Edgar Allan Poe admired earlier writers like poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who wrote “How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count the Ways,” and Lord Byron, who penned “Don Juan.”
Another of his greatest influences was Charles Dickens, with the latter’s published work “Barnaby Rudge,” which featured a pet raven named “Grip,” inspiring Poe’s infamous “The Raven.” The two authors met, giving Poe an opportunity to praise Dickens for the use of a narrator’s voice and highlighting such shared signature themes like doom, greed and psychological horror.
Most biographies of Poe in print and online detail a tortured soul who died in October 1849 wandering in the streets of Baltimore, along with this passage: “He ranks as the first well-known American writer to earn a living exclusively through writing, which resulted in a financially difficult life and career.”
The second half of the previous sentence describing the torment and weak finances of such a great writer with works that have lived throughout multiple centuries and generations is a sad and familiar theme that applies to his fellow writing contemporaries like Dickens and even Mark Twain.
Next month, glasses get lifted to Poe during a new traveling tour experience pairing Poe-themed cocktails with theatrical readings of his familiar writings and a glimpse into the life of the infamous author of “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Black Cat,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “The Tell-Tale Heart,” among others.
“We are touring our ‘Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy’ show through Indiana,” said Katie Heiser, event manager for Midnight Creative Events.
“Our show is 90 minutes long, and we perform four of Poe’s most beloved works. In between each story, we serve our patrons a themed cocktail as they are seated. We normally run three showtimes a night at 6, 8 and 10 p.m.”
There are 6 and 8 p.m. showtimes Jan. 22, 23 and 24, 2026, at The Nightingale jazz club, 1108 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Tickets are $55, and they are only available for guests age 21 and older. Tickets are available at www.edgarallanpoebar.com/tickets or by calling 219-809-1965. A second opportunity is a week later on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, with three event time options at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. at Cloister in the Woods banquet hall, 1101 Park Drive in Munster.
“It’s a chance to step back in time and immerse yourself in the dark and mysterious world of Edgar Allan Poe,” Heiser said.
“Our exclusive speakeasy experience transports guests to a bygone era as they sip on expertly crafted cocktails inspired by four of Poe’s most beloved stories. Led by the speakeasy’s lead mixologist and Poe historians, this immersive evening promises a chillingly unforgettable experience to bring Poe’s tales to life, one sip at a time.”
The themed cocktails, one of each variety included in the ticket price, are made with flavored vodkas like Smirnoff Blueberry, Smirnoff Citrus and Smirnoff Original, as well as other liquors like Jim Beam Bourbon, E&J Brandy and Peach New Amsterdam.
The themed drink menu features “Pale Blue Eye,” which is a light blue cocktail made with blueberry vodka, fresh lemon juice, rose syrup and topped with La Croix sparkling water; “The Cat’s Meow” consisting equal parts Kentucky Bourbon blended with French Brandy mixed with vanilla cream, milk, syrup and a splash of half and half before topped with star anise; “The Nevermore” made as a black and gold cocktail fueled by orange peach blossom vodka, lime juice and secret spices; and lastly, “Red Death,” billed as “a bright vibrant cocktail” made with vodka, cherry herring, Benedictine liquor, lime juice, pineapple juice and bitters.
There are also Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy opportunities Jan. 2 and 3 at Lakehurst Events Center, 300 Lakehurst Road in Waukegan, and another chance with overlapping dates in Illinois with our Indiana dates (but with all Illinois dates at a slightly higher ticket price of $65) Jan. 23 and 24 at The Matrix Club, 808 Illinois Route 59 in Naperville.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and weekly radio host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at philpotempa@gmail.com.