Indianapolis, IN
Looking for a room in Indianapolis? Stay with Freddy, Jason and Beetlejuice — if you dare
Take a video tour inside this horror-themed Indy Airbnb
Owner Dennis Brackenridge narrates a video tour of his newest Airbnb project. A horror-themed motel attached to a coffeeshop.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
Typically, you don’t want to think about murder when staying at an Airbnb. Those noises you hear at night are just the rumblings of an unfamiliar home. Probably.
But for one unique Fountain Square rental, horror-movie scenarios are part of the appeal.
For more than a year, Dennis Brackenridge has poured his time and money into nailing the details on a property much different than the 100 or so he owns around the city.
“I might have spent $1 million on this place,” Brackenridge said. “I’m at the point in my career where I just want to have fun.”
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For a half-century before Brackenridge purchased the building at 1122 Shelby St., the space was known for true, real horror.
It was a dental office.
“We found people’s teeth still in here when we got the place,” Brackenridge recalled.
He gutted the building with dual goals in mind: A short-term rental home based around classic and modern horror films, and an adjoining café themed around the same.
Black House Café and new Airbnb reach Indy’s horror fans
Black House Café opened last month, with drinks like the Never Sleep Again (an almond-milk horchata and espresso mix) and the Booberry (a banana and blueberry smoothie). Its detailed horror décor — fake newspaper clippings, a Jigsaw doll, a “Gremlins”-themed bathroom complete with a life-sized gremlin prop — quickly became a popular Instagram haunt.
A giant mural featuring the nearby Fountain Square Theatre façade and Brackenridge’s children fleeing Freddy Kreuger points the way to “dreams and coffee.”
But on the other side of the building, subtler and uncanny paintings of Norman Bates and Brackenridge in full Bates Motel bellhop garb welcome prospective guests to the rental space.
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Sleeping among killers like Dracula and Freddy Krueger
The makeshift home features three bedrooms, themed after “Friday the 13th,” “Scream” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” and two-and-a-half bathrooms, with “Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Dracula” and an immaculate “Ghostbusters.”
Local muralist Pamela Bliss, who painted the Kurt Vonnegut and Reggie Miller murals, worked on the building’s exterior. Graffiti artist Slice painted the interior, which includes a massive Beetlejuice in snake form along the living room and a perfect Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in the “Ghostbusters” bathroom.
A large wooden and repurposed metal dining room table was made locally, as was a coffin-shaped cabinet. Brackenridge and his team spent months stocking the place with much smaller details, as well: A realistic mask of Beetlejuice’s head, Camp Crystal Lake pillows, a succulent planter shaped like Chucky.
Brackenridge had originally planned to convert the space into some sort of 4-D interactive movie theater but pivoted to the horror themed rental and café. He is also planning a gangster-themed café in Irvington, with Bliss on board to paint a John Dillinger mural.
More: John Dillinger’s signed confession detailing holdup attempt nabs big bucks at auction
The rental will be available for $275 per weekday and $345 per weekend day, with a two-night minimum. It will host a free open house from noon to 3 p.m. on Jan. 20, and reservations officially open on Jan. 22. Brackenridge recommends booking directly through Instagram at @indys_fletcherplace_experience, but it will be available through Airbnb and other services.
Future plans to enhance, expand rental and café
Brackenridge is also working on a rooftop patio for the rental unit, but it won’t be ready for this month’s launch.
Black House Café will also expand its indoor seating area. Manager Mari Ramirez Reyes said she and Brackenridge originally conceived of it as a walk-up space, but the unique look has lent to folks sitting around awhile.
“It has been wild,” Ramirez Reyes said. “People love the theme and the vibe. We didn’t know it would be so popular.”
Brackenridge hopes access to the café and Fountain Square draws like the Hi-Fi will add to his rental’s appeal. But the plan is to lean into the niche horror audience.
“It really breaks up the monotony,” Brackenridge said. “You are definitely not at home.”
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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryEHAppleton.
The Indianapolis Colts released their first practice report for the New York Giants Week 16 matchup on Christmas Day. However, per the Colts’ post on X: “The Colts did not practice on Wednesday. The Colts did not practice on Wednesday. — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 25, 2024
Wednesday’s practice report is only an estimation of a player’s participation if there was a practice.”
Wednesday’s practice report is only an estimation of a player’s participation if there was a practice. pic.twitter.com/dhW1dbr0qU
Tight end Mo Alie-Cox (toe), linebacker Jaylon Carlies (shoulder), and E.J. Speed all filed as non-participants for the ‘practice.’ However, Anthony Richardson sticks out like a sore thumb with his designation (back, foot).
Richardson has been far better in 2024 at avoiding injuries and is coming off a divisional win against the Tennessee Titans where he completed 7/11 passes for 131 passing yards, one touchdown toss, and an interception. Richardson also tacked on nine carries for 70 rushing yards (7.8 yards per carry), and another score.
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Richardson’s practice report for the rest of the week will be the top name to monitor as Indy looks to defeat a struggling Giants team at MetLife Stadium. Despite the Colts getting a much-needed victory over the Titans at home, they did so in close fashion (38-30) despite a fantastic performance from running back Jonathan Taylor.
Indianapolis must play better defensively late in the game, limit turnovers offensively, and continue to operate well through the ground attack to defeat Brian Daboll’s squad. We’ll see what happens with Shane Steichen’s approach and Richardson’s designation as the week winds down.
Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!
Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.
The Indianapolis Colts had a solid offensive performance during their much-needed win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. But no one had a bigger day on that side of the ball than star running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor had his best showing of the season during Sunday’s 38-30 victory against the Titans, one where he put up 29 carries, 218 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. It was his second contest in a row with over 100 yards on the ground, and his second time this season landing multiple touchdown scores in one game.
Yet, to put up over 200 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns in one day has been almost unheard of across the past decade in the NFL.
Taylor’s electric 200-yard, three-touchdown performance matches with only two others in the past ten years. ESPN’s Stephen Holder revealed just how rare Taylor’s day was when showcasing the Colts’ most eye-popping stat from Sunday:
“Taylor became the third player with 200-plus rushing yards and three touchdowns in a game over the past decade. His 218 rushing yards were the second most of his career, behind 253 yards against the Jaguars in 2020.”
– Stephen Holder, ESPN
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A day with over 200 yards is nothing new for Taylor, as this one vs. Tennessee only comes in as his second-highest rushing total for his career. Yet, to pair the production on the ground with three rushing touchdowns has only been done by two other players: former Pittsburgh Steelers back Le’Veon Bell and former Titans back, Derrick Henry, who accomplished the feat twice.
Jonathan Taylor again from 70 yards out! 🔥
📺: #TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+ — NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IuGb4jFfsu
It’s been one of Taylor’s better collective seasons since being drafted to Indianapolis in 2020. Through 12 games, he’s posted 1,129 yards on 237 carries, piling in eight rushing touchdowns and a receiving. The historic day against the Titans makes this fifth-year pro look even better.
The Colts back will have some easy assignments on the schedule ahead, hopefully continuing his hot hand moving into the final stretch. Indianapolis will hope to secure two straight wins when they travel to New Jersey this weekend to face the 2-13 New York Giants.
Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!
Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Circle City Athletics is gearing up to host its 10th annual Tito’s NYE 2025 Party on Dec. 31.
The event will take place from 8:45 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1:30 a.m. Jan. 1 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
Tickets for the event are expected to sell out quickly, according to a release from the organization that offers adult sports leagues and social events. Founded in 1994 as a local small business, CCA Sports and Social touts itself as a staple in the Indianapolis community.
This event will include six open bars, along with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, casino games, palm readers, henna tattoo artists, and a photo booth, according to organizers. General admission tickets start at $160 each.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka will return as the headline sponsor, joined by new partner Buffalo Trace.
The company holds signature events like the Tito’s NYE Party, Santa Stumble, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
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