PHILADELPHIA, PA – This fall, something mysterious is galloping through the darkness of night from New York to Philadelphia. Hidden inside Newsroom Philadelphia, The Pumpkin Press is a limited-time fall transformation that brings together the origins of Newsroom, the legend of the Headless Horseman and Sleepy Hollow and Philadelphia’s connection to Edgar Allan Poe – all within a speakeasy already known for its book-lined walls, hidden entrance and a dark sense of discovery.
The connection hits especially close to home: Newsroom sits just blocks from the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, the only surviving Philadelphia residence of the legendary author. The six-week seasonal transformation brings glowing pumpkins, theatrical cocktails and gothic literary legends to life in a tale never before told. The Pumpkin Press is now open at 1102 Germantown Avenue in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Reservations are highly encouraged – and available on Resy.
Our story begins in New York, where the original Newsroom first opened and where Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow gave rise to one of America’s most enduring autumn legends: the Headless Horseman.
From there, the story travels to Philadelphia, where Edgar Allan Poe lived and worked during some of the most significant years of his literary career — writing some of the dark and mysterious works that would forever become part of the city’s literary lore.
Now, for the first time, these two worlds collide inside Newsroom Philadelphia. The result is a fall experience that connects New York and Philadelphia through storytelling, potions, literature and a little bit of darkness.
For six weeks, Newsroom Philadelphia transforms into The Pumpkin Press, an immersive autumn escape filled with glowing pumpkins, candlelight, seasonal foliage, antique details and eerie installations inspired by the mysterious worlds of Sleepy Hollow and Poe.
Newsroom’s existing library-like interior provides the perfect backdrop. The walls and murals inside Newsroom are made of hundreds of books. The thousands of pages from those walls come to life as patrons walk directly into a real-life Halloween story. Hidden spaces and the intimate atmosphere of the speakeasy become part of the story.
Cocktails become part of the storytelling with a new lineup of signature drinks created exclusively for The Pumpkin Press, combining seasonal flavors with theatrical presentations. Highlights include the Headless Horseman, a smoky mezcal cocktail presented in a large smoker; Moon Over Sleepy Hollow, a shimmering pomegranate vodka cocktail; the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, served with a large pumpkin-shaped ice cube; and The Raven’s Cauldron, a dramatic large-format rum cocktail for four presented with a dry-ice cauldron.
The seasonal cocktail menu accompanies Newsroom’s Japanese-inspired food offerings, while weekly programming gives guests a different way to experience The Pumpkin Press throughout the season, including Wine Down Wednesdays, Martinis & Karaoke, live performances over dinner, DJs and bottomless Sunday brunch.
Throughout the experience, references to the Headless Horseman, The Raven, Sleepy Hollow and Poe blur the line between New York legend and Philadelphia lore – while glowing pumpkins and rich autumn details keep fall at the center of it all. Make sure to look for the Black Cat hidden in the story – and the black ravens circling over the nightly revelry.
“Hidden inside a Philadelphia speakeasy, The Pumpkin Press brings fall to life through glowing pumpkins, theatrical cocktails and autumn nights made for lingering. Inspired by Poe and Sleepy Hollow, step inside a darker side of fall – hidden in plain sight,” said Alicia Gray, General Manager of Newsroom Philly. “We brought together a piece of our two cities and our origins together with some of the most famous gothic tales and authors for the perfect Halloween pop-up. We are excited to bring these stories to life in an all new way.”
The Pumpkin Press will take over Newsroom Philadelphia in Northern Liberties – just blocks away from Poe’s only surviving Philadelphia residence, where he lived from 1843 to 1844 and where his own dark literary history remains part of the neighborhood today.
For six weeks, guests and revelers in the night will enjoy a limited opportunity to experience the transformation through dinner, cocktails, brunch and special events.
The Pumpkin Press is open now through at least November 1st at Newsroom Philadelphia, 1102 Germantown Avenue in Northern Liberties. One week later, look for Newsroom’s Christmas experience to make its holiday debut.
ABOUT NEWSROOM PHILADELPHIA
Newsroom Philadelphia is the Philadelphia evolution of a concept that originated in New York City. Designed around discovery, storytelling and an intimate speakeasy atmosphere, the venue features hidden elements, book-lined interiors, dining, cocktails and entertainment in the heart of Northern Liberties.