Immersive Experiences

Abstract

"Espionage is the world's secondoldest profession, and it seems to be piquing people's interests even more as of late because of all the news of Russian interference," says Peggy WilliamsSmith (aka Agent Blonde), senior vice president of Marcus Hotels and Resorts. Inside, after an initial greeting by the hosts, who ask, "What is your mission?" (Answer: lunch, cocktails, or dinner), guests can go on a self-guided tour of the multidimensional space, which features two bars (one that's used for semiprivate events), a main dining room, and even an interactive bathroom decked out in authentic spy collectibles, such as secret maps from movies, a real Order of Lenin medal given by the Kremlin to spies, and more. What seems to draw M i I lennials in particular to the concept is the merging of great food and fun cocktails with interactive gaming options, from bowling to arcades, karaoke, bag3, shuffleboard and other options, depending on the venue, all of which are located in expansive spaces around 24,000 square feet. At the Stapleton location in Denver, the team converted an old, abandoned air traffic control tower from the former Denver airport of the 1930s into a Punch Bowl Social, complete with vintage luggage, steel beam airplane cutouts, tabletop graphics mimicking the old runways and other subtle airplane details, all carefully designed to avoid cheesiness.