Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the heart of a dense forest, there lived a bone-chillingly terrifying witch known as Morgana. Her reputation preceded her, and the villagers lived in constant fear of her dark powers. Legend had it that she had made a pact with the devil himself, granting her unimaginable abilities. Morgana was said to possess the power to control the elements, cast spells with a mere flick of her wrist, and communicate with dark spirits. Villagers whispered in hushed tones about the unspeakable horrors they had witnessed in her presence. People who dared to cross her path never returned the same – if they returned at all.
Turn the corner on Hollywood Boulevard and Hudson Avenue and you’ll find a doorway which looks like any other doorway. Except this one has a man stood outside it, shifting his eyes ever-so-slightly from side to side. Maybe he has suspenders, or one of those twirled mustaches, a bowler cap. Either way, he stands out. Step right up, he’s got something for you. “Are you here for Black Rabbit Rose?” he asks, and of course you are. He has you pick four cards, splaying out a deck on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard like an ancient busker and then, nothing more to say except “you’ll see,” he ushers you inside.
A curtain pulled back, you re inside a sumptuous, snug room; people with more decks of cards are causally visiting the tables of patrons, eliciting gasps and applause. A lifelong horror fan, she hopes to use her fast fingers to help Haunting readers dig deeper into the immersive horror landscape, and learn to love the things that scare us.
People who dared to cross her path never returned the same – if they returned at all. The village lived in a state of perpetual darkness and despair under the power and influence of Morgana. Crops withered, livestock perished, and the once-thriving community became a shadow of its former self.
Mystique, Magic, and Malts: an Evening at Hollywood’s Black Rabbit Rose
Turn the corner on Hollywood Boulevard and Hudson Avenue and you’ll find a doorway which looks like any other doorway. Except this one has a man stood outside it, shifting his eyes ever-so-slightly from side to side. Maybe he has suspenders, or one of those twirled mustaches, a bowler cap. Either way, he stands out. Step right up, he’s got something for you. “Are you here for Black Rabbit Rose?” he asks, and of course you are. He has you pick four cards, splaying out a deck on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard like an ancient busker and then, nothing more to say except “you’ll see,” he ushers you inside.
A curtain pulled back, you’re inside a sumptuous, snug room; people with more decks of cards are causally visiting the tables of patrons, eliciting gasps and applause. The scent of fresh, spicy Thai food hangs in the air, carried along as trays prepared by Crying Tiger, LA’s beloved late-night Thai spot, are placed in front of eager guests. You take a seat and peruse the luscious cocktail menu, cooling off with magic-themed mixers like the Dark Arts, swirling with activated charcoal, or the Smoke and Mirrors aptly named for both the location and the smoked hickory infused within.
Yes, you can find themed drinks and Thai food at several spots in Los Angeles, maybe in Hollywood itself (though the items here are amongst the best you’ll find), but for the more adventurous amongst you, the bar experience is just the preamble to a much more satisfying evening. Make sure to make a reservation at Black Rabbit Rose before you go; your reservation will get you through to the next step, and a journey deeper into the historic celebrity apartment building that brothers Mark and Jonnie Houston have converted into a velveteen Magic Castle, secreted away in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world.
Better still, on top of your reservation, get the “VIP Experience,” which includes a cocktail presentation unlike any other. No details to share, here, just know that your fellow attendees who neglected the upgrade might feel a familiar twinge of jealousy when your boozy concoction joins in on the magic.
Without sharing some of the more…illusory elements of Black Rabbit Rose, it’s safe to say that no guest will leave unsurprised or unentertained. A revolving group of master magicians, singers, and performers put on an exclusive show for a cozy, limited audience several nights a week; you’ll sip a powerful cocktail and cozy up with your guest as you experience funny, sensual, startling show that will leave every guest feeling dazzled and, perhaps most importantly, special.
Black Rabbit Rose isn’t just a great “date night” activity—and it absolutely is—it’s the kind of evening that you’ll want to try over and over as the line-ups change regularly. Yes, there’s magic, but there’s also burlesque, live music, and tons of performance in this intimate space. It combines the casual atmosphere of late-night Thai food (yes, Crying Tiger has a tiny walk-up window outside that serves until past 2am) with a chic cocktail lounge and submerges it all under a strong draught of mystery.
Amidst all this intrigue, you’re still in Hollywood: hidden in the center of it all. The lights of the city buzz, crisp and neon through the streets, peals of laughter ring out from tourists as they trip over their feet to read the Walk of Fame, the sweet, smoky heat from the cart of a street merchant wafts over the pavement as he sells questionable meat. Yet to some, especially locals, the world-renown Hollywood Boulevard, the lights, the Stars….it can feel like it’s lost the spark it once had; a strong love for a city that over time has become an expected comfort. But then you find a place like Black Rabbit Rose and you know what you’d forgotten to consider: that there’s always room for a surprise in Hollywood. That’s the magical thing about it: you never really have to look far to find something to reignite an old flame.
Get the full Black Rabbit Rose magic show and cocktail experience every Thursday at 8:30pm and twice on Fridays and Saturdays, at 8 and 9:30pm. You can reserve your experience here. You can also find them on Instagram and Facebook.
Cristen Brinkerhoff
Cristen has been writing since she was a small, strange child. Her first foray into immersive theatre opened up a new world of possibility for art and exploration for her, and she’s been hooked on the genre ever since. A lifelong horror fan, she hopes to use her fast fingers to help Haunting readers dig deeper into the immersive horror landscape, and learn to love the things that scare us.
A curtain pulled back, you’re inside a sumptuous, snug room; people with more decks of cards are causally visiting the tables of patrons, eliciting gasps and applause. The scent of fresh, spicy Thai food hangs in the air, carried along as trays prepared by Crying Tiger, LA’s beloved late-night Thai spot, are placed in front of eager guests. You take a seat and peruse the luscious cocktail menu, cooling off with magic-themed mixers like the Dark Arts, swirling with activated charcoal, or the Smoke and Mirrors aptly named for both the location and the smoked hickory infused within.
Children, even the bravest among them, would tremble at the mere mention of her name. The villagers were trapped in a nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape. One fateful day, a young orphan girl named Lily found herself drawn to the mysterious legend of Morgana. Having lost her parents at a young age, Lily had grown up with a sense of fearlessness and curiosity that was uncommon amongst the villagers. She possessed a glimmer of hope that one day she would conquer the darkness that plagued her village. Despite the warnings of the villagers, Lily ventured deep into the forbidden forest, determined to confront Morgana and put an end to her reign of terror. As she ventured further into the forest, the air grew colder, and an eerie silence hung heavy in the air. The trees seemed to whisper, warning Lily of the dangers ahead. But she pressed on, fueled by her relentless bravery. Eventually, Lily stumbled upon a dilapidated hut hidden amongst the gnarled trees. This was Morgana's lair, the heart of her dark empire. The hut emanated a malevolent energy that sent shivers down Lily's spine, but she steeled herself and pushed open the creaking door. Inside, she found Morgana seated at a cauldron, chanting incantations in a language unknown to any human. The witch's eyes bore into Lily's soul, and for a moment, doubt crept into her mind. But she remembered the suffering of her fellow villagers, the desolation that Morgana had brought upon them, and she summoned every ounce of courage left within her. Lily stepped forward and spoke with a determined voice, "Morgana, your wicked reign ends here. I will free my village from your curse and restore hope to our lives." Morgana's laughter echoed through the hut, chilling Lily to the bone. "Foolish child," she sneered, "you cannot defeat me. I am eternal, and my power is unmatched." Undeterred, Lily reached into the depths of her own soul and tapped into a power she had never known existed. She retaliated with a wave of light and hope, forcing Morgana to recoil in shock. The battle of wills waged on, the clash of good and evil shaking the very foundations of the forest. Hours turned into eternities, but Lily refused to back down. With each passing moment, her power grew stronger, and the darkness within Morgana waned. Finally, with one final surge of energy, Lily defeated the witch, banishing her from the village forever. As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the dense canopy, the village awakened to a newfound sense of peace and freedom. The curse had been broken, and hope ignited in every heart. The villagers rejoiced and celebrated, forever grateful to the brave orphan girl who had stood up against the terrifying witch. Lily became a hero, a symbol of triumph against darkness. Her remarkable story was passed down through the generations, a reminder that even in the face of bone-chilling terror, courage and hope could prevail. underliningLily's unwavering spirit and determination were the catalyst for a brighter future, forever breaking the chains of fear that had held the village captive..
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