The city is no stranger to hidden laneway gems or exceptional spirits, but Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Adelaide brings a uniquely dark twist to the city’s nightlife. This immersive event blends live narration with four carefully crafted drinks, channeling the macabre energy of Poe’s greatest works. Every chilling poem is paired with a bespoke cocktail that nods to South Australia’s legendary wine and gin heritage. It is the ultimate laneway secret for readers, spirits lovers, and anyone seeking a beautifully dark night out in Adelaide.
21 November 2026 17:00 + more dates
Burnside Ballroom
What is the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy experience?
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is a four-part immersive cocktail experience that brings Poe’s world into close focus through live storytelling and atmosphere-led drinks. You move through the grief and midnight unease of The Raven, the watchful dread of The Black Cat, the decadent plague-haunted tension of The Masque of the Red Death, and the obsessive guilt of The Tell-Tale Heart, with floorboards, confession, “Nevermore,” and psychological unraveling all shaping the mood. Along the way, bespoke cocktails deepen the multisensory Gothic setting.
Why does Edgar Allan Poe belong in the shadows of a speakeasy?
Poe’s writing has always lived in rhythm, repetition and unease, which makes it a natural fit for live storytelling in an intimate room. In a setting shaped by candlelight and shadow, the midnight chamber of The Raven feels closer, the guilty confession of The Tell-Tale Heart lands harder, and the watchful presence at the centre of The Black Cat becomes all the more unsettling. This is Gothic atmosphere at human scale—immersive, not distant.
Then there is The Masque of the Red Death, with its collision of spectacle and inescapable fate, a contrast that sits beautifully inside a speakeasy mood. Cocktail pairings add another layer to the experience, turning Poe’s themes of obsession, dread, grief, and decay into something sensory and immediate. You are not simply hearing the stories; you are stepping into their texture for an evening.
21 November 2026 17:00 + more dates
Burnside Ballroom
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy reviews in Adelaide
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy already gathered countless 5-star reviews during its first run here in Adelaide, where audiences have praised the atmosphere, storytelling, and cocktail-led format.
“Very enjoyable evening! Actors were superb in their delivery of classic Poe works. Could’ve sat through more! Staff were very friendly. Venue was well matched to the show […]”
“Such an enjoyable evening! Great atmosphere, excellent actors and lovely cocktails delivered by friendly (and very efficient) servers. Highly recommend!”
“What a great performance by 2 very talented young men! Loved it!”
“Smooth operation, well researched and superbly presented. Very entertaining!”
“The actors were excellent; their delivery of the genre was fabulous, with just enough theatrics to make it interesting to those who are not familiar with the writing […]”
For Adelaide, Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy brings together Gothic atmosphere, Poe storytelling, themed cocktails, and the intimacy of a speakeasy in one four-part experience. Across The Raven, The Black Cat, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Tell-Tale Heart, the evening turns familiar tales into something vividly felt.
Held at Burnside Ballroom, this adults-only event has selected dates, and availability may be limited depending on your city and session.
21 November 2026 17:00 + more dates
Burnside Ballroom
