Here’s where Harry Potter would pop in for a pint
New wizard-themed Toronto bar pays homage to famous series of books and movies
The international buzz around the new Harry Potter-influenced bar in Toronto is reaching TIFF-like proportions, but the owners insist it’s still just a cool bar with a wizarding vibe — partly because they want to avoid any messy legal issues.
The Lockhart is a tapas and cocktails bar at Dundas St. W. and Dufferin St. that gives a strong yet subtle nod to the famous Harry Potter books by author J.K. Rowling, evident in the bar’s name, the Lockhart — a name ambiguous to any non-fan but which also refers to a shoddy professor in the series — cocktails and decor, that have caught the attention of Potter fanatics everywhere. Not yet a week old, the Lockhart has received mentions in publications worldwide, including the likes of Time.
“I’m awaiting any moment to pinch myself and wake up,” said Paris Xerx, one half of the duo behind the Lockhart.
When the Star visited Thursday afternoon, just be- fore opening, staff were already turning away too-eager patrons. They rushed to and fro, working under the watchful eye of a tiny Hagrid figurine perched by the bar, gearing up for another big night after Wednesday’s revelry saw the small space packed until 2 a.m., said co-owner Matt Rocks.
As for how the wizarding world found its way into the neighbourhood bar, Rocks points to a moment a few months back, when their friend suggested calling the bar “Lockhart,” not knowing the name’s link to the series. As a superfan, he loved it, as did Xerx, who’d also read the books.
From there, a wall mural of a stag patronus — a defensive charm — along with magical sounding cocktails and a neon sign reading “All was well” — the last lines in the series — cemented the bar’s status as a Harry Potter bar for fans, while remaining a cool bar for everyone else.
“We’re definitely trying to stay away from being too niche,” said Rocks, a 27-year-old Brit who himself has four Harry Potter tattoos. Why the coyness? Two reasons. The first is that they don’t want to be a gimmicky “flash in the pan” bar that only appeals to superfans, he said.
The second: “I’m very aware of copyright issues. I’d like to stay away from that. I love J.K. Rowling too much to really step on her toes,” Rocks said, adding that they haven’t heard from any lawyers representing the Harry Potter name and doubts the bar is even on Rowling’s radar — though he’d love for her to hear about it, he said.
According to Toronto intellectual property lawyer John Simpson, there may be some reason to worry, particularly due to the burgeoning media attention. “Ultimately in a trademark case, what others think of you, that’s what’s determinative — are they confused, are they making an association — whether you intended it or not,” he said. “You can’t say that . . . it’s a very remote sort of reference when everyone who’s talking about you mentions Harry Potter. You have some control over that, what others are saying.”
But Rocks is adamant that the bar won’t be turning into a full-blown Harry Potter bar anytime soon and that their intentions are innocent.
“I’m not trying to rip anyone off, I just love the books,” he said. “It’s more of an homage than trying to infringe on their copyright.”
However, he said they welcome Potter fans who want to nerd out there and said they’re planning on including a trivia night — some Harry Potter- themed, some not — soon.
So long as no lawyers come knocking, the bar appears well on its way to thriving.
At 7 p.m. on Thursday, they already had 20 people on a waiting list. With files from Alex Ballingall