From the subway to the pockets of greenspace around Manhattan, highly skilled performances, live music, cultural experiences, and weirdo bucket list to-dos can be found readily. But if you’re a fan of Halloween you’d be hard-pressed to find a more theatrical dining experience than Beetle House NYC. 

As a college student on a budget, it can be difficult to decide which events and restaurants to invest in. When looking for places to eat, I focus on two main ingredients for a great night out: solid service and delicious food. If those two boxes are checked, the experience is a sure-fire success. 

Beetle House NYC, located at 308 East Sixth Street, immediately caught my attention. It’s a restaurant that combines dining with elements of theater, inspired by the magical imagination of Tim Burton, horror culture, and fantasy. The place is a year-round celebration of Halloween. I decided to visit and bring a friend to see if it checked not just my first two boxes, but possibly a secret third.

From the outside, it could be mistaken for a nightclub with two neon signs in the window that read “Beetle House NY.LA” and “Every Day Is Halloween.” We were in the right spot. Upon arriving for our reservation, we were promptly greeted by the host, who welcomed us with a smile. She was dressed in 1920s flapper style with a dark, gothic edge.

She led us past the bar and down a winding black hallway, where I caught a brief glimpse of the kitchen as we made our way to the table. It felt like we were being guided through the back to a 

secret location. When we turned the corner, we entered a slightly sunken room, revealing a cozy table in front of a giant glass cabinet filled with artifacts fit for a mad scientist or an eccentric hoarder.

Large and small vials containing foreign-colored liquid were labeled with identification tags. On the wall behind the booth hung classical bronze and gold Victorian-style frames showcasing an array of insects. A small candle centerpiece served as our light source and an old liquor bottle was used in place of a water jug. 

The table was comfortable and surprisingly spacious for the restaurant’s small footprint. The overall atmosphere was conversational and family-friendly. 

Dinner pricing is reasonable with a prix fixe menu of $60. This price includes what they refer to as their “dining room show experience” and a spooky three-course meal. Their offerings consisted of quintessential comfort foods with vegan and gluten-free options available. The dishes have fun names; the main one I ordered was a recent addition to the menu called “Chick or Treat,” a gluten-free chickpea chicken with a bed of potatoes and squash. If you’re a fan of dark meat, this dish is perfect for you. The skin was both crispy and flavorful.

A few minutes into our evening, Bob from Beetlejuice made an appearance, did a musical number, and allowed us to snap some pictures of him. When the table next to us was served their meal, we caught a glimpse of the Sweeney Beef, an 8 oz. filet. The upgraded dish includes its very own weapon: a straight razor, the blade removed for safety reasons. 

A moody mix of throwback rock music and alternative indie played from the speakers, though the volume level was inconsistent and the noise quality was poor. The performers serenaded us several times, all with strong vocals and familiar jazzy tunes. Generally, a conversation could be held as there were gaps of time between the characters’ interaction with diners. 

My most anticipated part of the meal was the Cheshire Mac & Cheese appetizer, and it did not disappoint: pasta shells were swirled into a cheese gravy featuring a mix of two types of cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan. Although there were no outstanding flavors to note, the dish was simple and creamy. 

The second appetizer ordered was the Nightmare on 6th Street fries, featuring a sweet and spicy sriracha maple glaze, ranch aioli, and herb dust. The aioli was rich and full-bodied, while the maple glaze offered a mild sweetness that was, without a doubt, the standout element on the plate — scarily addictive. Our only complaint was that the herb dust rested on top, and the fries could have benefited from a toss for a more even coating.

Before our main course arrived, we received a charming vocal performance from Beetlejuice himself, who made an appearance alongside Lydia Deetz. They both had foul attitudes and let some patrons hold a doll dressed as baby Beetlejuice. The characters engaged in dialogue with each other and began fighting, but when customers asked for pictures or video they posed 

begrudgingly. The production design was of high quality for the price point, and it was easy to become enchanted by the creative costuming and interactive performance. 

The Edward Burger Hands which has been voted by ABC as one of the world’s “best burgers” was a disappointment and tried to be too many things at once. The toppings included one poached egg, bacon, tomato, lettuce, red pepper, and avocado. The sauce was so sticky that it proved an obstacle to eat. To hold the burger together, a pair of scissors was used instead of a toothpick which added to the whimsy. 

Overall our spirits were high until we arrived at the underwhelming dessert course. I ordered Death By Chocolate, which may have overpromised to begin with when it was described as containing “hints of death.” It was flavorless and sticky with no redeeming qualities. “The Pumpkin King Cheesecake” was similar to a flan but lacked moisture and was too sweet.

Easily one of the least exciting dessert courses I have had in a while. 

Now, did the experience check the original boxes? By the end of the night, the actors were recycling dialogue and our server abandoned the table halfway, causing the majority of the magic to wear off. The atmosphere at Beetle House NYC exceeded expectations with its high-quality production, but the overall experience fell short.

Still, if you are looking for a night out with friends, want to cap your spending, or be immersed in a cinematic wonderland complete with plates of blood splatter and knives, try stepping in. It might be worth your time.