Toasting Poe in the land of Boh | Metromix Baltimore

Toasting Poe in the land of Boh

Raise a glass to the author

By Dan Piepenbring

Special to Metromix
January 4, 2008

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Toasting Poe in the land of Boh
There's the birthday boy. (Credit: AP)

What care I how time advances?
I am drinking ale today.
—Edgar Allan Poe

As any literary geek will tell you, Jan. 19 marks 200 years since the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, Baltimore's favorite son and a drunkard for the ages. Like the rest of the city, we at Metromix think this calls for a celebration. You could pay homage by killing your loved one and stashing her dismembered limbs in walls and under floorboards, but the police (dare we say the Poe-Poe?) wouldn't be too fond of that. Instead, pay your respects at the Poe house and his grave at Westminster Hall, then do as he did and go on a Baltimorean bender. We've staked out the spots—all you need is a glass and a penchant for thinking in rhymed couplets.

Zella's Pizzeria

Zella's Pizzeria

1145 Hollins St. - Baltimore
410-685-6999

Poe-king around near Hollin's Market reveals this friendly pizza place, formerly known as the Tell-Tale Hearth. As if one Poe pun weren't enough, the door still bears an old sign from the Hearth: "Pizza worth Raven about." Irresistible! Of course, Poe himself never got a chance to taste pizza, but he did drink ale, and Zella's draft beers selection allow you to carry on the tradition.

Annabel Lee Tavern

Annabel Lee Tavern

601 S. Clinton St. - Baltimore
410-522-2929

Named after his final poem and teeming with Poe paraphernalia, this bar is an essential pit stop. The Raven lager is on tap, and you can munch on a "Poe Boy" sandwich to soak up some of that booze. If dessert's more your thing, the Edgar Allan Pate (not to be confused with French meat paste) is also available. Poe would probably be pissed that his love poem is being used to sell liquor, so try not to mention it when you visit the cemetery.

Lucy's Irish Pub and Restaurant

pick Lucy's Irish Pub and Restaurant

21 N. Eutaw St. - Baltimore
410-837-2100

It's said that Poe preferred whiskey when he went binge-drinking, but back in those days American whiskey would've been crap. That means our boy went for the Irish stuff, and you're in luck: Maggie Moore's Irish libations are within walking distance of the Westminster Church. Have some Jameson's in this upscale establishment--bonus points if you arrive dressed for a masquerade and stage a reading of "The Masque of the Red Death."

The Horse You Came In On Saloon

The Horse You Came In On Saloon

1626 Thames St. - Baltimore
410-327-8111

Allegedly, the last drink Poe had before croaking was at this location in Fells Point. It had a different name back then, but some claim to have seen Poe's ghost haunting the premises. (Maybe they've been hitting the laudanum a bit too hard.) If you're sloshed enough to do some amateur ghost-hunting, show up here and lure him out of hiding. Try insulting his foster mother; he really dug her.

pick Spirits of Mount Vernon

900 N. Charles St. - Baltimore
410-727-7270

Every Jan. 19, a disguised Poe fan arrives at Westminster Burying Ground and leaves three roses and some Cognac on Poe's grave marker. To close your celebration, head to Spirits to purchase some Cognac of your own. Try to convince the management that you're the famous Poe-toaster; you might score a discount. If they don't believe you, no biggie. You shall return nevermore.

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Nevermore 2009

Nevermore 2009

Quoth the raven: "Get out there and celebrate Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday all year-long!"

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