Cocktail bar in an 1940s London underground station
From Super Mario to a 1940s tube station, the last decade or so has seen the emergence of several new cocktail bars that turn the simple consumption of a cocktail into an immersive theatrical event – one that engages all the senses. Here are five of the best immersive cocktail experiences around the UK.
The Cauldron – various locations
First up on our list of immersive cocktail experiences is wizard-themed The Cauldron. Their signature Potions Class includes cloaks, cauldrons, and magic wands that help to brew the cocktails, with a Potion Master assigned to ensure entertainment and to prevent magical mayhem. You will be given the ingredients and equipment to create two magical potions on your visit, and the magical spells will come to life using the wand. Blending science, technology, and hospitality into a potion of a fantasy lover’s dreams, this experience is inspired by various franchises and stories from the past and present. The Cauldron currently has venues in London, Edinburgh, and Brighton, as well as in the US.
www.thecauldron.io/london/potions
The Cocktail Geeks – Edinburgh
The Cocktail Geeks in Edinburgh is a haven for cocktail aficionados. This quirky cocktail bar boasts a constantly evolving menu of imaginative drinks, each inspired by pop culture icons. From fantastical realms to cult classic films, their themed cocktails offer a playful twist on familiar favourites. The Cocktail Geeks provide a new theme, a new menu, new decor, and a new immersive experience every four months, with previous themes including Star Wars, the 50s nuclear fallout, Super Mario, and Game of Thrones.
Cahoots – London
Cahoots is a 1940s-themed bar in London with three locations, transporting guests back to post-war Britain. A group of Scoundrels chanced upon a secret tube station beneath Soho and turned it into a cocktail bar using bootlegged alcohol and spirits… or so the story goes. The Soho locations, Underground (an illicit hideaway, a disused tube station in disguise) and Ticket Hall (a ticket-hall-turned pub with a large outdoor area), and the Borough Yards location, Postal Office (their newest covert cocktail hideout expertly hidden behind a post office shopfront), each have their own unique charm, complete with swing music, cheerful cries of welcome, and swinging polka dot skirts.
Moonshine Saloon – London and Liverpool
Behind the swinging doors of the Moonshine Saloon, Clyde Cassidy is building his infamous Moonshine Empire. The classic story of the outlaw and local law enforcement butting heads plays out in front of your very eyes, and you will be transported to the world of the American Wild West. Guests are kitted out with Stetson cowboy hats and Western attire upon entering, with the help of The Tailor’s. Those looking to be a more involved and integral part of the narrative can purchase character add-ons, complete with their own special costumes. The Moonshine Saloon requires you to bring your own spirits, which will be turned into bespoke cocktails at the bar. The experience is currently available in London and Liverpool.
The Alchemist – various locations
Available in various locations across the UK (including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff, to name a few), The Alchemist offers theatre-served cocktails in moody low lighting in a bar surrounded by colourful lights and smoke machines. The menu boasts an extensive and unconventional range of cocktails, each of them served in unique glasses such as test tubes, hipflasks, beakers, and laboratory flasks. The Alchemist also offers a large variety of non-alcoholic drinks.