An Edgar Allan Poe themed "Speakeasy" popped up in Riverside on March 17 and delighted attendees with specialty crafted cocktails meant to pair with "poe-formances" of Poe's stories and poems.

The room at the "secret location", which suffered a last minute change on the day of the event, was filled with a purple hue as attendees entered and milled about looking at the various Poe themed decorations, and set pieces. As the performance was set to begin the lighting shifted to a blue hue as a the first drink was served, "Pale Blue Eye" a refreshing light blue cocktail made with blueberry vodka, fresh lemon juice, rose syrup and topped with La Croix. A single blueberry floated in the beverage as the "pupil" of the eye. As attendees sipped their beverage a lighting change once again signaled the beginning of the performance as the emcee dressed in period attire, holding a lantern, gave some facts about Poe, told jokes and set the stage for the afternoon's festivities.

Each performance last about 15 minutes, and featured an actor telling the stories with strong emotional movements throughout and effective use of the lighting to create a dark and moody atmosphere that helped bring creepiness of the characters. The actor leaned into the darkest parts of the first story. "Every time he would speak of one of the truly dark moments within the poem he would stare into the audience almost like he was peering into our souls" said Samuel Brissey.

There were a total of four cocktails during the one and a half hour long event. Each cocktail paired to a particular story which was acted out for the audience. "Edgar's Twisted Brandy Milk Punch" was equal parts Kentucky Bourbon and French Brandy mixed with vanilla cream, milk syrup, and half and half, topped with star anise and was paired with Poe's The Black Cat. "The Nevermore" was a black and gold cocktail fueled by orange peach blossom, vodka, lime juice, and secret spices and was enjoyed during the rendition of "The Raven." Lastly "The Cocktail of Red Death" was a bright vibrant cocktail made with 100-proof vodka, cherry heering, Benedictine liquor, lime juice, pineapple juice, and bitters which perfectly complemented the final story of the night "The Masque of the Red Death."

The audience excitedly chatted with one another about each of the stories during each intermission and all seemed to enjoy each of the beverages. This event is a must-see for anyone who enjoys specialty cocktails and a love of Edgar Allan Poe. If you're a Poe aficionado, but don't drink, don't fret, they provide mocktails for people not imbibing. Follow Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy on Instagram to find out where they will be popping up again in the future.