The Cacao Salon: An Immersive Experience
Cacao. Sound. Real Connection.
An alternative to the loneliness of modern ambition—learned in Guatemala's highlands, brought home to NYC.
Most NYC socializing leaves you drained. This is different.
A 2.5-hour experience combining ceremonial cacao, live soundscapes, and structured conversation that skips the small talk entirely.
This is what happens when you stop performing and start connecting.
You'll leave feeling more awake, more clear, and genuinely connected to people you just met.
What Actually Happens
5:30 PM — Arrive at FABRIK. Settle in to live soundscape (electronic fusion, curated beats by Alternabeat).
5:45 PM — Opening film: 3-minute cinematic journey into Guatemala's cacao highlands (not a brand story — a lived one)
6:00 PM — Cacao ritual led by Sasha: Ceremonial-grade cacao tasting with history, chemistry, and culture. Live sound deepens the experience.
6:20 PM — Connection Round 1: Small groups (4-5 people). Guided prompts that skip small talk fast. You meet people beyond their LinkedIn.
7:00 PM — Pause: Seasonal fruit. More cacao. Space to integrate.
7:20 PM — Deeper Round: The room is warmer. The masks are lower. This is where something real happens.
8:15 PM — Closing soundscape + optional mingling: Stay and connect, or leave quietly glowing.
This Is For You If:
✓ You're tired of surface-level networking that goes nowhere
✓ You're building something and want to meet people who think differently
✓ You're sober-curious or want social experiences without alcohol
✓ You're an introvert who still wants real community
✓ You like structure and intelligence (curated conversation)
✓ You're drawn to immersive, sensory experiences
✓ You want one evening that actually shifts your energy instead of draining it
You'll Leave With:
At least one conversation that changes how you think about your work or life
Practical conversation tools you can use (prompts for deeper dialogue)
Connection to thoughtful, driven people in NYC
A clearer mind and creative spark
The experience of real ceremonial cacao (not hot chocolate from a coffee shop)
A sonic memory you'll carry with you
A reminder that you don't have to choose between ambition and depth
What Past Attendees Say:
"What surprised me most was watching our most skeptical engineer — someone who rolls their eyes at 'feelings talk' — admit halfway through that he felt safe enough to share something he'd been carrying for months. The ritual format gave structure to vulnerability, which our high-achieving team desperately needed but didn't know how to access."
— Lucy, Project Manager
"I wanted something memorable for my partner's milestone, not just another restaurant reservation. Sasha designed a cacao experience that felt both sacred, reflective, and celebratory. Our guests are still talking about it months later."
— Peter, Founder
"What I loved most was watching Sasha and Johann work together — they're completely different people, but there's this natural humor and professionalism between them that makes the whole room feel safe. It's like walking into a warm home where you can actually relax, be yourself, and connect with others without trying so hard. Their synergy creates something really unique."
— Olga, Social Worker
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS
Sasha Sakhar (@sashasakhar_nyc) is the founder of SUGARHAUS and your guide for the evening. She started in corporate NYC (Bacardi, American Express) before leaving to study ceremonial cacao in Guatemala's highlands with Indigenous growers and practitioners. She came back to build SUGARHAUS — creating social experiences that bridge strategy and heart, ambition and presence. She knows both worlds and builds rooms where you can hold both.
Johann Bermudez (@alternabeat) provides the live soundscape for the evening. A musician, sound artist, and producer from Mexico, he works across acoustic and electronic realms, shaping sound as a living element of the space — responsive to the room and the people within it.
What's Included:
✓ 2.5-hour immersive experience
✓ Short film from Guatemala's cacao highlands
✓ Multiple servings of ceremonial-grade cacao
✓ Live soundscape throughout the evening
✓ Expert facilitation through structured conversation
✓ Fresh seasonal fruit
✓ Intimate group (capped at 30 people)
Why Ceremonial Cacao?
This is not hot chocolate.
Ceremonial cacao is minimally processed, single-origin cacao from a Guatemalan family farm. It contains theobromine — a natural compound that creates steady, uplifting energy (no jitters, no crash) — plus naturally occurring compounds that support openness and presence.
It doesn't numb you. It doesn't spike you.
It softens the edge between you and the room.
For centuries, cacao has been used in Indigenous cultures to support meaningful dialogue and community-building. We honor that lineage and adapt it thoughtfully for modern urban life.
https://sugarhausnyc.com/cacao
FAQ
Is this a meditation or wellness workshop?
No. It's a structured social experience designed for meaningful conversation.
Is this spiritual or religious?
We honor cacao's Indigenous roots without requiring any belief system.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Most people do. The structure makes it easy to connect.
Does cacao contain caffeine?
It contains theobromine, which feels steady and clean. No caffeine jitters or crash.
Should I eat before coming?
Arrive lightly fed for the best experience (no heavy meals 2 hours before).
What if I'm shy or introverted?
The guided format makes it easy. You're never put on the spot, and the structure does the heavy lifting.
Ready to experience something different?