The Avondale neighborhood is quickly gaining a reputation as the mecca of the horror movie community in Chicago. The latest addition, The Brewed, is a horror-themed coffee shop brought to the neighborhood by the same owners (and internally connected inside the building) as Bric-A-Brac Records.

The coffee shop is named after David Cronenberg’s horror classic “The Brood” as an homage to the cult-classic godfather of horror. It serves as a labor of love for owners Nick Mayor, Jen Lemastersa, and Jason Deuchler. With years of collecting items, the collection is truly unique and very personal to the owners. It’s presented in a welcoming way, carefully curated to blend the owner’s admiration of the genre with a unique coffee experience. The display cases alone are worth a visit, and the murals showcasing some of the most iconic villains and monsters of all time add to the ambiance. Chicago has a significant place in the horror movie genre, being home to “Candyman.” An homage to that and other movies is found throughout the colorfully splashed walls of the entire space. The shop proudly displays foreign and domestic horror movie classics, celebrating the international love affair with the genre.

Worlds collide between Bric-A-Brac and The Brewed, where pop culture from yesteryear coexists with some of the most iconic horror movies of all time. A cup of joe in this cool, unique space will keep you busy for hours. For more information on The Brewed, click here.

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