Alcotraz: An Australia-First Immersive Cocktail Experience

Alcotraz: An Australia-First Immersive Cocktail Experience

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Posted 2024-07-02 by Ann about Townfollow

‘Innocent unless proven guilty’, that’s the way it usually goes.

However, this adage was immediately turned on its head when we visited a prison-themed Elizabeth St last week (near Queen Victoria Market).


According to the hype, ‘Alcotraz combines the allure of a speakeasy-style cocktail bar with the excitement of immersive theatre and interactive storylines.’

Melbourne thrill seekers are invited into the illicit underworld of contraband cocktails and encouraged to get creative smuggling their liquor past the fearsome Warden for a thirst-quenching reward in the form of a delicious cocktail (or mocktail if you’re so inclined).


Guests – or more appropriately ‘inmates’ who manage to win the favour of the crooked guards will gain exclusive access to explore secret areas throughout the evening, such as the Solitary Confinement Block or the Warden’s Office to negotiate their parole.

These immersive cocktail experiences are allegedly a huge hit in the United States and United Kingdom and it makes sense when I think of Halloween and how much some of my mates love to dress up and paint the town. And drink, for that matter.

On arrival, we obediently queued up outside the venue and were greeted with fantastic (and slightly unhinged) prison-themed banter from the staff about our presumed innocence (or lack thereof) straight out the gate which was particularly welcome given we were about to be shown to our “cells” for the night.

Once inside, we were presented with orange jumpsuits by our hilariously adorkable prison guards and given an assortment of novel ways to smuggle our bootleg alcohol into Alcotraz Prison from body pillows to packing crates.


The guards were accommodating to prisoners, we quickly found out, as they had been ‘brought’ by Cassidy, a fellow inmate responsible for the free-flowing supply of booze in the prison which we would enjoy throughout the night.


Drawing inspiration from popular Hollywood Movies and TV, the prison cells were authentically decorated (albeit sans doors) and realistically overcrowded.

Not ideal if you’re claustrophobic but fortunately, this one-of-a-kind experience was less about handcuffs and more about enjoying the theatrics and becoming a part of the story for an evening.

You gotta get me outta here Johnny, I'm innocent...

Alcotraz is a welcome addition to the Melbourne entertainment scene - it’s good different and something you will be raving to your friends about for days to come.

I cackled at several of the witty lines delivered by the exceptional cast whose ability to control the crowd and maintain the interactive storyline despite the escalating rowdiness (brought on by the delicious sweet and sour cocktails) was next to none.

Warden Tuffhoney was suitably terrifying and at one point, I lost it when Cassidy quips, “I don’t think warden has a gender. Her gender is just warden.”

Not to be confused with Azkaban but have you seen these wizards

Whether it’s your birthday, hens/bucks night or a quirky date night, Alcotraz will make for a fun and memorable experience.

Get your tickets on sale here.

LOGISTICS:

Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Location: 592 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Age requirement: +18
Dress code: You’ll be given an orange jumpsuit on arrival
Please note: BYO alcohol (all mixers, juices, fruit and syrup will be provided at the venue)



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289538 - 2024-07-01 23:14:32

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