Listen up, wannabe witches and wizards. You're not fooling anyone sitting at your desks. We know you've got spells and magic hidden up your enormous sleeves, and the good news is, we've found the perfect place for you to visit after work: the Cauldron [1]. Based in East London, this pub is the perfect place to unwind after a day of secret spell casting and wizarding. And while it isn't affiliated with the Harry Potter [2] franchise, it's easy to see where it got its inspiration from.
Combining science, booze, and fantasy books, this bar creates an interactive and immersive experience that would make any Muggle believe in magic. When you arrive, you'll get to don a special cloak (assuming you don't have your own, of course) and sit down to enjoy your welcome drink. The Cauldron has even teamed up with London's Fourpure Brewing Co. to create a limited edition brew, which was inspired by a witch or wizard's most essential tool: the magic wand. Called Four Cauldrons, it has a base of wand wood (in this case oak), and a core of coriander, ginger, and vanilla, which are of course all very important in magical history.
Once you've polished off your welcome drink, you'll be led to the cauldron area where you'll get to make your own brews. Some will change colour as you mix them, others will bubble and smoke. You'll get to try a few cocktails, and your potions will undoubtedly cause giggling and silliness, and perhaps some sleepiness the next day. But don't fret — the effects of your potent potions can easily be reversed with an extra helping of fried food and fizzy drinks.
So where is this magical place? The Cauldron is at 5d Stoke Newington Rd, just five minutes walk (or a 30-second broomstick ride) from Dalston Kingsland overground station. Tickets are £29.99, and they include a welcome drink and two cocktails. Your experience should last around two hours, and you'll need to pay a deposit for the wand, too — you wouldn't want some sneaky wizards to try and make off with them, after all. So grab your Trace-less friends (sorry, no underage magic allowed) and get ready for some fun!
