Downtown Mesa isn’t often associated with cutting-edge nightlife, but Monsterland is hoping to change that.
In an era when America’s pop culture is being over-run by vampires and zombies, Monsterland – Arizona’s first horror-themed bar and grill – opens Friday on Main Street, kitty-corner from the Mesa Arts Center.
Monsterland actually debuted last October as a haunted house. After Halloween, owner Kevin Wynn considered turning the huge (16,000-square-foot) space into a horror-movie museum.
Ultimately, however, he decided a better business would be a monster-themed bar and restaurant.
The venue features hundreds of pieces of movie and TV memorabilia – from posters to full-size animatronic figures from classic movies like “Alien,” “American Werewolf in London,” and “Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Some of the props – such as an impaled Spartan warrior from the film “300” – are worth more than $10,000.
“We’ll be like Rainforest Cafe, but with monsters,” says marketing director Kristy Smith.
In fact, Monsterland intends to be a family-friendly venue from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering a lunch-and-dinner menu of appetizers and burgers.
Creatively named items include Bat Wings ($8.50), Voodoo Chicken Salad ($7.50), and garlic-laced Vampire Burger ($10.75).
An indoor-outdoor bar (there’s a large patio in a side alley) will boast 20 beers on tap – all brewed in Arizona (see the beer list).
After 9 p.m., Monsterland will turn into a 21-and-over nightclub with bands, including occasional national acts, performing on an eight-foot-high platform over a huge dance floor.
Wednesdays will focus on country and Southern rock music. Thursdays will offer trivia and karaoke. Fridays and Saturdays will be dedicated to DJs and live bands.
“I think people are really excited,” Smith says. “We’re going to be another reason to bring people downtown.”
