What did you get up to?
I took my boyfriend to Alcotraz Prison Bar for a fun and unforgettable experience, and it absolutely delivered! From the moment we stepped inside, it felt like we’d entered a completely different world. We were greeted by a ‘prison guard’ who took our names and led us into a holding cell with our fellow ‘inmates’. We were escorted to our cell, handed our orange jumpsuits, and given the opportunity to smuggle in our alcohol of choice.
Once we settled into our cell, the immersive magic truly began. We were a little apprehensive at the start as we’ve never done immersive theatre before. However, the actors were fantastic and were fully committed to their roles while always making us feel comfortable. As the story unfolded around us, we sipped on four delicious cocktails, expertly made from the spirits we’d snuck in. A few people in our group had mocktails, which looked just as tasty!
The whole experience lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and there was not a dull moment. There was always something going on: plot twists, secret missions, and plenty of banter with the guards.
What did you enjoy the most?
Other than the tasty cocktails, our favourite part of the experience was the exciting side-quests the actors take you on. They made sure that everyone was able to get involved and I’m sure there were plenty of things happening on the side that I wasn’t even aware of! I also loved the fact there were so many photo opportunities on the day! You have some ‘down-time’ in the cell where you can walk around, take photos with the props and with each other. It’s a great way to capture the moment and remember the day.
Top Tip
1. Make sure the bottle you bring in is easy enough to hide- I had a 35cl bottle and it was perfect for to smuggle in (with help from the corrupt guards)!
2. If you’re going in the evening, have a filling dinner at a restaurant beforehand. It’s a short walk from Brick Lane so there’s lots of tasty options.
3. Make sure you make the most of the experience by going in with an open mind!