Entry No. 39 — the Columbus file — filed under: ritual-music
Otherworld
A massive 32,000-square-foot immersive art installation featuring 47 rooms of glowing, interactive sci-fi fantasy worlds that regularly hosts late-night EDM concerts.
The story
You'll find Otherworld sitting in an unassuming Eastland strip mall off Chantry Drive, occupying a 32,000-square-foot retail box that used to be a Sports Authority [2.1.2]. Founder Jordan Renda—a veteran of commercial haunted houses and escape rooms—recruited a crew of over 40 local sculptors, programmers, and fabricators to turn the empty store into 47 interconnected sci-fi fantasy environments.
The narrative setup casts you as an unsanctioned beta tester exploring the dream realms of a shadowy tech entity called Otherworld Industries. Instead of rope lines and do-not-touch signs, the space is built for tactile disruption: you crawl under bed frames, slip through secret wardrobe doors, activate sound panels, and flash light onto sensitive tables to trigger hidden visual sequences.
When night falls on select dates, the exhibit shifts from a daytime art labyrinth to a late-night music venue. They bring in touring DJs and EDM artists, letting crowds dance on carpeted floors while surrounded by mind-bending LED projection mapping and towering glow-in-the-dark creatures.
What it's like
Expect to spend 90 minutes to two hours picking your way through glowing neon forests, furry walls, and mirrored corridors. Don't expect a straightforward escape room or hand-held tour; if you want to uncover the lore or trigger the interactive elements, you need to push buttons, shine flashlight beams on responsive surfaces, and ask the floor staff for subtle hints. Go on a weekday afternoon if you want to avoid dodging strollers—which aren't allowed inside anyway—and crowds taking photos.
The move: Attend one of their late-night electronic music events where you can dance on carpeted floors surrounded by mind-bending LED projection mapping and glowing monsters.
- 📍 Eastland
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 5819 Chantry Dr, Columbus, OH 43232
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Afterlife Oddities & Tattoos — Pair Otherworld's neon sci-fi dreamscapes with this Near East Side shop's collection of real human taxidermy and oddities for a full tour of East Columbus's stranger corners.
- Switch — After wandering through hidden sci-fi doorways, head to Olde Town East to hunt down the secret password-protected speakeasy tucked underneath the Railhouse Bar.
- Mid-Ohio Historical Doll and Toy Museum — Trade high-tech projection mapping and glowing monsters for thousands of antique playthings spanning centuries at this Canal Winchester museum four miles away.
Good to know
How long does it take to explore Otherworld?
Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours wandering through the 47 rooms and searching for hidden passageways.
Are strollers permitted inside?
No, strollers are not allowed inside the exhibit due to narrow hallways, carpeted floors, and crawl spaces.
Can kids visit Otherworld?
Yes, kids are welcome, though visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
What happens during their late-night music events?
Otherworld hosts late-night electronic music concerts where attendees dance on carpeted floors surrounded by projection mapping and interactive art.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · experiencecolumbus.com · 614now.com · columbusnavigator.com · toledoblade.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-21