Explore the secrets of AREA15

AREA15 is the all-in-one entertainment district that boasts something for everyone, from restaurants and arcades to rides and immersive experiences. No matter how many times you’ve been there, you still haven’t seen it all. The entire space is packed with secret quests, hidden areas and Easter eggs just waiting to be discovered. Here’s an insider’s guide to the secrets of AREA15.

Origin Quest

Grab your phone and get ready for a narrative-based scavenger hunt like no other. Communicating with AREA15’s Multiverse Maintenance Department by text, you’ll explore the entire facility and solve puzzles at six different stations to investigate the strange signals appearing on AREA15’s systems. Someone is trying to get in contact, but who? And why? It’s a mystery you’re tasked with solving, and along the way you’ll learn how AREA15 came to be. All you need is your phone to play. Plus, it’s great for groups and suitable for kids aged 8 and older.

Bot Breach at The Lab

Enter AREA15’s hub of games and experiences, featuring seven popular AR and VR attractions. The Lab showcases several attractions previous guests may remember, including Birdly, a VR flight simulator that mimics the avian experience. Fly through New York City, Jurassic Flight or a mountainside experience and find the Easter eggs within each map to unlock alternative scenes. The Lab is also home to the OZ Ride, Grand Prix Racing Simulators, AR Dodgeball and Particle Quest. Plus, two new experiences: Laser Maze and Bot Breach. Laser Maze is an all-ages attraction with three games, and Bot Breach is a VR experience that welcomes guests into the AREA15 multiverse to protect Mechan9.

Secrets of Mechan9

One of the most iconic figures at AREA15 is Mechan9, a half-buried robot created by Portland, Oregon artist Tyler Fuqua. It’s an enigma to be solved and a relic from another era, though whether it’s of the past or future is undetermined. Upon further investigation, you’ll discover secret hatches that contain mysterious texts that are unknown to any scholar. Are they simply decorative, or do they contain clues to Mechan9’s mysterious origins? Those who discover the truth and decode the final message can redeem a special surprise from an AREA15 ambassador.

About the Artist: Tyler Fuqua Creations is an art collection that was spearheaded by Fuqua, who began his artistic career by making giant puppets from found objects. Alongside fellow builder Jason Hutchinson, he’s created interactive pieces, including a 221-foot whale puppet, a flaming kinetic phoenix and a tricycle-powered space worm.

Omega Mart

Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart is the place for well-concealed Easter eggs, hidden messages and wild mysteries to explore. With an arsenal of ever-unfolding secrets, among them is Datamosh Bar. Tucked into a small corner of the experience, those who find it will be rewarded with a deliciously weird and wacky cocktail menu.

Signal Lager

In collaboration with Able Baker Brewing, AREA15 launched Signal Lager, a Mexican-style lager that’s light, crisp and showcases a gentle malt sweetness balanced with a touch of hoppy bitterness. It’s exclusively available at Oddwood Bar, LIFTOFF Ride and the Asylum Bar + Arcade. Each can has a QR code that will unlock more puzzles to solve.

Oddwood Bar Secret Menu

Located in the center of AREA15 is Oddwood Bar, which houses an ever-changing, nearly 23-foot-tall Japanese maple tree with more than 5,000 twinkling LED leaves. It also has a secret menu only intrepid explorers will be able to find. As you roam AREA15, keep an eye out for small stickers that resemble the tree’s leaves with QR codes. Scan the codes to unlock the bar’s secret menu and unique discounts and offers for AREA15. And one more lesser-known secret of Oddwood Bar: Guests who complete the Particle Quest augmented reality experience will disrupt the programming of the leaves at the Oddwood tree and reveal a special light setting that is only deployed once the quest is complete.

Cocktail Highlight: We won’t give away the full secret menu, but one of our favorites is called the Loro Rojo, a mezcal-forward strawberry cocktail presented in a bird-shaped glass. It’s delicious, Insta-worthy and ordering it gives you the opportunity to receive 50% off admission at Birdly. Win-win-win.