I Can’t Wait to Try Some Creepy Coffee at this Horror-Themed Café in Indiana
I Gravitate Toward the Strange & Unusual
Growing up, I really gravitated toward Tim Burton movies. No one else I knew dug Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow, or Edward Scissorhands quite like I did. And when I got a little older, I couldn’t wait for movies like Halloween to come on TV. I remember watching good ole Mike Myers go on his murder sprees during a weeklong AMC marathon while I was laid up after my tonsillectomy.
I’ve never been a fan of a lot of gore, but a good creepy movie? So much fun. The problem was trying to find a group of friends who’d actually watch them with me—it was just about impossible. So, for a long time, I thought I was just strange and unusual.
Turns out, there are a lot of us out there who are fans of the strange and unusual—which makes me kind of... normal!
The Horror Genre is Growing
According to Bloomberg, in 2023, the year when Barbie-mania and Super Mario Bros. swept the nation, horror films grossed $798 million across 46 releases, taking 10.6% of the market share.
“Since 1995, horror has more than doubled its market share in the U.S. and Canada and is still growing. - Bloomberg”
I recently watched the newest version of Nosferatu. Looking back at the 1922 version, it’s clear that special effects have come a long way, but this vampire story has always been terrifying. It’s a true testament to how much the industry has evolved, yet the foundation of a great story never changes.
Horror Entertainment is Growing Too
The horror genre isn’t just about movies anymore. Growing up in the ’90s, the only way to show how “alternative” you were was by shopping at Hot Topic and listening to Rob Zombie CDs. Fast forward to 2025, and now you can:
- Attend Oddities and Curiosities expos
- Go on ghost tours
- Play survival horror video games
- Binge true crime podcasts and documentaries
And yes, you can still shop at stores like Hot Topic but what was once a goth hideaway, now focuses on punk and anime-themed merch. We popped into the one at Eastland Mall a few months ago, and my daughter had so many questions. Meanwhile, I felt right at home.
Horror Food & Drink is Becoming Popular Too
The horror genre has even made its way into food and drinks. Last fall, the hit Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a dark fantasy comedy horror film, inspired countless menu items, pop-up bars, and even mainstream limited-edition snacks and food products. And it doesn’t stop there. Horror-themed restaurants and coffee shops are popping up, serving up some bloody good fare.
- Read More: Pizza Meets Movie Monsters at This Indiana-Themed Pizzeria
- Read More: Dine at the Most Haunted Restaurant in Indiana
The Black House Café in Indianapolis
And that’s the theme of Black House Café in Indianapolis. Located in the heart of Fountain Square, this quaint coffee shop is decked out with classic horror villains, monsters, and ghouls and it serves eats that are truly fang-tastic! They definitely creep it real! Okay, I’ll stop now. But you shouldn’t—scroll through to check out some spooktacular treats.
The LochNess: A Rose Matcha, made with rose syrup, @thematchafreak and oatmilk. And an everything bagel with house made spicy jalapeño cream cheese!
Cookie Monsters unite!
A little skelton coffee art to warm up your bones.
Eat off of @0.jenafenton.0's collection of horror-themed plates.
Looking for something a little heavier? Try an empanada.
You never know what you'll find at Black House Café!
And if you can stop by in February, I'd order a My Bloody Valentine. I mean cherry latte with cheesecake cold foam? Yes, please!
Black House Café is located at 1122 Shelby St , Indianapolis, IN, in the heart of Fountain Square.
We have to take some trips to Indy this spring for my daughter's soccer tournaments and I definitely know where we'll be headed in between games!
Take A Sneak Peak At This Horror-Themed Airbnb Located Inside A Coffee Shop In Indianapolis
Gallery Credit: Black House Cafe
Bucket List Things to do in Indianapolis
Gallery Credit: Jacob Calloway