‘Sugar Street Studio’ is Hong Kong’s scariest Halloween experience
- This interactive haunted house in Causeway Bay combines escape rooms with films to create a thrilling, frightful mystery
- Guests can also watch the horror-comedy ‘Sugar Street Studio’ after they solve puzzles and fulfil the final wishes of the undead
Models Karus Lai Chun-ming (left) and Evelyn Lau Tsz-ting (right) rehearse for Halloween at Sugar Street studio in Causeway Bay. Photo: SCMP/ May TseIn 1994, a vengeful man set a fire in a movie studio on Sugar Street in Causeway Bay, killing four people. Since then, the building has been rumoured to be haunted by a spirit that was left behind.
That’s the story behind the Sugar Street Studio haunted house, an interactive experience that integrates films (notably the ghost film Sugar Street Studio), haunted houses, and escape rooms.
With Halloween just around the corner, we sent three Team YP junior reporters to the haunted house - called “Hong Kong’s most frightening experience” to check out just how scary it was.
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Angelika Tamang, 17, St. Paul’s Convent School
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to those wanting to experience Sugar Street Studio’s 5D horror experience, it would be to expect the unexpected and not joke about your bravery. I assure you, the moment you step into the chilly, dimly-lit space, all your senses will turn against you as you find yourself delving into unparalleled terror and mystery.
Initially, I had claimed that I’d protect my team from the horror that was to come. However, within minutes of walking past the hidden doors to the experience, I quickly succumbed to my fears.
Needless to say, I did everything but protect people. I clung to my friend and shook down to my bones in a cold sweat as I tried to predict potential, ghastly appearances and jump-scares. Spoiler alert: I was mistaken with every assumption and screamed like a fool. It’s always good to expect the unexpected, but remember that your expectations might get blown away!
Janice Mook, 17, Diocesan Girls’ School
This was my first haunted house experience and dare I say, it totally changed my outlook on local film production. I never knew Halloween could be this exhilarating!
The experience revolves around the bizarre story of a mysterious fire that killed four people. You’re given a task to complete: to resolve the final wishes of the undead who haunt the studio and escape the secret room.
The entire time, I was anticipating some paranormal character would pop up out of nowhere or grab my feet. While these fears did come true, the escape room also featured some other typical scenes from within the horror genre. The props, extraordinary acting and sound effects helped my friends and I become fully immersed in the storyline.
What’s more – the ticket for the haunted house experience also includes a horror-comedy film of the same name. It’s like getting two for one.
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Saloni Sethi, 16, South Island School
Everything goes dark as we get trapped in an lift. This scene is not the start of a hellish nightmare, but rather a surreal and spine-chilling experience at Sugar Street Studio.
After getting over the initial shock, we scrambled onto the next section of the studio as we were chased down by vengeful spirits. Just a warning: this haunted house is not for the faint of heart!
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After the experience, you can relax and kick back at the ViewWonWon Canteen. It offers unique fusion dishes and signature drinks, such as the ‘Sunset’ mocktail – an ode to the film that remains uncompleted because of the mysterious fire.
You can also head over to the mini theatre and watch Sugar Street Studio, an original, award-nominated local production. The film delves into the backstory and history of the studio through the journey of four young adults in Hong Kong. It has it all: horror, comedy, romance and more.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween – if you dare.