so awkward. read more

I really don't understand what others were expecting to happen when you are clearly informed that you will be a.) touched b.) in the presence of nudity c.) made to sign a waiver acknowledging a,b,and c. Perhaps those of you shouldn't have expected anything and opened yourself up to a new and artful way to go through a haunted house. I love the idea of being scared and put through the mental challenge that his haunted house gives you. The fact that you are alone, makes it difficult for you to laugh it off with a friend, so you actually get to experience something. It's deranged and well thought through. Thankfully some smart and interesting people got together and made this place unique in its presentation. I was looking for more than "scenes" and so I got to be part of an actual terrifying scenario. Advice: be open to ANYTHING, listen to the actors (follow instructions), and go with the flow! I guarantee you will be satisfied with your experience and have a NICE conversation piece following. The only star i knocked off was the fact that because there are so many of us going through, and it's one at a time, I was made to sit blindfolded for about 10 minutes until they were ready for me to go through. Other than that, ART! loved it and going again this year! read more

SO I know im a hard person to scare. I did not get scared in this, BUT i had a very fun time!! From an artistic perspective this was like an installation piece on the senses, pushing the imagination and senses to the extremes, and warping what your mind knows about reality. Well done guys. A few suggestions for next year so I can give you 5 stars. Experiment with sound more, sound can be the scariest sense, and although there was a lot of breathing...and silence...a well thought out sound track or harsh noises could really make this. You started to touch on this when the headphones were put on me. Also, a lot of waiting, I got bored to be honest. i got anxious...and then confused, and the bored. Experimenting more with video could be good too. Compositing in things around you on the tv that arn't there in the room with you is something simple that can be done, or creepy (like the ring video) images you are forced to watch. i liked the last room (no spoilers) with the shoes on the floor. More immersion into situations like that would be great, like you walked into a horror movie halfway through. What about an operating table where you are forced to be the subject? Anyways, just some thoughts. I liked the darkness, but id like to see some scary stuff too, a happy medium of both would make the perfect haunted house. thanks guys! see you next year! read more

Went through with a group of four on opening weekend and had a great time - it's less "boo" scary and more "what is happening to me why did I sign up for this hell." The walkthrough felt very short but after checking watches it turned out to be approx. 35 minutes, not including wait time. Very disorienting, just edging close enough to putting you in danger without actually harming you, and they clearly had a lot of fun with the group dynamic! Props to the line staff for barking out orders and being generally chilly with a wry sense of humor ("I like your manners," indeed) and thanks Blackout for the blindfold souvenirs! Located across from Library if you need a drink afterward...I sure did. read more

I agree with everyone who gave this place 1 star. This is place is a poorly done one trick pony. Go into room 1, get groped by dude... go into room 2.. repeat.. repeat.. repeat. I kept waiting for things to finally "start". It's just the same bit where some guy gets all in your business and dry humps you or lucks your ears through a bag or something. This was not scary, not inventive, not well done and a total waste of time and money. I go to about 5-8 haunted houses every year as I love this kind of stuff and this was one of the worst ones Ive been to. So much lost potential. Also- don't go if you've got any history of sexual abuse. read more

First of all this is a review on Blackout:House (2014). I have not gone in previous years so I am only reviewing this year. In summary, it was lots of fun but not scary and definitely not worth $50.. I went to Blackout yesterday with my boyfriend...be forewarned if you go with people they will split you guys up. I read a lot of reviews on here that said some of the workers were mean but lol pretty much all of them acting, they're supposed to yell at you... Anyway I didn't experience any problems with tickets or anything, I just hated waiting in the cold for so long. Ok so basically like everyone else said you will be spanked and have lots of weird, funny shit happen to you. If you're not comfortable with being touched, suffocated, blindfolded, and having people barking orders at you, then don't go here. The scariest part for me was in the beginning when you're in complete blackness because I didn't know where the hell I was supposed to be going lol but I wasn't going to call safety and miss out on the rest of the experience. Anyway, the main reason I didn't give this more than three stars is because I feel like it could have been a lot better, just when I thought it might start to get good..it ended. I think the group dynamic lessens the intensity of the experience and I will only go next year if I'm going alone. I did a lot of research on this haunted house so I was prepared for whatever they were going to put me through however it seems this year's blackout didn't live up to the standards of the years preceding it. IT WASN'T KINKY ENOUGH. IT WASN'T VIOLENT ENOUGH. IT WASN'T WEIRD ENOUGH. ...AND I WAS LEFT WANTING MORE.. However, I'm giving blackout more than 2 stars because I feel like it does have the potential to be a great haunted house if they make the scenarios 10x weirder and more uncomfortable and basically just kick it up a notch. read more

I am not to sure what I am looking for in a haunted house anymore, maybe I am to cynical about the fact it is not real... And the part where they made you to scream by getting someone to telling you to 'scream' was it for me... All I could think was, you are meant to make me scream, not charge me $60 and beg me to be scared... All in all, I guess it was fun, but scary??? maybe if I was either on LSD or a 5 year old it would have been.. but production value and effort, I have to say this was the best haunted house i've been in for a while.. read more

So, I'm a scaredy cat, to the point I had three beers to have the courage to do this house with my fiancee, but this didn't frighten me in the slightest. Before you go in, the man who ushers your in blinds you. Then want you to follow a line you cannot see, so you hug the wall for dear life until someone grabs you to lead you around. And then they rub up on you, and even guide you a bit via neck and waist (which honestly wasn't unpleasant, think like kittens grabbed by their mother cats, and I kept cracking jokes on it and then told to shut the fuck up). The bathroom guy just made me feel bad and kicked in my mom instincts. Like he needs a hug and help pooping, that's not uncomfortable just sad.The dude who takes your shoe I straight up had to tell him it's a zip up boot, he was also a bit shovy, I wanted to knock his teeth in. By the time I reached the tampon girl I was more or less completely out of the experience and frustrated and when she threw up water on my crotch and wanted me to "pull it out" I just called safety. I wasnt scared I was either laughing at the skits or just fucking agitated to the point where I wanted to smack the actors. My fiancee finished it all the way through, but there was nothing too much after when I dropped out. Look I commend the actors and the people who worked hard to pull this off, but guys get a better script, or workshop out some of the sexual violence. It's not scary, it's just annoying. read more