Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the city… Terror Vault is back for 2025 with the all new show HEXED. Located at the historic San Francisco Mint, Hexed is an hour-long, fully immersive horror experience that takes visitors on one hell of a ride. The plot of the show, yes there is an actual story, tells the tale of a coven of three evil witches from around the globe who plan to take over the world. Guests are cast as the heroes in the story destined to do battle with these witches and unravel their evil plan before it’s too late.
We made our way into San Francisco for our visit to Terror Vault and checked into the Hotel Zeta directly across the street. It was a great place with surprisingly spacious rooms. We also found out that Terror Vault has partnered with Pickwick Hotel and The Clancy offering special rates people attending the show. We grabbed dinner right next door to Terror Vault at a place called Burma Love which was great, we grabbed some water at a Trader Joes that was within walking distance of the hotel on the same block, and we got ready for the show.
We approached the ominous steps of the Mint building and made our way in. Upon arrival we shared our ID with the attendant to get a wristband if we chose to partake in libations and we entered the building to check in for the show. We had the VIP wristbands so we quickly headed downstairs. Here we were confronted by frighteningly friendly vampires ready for a little snack. While they invited us to the FANG BANG bar, we chose to flex our VIP status and head into the Triple HeXXXed Witch Strip Club.
The Triple HeXXXed Witch Strip Club
Minerva Moan was there to welcome us into her, uh, lair. Beyond her not-so-secret passage was a hive of sin known as Triple HeXXED. After hitting the bar for our complimentary shot and a little extra, we caught a performance on the HeXXXed stage. After that we wandered back out and into the main lobby to wait for our show time.
The time came and our HorrorBuzz group, divided into groups of 12, were pulsed into the show. We entered a debriefing room where we were reminded to turn off all devices including anything that might give off light or cause a distraction. Once we were ready, the show began.
As mentioned, three very powerful witches from around the globe have decided to join forces and begin a cruel and devastating reign. The good news is that we have been summoned. But why? It seems that we too are witches who have not yet found our powers. Divided into one of three witch clans, we are given the task to retrieve fragments of a powerful stone that could help us save everyone from a dark fate. It isn’t easy, of course. Producers Joshua Grannell and David Flower have written a rollicking adventure filled with hair raising scares and close calls. The massive cast guides our intrepid coven through portals, churches, temples, and graveyards as we battle evil forces.
I won’t detail the plot points as it would be a disservice to the joy of discovery. But this show is great. Terror Vault has leveld up… AGAIN on how they fuse technology, live theatre, and narrative. Every single element of the show services or informs the story.
What impresses me the most about Terror Vault is the uncompromising level of quality they meet every year. This isn’t just a haunt. This is a large scale piece of theatre in the grand tradition of truly immersive entertainment. You can participate at your own level of comfort, but you will regret it if you don’t somehow jump in and have fun.
In the name of all things unholy don’t miss HEXED.
HEXED Tickets on Sale Now
Select nights now through Nov 1
Go Behind the Scenes
HorrorBuzz and Terror Vault teamed up once again to take fans even further into the fear with an opening weekend Behind the Scenes VIP tour. As the last group through the show for the evening, we were afforded the special chance to go through the show again, with lights on, to see how the magic was made.
With the lights on, hosts Joshua Grannell and David Flower walked our group through various scenes to explain how things were done.
If you didn’t get a chance to take the behing the scenes tour you are in luck! Terror Vault is offering this special experience one more time on Wednesday, October 22nd! You seriously do not want to miss this. Grab your tickets on the HEXED site and select Oct 22. If you can’t see that, get down there anyway. It’s worth the trip.
