Vancouver Vices: Black Lagoon Pop's Up at Butcher & Bullock

Be prepared to be enthralled by Black Lagoon! The highly acclaimed “Halloween Celebration of Your Nightmares,” curated by renowned spirits experts Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, is making a grand return to 35 North American locations this October, including Vancouver’s The Butcher and Bullock.

black lagoon, butcher and bullock, helen siwak, vancouver vices, luxury lifestyle, vancouver, bc, yvr — The Butcher & Bullock pre-event | Image: @butcherandbullock

Origin of Black Lagoon

In 2019, Hayes and Ramage provided a sneak peek of the pop-up during Tales of the Cocktail, an esteemed industry event held annually in New Orleans, at the beloved bar, The Dungeon. Officially launching in Toronto in October 2021, Black Lagoon swiftly garnered a devoted following of cocktail and Halloween enthusiasts, cementing its status as an annual essential for Halloween revelries.

“We’re thrilled to bring Black Lagoon back for another exciting year,” says Hayes. “Each year, we approach planning with intention, from selecting the bars to designing the decorations and crafting the cocktails, we meticulously consider every detail to ensure that Halloween enthusiasts have an unforgettable experience no matter where they are.”

Libations featured on this year’s menu include:

Siren’s Song: Aged Rum, Lot 40 Rye Whiskey, Giffard Caribbean Pineapple, Spiced Oat Orgeat, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Lime, Saline and Bitter Queens Caribbean Bitters
Nightmare Fuel: Tequila, Giffard Mangue, Matcha, Lime, Bitter Queens Thai Spice Bitters and Absinthe
Nosferatu’s Rise: Coconut Washed Lot 40 Rye Whiskey, Cinnamon, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, Saline and Bitter Queens Caribbean Bitters
Hex Appeal: Fords Gin, Honeydew Melon Cordial, Lemon, Lustau Dry Vermouth, Seltzer, Saline, Absinthe
Frank’s Fix: Vodka, Carrot, Miso Falernum, Coconut, Lustau Fino Sherry, Lime and Bitter Queens Five Spice Bitters
Memento Mori: Mezcal Union, Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Cruzan Blackstrap Rum, Cold Brew, Giffard Banane, Lustau Amontillado, Saline and Bitter Queens Chinese 5 Spice Bitters
Witching Hour: Matcha, Lemon, Honeydew Cordial, Tonic
Blood Lust: Giffard Sirop, Miso Falernum, Rooibos Tea, Lemon, Ginger Beer
Paranoia (Shot): Fords Gin, Lime, Coconut, Bitter Queens Thai Spice Bitters
Psychosis (Shot): Lot 40 Rye, Miso Falernum, Lemon

Black Lagoon’s 2024 sponsor brands include Lot 40 Rye, Fords Gin, Mezcal Union, Giffard Liqueurs, The House Of Lustau, Mr. Black Cold Brew Liqueur and Bitter Queens Bitter.

“The cocktails are really the final nail in the coffin that brings Black Lagoon to life,” says Ramage. “Each year, Erin and I get to put our heads together to get creative and develop a whole new lineup of curated cocktails that will leave our guests coming back for more.”

This Halloween season, embark on a thrilling journey into the realm of adventurous cocktails and eerie experiences. Whether you find yourself at Black Lagoon or another spooky-themed bar, let the haunting flavours and chilling atmospheres transport you to a world of delightful fright. Embrace the macabre and savour the carefully crafted libations that capture the essence of the season. Cheers to a spine-tingling adventure filled with tantalizing drinks and unforgettable memories!

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.