Stranger Blooms: A Retrospective

Strange things were afoot in Bloomington last weekend.

As the parallel dimension known as the Upside Down encroached on our small Hoosier town, groups of visiting scientists converged at Graduate Bloomington to enter a third-floor suite that had been quarantined for the safety of civilians.

Inside the quarantine zone, different locations had become layered or superimposed on top of each other, as if the laws of physics no longer applied. The townspeople were desperate for outside help to gather data on the Upside Down and save our dimension from its insidious influence.

Gathering their nerve, the groups of visiting scientists entered the quarantine zone, where they attempted to Escape the Upside Down and save the day by working together, finding clues, and solving puzzles. Armed with an interdimensional walkie talkie, these intrepid scientists kept in contact with the other side as they used Russian computers and children’s toys - among other things - to navigate the mysterious alternate dimension.

They also commemorated their venture into the quarantine zone with exclusive Polaroid pictures.

Watch the recap video above!

Many of those who lived to tell the tale enjoyed treats such as the Demogorgon Smoothie, the Upside Down Burger, and the Scoops Ahoy Sundae at Graduate Bloomington’s Poindexter Cafe.

And those who were stuck in the Upside Down? Well, the luckier interdimensional travelers raised their glasses of Demogorgon Smoothie to honor them. But the strangeness didn’t end there…

Beyond the sinister suite and sweets, Stranger Things found their way all over town. On Friday, a kick-off 80s dance party took place at The Root Cellar, featuring cocktails called The Eleven, Pineapple “Upside Down” Cake shots, and Demogorgon shots. At the Cade, 21+ Hoosiers played classic arcade games and sipped specialty cocktails, including the Upside Down, The Eleven, and Eggo shots.

*Stranger Things-themed escape room: Escape the Upside Down in Bloomington, Indiana held at Graduate Bloomington on June 3–5, 2022.*

Meanwhile, visiting scientists of all ages tested out their telekinetic powers by playing Mindball at WonderLab. On Sunday, Hopper’s Waffle Extravaganza burst onto the secret menu at Bedräk Cafe. It was a weekend of weirdness and wonder in the heart of the Hoosier state.

Here’s what some of the visiting scientists had to say about the experience:

“Incredibly well done. So much attention to detail. A 100% unique experience.” — Brendan M.

“It was so amazing! You could tell they put their heart and souls into the event. Everything was accurate to the portrayed scenes, and it was so fun to take pictures at the end!” — Skyla F.

“So fun and immersive. I loved that throughout the whole experience the Drima ladies never broke character. Pure pros through and through.” — Adalee C.

“That was genuinely my favorite escape room experience I’ve had yet.” — Fares S.

“Amazing puzzles! My family and I had soooo much fun! Great way to hype up the new season of (Stranger Things)!” — Kalissa M.