The Newsroom Spookeasy: A Hidden Halloween Experience Behind a Vintage 7UP Machine

Inside, the Philadelphia speakeasy glows with psychedelic orange and blue lights that sweep over the restaurant, much like the blazing eyes of the animatronic monsters lurking in the corners. The cobwebbed pillars, candelabra, and ghostly white and gray painted bookshelves invite you in to stay for a while. Edgar Allan Poe fans will especially enjoy his tribute wall, featuring his portrait and crows against a wallpaper backdrop made from pages of his literary masterpieces.

Japanese Fusion Meets Themed Cocktails

You’ve never tasted a stronger espresso martini than The Newsroom's pumpkin spice version, layered with the hint of a foreboding autumn night. The menu, guided by Chef Nobu Hamazaki, perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere:

• The tempura roll’s sweet glaze rivals its deliciously crisp, fresh taste.
• The umami cucumber appetizer displays its cucumbers as carefully crafted dominoes bathing in a blood-red kimchi sauce that gives the dish a delightful saturation.
• Chef Nobu's Ocean Crunch Roll bundles a delectable variety of seafood and sweet and spicy sauces in a pristine, caviar-topped package.

Aerial Acrobatics and 1920s Atmosphere

While the elegant presentation of the food is striking, all eyes are on the bejeweled acrobat as she takes the stage, whirling around her rope. She somersaults through the air with dizzying speed, then stops and hangs above her audience like a glittering bat. Halloween music throbs through the building like a heartbeat as she performs. Once she's finished her haunting routine, guests give her a well-deserved round of applause and continue chatting beneath the luminescent orange orb lights.

Between the ethereal acrobat, refreshing food and drink, and the prowling animatronics, this interactive Halloween season experience is not to be missed. It nails the vibe of a 1920s speakeasy, taking you back in time via a secret 7UP machine through a forbidden tunnel. The Newsroom truly lives up to its name and is certainly something to write home about this October.

If you are looking to add even more haunted venues to your October itinerary, be sure to read up on what to expect at Philly's Enchanted Nightmare Halloween pop-up over at Craftsman Row Saloon.