Dark Room Horror was born in 2017 as a blog dedicated to movie and book reviews in the horror genre. Our journey took a turn in May 2018 with the creation of the Blood Booth, a unique experience that quickly gained a following (your basic photo booth, but with blood and weapons for everyone. By November 2018, we screened our first film at the Guild Cinema, (Beetlejuice Nov. 2018) marking our debut in Albuquerque's horror community.
Since then, Dark Room Horror has become a familiar face at local events and parties across Albuquerque, NM. In 2019, we expanded our horizons by booking and promoting live shows, bringing together a diverse community of horror enthusiasts and punks.
Dark Room Horror has been operating out of existing venues, limiting us to pop-up style events. We set everything up for an evening, then tear it down to move to the next event. Most of these events are 21+, restricting who can attend. While we plan to continue our annual Krampus Nights and shows around town, we want to create a space that can serve our community full-time.
That's why we're opening The Dark Room—a coffee shop and venue designed to be a permanent hub for the horror and punk community in Albuquerque, NM. This space will allow us to craft a consistent aesthetic and provide a safe, welcoming environment for all ages.
We’ve looked at several buildings and have found a few options that will work well. Our most recent location was sold to an insurance company. This has been the case with most of the locations we’ve looked at. A lot of owners want to see money in the bank to cover 3 to 6 months' rent. This is where we need your help.
To open these doors, we need money. We are currently sitting at $16k. That has been saved and gifted to us over the past year.
These funds will be used to purchase all the necessary equipment, transform our space, and ensure we can operate smoothly for the first six months. Your contributions will help us build a unique venue where everyone can feel at home, enjoy great coffee, and experience incredible shows.
Your donations will be allocated towards key areas essential for launching and maintaining operations at The Dark Room. This includes:
1. Building Remodel: We will invest in remodeling the building to create a welcoming and unique atmosphere that aligns with our brand, enhancing the customer experience.
2. Purchase of Equipment: Acquisition of high-quality coffee-making equipment and audio systems, which are vital for our coffee shop and venue spaces.
3. Operational Costs: Donations will be allocated for the first six months of operation, ensuring that we have the necessary capital to manage day-to-day expenses and maintain steady business operations.
4. Securing Merchandise: A portion of the funds will be used to purchase a diverse range of inventory, including books, apparel, and novelty items, which are core to our business offerings.
In exchange for your support, we’ve created several reward tiers to show our appreciation:
Level One ($50): Dark Room Tee, Sticker & Patch pack, and Four Free Brewed Coffees* per month for a year, and 20% discount on all Dark Room* events for a year
Level Two ($100): Dark Room Membership for one year*, Dark Room Tee, Sticker & Patch pack
Level Three ($250): Dark Room Membership for two years*, Official Dark Room Tee, exclusive Dark Room Tee (I’d rather be suffering in The Dark Room), Sticker & Patch pack
Level Four ($500): Dark Room Membership for three years*, Official Dark Room Tee, exclusive Dark Room Tee, Sticker & Patch pack
Level Five ($1.5k): Dark Room Membership for three years*, Official Dark Room Tee, exclusive Dark Room Tee, Sticker & Patch pack, private Zoom meeting of 20 min with bestselling author and TV host Mitch Horowitz
Level Six Six Six ($5k): Lifetime Membership, Official and Exclusive Dark Room Tees, private Zoom meeting of 30 min with bestselling author and TV host Mitch Horowitz, signed copies of Modern Occultism & Happy Warriors
[*Dark Room Annual Memberships ($66.60):
Dark Room Mug
Free brewed coffee*
A Free Small Popcorn at Guild Cinema Dark Room Screenings (card must be presented)
33% discount on all Dark Room* events ($6.70 tickets - *4 free movies a year)
First dibs on Dark Room merchandise via text/email notification with 20% discount
15% on all other purchases
*brewed coffee available when The Dark Room opens]
Every dollar brings us closer to making The Dark Room a reality. By supporting this campaign, you’re not just helping to open a coffee shop—you’re building a community hub where creativity, music, and horror come to life.
Join us in creating a space that celebrates our culture.