Happy Potter-themed bars and experiences have been popping up across North Texas amid chatter and anticipation around a new HBO series.
Some of the notable ones to consider are in places including a Walmart and a train-inspired cocktail bar. Here’s what you can expect.
Boxcar, the boutique train-car-inspired cocktail bar on Greenville Avenue in Dallas, launched a new immersive concept called The Staggered Sorcerer.
The 996-square-foot space features floating candles that hover overhead just as they do in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, creating an atmosphere for guests that feels “both transportive and nostalgic,” a news release said.
Guests will also find throughout the Harry Potter-inspired space design elements influenced by wizarding imagery, such as House flags representing the four houses of witchcraft and wizardry as well as a familiar owl propped up on a clock watching over the room. There will also be a portal-like entry, accompanied by a “Wizards Welcome” sign, according to the release.
The experience will also include a themed cocktail menu called Advanced Magic, which is inspired by magical objects and characters from the film series. One highlight from this menu is the Veritaserum Cocktail, which appears hidden at first but reveals itself under black light.
According to the release, other highlights include the Butterbeer, made with vodka, cream soda and butterscotch foam; The Phoenix, featuring coconut fat-washed tequila, passion fruit, hibiscus and citrus; and The Polyjuice Potion, made with gin, pea flower, lychee and lemongrass.
Guests looking to try the Harry Potter-inspired experience are encouraged to visit Boxcar soon, because it will only be available for a short time before Boxcar unveils its next concept.
At a Walmart in McKinney is another Harry Potter-themed pop-up called The Butterbeer Parlour. To celebrate the film series’ 25th year and to kickoff butterbeer season, the pop-up will run through May 2.
The pop-up features Harry Potter-themed decor, butterbeer-flavored treats, hot chocolate and coffee as well as tote bags, which are given away for free on weekends.
Another shop giving Harry Potter vibes is The Wyrd and Wand Archive, which is a bookstore that recently opened in Waxahachie. According to Instagram videos, the shop operates out of a building from the 1800s and features a large Harry Potter book collection as well as a secret bookshelf that can be revealed by clicking a button. The store even sells hand-crafted wooden wands.
Lastly is a traveling exhibition based on the Harry Potter series of books and films, called Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which features props, costumes and other artifacts. The exhibit will be open through May in Dallas, according to the event website.
A new Harry Potter television series developed for HBO is expected to premiere in December this year.
Boxcar Dallas is at 4509 Greenville Ave., Dallas. Boxcar’s Instagram. The Harry Potter-themed Walmart pop up is at 1721 N. Custer Road, McKinney. The Wyrd and Wand Archive is at 113 N. College St., Waxahachie. Harry Potter: The Exhibition is at 14902 Preston Road Suite #1200, Dallas.