FAQ

Dark Passage is a spine-tingling immersive experience that thrusts you into a story where it’s up to you to figure out whether it’s all real – or you’ve simply gone mad. Dark Passage is a neither traditional “haunted house” nor a linear experience, but a story filled with mystery that leaves it up to YOU to discover your own place amid the chaos.

Filled with Instagram-ready moments, Dark Passage invites you to bring a sense of exploration that will begin when you enter the “Strange Spirits Lounge,” a themed bar perched on the edge of reality, and developed in partnership with legendary Philly personality Fergus Carey of Fergie’s Pub.

Grab a themed cocktail and take it with you as you step into a glowing portal and into the realm of Dark Passage, which blends elements of theater and game play with Halloween-infused surprises: You’ll be surrounded by surreal environments, weaving through intricate sets, and finding your own path through hidden rooms filled with freaky, sometimes shocking visuals.

This unique experience is open on the following nights: October 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31; November 1 & 2.

Nightly hours of operation are: 7pm – 12:30am. Doors open at the following times: 7:00 p.m., 8:05 p.m., 9:10 p.m., 10:15 p.m. and 11:20 p.m., and will remain open until Dark Passage reaches capacity. Guests may begin to line up as early as 6:45pm.

You’ll find entrance to DARK PASSAGE through simple, nondescript door at 1004 Buttonwood St, Philadelphia, PA 19123. It may look like an old abandoned warehouse on the outside, but we assure you we are lurking within. Don’t expect giant flashing lights or neon signs outside.

We recommend walking from Center City (it’s an easy walk from Reading Terminal Market) or the nearby 7th St & Spring Garden St train stop, or simply arriving via ride share. The fewer cars in the area, the better.

If you must drive, we do have a FREE parking lot available that holds roughly 50 vehicles, but we share it with other nearby businesses. There is some street parking in the area, but it fills up fast. Owners of nearby lots may try to entice you to their convenient “Event Parking” locations, but please note we are not affiliated with them.

The DARK PASSAGE experiences lasts 65 minutes, including time to grab a drink at the Strange Spirits Lounge and take it with you as you explore and interact.

Prices vary by date and availability. Single-Night Admission starts at $35 online and $45 at the door. Prices increase on peak nights and will rise as availability dwindles, so book early. Tickets can be purchased here.

This immersive experience is an evening of unexpected discoveries and encounters. Without giving too much away: Upon entering the experience, you’ll first arrive into the Strange Spirits Lounge. From this social space perched on the edge of reality, you order a themed cocktail to take with you into the Dark Passage experience and discover what awaits you beyond life itself.

With drink in hand, you may freely step through the portal – the perfect shareable moment to capture. From there, you’ll explore the realm of Obscurum across than 6,000 square feet of surreal visuals. You’ll cross paths with inhabitants of this realm who are eager to give you their twisted take on the chaos and madness within. What you do from there is entirely up to you…

That depends on your own fears. We won’t try to startle you, but you may find yourself immersed in darkness and face-to-face with some unsettling visuals along with unusual inhabitants of another realm. Of course, with a drink in-hand, you should be up for a few new adventures in the afterlife, right? Step outside your comfort zone and see what’s on the other side…

Yes and yes. We strongly believe that touch is an integral piece of the experience. In addition to witnessing surreal sights, listening to our original musical score, and indulging in drinks in the Strange Spirits Lounge, our performers may interact not just by speaking with you – but also through light touch. But we will always keep touch gentle and appropriate, like a handshake, a gentle hand on the shoulder, a guiding hand on your back, or perhaps a brush of the hair. We ask that you remain equally appropriate with our performers as well.

We create stories and worlds where you become swept away. Immersive entertainment surrounds you with vibrant sets that come alive through inventive lighting and sound design, interactive elements, and unexpected performances. The result feels like stepping outside reality and into another realm.

Definitely not. There are no startle scares or actors jumping out at you in this experience. There is no conga line or single way to walk through. Think of it more as an open-ended evening of mystery, exploration, and discovery amidst inventive visuals, roaming interactive performance art, and elements of live theater. Within all that, there is certainly no shortage of the strange and unusual for you to encounter…

Nope. While some of our designers have created interactions for popular escape rooms all over the country, this experience is something decidedly different. Those seeking puzzles won’t find any, but instead as you wander our darkened halls, you may stumble down endless rabbit holes and you never know where you may end up – or with whom…

Absolutely – and there are a few moments that are incredibly shareable. But as you wander the darkened halls, you’ll soon realize that the best experience is one without your phone. We do ask that you refrain from using a flash when taking pictures, please. To borrow a phrase from the world’s most famous haunted mansion: Our spirits are frightfully sensitive to bright lights.

We encourage you to dress as you wish to be seen, especially for the spooky season. Come in a comfortable costume or hauntingly haute attire if you like – but nothing bulky. No masks, please. Comfortable shoes are strongly recommended for exploring. Please do not bring any large bags or backpacks.

The DARK PASSAGE experience and Strange Spirits Lounge are 100% indoors, set inside a 6,000+ square foot themed venue in Spring Garden. No matter the weather on Earth, you’ll find the climate delightful in the realm of Obscurum – though you might want to watch out for Flares…

The team at Pseudonym Productions are the twisted minds behind this experience. We have been creating unique immersive experiences for the past 5 years in Orlando, Florida and now we are thrilled to be bringing our inventive entertainment to audiences in Philadelphia. Our creative team includes designers who have helped develop theme parks and attractions including Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Philadelphia’s own Terror Behind the Walls.

Yes. While the main entrance requires climbing 1 flight of stairs, guests needing special assistance may be escorted to use the elevator upon request. DARK PASSAGE does allow for wheelchair access throughout the majority of the experience.