There’s a way to delve into the world of Edgar Allan Poe and it involves a lot of spirit…. or, spirits really.
From Rock Star Beer Festivals, Philadelphia will soon see an Edgar Allan Poe speakeasy opening in the city for one weekend only on Oct. 12, 13 and 14 at Craft Hall. The experience is meant to be immersive and celebrate the stories of Poe by retelling some of them and pairing the show with some cocktails that have been curated for the pop-up as well.
“Over a century and a half after Edgar Allan Poe’s death, this cocktail experience brings the most beloved works of Poe to life off the page and onto the stage,” said VBG Group Director of Marketing Ryan Wieczorek in a statement.
Wieczorek continued: “Come out for an immersive evening that pairs four tales with a dash and history and heavy libations. We love Poe’s work and wanted to celebrate it — this is our favorite national traveling show and we can’t wait to introduce it in Philadelphia, where Poe found so much inspiration for some of his most famous works. It was important for us to bring Poe to a neighborhood here where Poe had a strong connection.”
For the event’s first time in Philadelphia, organizers selected the City of Brotherly Love and Northern Liberties due to the strong connections Poe had with the city and the neighborhood. Northern Liberties is currently home to the Edgar Allan Pоe National Historic Site, and to the famous Poe Mural at N. 7th and Spring Garden streets.
As a release states, Poe lived in Philadelphia between 1838 and 1844, spending the last year to 18 months at a house on North 7th Street, just up the street from Craft Hall. He crafted some of his most well-known and important works while living in the city. Some have called Philly the crucible for Poe’s imagination, as he wrote ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’, ‘The Black Cat’, ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’, ‘William Wilson’, ‘The Oval Portrait’ and more while in Philadelphia.
The experience will highlight four cocktails based on some of his work.
The Pale Blue Eye light blue cocktail for one is made with blueberry vodka, fresh lemon juice, rose syrup and topped with La Croix. The Cocktail of Red Death, on the other hand, is made with 100-proof vodka, cherry herring, benedictine liquor, lime juice, pineapple juice, and bitters.
The last two cocktails are Edgar’s Twisted Brandy Milk Punch made with Kentucky Bourbon, French Brandy, vanilla cream, milk syrup, and half and half and then The Raventini, made with citrus vodka, blackberry liquor, lime juice, and secret spices then topped with star anise.
For the debut of the speakeasy in Philly, showtimes are 6, 8 and 10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 13. Showtimes will then be noon, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. Tickets are $55 each and include all four drinks, venue admission and the live experience. Cocktail or Poe-inspired attire is suggested, but not required.
For tickets and more information, visit edgarallanpoebar.com or follow @edgarallanpoespeakeasy on social media
