Potterheads’ heaven
SERVING up potions Professor Snape would be proud of, this Greater Manchester bar is a Harry Potter fan’s dream.
The Horcrux Emporium has been attracting Potterheads from far and wide since it opened on Lee Lane in Horwich, Bolton, in October.
Inspired by – although not officially affiliated with – J.K. Rowling’s smash-hit book series and the blockbuster film franchise, the bar is full of references readers will love.
Ornamental stags – the shape of Harry’s Patronus charm – and a Sirius Black ‘wanted’ poster decorate the walls, while a wizard’s cape hangs by the door along with a display of socks – the item of clothing that set house elf Dobby free. There’s even a Room of Requirement. On the ‘potions’ menu are cocktails including Dumbledore’s Password (sherbet lemon vodka and Sicilian lemonade martini) and, of course, Butter Beer (butterscotch schnapps, vanilla vodka, cream soda, whipped cream and butterscotch toffee sauce).
“The whole place is basically Slytherin because it’s naughty,” said owner Tom Benson.
“When you come in it’s ‘I solemnly swear I’m up to no good’ and when you leave it’s ‘mischief managed.’”
The bar also offers ‘potions class’ cocktail-making lessons – and Tom says people have been really getting into the spirit.
“People turn up in fancy dress with full robes on and when I’ve finished the classes people have been casting spells,” he said.
“It’s a bit of fun and it’s a safe environment to do it, you’re not being gawped at by the general public.”
Tom, whose partner Alicia and daughter Isabella are Harry Potter fans, originally wanted to open a film-inspired bar in Bolton town centre to coincide with the opening of the town’s new cinema before finding the Horwich site.
He named it the Horcrux Emporium after the objects Tom Riddle – better known as Voldemort – hid fragments of his soul in in his quest for immortality.
“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,” said Tom.
“And it’s Emporium because I wanted it to look like a shop in Diagon Alley.”
The bar is not just aimed at Harry Potter fans, however, and aims to provide an environment everyone can enjoy, with premium drinks including 26 types of gin.
“Take all the Harry Potter stuff away and it’s got a reputation for being just a really nice bar,” said Tom.
“I wanted to open somewhere that I would like to go.”