“Apocalypse Punch,” “Penicillin” and “W.H.O. Let the Virus Out?” will be on the menu of the pop-up zombie-themed bar at the Original Oyster House in Market Square opening Wednesday.
The Zombie Den: Bar of the Living Dead is inspired by George Romero’s Pittsburgh-based classic film, “Night of the Living Dead,” which debuted 50 years ago in 1968.
Scott Simmons, co-owner and creative director of the haunted attraction ScareHouse, said his team temporarily transfigured the classic decor of the Oyster House restaurant into a haven for the uninfected.
“In the case of a zombie outbreak, there would probably be a safe house right here in Market Square where everyone would come,” Simmons said.
They've spent months hunting for just the right furnishings. He said the zombie den will feel like an underground military-style conclave with items to save people from the impending Armageddon.
“We’ve been grabbing all sorts of weird stuff from all around the country,” Simmons said. “When you start thinking about it conceptually, if there was a zombie shelter there would probably be a lot of warning signs, and safety signs telling you what to do in case of an apocalypse.”
General manager Mike McCoy and lead bartender Brian Laing have conceptualized a list of themed beverages. Drinks include an "arm"-aretto-infused pumpkin spice latte, a traditional zombie cocktail and a tequila habanero margarita titled "Noche de los Muertos Vivientes” — or, “Night of the Living Dead” in Spanish.
The idea of a modern day zombie wasn’t conceived until “Night of the Living Dead.” It’s even rumored the Oyster House was used in the filming of the movie, but Simmons said that can’t be confirmed.
“We’re finding there’s sort of conflicting information about what was shot where,” he said. “We’re not sure.”
The Zombie Den will be open until early November.
