By Jaimz Dillman
On a rainy Sunday in downtown Orlando, a small, socially-distanced crowd is dressed to the 9’s gathered to watch The Bride of Frankenstein and enjoy a killer brunch at Cocktails and Screams.
For thirteen days this past October, the highly themed bar on Pine Street welcomed guests to enjoy movies, drinks, performances, contests, and dishes to die for all concocted from the minds of Addie and James Marone.
Wanting to give a space to the spooks and spirits that appeal to a different kind of crowd they opened Cocktails and Screams in September 2019. Janes said, “We cater to the people who aren’t catered to anywhere else. The alternative crowd.”
“We built this place cause we wanted it. We love all things spooky, and if we couldn’t find it, we built it ourselves” says Addie, “It doesn’t matter who you are everyone gets along. You can be an 80-year-old woman, a goth kid, a vampire- we just say human skin required.”
Ashlee, Amber, and Cole were busy taking care of your needs behind the bar as well as food orders. Addie helms the kitchen and James runs plates to your table. A hefty task for even the most experienced staff... and they do it well.
A constant stream of tickets seem to be always coming in, glasses being filled, and enticing dishes coming out of the kitchen. The brunch menus consist of names like The Dexter Morgan- brioche French toast stuffed with Boozy berries, dark chocolate chips, and sweetened honey whipped cream- and the most popular Big Bad Wolf- Canadian ham and sausage links with eggs, avocado pesto, pepper jack, and mozzarella cheese on a giant croissant- you’re sure to leave full and satisfied.
Even though their Sunday brunch is all-ages there are plenty of boozy beverages for the adult attendees. The Leatherface pays homage to the classic slasher with bourbon, bbq sauce, and Bloody Mary mix served rimmed with taco seasoning for a kick and a meat straw! In addition to traditional coffee, there are seasonal offerings of pumpkin spice and you can take it up a notch with the spiked Freddy Kracken, made hot or cold.
The staff gets into the fun as well donning costumes to match the mood for each event. And let’s not leave out the dashing dapper guests. Dressing up is encouraged and with today’s theme, various prizes are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Taking the top spot engaged couple Jeni Romero, Bobby Hughs garnered cheers from the crowd with a twirl and dip ending in a kiss. Their love for the holiday is evident with their Halloween wedding.
Second place winners mom and daughter team Autumn and Donna Ziegler drove down from Jacksonville to celebrate Autumn’s 40th birthday. Loving all things dapper, she saw the event advertised in a group for like-minded friends and thought it’d be a fun way to celebrate. Mom Donna was excited to win a t-shirt, this was her first contest. Wearing full circle skirts featuring The Creature for the Black Lagoon and Little Shop of Horrors, Autumn’s Audrey 2 fascinator topped off her ensemble - she just finished making it earlier in the morning. A plague masked couple took third place.
For more info on upcoming events: https://cocktailsandscreams.com