Beetle house nyc in manhattan’s east village, is a gothic-themed restaurant that has an inspiration from tim burton’s dark and whimsical films, creating a spooky dining experience.
Beetle house nyc isn’t only a place to eat but it’s a theatrical show where the macabre meets the menu.
The restaurant has received attention since opening, with guests talking about the character performers who bring Burton’s world to life.
Reviews highlight the uniquely named cocktails and themed food items that complement the atmosphere.
While opinions on food quality vary, most visitors agree that you’re paying for the experience rather than just the meal.
Here in this post, we’ll take you on a tour through the Beetle house NYC.
We’ll peek at the menu, meet the characters, talk about prices, and share tips for making your visit special.
What is a Beetle House? The Glimpse Inside of a Halloween Theme Restaurant
The beetle house is at 308 E 6th St in Manhattan’s east village, built around the concept of “halloween every day.”
It has dim lighting, skeletons hanging, and spooky props out of the halloween nightmares.
What makes this place unique is the attention to detail like cobwebs placement, eerie lighting casting shadows, and character art.
The experience works like dinner theater.
While you eat and drink, characters like beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands can stop by your table for photos or some banter.
According to NYC food blog “The Hungry Tourist,” weekends are packed with performances, while weeknights offer a calm experience with focus on the food.
What makes beetle house stand out from other theme restaurants is how completely they commit to the servers, bartenders, hosts, and performers never breaking character, creating an immersive experience that’s rare in a city full of dining options.
Who owns Beetle House, NYC?
The mastermind behind beetle house is entrepreneur Zach Neil, who saw an opportunity to blend his love of Tim Burton’s aesthetic with themed dining.
Neil hasn’t created a restaurant, he’s created a brand that captures the spirit of Burton’s work while adding his own twist on gothic dining entertainment.
His vision has expanded in NYC, with a location in Los Angeles, showing the concept’s popularity with halloween and tim burton enthusiasts across the country.
Explore the Beetle House NYC Restaurant
Stepping into beetle house NYC feels like walking onto the set of your favorite spooky movie.
From the moment you arrive, you’re part of an immersive experience that combines dining, drinks, and theatrical performances in one package.
Location and Background
Beetle House makes its home in New York’s east village at 308 E 6th Street, an area known for its eclectic vibe and unique dining options.
The restaurant established itself as a fixture after opening as a pop-up concept that gained a cult following.
According to “New York Eater,” the idea of combining gothic dining with Burton-inspired entertainment struck a chord with people looking for something beyond the restaurant experience.
Atmosphere and Interior
The decor here is something else.
Dim lighting sets the mood, with skeletons, pumpkins, and cobwebs creating an eerie vibe.
The walls feature artwork inspired by tim burton characters, and you’ll spot references to “beetlejuice,” “edward scissorhands,” “the nightmare before christmas,” and more.
The real magic happens when the characters appear, performers dressed as beetlejuice interact with guests, Edward scissorhands-style characters snip the air, and various witches, vampires, and other spooky people.
The restaurant opens for dinner service around 5pm and closes late around midnight on weekdays and 2am on weekends.
Reservations are recommended, especially during halloween season in october.
Menu and Dining
The menu features named dishes that keep with the gothic theme.
You’ll find options like “edward burger hands”, “sweeney beef”, “cheshire mac & cheese,” and “silence of the lamb chops.”
Vegetarians and vegans aren’t left out either; “victor’s vegan burger” offers a plant-based option.
The popular dishes based on customer feedback seem to be the “beetle bread” appetizer and the “edward burger hands.”
One reviewer on TripAdvisor noted, “The burger was really good, juicy and cooked.”
“The beetle’s juice” cocktail comes with smoke effects, while “the big fish bowl” is large to share and makes for great photos.
A recent reviewer mentioned, “The drinks were strong and the presentation was amazing, worth the $18.”
For families visiting with kids, the restaurant offers some child-friendly options.
While there isn’t a dedicated kids’ menu according to recent visitors, servers are happy to recommend options or simplify menu items.
Price and Reservations
Beetle house falls into the “experience dining” category, with prices reflecting the theatrical elements as the food.
Dinner runs on a prix-fixe model, averaging $50-60 per person before drinks, tax, and tip.
The specialty cocktails with the presentations will set you back $15-20 each.
Making a reservation is essential, mainly on weekends and during October.
The restaurant’s website allows for booking, requiring a deposit that applies toward your final bill. Walk-ins find space at the bar during off-peak hours.
According to a blog review by “NYC Food Guide,” “You’re paying for the whole package, the performances, the atmosphere, and the chance to dine inside.”
Customer Reviews and Feedback
Beetle House maintains about 3.5 to 4-star rating review sites.
On Yelp, customers praise the atmosphere and character interactions while sometimes critiquing the food-to-price ratio.
Tripadvisor reviews highlight the restaurant as a special occasion destination, with many celebrating birthdays or anniversaries there.
Blogger “new york food & fun” noted, “it’s loud, it’s cramped, it’s expensive and it’s completely unique.”
Common criticism centers on the small space, service times during peak hours, and food portions to price.
Most reviewers agree that if you come with the right expectations, prioritizing the experience over the cuisine.
What’s the dress code at Beetle House, NYC?
There’s no dress code at beetle house, many guests embrace the spirit of the place by dressing up.
Gothic attire, Burton-inspired outfits, or halloween costumes are common, especially on weekends.
According to their social media posts, the restaurant hosts special theme nights where dressing up is encouraged.
A recent visitor noted on yelp, “I felt a bit underdressed in my normal clothes while surrounded by people in amazing goth outfits, but the staff was nice and no one made me feel out of place.”
Tips to Visit the Restaurant Beetle House NYC
Want to make the most of your beetle house experience, then here’s what you need to know before you go, from timing your visit to choosing the right dishes to maximizing the fun that awaits you in this halloween-themed wonderland.
Best Time or Days to Visit
Tuesdays and Wednesdays offer a relaxed experience with short wait times and more attention from the characters.
Weekends are packed and lively but can feel crowded in the small space.
Early dinner reservations tend to be easy to secure, and you’ll have space for photos before the restaurant fills up.
According to several recent reviews, October reservations should be made in advance due to the halloween season.
Special Events or Seasonal Theme
Although Halloween is their specialty, October brings special programming to Beetle House.
A recent blog post from “NYC Weekend Warriors” mentioned, “they amp up the performances, add seasonal cocktails, and host special theme nights like ‘night of 1,000 Burtons’.”
They offer birthday packages that include special table decorations and character interactions.
During December, some Burton-inspired christmas elements make appearances in the decor and menu.
Recommendation of Dishes
For first-timers, “the beetle’s juice” cocktail is a must, the presentation alone makes it worth ordering. Food-wise, the “edward burger hands” gets good reviews for taste, not for theme.
One regular visitor noted on yelp, “skip the prix-fixe if you’re not hungry and order à la carte.
The cocktails and one main dish is okay, and you’ll save some cash while getting the experience.”
First-Time Visit Experience
To make your first visit nice, arrive before your reservation time.
Bring your camera because photo opportunities abound, both with the decor and the characters.
Be prepared for noise, the small space gets loud.
The beetle house experience is meant to be savored, with performances happening when you are having your meal.
A recent visitor advised, “plan at least 2 hours for the full experience.
You don’t want to feel rushed when beetlejuice is making the rounds!”
Conclusion
Beetle house nyc offers something unique in the restaurant scene, a place where halloween lives, tim burton’s vision comes to life, and dining becomes an immersive theatrical experience.
You may pay for the atmosphere over the food, but for fans of the macabre, the whimsical, or the looking for a night out that’s anything but ordinary, it delivers an experience.
Whether you’re posing with Edward Scissorhands, sipping a smoking cocktail, or soaking in the dark ambiance, Beetle house creates a world away from the new york dining scene.
So grab a reservation, and wear something black, beetle house nyc is waiting to welcome you to the nightmare.
And remember: saying “beetlejuice” three times is at your own risk.
FAQs
Why is Beetle House closing?
Beetle house nyc isn’t permanently closing. Like many restaurants, they close for renovations or special events. Any temporary closures are announced on their official social media channels.
Is Beetle House LA family-friendly?
Yes, beetle house LA, like its NYC counterpart, can be family-friendly depending on your children’s comfort level. Daytime visits are more appropriate for families. According to “Mommy Poppins,” younger children find some characters intimidating, but the staff is accommodating to families.
How much does it cost to eat at Beetle House LA?
Prices at beetle house LA are similar to the NYC location. Expect to pay around $50-60 per person for the dinner menu before drinks, tax, and tip. Cocktails range from $15-20 each.
Who is the owner of Beetle House?
Zach Neil is the entrepreneur who is the owner of Beetle house. He combined his passion for Tim Burton’s aesthetic with themed dining to create this restaurant concept.