Review: Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
Décor from the night
Before I talk about this event, let me just say that Edgar Allan Poe is and has always been my favorite and most impactful writer of my life. As big of a fan as I am, I can’t believe that I didn’t consider myself a #HorrorGirlie until this year, but oh well, we are here now. When I first heard about this experience, I knew I wanted to go because “Hello, it's POE!!” So I juggled my finances and made it happen. I went with a friend, but honestly, Poe fans are pretty cool people, so I could have gone by myself and still had a good time.
When we got to the venue, there was indeed a long line. Because…<say it with me>, It’s POE!!! Once we got in, they had an altar to him, which I definitely took a chance to sign with my author’s signature.
Anyway, the show started with the serving of the first drink known as the “Pale Blue Eye.” If you are already feeling the tingles at the name, you are a real one! Anyway, after they served the drinks, the first person gets up on stage and starts giving a brief history of Edgar Allan Poe. She talks about how he was the first American writer to live solely by the pen, which meant he was poor. She also talked about his early life.
Then we get into the story where the drink got its name: The Tell Tale Heart. Now, let me tell you that I LOVE this story. It was actually the first Poe story I got to read. I was in the 7th grade, and we had to read it for English class. I remember reading it and once I got to the end…I laughed. I was the only person in my class that laughed, so I immediately knew I was weird. I also didn’t care that I was weird either. The story made me laugh.
The altar to Edgar Allan Poe
Anyway, while drinking my Pale Blue Eye, I got to hear the recitation of my first Poe story, and the guy did an amazing job. He gave dramatic effect and everything. He also gave enough mania to the character, which made me laugh again. I loved it. I even got to tell him because he served me the next drink.
There was a break where we got to hear more of the history of Poe. Most of which I had already known, because I am a Poe fan. The next story was “The Black Cat” performed by a woman, which I found to be an interesting turn. It went very well though. I believed her just as much as I believed the narrator in the story. They even had a black cat (stuffed) on the stage! It was a beautiful performance.
The drink served was called the Cat’s Meow or “Edgar’s Twisted Brandy Milk Punch.” This one was actually my favorite drink of the night.
We took a slightly longer break in the middle of the show. That’s when I signed the altar. I rushed back to my seat to get ready for the second half of the show that started with more history followed by “The Raven” performance. EVERYONE should know of this one! If you can’t quote any of it, you’ve at least heard of it. It’s funny how with as many dark and twisted concepts, that no one ever contemplates banning Poe. Oh well…anyway, back to the evening. The performance was served with a drink quoth the Raven “the Nevermore.” I was so excited and a little tipsy by this point.
The STAGE!!!
My friend was concerned that the drinks would have been too weak for the experience. I reminded her that this was a celebration of Edgar Allan Poe, a known alcoholic. It would be a disgrace to his memory for the drinks to be subpar.
Anyway, the final show of the night was the “Mask of the Red Death.” We had a bit of history before, but I can honestly say that I had never read this story before. Mind you, Poe has some stories that I still haven’t read. I’ll get to them eventually. I got to interact with a fellow Poe fan seated next to me. She told me that I was in for a treat. Can I tell you that I WAS!!! I love a good masquerade story. Also, toss in a contagious disease, and I was sold. The beverage served was called the “Cocktail of Red Death.”
I left that night very pleased and happy with my experience. I would definitely love to go again if they come back this way. Some fun facts, since I got to talk with one of the actors. They are a group of 5, and they are responsible for everything from set-up and breakdown, to the performances, to the making of the drinks, and everything in between. Finding that out made me even more impressed at how personable they are. They didn’t cut any corners, and I left feeling like I got an experience I will remember forever.
Feel free to check them out on their website: https://www.edgarallanpoebar.com/
The Drink Menu
#PoeFan4Life
Until next time…Later babes…
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
