Visit Slaughterhouse in Des Moines for the scares, and soon, drinks when a speakeasy opens
Have you ever wanted to nurse a cocktail with a fake disemboweled man in the room?
Whether or not you’d admit that aloud, the opportunity to do so is coming when The Haunt, a horror-themed speakeasy, hosts its soft launch on Halloween night, as first unveiled by Justin Brady on “The Iowa Podcast.”
Fans of all things ghastly should feel they’re in good hands with The Haunt thanks to its owner, Ian Miller, who is also behind the popular downtown Des Moines haunted attraction, the Slaughterhouse, which has operated since 2010.
Miller told the Des Moines Register that there are a few scares for horror and Halloween fans in Des Moines.
“We wanted to bring an offering that allows for a place for like-minded people to come together and celebrate like interests,” he said.
More: Everything to know if you dare to get tickets for Slaughterhouse in Des Moines this October
Where is the Haunt located?
The speakeasy is located inside the depths of Slaughterhouse, held in the basement of 500 Locust St. in Des Moines, which boasts 20,000 square feet of clever scares. Guests to the speakeasy will enter down a staircase and through a hallway with décor that includes chainsaws until they reach The Haunt. Guests can find the entrance thanks to a small, skull-shaped sign that is attached to the building’s side off Fifth Avenue.
More: These Des Moines Halloween-themed pop-up bars are now open with blood cocktails and more
Is the Haunt part of Slaughterhouse in Des Moines?
Yes and no. The Haunt is located inside the haunted attraction, and operates within the lore of Slaughterhouse, which delves into a family operation of human-meat processing, but will operate outside of the attraction throughout the year.
What does The Haunt look like?
Imagine a room that’s one-part old timey bar and one part a 19th century parlor room, and entirely creepy. The Haunt operates out of 1,200 square feet and can accommodate 65 people — some of whom do not breathe, such as the life-sized clown with an eerily realistic set of human eyes that stands in the corner of the space as well as the disemboweled man in the back. There is a small stage in the speakeasy as well.
What is the menu at The Haunt?
Enjoy drinks geared toward Halloween and horror in the speakeasy, with peeling wallpaper that exposes the wood interior, a hog’s head mounted on the wall and faux lit candles attached to sconces across the walls. There will be no food items beyond popcorn and expect plenty of nonalcoholic beverages and mocktails as well, Miller said.
Will there be entertainment at The Haunt?
Yes, one with programming that extends off its small stage.
The Haunt is what Miller considers “the first step” into offering “a broader, more definitive experiential opportunity for people.”
The speakeasy’s entertainment will lean toward the likes of Sleep No More, the theatrical experience that tells its story through various rooms, choreography and music, and Meow Wolf, the arts production company founded in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“We're looking to build that type of entertainment here in Des Moines, and this is our first step toward doing that,” he said.
How can I go to the Haunt?
Some evenings will be open to the general public, and other evenings will be designated for keyholders. Keys are not available to purchase, but can be gained at a later point, though those opportunities may not be widely known. That will depend on the level of engagement and interaction you have with The Haunt and its operators, Miller explained. Its soft launch on Halloween night will be for keyholders only.
When is The Haunt open?
Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year starting November 2023 to September 2024.
Location: 500 Locust St. in Des Moines
Hours: Friday and Saturday nights from November 2023 through September 2024
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Slaughterhouse creator to open a horror-themed speakeasy on Halloween
