Entry No. 16 — the Baltimore file — filed under: speakeasy
Poe's Tower
Perched above the restaurant Midlina, this dark, gothic cocktail lounge is accessed through a hidden bookshelf and leans heavily into Baltimore's Edgar Allan Poe heritage.
The story
Walk into Midlina on Boston Street in Canton and you'll spot medieval helmets displayed along the walls—owner Karim Kiriakos brought them back from his global travels. You'll also see a prominent spiral staircase near the dining room, but don't try to climb it; that one is purely decorative for photo ops. To find Poe's Tower, you have to ignore the grand stairs and look instead for a moving bookcase set beneath a red neon sign reading 'nevermore.'
Once restaurant staff swing the secret bookshelf clear, you ascend to a candlelit, dimly lit retreat dedicated to Baltimore's most famous macabre literary figure, Edgar Allan Poe. While downstairs serves global fusion plates named after Iceland's continental bridge, upstairs abandons tectonic plates entirely for gothic navy-and-dark tones, candle wax, and smoke-infused cocktails.
Kiriakos and his culinary team created the dual concept to give Canton an offbeat escape beyond the neighborhood's usual sports bars and pizza spots. Up here in the tower, the bar turns out theatrical drinks like smoked Old Fashioneds, espresso martinis, and Empress gin fizzes, occasionally accompanied by acoustic music sets or themed masquerade events.
What it's like
Arrive at Midlina and let the floor staff know you are there for Poe's Tower. They will lead you to the secret bookshelf doorway and clear your path upstairs, where candle stubs, moody dark lighting, and Poe motifs set a secretive tone. You can sit at the bar for theatrical, smoky cocktails or order small plates up from the restaurant kitchen below. The catch: seating upstairs is limited, so arrive early on a weeknight or book a table downstairs first to guarantee your passage through the shelf.
The move: Check in with the restaurant staff, step through the secret bookshelf door, and ascend to a candlelit, Poe-themed sanctuary for theatrical, smoky cocktails.
- 📍 Canton
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2206 Boston St, Baltimore, MD 21231
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Horse You Came In On Saloon — Follow up Poe's atmospheric upstairs hideout with a pint at the 1775 Fells Point saloon where legend claims Edgar Allan Poe knocked back his final drink before his mysterious death.
- Highball — Keep the secret-door bar crawl going by trading Midlina's hidden bookshelf portal for the vintage red Coca-Cola vending machine door inside Bank Street Deli.
- Baltimore Tattoo Museum — Head half a mile west to trade Poe's nineteenth-century macabre aesthetic for mid-century flash art and working antique ink machinery at this combination parlor and museum.
- Botanica Chango — Pair your night of dark literary cocktail-drinking with a daytime trip to this authentic Fells Point shop stocking ritual herbs, candles, and Afro-Caribbean spiritual supplies.
Good to know
Where is Poe's Tower located?
It is hidden on the second floor above Midlina restaurant at 2206 Boston Street in Baltimore's Canton neighborhood.
How do you gain access to the speakeasy?
Check in with the host or staff at Midlina. They will guide you to the hidden bookshelf door under the neon 'nevermore' sign, which opens to reveal the stairs.
Can you eat full meals in Poe's Tower?
Yes, guests in the speakeasy can order hors d'oeuvres, small plates, and dishes from Midlina's global kitchen menu alongside the upstairs cocktail lineup.
Should you make a reservation before going?
Because capacity upstairs is capped around 50 people, checking in early or making a dining reservation downstairs at Midlina is recommended.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: midlinarestaurant.com · baltimore.org · dc.eater.com · washingtonpost.com
last checked: 2026-07-21