Lovers of the Macabre, an Edgar Allan Poe-themed speakeasy, is coming to St. Pete. Hosted at Coastal Collective (2201 1st Ave S.) from September 12-15, this immersive theater and cocktail experience will feature four vignettes inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories. For each vignette, mixologists will craft a cocktail based on the story. It’s the perfect prelude to all the spooky season events in St. Pete.

Ryan Wieczorek, one of the event organizers and mixologists, explains, “A lot of actors work as bartenders on the side, so it made sense for us to collaborate on creating a cocktail menu.” The current drinks include “Pale Blue Eye,” “Cocktail of Red Death,” “Edgar’s Twisted Brandy Milk Punch,” and “The Nevermore.”

Wieczorek admits, “I could drink 20 ‘Pale Blue Eyes,’” but he notes that “Edgar’s Twisted Brandy Milk Punch” is his favorite, inspired by Poe’s preferred drink. Guests will receive their cocktail during each vignette, which includes Poe’s The Raven, Mark of the Red Death, Tell-Tale Heart, and Black Cat.

“Spooky but entertaining”

“We allow our actors to create their own adaptations. Some people go heavier, some go darker, some try to deliver the purest form: what they think Edgar Allen Poe would deliver,” says, Wieczorek.

Zach Moore of Coastal Creative loves hosting arts and theatre events like this. “[The Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy is] a really good use case for our facility,” says Moore. With the LED wall they can make a spooky backdrop, make it more immersive—spooky but entertaining. The actors are really good, enthusiastic, and energetic.”

For more information about the event and purchasing tickets, visit Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy’s website.