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Stormridge Castle site could be announced ‘within weeks’
A Holbrook teacher is working to bring what he says would be Long Island’s first fully immersive medieval castle experience to Nassau or Suffolk.
Joseph Barclay, 36, founder of Stormridge Castle LLC, is developing a patent-pending concept that blends dinner theater, live-action role play and tournament-style spectacle — all inside a custom-built castle setting.
“The concept was born from noticing that Long Island has incredible families and communities but no true medieval immersive experience of its own,” Barclay told Greater Long Island. “The closest option is a drive into New Jersey, and I wanted to bring something even more interactive and personal right here at home.”
Stormridge Castle would be designed as a live, interactive medieval dinner show where guests don’t just watch — they participate.
Fully immersive, fully live
“Stormridge Castle is a … fully immersive medieval dinner-show where guests don’t just watch, they participate,” Barclay said. “You’ll feast on a multi-course medieval-inspired banquet, cheer on your chosen knight, and even step into the action through interactive mini-games, mock battles, and story elements where audience members can influence the outcome of the show.”
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Barclay emphasized that the experience would be fully live.
“Yes, 100 percent live entertainment, action, and feasting,” he said. “No digital elements involved in the core show.”
The only digital component, he added, would allow audience members to interact from their phones to give their chosen knight advantages during the performance.
Its slogan? “Where locals become legends.”
Date night option
Barclay said the experience would be geared toward families, date nights, corporate events and group outings.
The company is actively scouting locations across Long Island and hopes to announce a site in the coming weeks.
“We’re actively looking for the right home on Long Island, Nassau or Suffolk, and hope to announce a site in the coming weeks,” he said, adding that a central or eastern location with highway access would be ideal.
The project would require roughly 15,000 to more than 25,000 square feet, with ceilings at least 20 to 25 feet high in the main arena area to accommodate a tournament ring, raised seating, full kitchen and bar.
Plans also include an on-site beer tavern and parking for more than 150 vehicles.
Barclay said preliminary design work is underway as the team prepares for permitting and build-out once a site is secured.
“This will be Long Island’s first and only interactive medieval castle experience,” he said. “I’m incredibly excited to bring something this special to our community.”
