HAUNTED: The Rotten Route

A dark and fantastic voyage of the mystic and the macabre across three locations crewed by Detroit’s finest performers.

This concludes this amusement for the 2024 season. Rotten Route shall return in 2025.

 

Description

This is a once-in-a-lifetime voyage that aspires to be nothing less than transcendence through resplendent venues and extraordinary performances. This exact experience will never happen again.

All new for 2024.

A Labyrinth of Earthly and Ethereal Delights

The veil is thinning and the whispers of the lost souls along The Rotten Route are growing louder. The shadows beckon and the night winds speak of mysteries afoot. Adorn your most haunting costume and step into the shadowy realms to explore the dark alleys and enchanted underworld of Detroit.

Breathtaking Performances Hiding Around Every Corner

The Sinister Spectacle: Once part of a grand carnival that was the heart of Detroit, this troupe of freakshow performers met a fiery end when a blaze consumed the entire city. But the flames didn’t just claim their lives—they cursed them to roam the streets of Detroit for eternity. Now, they haunt the Rotten Route, performing their eerie acts with an unsettling blend of grace and horror. Using arcane tools they reenact their final moments, luring guests into their twisted, otherworldly show, all while seeking new souls to join their eternal carnival of the damned.

LOCATION 1: AVIARY (SECRET)

This truly secret location, shrouded in mystery, will reveal itself only to those brave enough to join us on the Rotten Route. Here, under a moonlit sky, flames will dance, and magic will weave through the shadows. We dare not speak its name, but know that no corner will be left untouched by the eerie splendor we have in store.

LOCATION 2: CRYPT (AKA Easy Peasy/LowKey)

A shadowed haunt beckons those bold enough to enter. Beneath flickering lights, sip potent elixirs and chilling brews as whispers of “Easy Peasy” fill the air. But beware, darkness lingers. For those who dare search farther more, a hidden lair beneath the surface offers drinks that defy the ordinary, crafted by alchemists in a dim, melodic chamber. Lose yourself in the eerie ambiance and dance beneath the spellbinding glow.

LOCATION 3: ABYSS (AKA Nightmare on Bagley)

A spectral tavern rises on Detroit’s forsaken Bagley Street, where shadows whisper secrets and gothic decor flickers in candlelight. The air is thick with decay and forgotten dreams, while sinister cocktails tempt with dark allure. Echoes of tormented souls hum through eerie melodies. Enter if you dare, and let the night consume you for one final journey.

Specifics:

Our chariots of mystery depart from the Checker Bar in the heart of Downtown Detroit. Time slots for your initial departure into the abyss range from 7:00PM to 10:00PM on the half hour. Your chosen slot of embarkation can be selected at the time of checkout. Should the fates demand a change, contact our earthly representatives up to three days prior at [email protected] or call the mystical digits 313-444-2871.

A Note on the Voyage’s Design:

Once set in motion, our buses proceed in a one-way pilgrimage to the set of undisclosed locations. You may linger in any sanctuary as long you see fit. However, re-boarding the vessel means you advance only forward in this particular odyssey. Should we find the venues reaching their earthly capacity, earlier groups may be gently ushered to continue forth.

Upon the journey’s conclusion, all wandering souls will be returned to the Checker Bar from whence they came. Take heed: The final steed bound for the default world departs the last location at 1:00AM. Choose your adventures wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this the same event as last year?

Nay! This performance is all-new.

Who Is This For?

This event is crafted for the relentlessly curious and mystically adventurous individual. If you appreciate the allure of the unknown, this evening is tailored to your sensibilities.

Is this a bar crawl?

Nay! Consider this one massive, spectacular performance split across four distinctly different realms with our buses ferrying you safely between. Libations both hard and light will be available at all four stops, but alcoholic purchases are not required.

Is this a “haunted house” scary thing?

Also Nay! This is nothing like a haunted house or haunted attraction. No jump scares. Just the terror and  delight of the interior of your soul, which can be far scarier than any mortal risk.

Costume Mandate:

To fully immerse in the evening’s allure, your most intriguing masquerade or thematic attire is not merely suggested—it’s obligatory. Take this chance to transform, if only for a night, and contribute to the event’s compelling mystique.

Libations Allowed?

Yes. This is a sojourn for those aged 21 and over. As for your elixirs, all drinks must be purchased inside the bars and kept there. Coolers, drinks, and otherwise are not allowed on the bus. Transferring open containers between bus and venue is forbidden—blame not us, but the mortal laws.

Missed the Bus? Late Arrival?

Time, like our journey into the unknown, waits for no one. If you miss your scheduled pickup time, we may be able to fit you on the next bus if there is room. But understand, the bus will not linger for tardy souls. We have an eerie schedule to maintain.

Substitute Passengers?

Should you find yourself unable to confront the abyss, another may take your place. Simply inform us via [email protected], and the necessary arcane adjustments will be made to your ticket.

Day-Of Tickets?

Alas, no on-site ticket purchases will be entertained. Seats are coveted and limited. Book your passage online to secure your spot in this phantasmagorical odyssey.

The Alchemy of Refunds

Life’s earthly obligations sometimes restrain us from venturing into realms untrodden. Should you find yourself ensnared by such mundane fetters, know this: A full remittance of your investment will be conjured for you if sought up to fourteen (14) days prior to The Event. However, let it be known that within the fourteen-day precipice that leads to our journey, the coffers seal, and no gold shall be returned. Choose wisely, for The Rotten Route grants no favors to the hesitant.

Culinary Considerations?

We recommend a pre-embarkation feast, for the stops on our route are more inclined to provide spirits than sustenance. Alternatively, pack your own provisions for the evening but you may leave behind nothing on your bus.

Weather Considerations?

In Michigan, even Mother Nature revels in unpredictability. Should inclement weather besiege us, an email will be dispatched on the day of the event with a rescheduled date. If this poses a conflict, a voucher for a future otherworldly tour will be your consolation.

Any queries unanswered? Reach out, but be warned: The unknown is not for the faint-hearted or the indecisive. Act swiftly, for the Rotten Route awaits.

Unearth the secrets. Embrace the darkness. Book your passage now, for the unknown waits for no one.