Black House Cafe is the perfect spooky season haunt

Driving the boos: Black House Cafe is a horror-themed coffee shop that opened in Fountain Square last year.

• It's open, and spooky, year-round but there's no better time to visit.

The vibe: As the sign outside correctly advertises, the vibe is spooky — but not scary.

• Sure, there are bloody footprints on the floor and tables, various creepy crawlies hanging from the ceiling and some of the genre's best-known villains (Chucky, Jason, Freddy, etc.) taking up residence in the small cafe — but the absolute over-the-topness of the decor pushes the shop into kitsch, rather than creep.
• The super friendly staff helps, too.

My thought bubble: I love commitment to a theme. From the movie playing on the TV ("Twitches," a Disney Channel original about twin witches separated at birth) to the drink names (Candy man, Ghostface, It's alive) and menu signs, Black House leans in at every opportunity.

Brew of the week: The Dreamer, a latte made with coconut and ube. The bright purple Filipino yam is a popular ingredient in desserts, baked goods and drinks for the subtle, nutty flavor and vibrant color it imparts.

Cost: $6.50.

If you go: 1122 Shelby St.

• Open 8:30am to 5pm every day.