Horror-themed Airbnb and café in Fountain Square to leave guests staying scared

Indianapolis, Indiana – A haunting makeover of a former Fountain Square dental office is underway to become an Airbnb featuring themed rooms based on iconic films like “Beetlejuice,” “Ghostbusters,” “Dracula,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” and “Scream.”

Mid-November is when reservations for the fright-themed three-bedroom rental, which can house up to 14 people, will open, according to owner Dennis Brackenridge.

In October 2022, Brackenridge purchased the old Fountain Square Dental Clinic. The building’s front part will be home to Black House Café, a unique coffee shop. It is anticipated that the café will open at approximately the same time as the Airbnb.

The fact that speciality stores and music venues are close by, according to Brackenridge, who already owns five other Airbnb homes in the Fountain Square area, proves that the region is suitable for non-traditional enterprises.

Pamela Bliss, a local muralist best known for her tributes to basketball Hall of Famer Reggie Miller and novelist Kurt Vonnegut, painted murals on the façade of Black House Café.

The murals in the cafe feature Freddy Krueger from the “Elm Street” films, a hawkmoth with a death’s head that became well-known after “Silence of the Lambs,” and a claw mark featuring a Krueger silhouette. A spiral staircase in the tower at the south end of the structure leads to a rooftop terrace, which is accessible to Airbnb guests. Bliss created the mural of a moth on this tower.

In order to enhance the sense of mystery around the Airbnb experience, visitors who find a hidden Chucky doll while visiting will be entered to win a free cup of coffee from the café.

According to Brackenridge, Slice, an artist, created the inside spray painting on the holiday rental, which will be occupied by the coffee shop in the front half.

Chicago native Mari Ramirez Reyes, manager of Black House Café, revealed that the establishment will focus on a bourbon-flavored cold brew made with coffee from her local supplier, Hexe Coffee Co. Light meals, including pastries and vegan-friendly options, will be available on the menu.