- Title: A new bar in New York celebrates the creativity of filmmaker Tim Burton
- Date: 19th May 2016
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MAY 17, 2016) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ZACH NEIL, CO-OWNER, BEETLE HOUSE NYC, SAYING: "We haven't heard from Tim Burton, but we did hear from one of his publicists that wanted to do something with us about promoting a new movie he has coming out this year. So that was exciting, we'll see what happens." VARIOUS OF BAR HANDCUFF ART ON WALL (SOUNDBITE) (English) ZACH NEIL, CO-OWNER, BEETLE HOUSE NYC, SAYING: "We didn't know how people would react, or how excited they would be, but they've been really excited. And they've been like freaking out. Even to the point were I'm like, 'it's just a bar and restaurant.'" (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRIAN LINK, CO-OWNER, BEETLE HOUSE NYC, SAYING: "It's basically our celebration that we're sharing with people." WIDE OF BAR VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF BAR
- Embargoed: 3rd June 2016 18:02
- Keywords: Beetle House NYC Tim Burton Beetlejuice Edward Scissorhands movie film Pee Wee Herman New York
- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK + BEVERLY HILLS + WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / BRUEHL, GERMANY /
- City: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK + BEVERLY HILLS + WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / BRUEHL, GERMANY /
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0054IH11SP
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Stepping into the mind of filmmaker Tim Burton just got easier with the opening of the bar "Beetle House NYC" in lower Manhattan.
Co-owners and childhood friends Zach Neil and Brian Link said nothing inspired the idea for the establishment, which they opened in roughly 3 weeks, but their love for Burton.
"We didn't want it to be like an actual tribute to just the movies. If you kind of look down the left side of the bar it's a lot of artifacts and antiques and things that we feel look like they would be in a Burton film. So it's a lot of old books and medical equipment," said Neil.
"Then the opposite side, the right side of the restaurant is more movie memorabilia. But it's all like artist inspired rendering. So all of these pieces of artwork are handmade, you know, one of a kind pieces of art," he added.
Since opening in late April the pair quickly learned Burton fans are plentiful.
"We also didn't think that we were going to be nearly this busy. We thought, 'this is going to be cool, we'll do like 40 dinners a night and it will be like a nice neighborhood bar. It's niche is that it's themed.' And instead we're serving like 140 dinners a night," said Neil.
Reservations for dinner are almost completely booked for the summer, but they do keep one walk-in table available and the bar is always open.
The menu items pay tribute to Burton with some of the popular drinks being "Beetle's juice" and "This is Halloween." "Cheshire Mac and Cheese" and "Edward Burgerhands" are among the top selling eats.
At this point, they have not heard from Burton directly, but did her from one of his representatives.
"We did hear from one of his publicists that wanted to do something with us about promoting a new movie he has coming out this year. So that was exciting, we'll see what happens," said Neil.
This is Neil and Link's second bar, their first venture is "Stay Classy," which is a tribute to all things actor Will Ferrell.
Beetle House NYC is currently in previews, with an official grand opening scheduled for either June or July. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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