The Alice, an event created by the interactive team Hidden, invites guests to venture down the rabbit hole for a 90-minute immersive experience.
For the curious and curiouser, Columbus is currently hosting an Alice in Wonderland-themed pop-up bar. Known as the “tea party to end all tea parties”, the interactive experience began on Oct. 1 and will run until Dec. 12.
The event comes courtesy of Hidden, a “marketplace for all the most exciting live and virtual events”, as per their website.
The team has hosted over 2,500 experiences in more than 30 cities around the world. Hidden is behind other popular pop-up events such as The Wizard’s Den, Beyond Cinema, and The Art of Murder.
The Alice is a theatrical, immersive experience where participants solve Wonderland-themed riddles and challenges to unlock the ingredients for two Alice-inspired cocktails, although non-alcoholic alternatives are available.
My 90-minute journey began with an escort from the Mad Hatter himself, as he guided us to the back of an unassuming sports bar and through the doors to Wonderland.
While the event space is intimate, the room is completely covered in Alice-themed decorations, many of which prove to be interactive elements for the evening’s challenges.
Guests are invited to earn their Diploma of Tea Making by solving three distinct riddles. A considerable amount of time is spent out of your chair, exploring the room for clues, and interacting with Wonderland characters, such as the Mad Hatter and the White Hare.
Upon successfully solving a riddle, guests are supplied with a clue to the location of one of the three ingredients used to make one of the Wonderland cocktails. The drinks are meant to be enjoyed with the “Eat Me” cookie- all of which are very sweet.
The second drink is given out upon the arrival of the Red Queen. A white, foam layer sits on the top of the drink, and guests are given chocolate sauce and paint brushes with the instructions of creating a portrait for the Queen. The Queen will determine a winner, who will be awarded for their victory.
Overall, the experience is playful and extremely interactive. It’s a great alternative to typical Columbus nightlife, especially for Alice in Wonderland fans.
Hidden has announced two additional events coming to Columbus. The first is the Japanese Robot Show, which is inspired by the popular Japanese Robot Restaurant in Japan.
The dining experience is anticipated to arrive in Columbus in early February 2022, featuring high-tech laser displays, multi-coloured lights, dancers, and glittering robots.
The show will also be 90-minutes in length and is separated into three different acts. Guests can enjoy a variety of authentic Japanese foods, drinks, and souvenirs.
A Chicken Wing festival is also in the cards for Columbus, but event details have not yet been provided.
Visit explorehidden.com for additional information about The Alice and upcoming pop-up events in Columbus.
