This past weekend I went to a socially distanced Harry Potter pop-up bar in Downtown Houston. A few of my friends texted me and asked if I was interested in going the weekend prior and I immediately jumped on, especially once I found out that they had quite a few COVID safety protocols in place.
The pop-up we went to was the Muggle-less Bar, and I just checked to see if there are any tickets left, and it looks like there are only a few left for one of their time slots. I realize now that that sounds a bit confusing so I’ll explain. Instead of them doing one event each night, the pop-up is broken up into 2.5-hour parties, with 2-3 happening each day. In order to stay in line with Gov. Abott’s occupancy rules, and to keep party-goers as safe as possible they were operating at about a 50% occupancy per party as well as cleaning between the parties. Temperature checks were done prior to entering the venue, masks were required, in fact, there was even a moment in our party on Saturday night where the owner informed us that if we had to be told more than once to put our mask back on if we weren’t taking pictures or eating/drinking then we’d be removed from the venue. I respected that. There was ample seating, socially distanced of course, hand sanitizing stations all around and bathrooms upstairs and downstairs. In fact, there were even two bars; one on each level.
What drew me in were the photo opportunities. They had so many different sets across the entire bar, everything was so well thought out. A Forbidden Forest area with Aragog downstairs looked like the streets of Diagon Alley, and then upstairs they had the Dursley’s living room with all of Harry’s acceptance letters flying around, the Sorting Hat, Hogwarts Express, Platform 9 3/4, Quidditch rings, another Diagon Alley setup, and even a Wizard’s chessboard. Don’t get me started on the common rooms for each house and all of the little knickknacks like a vial of Felix Felicis, a golden snitch, and more!
It exceeded my expectations. The menu was superb, the food was so good. They perfected the butterbeer recipe (and it even had whiskey in it), and to top it all of it’s Black-owned! We found that out after requesting a few songs at the DJ booth. Y’all know I love to support Black-owned businesses! When we walked in the DJ was spinning the trap version of “Hedwig’s Theme” (which I love), and once the event got started he switched over to more current music. We spent most of the night dancing and drinking, we even swag surfed. I’m both sad and happy that it’s practically sold out; sad because I won’t be able to go back but happy that it’s being so well received. Especially since it’s a 3-week event! I look forward to whatever they come up with next and if you’re in Houston I suggest you following them on Instagram at @themugglelessbar so that you’re the first to know about the next installment.