Beetle House
Though they are quick to point out they have no official affiliation with Tim Burton, Beetle House—now with locations in New York and Los Angeles—takes its inspiration from films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and, of course, Beetlejuice. When they first opened, they booked up months in advance with people eager to try dishes like “Edward Burger Hands,” “Veggie Corpse Burger” and “The Walking Steak.”
308 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003; 646-510-4786
6356 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 929-291-0337.
Mario’s Double Daughter’s Salotto
With a huge artificial tree, oversized red booths, a railing composed of axes and a signature blood red cocktail on tap called “Go f*&% yourself juice,” it’s no wonder that the most common descriptor for this Denver-based bar is “Tim Burton-esque.” Named for co-owner Mario Guccio’s daughters—conjoined twins who passed away—Mario’s Double Daughter’s Salotto also serves pizza from the adjoining Mario’s Two Fisted Pizza.
1632 Market St, Denver, CO 80202; 303-623-3523.
Jekyll and Hyde Club
Billed as New York’s only haunted restaurant and bar, Jekyll and Hyde Club is the ultimate in spooky, kitschy dining with costumed waiters, secret doors, things that pop out at you and decor like a creepy explorer’s club. To truly enter an alternate state of being, try one of their house cocktails like “Death by Poison” or the “Alter Ego.”
91 Seventh Ave. South, NY 10014; 212-989-7701
Muriel’s Jackson Square
Plenty of restaurants claim to be haunted, but Muriel’s Jackson Square in New Orleans truly embraces its ghosts. Separate from the main dining and drinking areas, the Séance Lounge is decorated like the eighteenth-century bordello the building was once home to. This is where their primary otherworldly resident—Pierre Antoine Lepardi Joudan—purportedly prefers to hang out.
801 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70116; 504-568-1885.
Old Devil Moon
With a tagline of “Mischief Made, Spirits Raised,” this San Francisco occult-themed bar and restaurant channels New Orleans with a menu full of po’ boys, muffalettas and crawfish—not to mention a “Po’ Julep” cocktail on tap. Get your fortune told in between drinks and don’t miss the Ouija Board mural in the bathroom.
3472 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110.
The Lovecraft Bar
This Portland-based watering hole self-identifies as a “horror-themed dance bar,” and is decorated as such with skulls, tentacles, a coffin, and, of course, images of pulp horror master, H.P. Lovecraft. Expect burlesque shows, tarot readings, horror movie nights, lots of goth and new wave music and plenty of fog. Fuel your dancing with vegan sandwiches like “Hail Chick’n Seitan,” “Kale ‘em All” and the “Bunslawter.”
421 SE Grand, Portland, OR 92714.
Vampire Lounge
The tasting room for Vampire Vineyards in Los Angeles, Vampire Lounge was designed to evoke a sultry vampire lair. Sample wines from Vampire, Trueblood and Dracula wineries while noshing on Vampire Dips or the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Chicken Parm Sandwich.
vampire.com/the-vampire-lounge
9865 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90212; 310-826-7473.
Zombie Burger + Shake Lab
Claiming to be a “GOREmet eatery” in a “post-apocalyptic chic setting,” this Iowa-based mini chain with five locations is all about the burgers. Try “The Walking Ched,” “28 Days Later,” or “Mushroom Apocalypse” for a taste of their humorous approach to horror.
Multiple locations
Phantom Carriage Brewery
Named after a 1921 Swedish horror flick, Phantom Carriage Brewery has a definite Grim Reaper vibe. The Carson, CA brewery and café comes complete with skeleton decorations, events like horror movie nights and horror trivia, dishes like "The Slasher" and "Jar of the Living Veg," plus Crawling Eye beer to wash it all down.
18525 South Main St., Carson, CA 90248; 310-538-5834.
