Haunted Brews & Bewitched Beans: Coffee’s Spooky Side
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When the leaves start to turn (even if Denver still insists on pushing 80-degree days), there’s something about fall that makes us crave a little spookiness with our daily brew. Halloween season is the perfect excuse to lean into ghost stories, strange superstitions, and a touch of coffee magic.
In this blog, we’re exploring coffee’s more mysterious side—from haunted cafés and the legends that swirl around them, to quirky superstitions about mugs, sugar, and spills. Whether you’re here for the chills, the charms, or just a laugh with your latte, consider this your guide to the supernatural side of coffee.
Ghosts in the Coffeehouse
Throughout history, cafés have been gathering places not just for thinkers and artists, but apparently for a few lingering spirits.
Take Café du Monde in New Orleans—famous for its chicory coffee and powdered sugar–dusted beignets. Locals whisper that after hours, when the chairs are stacked and the Quarter has quieted down, ghostly figures have been spotted drifting through the open-air café. Some claim to see a woman in 19th-century dress seated alone at a table, staring into a cup that never empties. Others report the faint sound of clinking china or the strong scent of coffee wafting through the air when no brewing is happening. It’s said the spirits there belong to French settlers and soldiers who once crowded the Quarter’s bustling markets.
In Vienna, many of the city’s grand coffeehouses—ornate with chandeliers, marble-topped tables, and velvet booths—are steeped in ghost stories as rich as their espresso. At Café Central, where Freud and Trotsky once debated ideas, guests have reported cold drafts sweeping across the floor despite tightly closed windows. Staff members tell of shadowy figures slipping past mirrors in the gilded hall, as if the ghosts of intellectuals have no intention of leaving their favorite debating ground.
And in Prague, the centuries-old Café Slavia is said to have its own spectral regular. Patrons have described a pale man in a dark coat seated near the windows overlooking the Vltava River. He never speaks, never stirs his cup—and when approached, vanishes into the shadows. Some believe he’s the ghost of a poet who once frequented the café, destined to keep sipping silently for eternity.
Even closer to home, Denver has its own spirited spots. The Oxford Hotel’s Cruise Room, designed in sleek Art Deco style and officially opened the day after Prohibition ended, carries echoes of its secret past as an illicit speakeasy. Hidden tunnels and false panels allowed patrons to slip in and out unseen—a perfect setting for lingering stories. It’s also said to be haunted by a weary postal worker from the 1930s. He set out on a snowy holiday delivery to Central City but never arrived; months later, his body was found, his satchel still filled with undelivered Christmas gifts. Legend says he stopped at the Cruise Room for a final drink, and to this day his ghost is spotted raising a glass before fading back into the night.
The next time you’re looking for an evening spot, you won’t find any ghosts at Rise—but we’ll happily recommend the Cruise Room for a post-work espresso martini. After all, sometimes the best haunt is one with good drinks and even better stories.
The Curse of the Empty Mug
Of course, haunted cafés aren’t the only way coffee brushes against the supernatural. Long before latte art and seasonal specials, cultures around the world wove everyday coffee rituals into superstition and folklore.
In Greece, spilling coffee is seen as a blessing in disguise. The mess may ruin your shirt, but tradition says it ushers in unexpected good luck.
In parts of the Middle East, the way you stir your cup matters. Stir clockwise to keep energy flowing smoothly, but stir counterclockwise and you may invite conflict or misfortune.
In Turkey, leaving a mug unfinished can send a shiver down your spine—the belief goes that it means someone is harboring ill thoughts about you. That last sip suddenly feels a little more important.
In Italy, sugar becomes its own charm. Drop a cube into espresso without spilling a grain, and good fortune is said to follow.
And the list doesn’t stop there. In Scandinavia, bubbles on top of a fresh cup are thought to bring money if you drink them quickly. In Brazil, a spill on the saucer means unexpected guests are headed your way.
Whether you believe them or not, these traditions show how coffee has always been more than just a drink—it’s a ritual, a charm, a way to shape the day.
A Little Enchantment in Every Sip
Whether it’s haunted coffeehouses that refuse to sleep or centuries-old superstitions tied to a morning ritual, coffee has always had a mysterious side. This Halloween, we invite you to see your cup as more than just caffeine—it’s history, folklore, and a little everyday enchantment.
So come by Rise Café Denver and conjure your potion of choice. After all, every spell needs a proper brewing ground.
And if you’re still craving more spooky stories, check out our blog on Coffee and Cryptids: Unveiling the Mystery of Coffee-Drinking Mythical Creatures for a dive into the strange beasts and mythical beings who share our love of coffee.