‘Westworld’ Saloon Becomes Reality at SXSW

Westworld, the science-fiction drama television series from HBO, is recreating its Western-themed immersive park during South by Southwest next month. It takes place at an undisclosed location outside of Austin from Friday, March 9 through Sunday, March 11, from 2 to 10 p.m. each day.

Guests will participate in various narratives at the fictional theme park of Sweetwater. Those will include scenarios at Mariposa Saloon, run by the bar and brothel run by Maeve Millay (played by Thandie Newton), as well as luxury hotel the Coronado. It also boasts of “Western-themed food and cocktails,” though reps for the event couldn’t reveal exactly what that means.

The way it works: interested guests will nab registrations (advanced slots are already all booked, but more spaces will open up during SXSW) and head to East Cesar Chavez barbecue restaurant EastSide Tavern, where a shuttle will take them to their destination of the fictional theme park town of Sweetwater. After two hours, the shuttle will bring them back to EastSide.

The exact address of the Westworld theme park hasn’t been revealed, but a good guess would be Willie Nelson’s ranch out in Luck, Texas, since it already has that western vibe.

Television show recreations isn’t a new thing for SXSW. Last year, Showtime hosted a Twin Peaks Double R Diner pop-up with damn fine cups of coffee, doughnuts, and pies, and AMC brought Los Pollos Hermano, the iconic chicken chain from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul to life.

Westworld is also hosting a panel during SXSW. The second season of the show premieres on Sunday, April 22

• Discover Westworld [Official]
• All Coverage of Westworld [Vox]