Search this site

LOCATION: Passaic, New Jersey, USA Photo above is property of Brighton Asylum Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🎭 EXPERIENCE: Brighton Asylum, SubCULTure, The Bleeding Grounds 📅 DATE VISITED: October 19, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Immersive 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl): N/A 👥 TOTAL # OF PEOPLE: Up to 25 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: Approx. 10 Mins. (Once inside the maze) 💰 PRICE: General Admission: $50.87 - $61.47/ pp (all 3 haunted houses) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: N/A 🎭 THE EXPERIENCE Brighton Asylum, the renowned haunted asylum complex highlighted on The Today Show, Cake Boss, Buzzfeed, ABC, NBC, FOX, and various media outlets nationwide, was closed in 1952 due to the disappearance of staff and patients, along with unbearable living conditions. Now, the asylum has reopened and is welcoming new patients! Brighton Asylum is an extensive walk-through dark attraction featuring frightening live actors, horror movie-style scares, and Hollywood-quality special effects. Remember... once you check IN the asylum, you may never check OUT! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Photo above is property of Brighton Asylum 📖 THE STORY Brighton Asylum, once housing the most troubled minds, has been in ruins for almost 60 years. Now, its doors are open again, exposing the terrors that have lingered in the darkness since 1952. Discover the sinister secrets inside—if you dare. Are you brave enough to endure? Photo above is property of Brighton Asylum 📖 THE STORY They were some of the most feared and dangerous individuals at Brighton Asylum. During a routine patient transfer, they escaped into the tunnels, adapting to the darkness and preying on anyone passing through. They'll attempt to deceive you. They'll attempt to recruit you. And if that doesn't work, they'll simply capture you! Can you escape, or will these inhabitants overpower your mind and spirit? Photo above is property of Brighton Asylum 📖 THE STORY Explore the deserted staff quarters on the abandoned second floor of Brighton Asylum, closed off since 1952. This is where the staff once lived, worked, and carried out their disturbing experiments. Discover the eerie truth behind why this once-busy floor was condemned, gaining the ominous title of The Bleeding Grounds. Will you leave with your sanity intact? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Atmosphere: Outside, the Monster Midway area showcased horror CarnEVIL games, a horror museum, mini-escape games, a gift shop, and much more! It was vibrant, colorful, and welcoming. Inside, it was eerie, dilapidated, and filled with ghastly items. Storyline: Brighton brings our favorite horror films with an insane asylum theme to life. The sadistic backstory of peculiar staff gatherings experimenting on mental patients is what serves as the final touch to this horrific experience. Set design: The set designs truly established the mood; being inside a dim, aged warehouse gave it an authentic, decayed, industrial vibe. Upstairs in "The Bleeding Grounds", it resembled an old Victorian-era structure. There was an abundance of visual elements that perfectly captured the themes and ambiance of an asylum filled with lunatics and an ancient haunted house. Actors: The actors remained in character, whether they were out in the open setting the scene or popping out for an unexpected jump scare. Varying intensity: There were several unexpected jump scares that eventually started to feel repetitive. However, when it came to a climactic ending, Brighton Asylum did not disappoint. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Psychological elements: Set in a mental asylum, the overarching theme of disturbed residents should instantly establish a strong basis for what is anticipated. It would have been interesting to delve into the psychological fears common to most people and incorporate an element of surprise in that aspect. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Unlike typical haunted houses, Brighton Asylum elevates the experience with contemporary techniques and a full-contact approach to unsettle and scare visitors. At Brighton, you'll explore "The Brighton Asylum" itself, an industrial complex that delves into other nightmares as well. In "SubCULTure", you will also traverse Brighton's underground service tunnel, which was once utilized for transporting medical supplies to other buildings. For those brave enough, the 2nd floor staffing area known as "The Bleeding Grounds" is open! This area is where the staff once worked, slept, and experimented... it has earned its name for a good reason! 👋 CUSTOMER SERVICE Location of the venue isn't that easy to find. The entrance is through a small alleyway that leads to their parking lot. The parking lot attendants were not helpful and weren't very visible when directing traffic. We ended up driving in circles until we found parking on a residential street. All attractions are indoors and there is some coverage if it rains on their main queue lines outside. The line formations were organized with both a standard pass and a fast pass option. They have security on staff every single night including police officers, retired police officers, and SORA licensed security. Customers will have to be wanded by a security officer before they will be allowed to enter the park, and a photo ID is needed if you purchased your ticket in advance. Additionally, there are cameras recording in every room of the haunted houses and in the queue line, midway and parking areas. All the actors were professional and gave a satisfactory performance. As media/ press guests, it would have been more convenient to have a wristband or some form of identification indicating that we were there to take photos and film, as consent had been granted before our arrival. The staff was somewhat rude each time I had to explain that I had permission. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking lot available. In addition, they also offer a large off site parking lot available at Clifton High School, 333 Colfax Ave, Clifton NJ 07013 Do not touch actors, staff, props, or sets. Violations = eviction without refund. No weapons, alcohol, drugs, vaping, smoking, running, or disorderly conduct. No cameras, flash, or livestreaming inside attractions. Photos/videos allowed outside only. Refreshments vary night to night. They have horror themed chocolates, a non-alcoholic drink bar, various packaged snacks, hot chocolate, and various food trucks providing hot food and deserts. Stay on marked paths and keep moving forward. Anyone appearing intoxicated, impaired, or otherwise unfit may be refused entry. Event includes stairs, darkness, strobe lights, fog, loud sounds, moving floors, and other physically demanding features. Participation is entirely at your own risk. In addition to the (3) haunted houses, Brighton Asylum also offers escape rooms, a horror museum, photo op stations, fear shop, and games! Restrooms are available Photos above are property of Brighton Asylum Note: This is a limited run. The last day to book is November 1, 2025 (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Brighton Asylum for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLEscapeRooms #ImmersiveExperiences #Attractions #BrightonAsylum #NewJersey #USA

LOCATION: Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA Photo above is property of Haunted Bank NYC Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🎭 EXPERIENCE: "Haunted Bank NYC" 📅 DATE VISITED: October 19, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Immersive 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 6 ppl): N/A 👥 TOTAL # OF PEOPLE: Up to 14 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: Approx. 20-25 Mins. 💰 PRICE: Weekdays: General Admission: $38.00/ pp, Group Admission: (8+ ppl): $35.00/ pp Weekends: General Admission: $45.00/ pp, Group Admission: (8+ ppl): $42.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: N/A 🎭 THE EXPERIENCE This isn't your ordinary haunted house... it's an intense nightmare set in one of NYC's eeriest real locations. Haunted Bank NYC plunges you into a tale where peril lurks around every corner, fear is palpable, and escape is uncertain. Whether you have the courage to confront the shadows or end up fleeing from them, one thing is sure: you'll never view a bank vault the same way again. Each room combines intricate sets, unsettling soundscapes, and a cast of actors adept at getting under your skin (and sometimes, right in your face). The production draws on the bank’s legend—the so-called ‘Broadway Heist,’ when bankers reported the vault felt unnaturally cold and witnesses insisted the dead never truly departed. “Once the site of a failed heist, this Broadway bank was sealed after a night of blood and betrayal. Decades later, the vault has reopened… but something still waits inside,” the creators hint. Consider it part haunted house, part immersive theater, part vault of nightmares. Unlike most banks, this one isn’t concerned with your credit score—it just wants your soul. Reserve your place now for Haunted Bank NYC! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📖 THE STORY The story takes place within an actual bank at 415 Broadway, where a failed robbery in the 1980's left behind tales of blood and treachery. The vault was closed, and the crime scene was sealed off... until now! Visitors start in the Teller Room, where routine business quickly spirals into chaos. From there, each corner draws you further into the bank’s haunted past: a CEO’s office stained by betrayal, a vault in the midst of a heist with masked criminals who might not welcome witnesses, and a mining tunnel where something inhuman continues to claw at the walls. However, the horror doesn't remain underground. The narrative spills onto the streets of New York, leading you through a shadowy alley, a butcher shop drenched in blood, and even an abandoned hospital wing attended by a nurse with very little "patience (patients)". Photos above are property of Haunted Bank NYC 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Atmosphere: Most haunted house experiences are themed walk-through attractions featuring intricate sets, props, and even vintage antiques to bring a horror story to life. As an escape room enthusiast, I often feel compelled to solve puzzles, whether mentally or physically, while contemplating the significance of my actions. In "Haunted Bank NYC", I appreciated that they included elements that fulfilled my puzzle solving appetite. Actors: When engaging with the live actors, my friends and I frequently test them to see if they'll step out of character. We were quite impressed by their dedication to their roles. Psychological elements: We really appreciated the creative elements that cleverly played on common fears. Those moments really stood out to us. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Storyline: I really enjoy the "Broadway Heist" backstory, especially how it all went wrong, leading to bloodshed and betrayal. However, we didn't receive any of that information during the experience, which left us confused about why we transitioned from a bank vault to a mining tunnel and eventually ended up in a hospital. Set design: Given that the experience only lasts about 20-25 minutes, we were constantly being pushed through by the actors and didn't have a chance to fully appreciate the set design. Varying intensity: After the first few jump-scares, we began to feel desensitized to them, particularly as they became more repetitive. It would have been nice to create additional opportunities for misdirection. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? What fascinated us the most was that this took place in a real abandoned bank. I appreciated that we could physically engage in some activities, and there were a few puzzle challenges throughout. There were some inventive jump-scares, and the actors stayed in character the entire time. Given that this is a 15-minute experience, we didn't have much opportunity to fully appreciate the set design, as we were moved along to keep on schedule. Regarding the check-in process, there wasn't a lot of room to wait on line outside the facility as it was literally on the sidewalk and it felt a bit unorganized. 👋 CUSTOMER SERVICE Location of the venue is easy to find (on the corner of Canal St. & Broadway). As mentioned, the line formation wasn't really organized and a bit congested. The experience felt secure throughout, and we didn't encounter any genuine safety concerns. The lobby area and restrooms were clean. The staff that we encountered were helpful, friendly, and personable throughout. All the actors were professional and gave a satisfactory performance. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is street parking available (highly recommend public transportation, uber, or taxi) Closest train station is "Canal Street" which is located on the same block. You can take the N, Q, R, W, 6, J, or Z train. No weapons, alcohol, drugs, vaping, smoking, running, or disorderly conduct. No cameras, flash, or livestreaming inside attractions. Photos/videos allowed outside only. Stay on path and keep moving forward. Event includes stairs, darkness, and loud sounds. Restrooms are available. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Note: This is a limited run. The last day to book is November 1, 2025 (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Haunted Bank NYC for comping our tickets for this experience. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLEscapeRooms #ImmersiveExperiences #Attractions #HauntedBankNYC #Horror #Halloween #NYC #NewYork #USA

It's that time of year again... We had such a fantastic experience last year at Jimmy Fallon's "Tonightmares", that this year on October 19th, we've decided to visit THREE Haunted Houses back-to-back! Here they are... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers If you're on social media, you've probably seen ads for Haunted Bank NYC everywhere! So naturally, we had to go and deposit a "check"! They are located in Lower Manhattan inside of an abandoned bank!! [ OUR REVIEW ] // This is a limited run. The last day to book is November 1, 2025 // Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers When considering a visit to one of New Jersey's premier haunted houses during Halloween... 13th Hour Haunted House in Wharton, NJ, is among the first to come to mind as they are the reason for the season!! Having experienced all their escape rooms, we were eager to witness the exceptional quality of their set designs! Their backstory centers around the twisted Hayden family and their terrifying farmhouse. [ OUR REVIEW ] // This is a limited run. The last day to book is November 1, 2025 // Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Another premiere haunted house experience in New Jersey is at Brighton Asylum in Passaic, NJ. Another company that delivers high quality set designs with a central theme that revolves around Brighton's insane asylum, where mentally disturbed patients are running amok. [ OUR REVIEW ] // This is a limited run. The last day to book is November 1, 2025 // (If you do decide to visit any of these attractions, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Haunted Bank NYC, 13th Hour, and Brighton Asylum for comping our tickets. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on our reviews whatsoever. Here are some other haunted house walk-throughs featuring appearances by celebrity guests: Andy from "The Ellen Show" at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights featuring: Kim Kardashian - [ LINK ] Arianna Grande - [ LINK ] Lizzo - [ LINK ] Tiffany Haddish - [ LINK ] Sarah Paulson - [ LINK ] Chrissy Teigen - [ LINK ] The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon at Blood Manor featuring: Kevin Hart - [ LINK ] #BrandonChow #IRLEscapeRooms #ImmersiveExperiences #Attractions #HauntedBankNYC #13thHour #BrightonAsylum #Horror #Halloween #NYC #NewYork #NewJersey #USA

Discover ESCAPETHEROOMers, the ultimate review site for escape rooms, games, and immersive experiences in the United States! Welcome to ESCAPETHEROOMers Your Key to the Outside World!! Reviews, Vlogs, Live Steam Events & More! ABOUT US Latest Updates The 2025 Bullseye Award Winners! CLICK HERE The Entertainment ESCAPE ROOMS AT-HOME GAMES The Travels

Join our Patreon for early access to reviews & articles, exclusive event invites, first looks & more! Or simply support us so we can continue to bring you more content every day!      PATREON Join our Patreon for early access to reviews & articles, exclusive event invites, first looks & more! Or simply support us so we can continue to bring you more content every day! Early Access Reviews Load More

Escape room reviews in Milano, Italy! minsk