Wands at the ready Potter fans because a Harry Potter themed bar has opened up serving brews that we’re not sure would be on the Hogwart’s curriculum.
The Horcrux Emporium opened on Lee Lane, Bolton, Greater Manchester, in October and has been attracting witches and wizards from across the country.
The bar, which has nothing to do with JK Rowling and isn’t officially licensed, is completely Harry Potter inspired and boasts decor inspired by Diagon Alley.
Potter fans may notice ornamental stags (Harry’s Patronus), Sirius Black’s wanted poster, Hogwarts robes hanging on the coat stand and even socks for any house elves making a bid for freedom.
Best of all though is the menu which boasts potions like Dumbledore’s Password a delicious sherbet lemon vodka and Sicilian lemonade martini mix-up and the traditional Butter Beer which boasts a recipe Dumbledore probably wouldn’t approve of.
You can even learn how to mix these potions yourself by attending classes led by the bar’s owner Tom Benson (he may not meet the standards of a Hogwarts professor but neither did Lockhart and he got a job).
Saturday _ #potionclass #dumbledore #password with an added dash of @Panachegb_
We’re launching a day event at per ticket for those not wanting to book a class of 8 too! Watch this space ?
⚡️???♀️ pic.twitter.com/PbUHnxsRrS
— Horcrux △⃒⃘ Emporium (@HorcruxEmporium) February 24, 2018
Tom told the Manchester Evening News:
The whole place is basically Slytherin because it’s naughty. When you come in it’s ‘I solemnly swear I’m up to no good’ and when you leave it’s ‘mischief managed’.
He went on to add that people really get into the spirit during potions classes, dressing up in robes and casting spells.
Tom got the idea to open the bar after talking to his partner and daughter, Alicia and Isabella, who are massive Harry Potter fans and managed to convince him to open a film-inspired bar to coincide with the opening of the town’s new cinema.
Last night was a sell-out !
Interest in tonight’s event is immense.. get down early to try this week’s potion list
#cocktails in #horwich pic.twitter.com/a6bdzajgf5— Horcrux △⃒⃘ Emporium (@HorcruxEmporium) October 14, 2017
And for anyone wondering about the name (Horcruxes are particularly evil objects in the book) Tom’s got an explanation for naming his bar after the darkest of dark objects.
He said:
It’s Horcrux because I’m Tom and it took a little bit of my soul while I was building it, so it’s my Horcrux. And it’s Emporium because I wanted it to look like a shop in Diagon Alley.
The bar isn’t just for Harry Potter fans though, and Tom hopes it provides an environment where everyone can enjoy a drink, with a bar boasting 26 types of gin.
Expelliarmus!
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.