Haunted Soiree: VAMPIRE
- Thom the Curator
- Oct 16, 2025
- 6 min read
Have a drink and unleash your inner vampire at this adult affair of mystique and revelry
Halloween Scene Los Angeles' view
A one-of-a-kind extended happy-hour cocktail party and cabaret is unfolding every weekend at Haunted Soiree: VAMPIRE in Glendale. It’s sort of a perfect setting for lovers of adult Halloween fun to come together and enjoy the spiciness of the spooky season. That it’s held at the reportedly haunted and historic Nocturne Theatre only adds to the eerie charm. Halloween Scene Los Angeles recently visited the event on its opening weekend.
Meyer2Meyer have reimagined their previous “House of Spirits” event with this new 2025 experience. During the day, the theatre presents an impressive presentation of “Dracula: The Musical,” but once the sun sets, eager crowds seeking nocturnal adventures join the swelling line leading to the entrance. The attendees, dressed in everything from suave to sexy attire, with a strong emphasis on Gothic and Vampirical styles, are themselves very much part of the show. Don’t wear a T-shirt here, or you’ll stand out as a modern-day schlub. Black is the preferred color and dressing to the nines is even better. There were even a couple dozen top hats in evidence, including one worn by yours truly, the Curator.
As this was the opening weekend, there were certainly some kinks to be worked out for future shows. However, the overall experience was fun, mysterious and intriguing. Once inside the Nocturne’s lobby, the large crowd got their bearings while a few creatures of undefinable origin roamed the room to silently welcome them. I believe I was standing next to Dracula’s relative as he/she wrapped their large wings out for a photo. The lobby bar was lively with plenty of takers but guests who had purchased ‘Inner Circle' tickets had already been given a free starter cocktail via a clever syringe-dispensed contraption at sign-in.
As anticipation grew, a hostess announced that we were free to explore the hallways and rooms of the multi-story performance hall; to experience what we wanted, when we wanted, where we wanted. Then the doors flew open, revealing the theatre below, the mezzanine and other rooms above. Having seen Count Vlad in action earlier in the day in the wonderful musical, I chose the theatre as my first stop. It was a great choice. I was immediately captivated by a sultry fire dancer who was wooing the crowd that had quickly filled the room. Her exotic dance of the flames set the perfect mood for the night ahead.
The next stop presented the first glitch of the night as I found myself in a long line of people all clustered on a steep staircase. It was a bit claustrophobic, and no one knew what was going on. However, the fifteen-minute gridlock turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I met several people in line who became fast friends for the rest of the night. As we sipped our adult beverages, awaiting whatever was holding up the line, we mingled, laughed, commented on each other’s wardrobe choices, and made the best of it. I’m sure in future shows they’ll have this figured out, but I probably wouldn’t have met these cool people otherwise.
When we finally reached the top of the stairs, eight of us were plucked from the line and ushered into a small room. There, an eerie woman recited a poetic tale that was both entertaining and creepy. It wasn’t long before another creature appeared in the room, intensifying the atmosphere. Luckily, this being an adult event, there was a free mini-libation and some candy to help us make it through the macabre scene.
After the vignette concluded, I found myself wandering down a hallway, which eventually led to another long line (no thank you) and then into the main room on the second floor. A large crowd had gathered around a close-up magician, while a few roving characters made quick appearances. There was also a living Ouija Board that answers the questions you dared to ask of it, and yes, another busy bar was doing brisk business. Additionally, there was a charming New Orleans-style balcony where you could step out for some fresh air if the crowd got to be too much. Visiting it made me feel like I was in a living version of “Interview with a Vampire,” with Glendale standing in for the French Quarter. The second glitch of the night occurred out there when I saw a roving performer dressed in ghoulish garb drop character as they talked to a friend who was a guest. That kind of thing can take you out of the moment. It was time to venture onward.
I soon reconnected with my new friends in another large room on the second floor, where we all queued up to a wine bar. After ordering a glass of red (this is a Vampire event after all), I joined one of my fellow conspirators and found a seat on a plush Victorian-era sofa. From there, we watched a bizarrely interesting scene unfold in front of us. Behind a clear wall, an elderly man, who appeared to be very stimulated by his work, was sketching a portrait. It felt like we had suddenly stumbled upon someone’s private moment that had somehow become a show for the voyeur in all of us. We shared a few laughs. Then I was up and wandering yet again.
The next stop was a highlight of the evening. I found myself in a tunnel designed with endless LED lights, perfect for a selfie moment amidst hundreds of interweaving laser beams. Someone warned me, “Watch your eyes.” But it was too late; I had been mesmerized by those hypnotizing rays of light for ten minutes already. I’m sure future cataract surgery will be needed but it was a memorable blast - literally.
In an adjoining room, music was wafting out, so I wafted in and found a Gothically-vibed performer singing a modern pop number that I didn’t recognize. A group of partiers were swaying their arms side to side above their heads to the song, so they knew it. After a few minutes, I was hankering for something different and made my way back downstairs to the main theatre again.
Just in time, too, as a large creature – reminiscent of Beast from Beauty in the Beast, but uglier and not as nattily dressed, led out a scantily clad woman into the center of the room. She took hold of a suspended ring and performed an aerial stunt show above us while the ogre watched over her. The movements were stunning and lovely, and the entranced crowd erupted in applause at the end of the performance. Once the ogre escorted her off, he proved to be a nice creature and offered a treat for anyone who dared follow him to his goodie basket in a dark corner. I went the other way.
And just like that, the two-hour soiree was winding down. When I returned to the lobby, it was nearly empty, with most of the crowd having disappeared into the night. It was just like Halloween -- here one moment and then gone just as fast. Halloween Scene Los Angeles looks forward to what they cook up next year.
It was an enjoyable and unique night of revelry at Haunted Soiree: VAMPIRE. While I would have loved to witness an actual vampire-type ritual as part of the proceedings, the Count didn’t make an appearance as far as I know. When you’re going where you want and when you want you never really know what’s going on beyond your own view. And while there was just enough to keep you entertained for two hours, a few more vignettes and character interactions across the large space would have been a nice addition. However, what was offered was fun, and the crowd itself made the evening special – a group of celebrants in high spirits and dressed up for their favorite season of the year.
Now thru November 1 – weekends (two shows) and select weeknights
21+ event
Price: $58-$98 depending on night and type of ticket. General 90-min show
or Inner Circle 2-hour show and free entrance cocktail and added vignette
The Nocturne Theatre
324 N. Orange Street
Glendale
