Los Angeles-based ghouls and gremlins, beware: A New York City haunt has become bicoastal.
Beetle House, a gothic-themed restaurant and bar that opened in NYC's East Village neighborhood in June 2016, recently introduced a second location in __ quite fittingly __ the heart of Hollywood, Calif. Although Beetle House isn't affiliated with studios, productions or actors, the patrons who step through its doors may feel as if they've landed smack-dab in the middle of a horror film.
The bar, which encourages its guests to dress to the theme and operates on the idea that "it's Halloween all year long," employs a set of spooky, costumed "characters" who serve custom "poisons, potions and elixirs." During a recent visit there, my group of three ordered "The Beetles Juice" (muddled blackberry and limes, tequila, blackberry schnapps, Angostura bitters and cranberry juice); "Coco Skellington" (Bacardi rum, creme de coconut, lime juice and orange blossom); and "Bio-Exorcism" (muddled cucumber and lime paired with Hendrick's Gin and topped with club soda).
Our drinks were sweet and tasty, but we couldn't help but envy the order of our (costumed) neighbors at the bar; they were sharing the $25 "Big Fish Bowl," complete with vodka, Malibu rum, Blue Curacao liqueur, sweet and sour mix, pineapple juice, Sprite, Nerds candy and Swedish Fish candy.
We ate before arriving to the bar, but had the chance to peek into a separate room that doubles as a restaurant and screening room until 11:30 p.m. A seasonal prix fixe menu is available, with dishes including "Devil Fingers" (sweet potato fries with Sriracha mayo) and "Cheshire Mac," the bar's version of classic mac 'n' cheese.
