A mystical haven located in the heart of Southampton, The Dark Arts Potion Bar attracts curious seekers of the macabre, mystery and mixology. Visitors here are wanderers of the occult, thirsting for elixirs that soothe the psyche as well as the palate.
It’s a magic-themed venue with a darkly witchy undertone, and the immersive experience doesn’t stop at liquid nitrogen. This is a unique third place with its own identity, a hub for whimsical meetups far outside of the norm.
Being a lover of all things haunting, I couldn’t resist checking out this intriguing social spot. As a coven of five witches, we entered the depths with open minds and wild hearts…
Stepping Into the Shadows
After making the most of his photo opportunity, senior warlock and connoisseur of fine coffee, Drew, welcomed us with an enthusiastic “Greetings, adventurers!” as we arrived, and it was instantly clear that this was going to be a theatrical experience from start to finish.
The transition from reality to sorcerous underworld was seamless. From the first step over the threshold, a comforting but not overpowering scent of herbs and incense, flawless character holding by the staff, and eclectic interior design had us all feeling like the main character in our own fairytale.
Atmosphere and Ambience
The first thing to catch your eye is the range of spirits behind the bar illuminated like uranium glass under a blacklight. Weathered glass bottles, wandering vines, and all manner of mysterious curiosities adorn the entire vicinity, from wall to wall, floor to ceiling.
Each and every corner is adorned in whimsical mystique. You could spend days there and not run out of interesting things to look at. The sensory experience is so intense – it becomes a challenge to focus your mind on anything outside of the realm you’re now surrendered to.
Immersive Potion Making Experience
Having pre-booked for potion making, we were guided straight to a cosy, enchanted room which stuns with its rich aesthetic layers, as does the entire venue.
Creating each elixir requires an intricate series of actions, each guided by enigmatic instructions uncovered throughout the journey. Making a cocktail becomes a dance between science and sorcery.
Under VERY strict instructions not to add any human flesh to the sub-zero-degree cauldron, we carefully followed protocol and became enthralled by the witches’ brew we’d created. As far as immersive cocktail experiences go, this one tops it.
Stirring the cauldron, icy mist rises, the ambient energy thickens – and if you chose the alcoholic drinks over the mocktails, you soon start to feel merrily empowered by the concoction you create.
The equally impressive and delicious passion bubble just keeps on giving and goes down like liquid velvet. Infused with pine fruit sap, fizzle cranks magic powder, squashed sour fruit and a bit of mischief, this one was my favourite.
You can still get your tastebuds on one of these masterpieces without booking the full potion making experience. Cocktails can also be ordered individually for regular visitors, with offerings such as the Memento Mori, Baphomet Brulee and Mystic Mushroom. Mocktail options include The Witch Doctor, Strawberry Spell Jar and Alchemical Romance – plenty of options for those keeping it clean.
Cryptic Challenges
You have to solve conundrums to unlock your potions, which does take a bit of brain power. But staff are always on hand to give you just the right amount of help to keep you moving without giving too much away. The challenge stays tricky enough to hold your intrigue, but not so difficult that it takes away from the enjoyment.
A series of clues awaiting discovery hides on each table and around the room. The whole setup is cleverly crafted with precision for a naturally flowing experience. Puzzle boxes are also on offer at this venue, as well as escape rooms for those seeking a more intense challenge.
Pik and Mix
Guiding us through our mixology session was our host witch, Pik, who has an extraordinary talent for being simultaneously charming and terrifying in equal measure. She commanded the room with her ethereal presence and captivated us all in the magic of the Dark Arts.
What makes an experience truly immersive is the seamless dissolving of boundaries between you and the world around you. Immersion happens when you lose the perspective of observing something, and actually become a part of it. Time fades from conscious thought when you become absorbed by the present moment – an experience which Pik wholeheartedly served.
A Third Place in the Fifth Dimension
The whole point of a third place is that it’s separate from your first place, home, and your second place, traditionally work. Since the 2020 pandemic, these boundaries have become more blurred than ever. The uprise of remote working means that not only are we losing the social art of our third places, but for some of us, even our first and second places blend nowadays.
This makes the importance of third places even more apparent, as it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish those boundaries in today’s largely digital-focused social environment. We often find satisfaction in the connections we hold in the palm of our hand, and the comfort of the familiar holds us back from pursuing the unfamiliar.
Escapism can come in many forms, but the Dark Arts Potion Bar takes it a step further. Under the cloak and hat, your daily stresses, troubles and worries simply dissolve into the ether without a whisper.
A Coven Where All Belong
The Dark Arts Bar is like a meeting point for modern mystics. Niche and curated, but inclusive with open doors. You get the feeling that everyone is welcome, and no witch, fairy, wizard or warlock would feel out of place here.
Sometimes comfort can be found in the most obscure places. The grounding energy that surrounds you in this dark, moody nook secretly beams with light and warmth.
As we reluctantly returned our witches’ hats, we left with new memories, a cleansed aura, some very instagrammable photos, and health and skincare tips that circumnavigate the globe (just ask Pik).
Need a Witchy Wordsmith?
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www.charlottej.co.uk
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