Dish Cult Dines: Pure magic at Dalston’s The Cauldron

The first real interactive task of visiting The Cauldron is locating it on the busy east London high street. Dalston town is filled with bars, breweries, clubs, and everything in between, so finding the magic door proved a challenge. The unsuspecting entry, however, leads downstairs into the alluring world of The Cauldron.

Instantly, we’re welcomed by a friendly team member, who aptly gets us suited out with floor-length wizard cloaks and our very own wands, these will be the key to creating our cocktails this evening. Right now, we’re standing in the ‘lobby’, inspiring thoughts of some of our favourite childhood movies like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia. The magic is well and truly alive from the moment you step inside. Old flickering lamps, peculiar wall decor (the adorned unicorn head mounted on the wall is a particular favourite), and a curious soundtrack of fantasy instrumental music playing quietly from overhead all add to the ambience.

Once we’re appropriately kitted out in our wizard uniforms, we’re shown to our booth which will be our workspace for the evening. A smoky bubbling neon green shot glass is placed in front of us and goes down a treat (everyone loves a bit of Midori), and the night is kickstarted with a magic menu for us to browse. You have a few options of how your night will go, but this is all pre-organised when you book so all you need to do is choose which drinks you’re in the mood for.

We select an Early Grey tea and gin drink known as the Botany Brew and the Blood Boiling Curse, another gin-based drink with raspberry and blackberry notes. To get the attention of our waitstaff, we’re instructed to wave our wands in the air to summon help, usually met with a very swift and helpful member of staff. It’s then that we’re taken over for our complimentary welcome drink. We’ll keep some things secret so there’s plenty of surprises on your visit, but the lychee-flavoured cocktail is one of the best drinks of the night, and served to you in an awfully exciting way.

The magic of The Cauldron really does carry through into every aspect of the bar. Once we’ve returned to our workspace, it’s already been made up with our first cocktail-making box in a matter of seconds. A large cast-iron cauldron sits on our table and we’re about to have our first potion making lesson.

You’re left to your own devices with an easy-to-follow recipe, complete with illustrations, so you can work at your own pace. Vials and jars hold all the ingredients as you work your way through the steps. Occasionally the recipe calls for help from a staff member, who will bring over dry-ice for the bubbling aspect or fresh ice to add to your shaker. Your wand is also a huge help, igniting the cocktail mixer machine and changing the colours of your workspace to match the mood.

Even with no previous mixology skills, the recipes are simple and somewhat foolproof, with help just a second away for any queries or questions.

You’ll work your way through the cocktail-making class in just under two hours, with the option to add on some bar-made cocktails if you feel so inclined afterwards. There are plenty of surprises along the way, all more magical than the last and really immersing you into the likes of Hogwarts Potions Class or Dr Strange’s laboratory.

The drinks are boozy, with four cocktails/shots included in your package, The Cauldron doesn’t serve food so make sure to eat before or after at any of Dalston’s ultra-cool dining spots. Though they do offer non-alcoholic options for your potion making cocktails. You’re fairly distanced from other wizards and witches making their potions, with a tucked in sit-down work station for everyone. Kids are welcome at specific times of the day, with the same experience to create their own mocktails in the potions sessions.

Finally, there are off-peak and peak prices, starting from £29.99. For wizardry-lovers and those who are less intrigued, a night at The Cauldron really is something special. Head in whether you’ve seen every fantasy movie known to man, or you’re completely in the dark when it comes to the world of wizardry.

The passion put into dressing the bar with magical decor, as well as the enthusiastic and friendly staff and special little enchanting moments you’ll encounter throughout your time at The Cauldron are really unlike anything else you’ll find. Immersive yourself and let your imagination come back to life.

You’ll find The Cauldron at 5D Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BH, open Wednesday to Sunday with adult-only times throughout the week. Book your magical experience right here!