Does your idea of a cozy fall evening involve hyperventilating in a cold basement as an 80s-style slasher stalks your every move? If so, San Francisco’s historic Mint is the place to be. Terror Vault is back for yet another round of glorious theatrical mayhem. And it’s bringing guest-favorite creators Joshua Grannell (drag icon Peaches Christ) and David Flower back to their old stomping grounds.
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Edie Eve as Camp Counselor Tiff and Ryan Cicak as Darren
Photo credit: Jenna Gable and Camillo Kearns
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Running October 1 through November 1, 2026, the duo’s flagship experience, SLASHED, promises an outrageous, blood-soaked tribute to the golden era of VHS horror. For those brave enough to step through the heavy iron doors, entry ranges from $60 to $80. Intimate groups of up to a dozen thrill-seekers enter the darkness every 15 minutes. Naturally, you must be 18 or older to sign away your peace of mind.
Five Minutes in Hell: The Escape Tomb Challenge
For adrenaline addicts who find a standard haunted house a bit too tame, Terror Vault offers a terrifyingly personal upgrade. The Escape Tomb strips away the safety net of strength in numbers. It leaves daring participants completely isolated in a pitch-black, historically off-limits vault.
It begins with an Executioner placing a hood over your head and leading you down into the Mint’s deepest recesses. Once the door locks, you have precisely five minutes to endure whatever waiting horrors lurk in the dark. But you must not whine for the emergency exit. You can throw in the towel at any second; however, only those who hold out until the clock runs out can claim true bragging rights.
Peering Into the Unknown at The Vault of Visions
Those seeking a different flavor of spine-tingling thrills can wander into the Vault of Visions. This lavishly decorated den of ancient divination is tucked away inside the complex. Here, a rotating roster of the Bay Area’s finest psychics stand ready to shuffle the cards and peer into your future. Guests can sit down for one-on-one tarot readings to uncover mysterious warnings, hidden secrets, or perhaps a hint about whether they will survive the night.
Liquid Courage and the VIP Midway
Surviving an onslaught of supernatural masked killers requires proper hydration. Fortunately, the on-site mixologists have whipped up a deadly menu of libations, including the gin-and-mezcal-infused Killer in the Woods, the refreshing Fresh Victim, and classic house sangria served straight from an IV bag.
VIP ticket holders get treated to an even larger spectacle via the Wainwright Family Carnival. This immersive midway offers freakshow performers and morbid carnival games. Also, it offers bonus plot threads and a souvenir cup to carry your cocktail directly into the main haunt.
New Wave Vampires and Behind-the-Scenes Secrets
The party extends well beyond the main attraction with Fang Bang, an 80s New Wave and goth-themed pop-up vampire bar hidden deep in the Mint’s vaults.
Open to the public with no cover charge, it sits right next to the CreepShop, a haven for horror merch and local artisanal oddities. nd if you are the type of horror nerd who prefers analyzing set design over screaming, Terror Vault hosts special “Behind the Screams” lights-on tours on November 7 and 8, revealing the technical magic, props, and special effects that make the nightmare come alive.
Get ready to scream with delight or utter terror! nd get your Terror Vault tickets now! Keep your eye out for more Halloween announcements from HorrorFuel.com.
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Ryan Cicak as Darren Grieves asks you to be kind, rewind.
Photo credit: Jenna Gable and Camillo Kearns
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