Beetle House officially opens tonight

[Photo by Derek Berg]

After a week or so in previews, Beetle House officially opens tonight at 308 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

As we've noted, Beetle House features "an atmosphere and menu inspired by the works of Tim Burton." (You can find the food and drinks menu at their website.)

DNAinfo's Allegra Hobbs had a preview piece on Monday. (Bedford + Bowery posted a preview here.)

Co-owner Zach Neil claims that the Beetlejuice impersonator spotted hanging outside the place wasn't affiliated with Beetle House. "He showed up at the bar one night, and he just kept showing up," Neil said.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tim Burton-themed bar opening in former Confessional space on East 6th Street

Tim Burton-themed bar Beetle House now in sneak previews on East 6th Street (37 comments)

Tim Burton-themed bar Beetle House now in sneak previews on East 6th Street

Beetle House is in soft-open mode now at 308 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The signage that arrived this week is surprisingly pedestrian for a bar-restaurant "with an atmosphere and menu inspired by the works of Tim Burton."

In fact, the sign looks a little similar to the previous tenant, Confessional, which closed in March...



Anyway, people won't be coming for the signage... but the drinks... Such as!

The Chocolate Factory Martini. This is one of our delicious elixirs, hand crafted and mixed to perfection. We believe this one increases libido, relieves stress and satisfies even the sweetest of teeth. #chocolatefactorymartini #beetlehousenyc #beetlehouse #timburtonmovies #willywonka

A photo posted by Beetle House (@beetlehousenyc) on Apr 26, 2016 at 5:02am PDT

Bar previews began last night. The official Grand Opening is May 6. (It's cash only until then. And by reservation only?)

Just look for the guy dressed as Beetlejuice out front and you found the place...


[Photo by Vinny & O]

And looking more lively here...

A photo posted by Arthur Bovino (@arthurbovino) on Apr 27, 2016 at 3:31pm PDT

Beetle House is operated by the proprietors behind Stay Classy, the Will Ferrell-themed bar that opened last October on Rivington Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tim Burton-themed bar opening in former Confessional space on East 6th Street

Tim Burton-themed bar opening in former Confessional space on East 6th Street

As you may recall from last month, the owners of Stay Classy, the Will Ferrell-themed bar that opened last October on Rivington Street, announced plans to open another personality-driven establishment — this time in the East Village.

In the weeks ahead, Beetle House — "with an atmosphere and menu inspired by the works of Tim Burton" — is opening at 308 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The bar will feature drinks such as:

• Beetlejuice – Muddled blackberry and limes, Tequila, Blackberry schnapps, Angostura bitters, splash of cranberry. $14

• Edward’s lemonadee – Old fashioned with Orange bitters $12

• The headless horseman – Hendricks Gin, Lillet blanc, Cointreau, dash of absinthe, fresh lemon juice. Garnished with an orange peel. $16

• Chocolate factory martini – Vanilla vodka, Dorda chocolate liqueur, cream, creme de cocoa. Garnished with a chocolate bar. $14

You can check out the rest of the drinks and food menu at the Beetle House website. (You may text them for a preview invite.)

The space was, until last month, home to Confessional, who announced that they'd be moving to a new location. The space later hit the market for $8,500 a month plus $125,000 key money.

Thank you to Vinny & O for the tip! Time Out had a small write up of Beetle House this week, though the piece doesn't appear to be online.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: East Village to be home to a Tim Burton-themed bar

Report: East Village to be home to a Tim Burton-themed bar

[Via Wikipedia Commons]

The Wall Street Journal (subscription needed) explores the apparent trend of bars opening that are "themed around famous, or semifamous, people." Like Le Boudoir in Brooklyn Heights, which was made to look like Marie Antoinette’s sitting room.

And then there is Stay Classy, the Will Ferrell-themed bar that opened last October on Rivington Street.

According to the article, there are plans to open Stay Classy locations in other cities.

Plus!

The personality-driven bar appears to be catching on. Stay Classy’s owners are planning on a similar spot themed around the filmmaker Tim Burton (“Beetlejuice,” “ Edward Scissorhands”), set to open in the East Village in May.

There isn't any mention of where this might be in the neighborhood. To be continued.

Until then. Here's more from the Journal about why bar owners are turning to gimmicks to open a new place.

Bar-industry experts say increasing competition is what is pushing bar owners to find their niche. A generation ago, it was enough for an establishment to simply market itself as a sports bar.

Now, even a craft-cocktail bar isn’t much of a distinction. “You’re going find one of those every two or three blocks in New York,” said Art Sutley, publisher of Bar Business Magazine, a trade journal.