REVIEW: Blood Manor

Blood Manor
163 Varick Street
New York, NY

Blood Manor is dishing out a hot serving of gore-filled mayhem this October. The Varick Street haunt opens its doors this Friday, but we caught a sneak-peak at their Media Preview event last Wednesday.

Is It Scary?

According to their Official Website: "Yes. BLOOD MANOR is designed to be intense, creepy, and "scream inducing."

The Raven & Black Cat says: Fear is subjective, but if you're looking for a gory walk-through style haunted house full of murderous monsters and 3-D effects then Blood Manor will seem like a home away from home

What We Loved

Blood Manor gets high marks for its fun startle scares and gruesome sets. Marion Le Coguic is a stand out as an artfully real member of the undead. Other highlights are the black sensory deprivation maze, the crazed nursery-rhyme singing surgeon, and the loud surprise ending. It's a grotesquely blood-drenched tribute to your favorite B-movie slasher films. 

What Could Be Better

We would love to see the order of the rooms change completely, so that returning victims don't know what's ahead. If the layout must remain the same from year-to-year, then finding more extreme ways to startle or disorient will make the experience feel completely new. In addition, a stronger focus on character development would really take things to the next level. I can only imagine what the experience would be like if everyone inside was as scary as Marion Le Coguic's undead monster.

WTF

The Media Preview Bacardi-sponsored cocktail reception was hosted at W.i.P, where an enthusiastic actor escorted guests around the corner to Blood Manor. His performance and costume were so convincing that someone on the street called the police and reported a monster running down Varick Street with an axe! When we left the bar the poor actor was surrounded by police officers.

Final Thoughts

A visit to Blood Manor guarantees that you'll get your annual dose of blood, guts and gore this Halloween season.

Blood Manor Runs

October 5  -  November 3

Ticket Information

• General Admission (Online): $28.50
• General Admission (At the door): $35.00
• RIP Express Entry (Online): $43.50 (Oct. 5- 14)
• RIP Express Entry (Online): $48.50 (Oct. 18 -Nov 3) 
• RIP Express Entry (At the door): $50.00

Discount Tickets

• 50% Off General Admisison & RIP Tickets - Click Here

Age Requirements

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Additional Information

• Official Website
• Buy Tickets
• Facebook Page
• Twitter
• 2011 Review
• 2010 Review

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="960.0"] The very creepy Marion Le Coguic. - Blood Manor Media Preview [/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640.0"] The Monster on Varick Street with an Axe. - Blood Manor Media Preview[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640.0"] Blood Manor Media Preview[/caption]




[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640.0"] Blood Manor Media Preview[/caption]




[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5gNxmSWoK8?fs=1&feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&enablejsapi=1&w=640&h=360]

REVIEW: Blood Manor

Blood Manor
163 Varick Street
New York, NY

The seventh incarnation of Blood Manor opens tonight at its new Varick Street location. "S" and I had the opportunity to attend a preview on Monday and  it is still serving up the gore induced thrills that earned it the title of 'New York City's Premier Haunted Attraction.' 

Is it Scary?

Let's cut to the chase. Fear is subjective, but if your idea of the perfect haunted house involves blood, guts, gore, nods to popular horror films, chainsaws, clowns, 3D effects, and disgusting scenes of murder and mayhem then this is your dream come true.

What I Loved

The actors at Blood Manor are always fun to play with, but what really creeped me out was the pig butcher and his room of porcine mayhem. Other highlights include the very cool green tunnel, the dog-like creature (at what looked like a Donner Party Dinner from hell), and what I fondly refer to as the "Put the Lotion in the Basket" Room. Blood Manor does well offering up detailed sets depicting the most gruesome of environments.

What Could Be Better   

I have a confession. I don't get the appeal of florescent 3D horror effects. The glasses are distracting and so often it feels cheap and kitschy. The one exception was the end of last year's 3D section where three clowns with chainsaws appeared from the darkness. Please bring back the chainsaw clowns.

In addition, I believe that Blood Manor would be a lot more effective in smaller groups. Those looking for a scarier experience would love having the option to walk-through in pairs even if it meant having to purchase a higher-tier VIP ticket.

WTF Moment

During our tour there was a man who may or may not have been connected to Blood Manor in some way walking through the haunt as part of our group. In a fabulous section consisting of a pitch black twisting path, this gentleman tried to be helpful and instructed us on which way to go— completely ruining what could have been a very scary element to the haunt. Haunted House Etiquette Tip: "S" and I may look like sensitive little blonde girls, but looks can be deceiving. "Helping" when it is neither requested nor required can diminish the other person's experience.

Final Thoughts

With its biggest competition offering creepy fairy tale-themed performance art this year, those in search of the horror and scares of a traditional haunted house will find what they're looking for at Blood Manor. 

Blood Manor Runs

October 7th - November 5th

Discount Tickets

(General Admission: $25  Express Entry: $40)

• $20 Express Entry Tickets - Click Here!


• $20 General Admission w/ Student ID on Student Nights 


• Free Admission on your Birthday (must present valid proof)


• $5 Discount on all E-Tickets w/ Promo Code: EN163

Age requirements

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Additional Info

• Official Website


• Facebook Page


• Twitter


• Buy Tickets


• 2010 Review