Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Hayes.
Erin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Black Lagoon Pop-Up was conjured in 2021, born out of a love for Halloween, hospitality, and cocktails that tell stories. Founded by industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, the concept launched as a single-venue experiment: a darkly immersive takeover that transformed an ordinary bar into a haunted underworld of sea witches, skeletons, and vampire revelry. What began as a one small venue quickly caught fire on social media and within the hospitality world, expanding into a growing franchise across North America. Within a few years, Black Lagoon became known for its meticulous world-building—spooky décor, innovative cocktails, and dedication to creating safe, inclusive spaces; all anchored by partnerships with iconic spirits and beloved local venues. By 2025, Black Lagoon had scaled from its original single bar to 38 venues across the U.S. and Canada dressing up for spooky season, cementing itself as the definitive Halloween cocktail experience.
Then came Krampus’ Cove, our horror-themed Christmas takeover. Where most holiday events lean into cozy cheer, we leaned into the darker side of folklore: Krampus, naughty elves, decor with a dark twist (like black christmas trees), and a vibe that’s as naughty and creepy as it is festive. It gave us the chance to rewrite what a December pop-up could feel like—unsettling, immersive, and deliciously twisted.
Bad Witch Events emerged soon after as the sun-drenched, pool-party counterpart to Black Lagoon’s midnight aesthetic. Where Black Lagoon was shadows and candlelight, Bad Witch was glitter, sunscreen, and rebellious summer witch energy. Launched by Hayes and Ramage as a way to expand their immersive universe beyond Halloween, Bad Witch introduced concepts like Goth Girl Summer and Sad Girl Swim Club; pop-ups that blended immersive decor and curated DJ sets with delicious themed cocktails and bold branding. Bad Witch became a space for empowerment, nostalgia, and playful irreverence, while still keeping the same creative DNA: storytelling, sensory immersion, and hospitality-driven spectacle.
Together, Black Lagoon, Krampus’ Cove, and Bad Witch events embody a new kind of nightlife brand; equal parts community, theater, and cocktail bar, blurring the line between pop culture and hospitality. From vampire nightclubs to Y2K splash zones, we offer experiences that are unforgettable, photogenic, and always a little bit wicked.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any big creative project, the road hasn’t always been smooth, but every challenge has shaped us in a positive way. When we first launched Black Lagoon in 2021, we were building during a time when the hospitality industry was still finding its footing post-pandemic. That came with plenty of hurdles—staffing, shifting regulations, and even supply chain hiccups like delayed glassware shipments. But those moments taught us how to problem-solve quickly, lean on our partners, and find creative solutions that actually made the experience stronger.
Krampus’ Cove brought its own learning curve too. Building a winter holiday experience that was more dark and spooky than cutesy and festive meant finding a balance between two worlds that don’t usually live together. We had to get creative with how we told that story, from cocktails to décor, to make it feel fresh while still fitting into our brand universe.
With Bad Witch, the challenge was more about introducing something completely new; convincing people that a witchy summertime pool party could be just as magical as a haunted Halloween cocktail bar. Instead of setbacks, we treated it as an opportunity to innovate, experiment, and build a summer identity that people now look forward to just as much as Halloween season.
The road hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Every obstacle has pushed us to grow sharper, more resilient, and more connected to our community. In a way, the twists and turns have been part of the fun, they’ve made the wins even sweeter and the journey that much more exciting.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Black Lagoon Pop-Up, Krampus’ Cove and Bad Witch Events are immersive pop-up experiences that live at the intersection of hospitality, storytelling, and community. We specialize in transforming bars, restaurants, and venues into fully realized worlds; whether that’s a haunted underworld full of sea witches and vampires for Black Lagoon, naughty elves and evil snowmen dancing around black Christmas trees, or a witchy pool party with DJ’s, meticulously themed cocktails, and immersive decor for Bad Witch Events. We’re known for creating atmospheres that are more than just a night out; they’re transportive, multi-sensory events that guests talk about long after last call.
What sets us apart is our dedication to experience-building. Every detail from cocktails to décor to music to glassware, is designed to bring the theme to life and give guests something that feels both escapist and community-driven. We don’t just run pop-ups; we create cultural moments that invite people to play, connect, and step into an alternate universe for a night.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of how quickly these concepts have grown from single-venue experiments into multi-national. In just a few years, Black Lagoon has become the premier Halloween bar pop-up across North America, Krampus’ Cove has grown a cult following in cities across the US, and Bad Witch Events has carved out its own identity as the summer counterpart in Southern California. But beyond the scale, what we’re most proud of is the community that’s formed around these events; people who show up in costume, bring their friends, and make our worlds their own.
For readers who might not know us yet: our brand is about creating joy, delicious drinks, and a little bit of magic. Whether you’re sipping a cursed cocktail at Black Lagoon or dancing poolside at a Bad Witch event, we want you to feel transported, inspired, and part of something special.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The best advice I can give is: don’t wait until everything feels perfect to start. When we launched Black Lagoon, we didn’t have all the answers or every system in place, hell we didn’t even know if we’d be able to open from day to day with Covid restrictions! But, we had an idea we believed in, and we figured out the rest along the way. If you sit around waiting for the “right” time, you’ll miss the momentum and magic that comes from just doing the damn thing.
We also wish we’d known earlier how important it is to build a strong support network. From creative collaborators to venue partners to brand sponsors, surrounding yourself with people who share your vision makes the hard days so much easier and the wins that much bigger. You can’t, and shouldn’t, do it alone.
Finally, embrace the challenges. Things will inevitably go wrong; shipments get delayed, events don’t go as planned, but those moments are often where the best creativity and resilience come from. The biggest thing we’ve learned is that every obstacle is an opportunity to get sharper and more inventive.
At the end of the day, stay true to your vision, trust your gut, and have fun with it. If you’re excited and passionate about what you’re creating, that energy is contagious, and that’s definitely what will make people want to be a part of it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blacklagoonpopup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacklagoonpopup?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Other: https://www.krampuscovepopup.com
Image Credits
Eugene Lee
