Masquerade: Unmasked

What makes an event unforgettable? At Masquerade, it was the ambience and marketing. When I was looking through the event’s Instagram account, I was impressed with the scene they were setting: It felt like a full immersion into the 1920s bourgeoisie. I first heard about this event from their several representatives, who posted the updates on their stories. The team knew how to get people talking. On top of this, they also had a post outlining some dress code inspiration, depicting satin trousers, long skirts, and suits. I am always thankful when events do this, as it makes the process of picking out an outfit more fun than stressful. 

Masquerade was set to start at the Vic at 10pm. However, on the day of the event, 7 November, the opening time was pushed back to 11pm due to “venue complications.” Nonetheless, the Masquerade committee continued to highlight their dedication to delivering a fun, successful night and held an ‘Official Masq Pres’ on Market Street starting at 10pm. I was impressed by their open bar, which nailed in the fact that the team had evidently put a lot of effort into this event. 

Masquerade had tiered pricing, starting at £5 and ending at £13. There were also ‘VIP Tables’ of up to ten people for £777. Included in this price were ten tickets, two bottles of Moët  & Chandon, two bottles of Belvedere, a private backstage area, and one disposable camera. Personally, I am unsure if  this VIP package is worth its price. Though I do think it’s a fun idea — especially with the addition of a disposable camera.

The Masquerade creative team clearly put a lot of effort into transforming the Vic into an immersive experience. The dance floor was flooded with fog, turning the attendees into silhouettes. I really enjoyed the ambience this created, as the dance floor felt private and bustling simultaneously. Furthermore, there was an LED ‘Masquerade’ sign above the DJ booth, which was a fun touch. My favourite part of the night was the lighting. They used streams of red to separate the DJ booth from the dance floor; the rays of light spanned from the floor to the ceiling, and occasionally also to the dance floor . I would even go as far as to say it was the best lighting display I’ve seen at the Vic. 

Masquerade had also chosen a cocktail menu, which included mojitos, daiquiris, espresso martinis, sex on the beaches, pornstar martinis, and margaritas. They also had two mocktails: a raspberry and mint fizz, and a paloma. This addition made the event feel classy — a trait that all masquerade-themed events should aspire to. 

The team also released a playlist in anticipation of the event, which consisted of  familiar and well-loved disco music and which built up my excitement for a night of boogying ahead. However, I found the music at the event didn’t match the music on the playlist, instead being more contemporary club beats. While the music was good, with strong transitions between songs, it slightly ruined the immersion for me that had been so long built up through the event’s marketing and ambience

Masquerade offered a night of elegance and class, with standout visuals and attention to detail. Although the music strayed away from the theme, the team's commitment to the atmosphere — from cocktails to tailored dress code inspiration — made the night memorable. It felt like more than just a club night; it was an immersive experience into the nightlife of history. 

Photo: Kaitlin Shaw