An evening with Edgar Allan Poe—the American writer who turned guilt, death, and fear into Gothic literature—doesn’t have to be confined to the pages of a book. Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy in Barcelona brings four of his short stories to the stage in an immersive experience combining theater, live storytelling, and signature cocktails. It all takes place amid dim lighting, candlelight, and 19th-century-inspired décor. A unique way to discover the work of one of the great names in Gothic literature, whether with a partner or friends.
The venue is the Fàbrica Moritz, a brewery with over a century and a half of history. It still preserves stones from Barcelona’s ancient city walls and an air-raid shelter—elements that, together with the staging, add an extra layer of mystery to the Poe-themed evening.
What is “Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy”?
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy transforms four of Poe’s short stories into a live theatrical storytelling experience, featuring signature cocktails and a Gothic atmosphere. A “Poe historian” brings *The Tell-Tale Heart*, *The Black Cat*, *The Raven*, and *The Masque of the Red Death* to life, and each story is accompanied by a cocktail inspired by it —or its non-alcoholic version, if you prefer. Dim lighting, lit candles, and mysterious décor round out a multisensory experience that lets you discover Poe’s work in a whole new way.
Why does Poe’s literature pair so well with a speakeasy?
Edgar Allan Poe was a pivotal figure in American Gothic literature. His stories explore death, guilt, decadence, and psychological terror, almost always through the minds of characters trapped by their own obsessions. Furthermore, his language has a very distinct rhythm, with repetitions and pauses that gain power when heard live. In “The Tell-Tale Heart,” for example, the narrative accelerates as the protagonist loses control, and that rhythm becomes even more unsettling when read aloud.
A speakeasy is an underground-style bar, associated with discreet spaces, dim lighting, and a certain sense of secrecy. That’s why its atmosphere fits perfectly with Poe’s universe: the candles, the shadows, and the mysterious decor create the ideal setting for experiencing his stories up close.
Reviews of “Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy” in Barcelona
Since “Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy” is about to premiere in Barcelona, there aren’t any reviews from local attendees yet. While we wait for the first reviews to come in, you can see what people who’ve already experienced it during its U.S. tour had to say.
“So much fun! Like a history lesson, a theatrical performance, and a cocktail party all rolled into one great ticket!”
“So much fun! It’s like combining a history class, a theatrical performance, and a cocktail party into a single experience.”
“It was an excellent show, with each performer bringing the writing to life delightfully. What a joy to watch!”
“It was an excellent show, in which each performer brought the text to life in a delightful way. What a joy to watch!”
“The drinks were delicious. The atmosphere was spooky, and the actors were wonderful. The ‘Black Cat’ performance was my favorite—it gave me chills.”
“The cocktails were delicious. The atmosphere was eerie, and the actors were wonderful. The ‘Black Cat’ performance was my favorite. It gave me goosebumps.”
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy awaits you in Barcelona, at the Fàbrica Moritz, on select dates. The experience lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes, and seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Just choose your date and let yourself be swept away by a night of stories, cocktails, and a gothic atmosphere.
