Options for wining and dining in Los Angeles are abundant, but what if you like your main entrée served with a side of horror and a dash of devilish spice? From frightful feasts and witchy lounges to haunted bars, there are plenty of spots that will satisfy cravings for ghoulish delights. To aid you on your quest, I’ve rounded up a list of some of the best macabre dining experiences in Los Angeles. Bon(e) Appetit!

The 4^th Horseman

It’s all about savory pizza, thirst-quenching beer and the apocalypse at The 4th Horseman! This Long Beach spot has become the hangout for spooky kids. And by kids, I really mean adults because the pizzeria is for crowds ages 21 and over. The eatery serves up pizzas like the Angel of Death, plus features an arcade, original dark art and a movie projector showing horror classics.

Speaking of art, The Dark Art Emporium is located inside The 4^th Horseman! The gallery features new exhibits monthly featuring macabre works by respected artists. That means guests will have the chance to eat, drink and take in some fine, deviant paintings. For more details, read my feature here.

Beetle House LA

The brainchild of entrepreneur Zach Neil, this Tim Burton and Halloween-inspired restaurant and lounge first opened in New York City. In 2017, the bar made its way to the West Coast dazzling guests with spooky art and décor from films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice, and a freak show. Imbibe in menu items like Edward Burger Hands and the This is Halloween cocktail. Don’t be surprised if you have a surprise encounter with the Joker, Mr. Scissorhands and other bizarre characters. Curious to know more? Check out my blog posts covering the original pop-up location, its second reincarnation, plus the newest, revamped spot.

The Black Rabbit Rose

Abracadabra! The Black Rabbit Rose is another magical spot where not all is as it seems. The lounge offers a menu featuring Thai Chinese cuisine and cocktails made to play tricks on the beholder. During my first visit here, a round of martinis was ordered. The server came to my party’s table with an empty tray. As he talked to us, he covered the tray, then upon lifting the lid, an assembly of drinks appeared. They also host a magic show in their theatre on weekends.

The Cauldron Spirits & Brews

If witches, wands and spellcasting are your thing, then a visit to The Cauldron is a must, although, you won’t find Harry Potter references here. Instead, the vibe evokes an atmosphere that fuses together 17^th-century Salem and “Hocus Pocus.” There’s even a private room referred to as the ‘haunted library’ hidden behind floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Imbibe in a variety of small bites and enchanting spirits, including my favorite, The Grey Witch. Hungry for more details and a peek inside? Have a look at my full review here.

Coffinated Coffee

This cafe has “coffin” in its name, so how can it not be spooky? The coffee shop is located in La Puente and pays homage to the horror genre through its drinks, sweet treats and decor. I haven’t visited the place in person yet, but from pictures I’ve seen online, the space is decked out in macabre finery with scary movie posters and memorabilia, as well as life-sized replicas of killer horror icons, such as Art the Clown, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger and others. Menu options include The Horrrorchata Krunch, Killer Scream and many more. Follow them on Instagram.

Horror Vibes Coffee

The name says it all. This horror-inspired coffee shop brews up all sorts of scary good beverages, such as Frankenstein’s Latte, Nightmare on Maple Street and Killer Cold Brew, among many other sinister offerings. Plus, they have a rotating seasonal menu. Currently, there’s just one location in North Hollywood and I haven’t been there yet, but from what I can see on their website and social media, the place and drinks look amazing.

The Queen Mary’s Observation Bar & Art Deco Lounge

Update: The Observation Bar reopened early 2023 after being closed since 2020. It has had a little makeover and looks refreshed. Not everything I mention in the following synopsis is still offered, such as Dining with the Spirits and Aiden Sinclair’s show. Sir Winston’s Restaurant also hasn’t reopened, but the ship is still undergoing some renovations. However, you can dine at Chelsea Chowder House & Bar. I’m sure they’ll have more offerings as time goes on.

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It doesn’t get any spookier than a historic, haunted ship. The Queen Mary is a hub of paranormal activity and many professional ghost hunters have visited the vessel. Not only have people died on the liner, but it also garnered the moniker “The Gray Ghost” during World War II when it was used as a troopship. To this day, there are ghost sightings by both guests and employees. So, it should come as no surprise that to feast aboard The Queen Mary is a bucket list macabre dining experience!

I absolutely love the Observation Bar, which during its heyday, served as the First-Class Lounge for the traveling elite. It retains a 1930s Art Deco style and hearkens back to a time when dressing to the nines for cocktail hour was the norm.

Mixologists craft signature drinks that include Pimm’s Cup, Old Fashioned and Queen Mary Manhattan. My poison of choice here is also an extra dry gin martini because I can trust it will be made to perfection. Small bites are served as well, plus every Saturday night, there’s live entertainment playing jazz and other classic tunes. What better way to spend an evening than dancing with ghosts?

For fine dining, check out Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lodge, which hosts Dining with the Spirits. This one-of-a-kind attraction provides a three-course meal paired with a ghost hunt and haunted history tour. Tickets are $134 per person.

For more paranormal experiences aboard the ship, get a peek at Aiden Sinclair’s Illusions of the Passed.

Rad Coffee

For all you morning zombies who need to get your caffeine fix, forget Starbucks and head to Rad Coffee. The spooky cafe first opened in Upland and now has four locations spread across Southern California. I’ve been to the downtown Upland and Long Beach spots, and I love the ambience and beverages. Their skeleton-drinking-coffee logo is instantly attention-grabbing. The original locale has a very punk vibe, and the Long Beach cafe has a mini arcade if you want to sip and play. Their menu features a versatile range of options, and I’ve tried and enjoyed the Monster Mash selections, like Dracula. They also have sweet treats you can pair with your drink.

Roast The Dead Coffee

Okay, so Roast The Dead Coffee lies on the outskirts of Los Angeles and is actually a part of San Bernandino County. It’s around 70 miles or an hour away from LA if you’re up for a drive. I haven’t had a chance to make it out that way, but I had to include it because it’s not every day that you come across a horror-themed coffee shop. Their physical location is in Yucaipa, and you can’t miss the building with its horror mural featuring Freddy, Jason and Michael Myers. From photos I’ve seen online, the interior is filled with iconic decor inspired by scary movies, and the coffee looks pretty damned good.

Chateau Marmont

Update: Since 2020, Chateau Marmont is not as openly accessible the way it used to be. After doing some digging, I came across an article from 2020 on Vanity Fair talking about how the establishment became embroiled in some controversy. According to that source, the majority of the property is open to members only, except for one restaurant. When I visited the website and clicked on the ‘Restaurant’ section, it prompted me to send an email, so maybe that’s the way the public has to make reservations. I haven’t tried it, so I’m not sure.

I’m glad I was able to enjoy cocktails there at least once. When I went in 2018, it was before the controversy surrounding the place surfaced. I had a wonderful time. The drinks were well crafted, and I even spotted a couple of Hollywood actors. I considered putting this entry in the RIP section, but since it seems to be inhabiting a sort of purgatory, I left it with the living for now. But that’s why it’s at the end of the list, bordering the underworld. Below, I give a brief look into its history, and some of it is dark.

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Situated on the Sunset Strip, this iconic hotel and restaurant is not so much known for its food and drinks, as it is for its grim and racy past. The historic establishment has seen the likes of Old Hollywood stars, such as Lucille Ball, James Dean and Natalie Wood. In 1958, Bette Davis nearly set the entire place ablaze when she fell asleep holding a lit cigarette. Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski made the Chateau their home after being wed. They moved out when Tate became pregnant, just six months before the brutal Manson murders that would claim the lives of the actress and her unborn child. Tragedy has also occurred on the grounds of the castle when, in 1982, comedian John Belushi was found dead in his suite from a drug overdose.

Indeed, pieces of the Chateau’s past are troubling, but don’t let the gruesome incidents keep you away from enjoying an evening here. I’ve no doubt the spirits (the not-drinkable kind) would want joviality filling the air.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, and the bar concocts one of the best tasting extra dry gin martinis. I only order this drink from places that know how to craft a high-quality classic cocktail.

And, in case the joint is still not macabre enough for you, it’s known to be a favorite haunt of Marilyn Manson’s.

RIP

This section is for establishments that were initially on this list and are no longer with us. They’ve died and moved on into the afterlife. I couldn’t bring myself to remove the following entries. They are part of LA spooky dining history after all, and I felt some people may still be interested in reading about them. I hope this section doesn’t grow too much.

Phantom Carriage Brewery

Update: Sadly, Phantom Carriage had to close its doors during the summer of 2022 due to circumstances out of their control. From what I gathered, the owners they were renting from sold the property to another company, leaving this business with no other choice but to shut down. They’re currently trying to figure out where to relocate, but it’s not certain if they’ll stay in the Los Angeles area. Their website and social media accounts are still active, so make sure to follow them for updates. I really miss this spot and I hope they reopen soon. The following gives you an idea of what they were about and what you can look forward to when they rise from the ashes.

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Pair your craft beer with a horror flick at Phantom Carriage located in Carson, CA. Enjoy a dimly lit ambiance decorated with cobwebs, coffins and barrels upon barrels of finely blended brews. Offerings include sandwitches, the Baphomet Harvest salad, London After Midnight ESB and Sid Pumpkin Beer, to name just a few. For a frightfully entertaining time, check out the brewery’s Wednesday Night Thrillers where movies such as “House on Haunted Hill,” “Poltergeist,” and “Bride of Frankenstein” have been screened. Other events hosted here are Horror Trivia and Making Monsters Drink-n-Paint Night.

The Drunken Devil

Update: Unfortunately, this production company no longer hosts this event. It’s a pity because I didn’t have the opportunity to check it out for myself. When the events of 2020 happened, I don’t believe they ever resumed their soirees after that. Their official website is also inactive, so it doesn’t seem they’ll be resurrecting, but one can hope otherwise.

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Let’s continue with hellish themes as I introduce The Drunken Devil. There is no permanent brick and mortar for this establishment because it’s actually a production company that holds gatherings at different venues. The brand creates immersive dining experiences with morbid themes, such as Bloody Brunch and the popular “To Live and Di(n)e in LA” where patrons are served a full-course menu and cocktails while in the presence of infamous serial killers and victims. Expect gore, guts, monsters, sultry burlesque acts and other sinful delights that are not for the faint of heart.

Conclusion

This is a small taste of macabre dining experiences in Los Angeles and no doubt new places will continue to pop up. There may even be some that have gone under my radar.

If anyone knows of more spooky dining spots, whether in LA or beyond, please do share!