A Horror-Themed Restaurant and Bar Heads to the Arts District

The veil of mystery has been lifted. An ambitious downtown expansion will stretch retailer Nightmare Toys into the space next door and bring a unique, horror-themed bar and restaurant to the southern edge of the Arts District.

The Nightmare Café will move into 1307 S. Commerce Street at the intersection with Colorado Avenue and replace a series of auto shop tenants. Paperwork originally filed with the city late last year included applications for permits to add new restrooms, a kitchen and bar, and also dropped hints that barbecue would feature on the menu.

The exterior has been updated with a plywood mural featuring portraits of Pennywise and Friday the 13th icon Jason Voorhees, created by Tony Castillo and Derek Douglas of The Wall Saints. The team was previously responsible for the indoor murals at close neighbors SerVehZah Craft Beer Bottle Shop & Taproom.

Launched in summer 2020, Nightmare Toys quickly became a local hot spot for horror film celebrity appearances and signings, as well as a go-to destination for fans tracking down collectibles, masks, and costumes.

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