Most people probably don’t think about coffee when they hear “horror movie” but owner Omaira Mahan has found a way to combine the macabre with a macchiato.
Horror Vibes Coffee on Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood, Calif. is POC offers standard drinks with themed names that customers can enjoy while surrounded by spooky art. However, the atmosphere is muted because there’s not enough space to handle the crowds lured in by the cafe’s social media presence.
Formerly City Vibes Coffee, Horror Vibes Coffee rebranded in 2022. The extensive and detailed murals, created by local artist Phill Bourque, cover the walls of the exterior and interior of the building. The small, dimly lit, single-room interior is packed with people ordering coffee and getting photos of Bourque’s impressive artwork while ordering drinks with names such as Nightmare on Maple Street, Frankenstein’s Latte, and Call of Cthulh-Ube.
Although the wait wasn’t long on a recent Monday afternoon, guests are warned that on weekends, the cafe is even more filled with horror fans.
Horror theme aside, the cramped space is probably not what you’re hoping for when you’re looking for a relaxing coffee break. With a “bar” looking out to the street and a few 2 person tables pressed up against the wall, it’s probably better to grab your drink and your picture and go.
The outdoor space offers a little more room with a few patio tables. A person could spend their entire time enjoying their coffee looking while at the mural covering the storefront. It is filled with tiny details and homages to almost every horror movie imaginable, even giving a nod to “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios.
The drinks run between $7 – $9 and although not that exciting, are on par with what you’d expect from a coffee shop. Frankenstein Latte’s is a great option for pistachio lovers. Their menu rates the drinks by sweetness, so you know exactly what you’re ordering, with the rose flavored Annabelle’s Latte being at the bottom of the list and the dulce de leche flavored Candyman being at the top of the list. Horror Vibes also offers a limited time menu for every season. The current Halloween season menu features drinks based on Goosebumps books.
They also have a few non-caffeinated options like the Crystal Lake Chai, a variety of pastries available and t-shirt and hoodies with their logo for sale.
Although there’s nothing exciting about the drinks themselves, if you’re a horror fan and want to meet a friend for coffee and get some “insta-worthy” photos of some very cool murals, it’s worth a quick trip.
