The magical bitter filter is a concept that refers to the ability to filter out the negative aspects of life and focus on the positive aspects. It is about choosing to see the beauty and magic in the world, even when faced with challenges and hardships. Life can be full of bitter moments, such as failures, disappointments, and heartbreaks. These bitter experiences can easily overshadow the positive aspects of life and create a negative outlook. The magical bitter filter encourages individuals to see beyond the bitterness and find the silver lining in any situation. The magical bitter filter is not about denying or avoiding negative emotions.
The venue reminded me of the Leaky cauldron with its long fireplace, scattered tables and miss-matched chairs. Décor was quite minimal, but the wizard theme was obvious, with ivy covered walls, dusty cabinets filled with mysterious looking artefacts, broomsticks, cauldrons, and lots of photo frames and cobwebs. There were even a few Harry Potter books dotted about in case you hadn’t realised the experience was inspired by the boy wizard.
And whilst I rarely leave a stone left unturned in the geeky activities department, a few things will occasionally slip under my radar The Magic Potions Tavern being one of them. If you wanted to visit the Potions Tavern and enjoy some of these magical cocktails with your friends, it s highly advised to prebook your visit as it s really popular.
The magical bitter filter is not about denying or avoiding negative emotions. It is about acknowledging them and then consciously choosing to shift one's perspective towards the positive aspects. It is a mindset that helps individuals develop resilience and optimism.
The Magic Potions Tavern | Brewing Cocktails in Edinburgh’s Old Town
I like to think of myself as a some sort of magical travel genie when it comes to planning trips away because I somehow manage to find the craziest things, no matter where we go. And whilst I rarely leave a stone left unturned in the geeky activities department, a few things will occasionally slip under my radar – The Magic Potions Tavern being one of them.
Department of Magic is a relatively new company in Edinburgh who are the owners of two Harry Potter inspired Escape Rooms, as well as the Magic Potions Tavern – a wizard-themed cocktail bar, where you can brew your own potions. I’ve had a go at brewing potions before at The Cauldron in London, and whilst it was a lot of fun – you get to run around in robes whilst stirring drinks with the wave of a wand – the experience was slightly marred by the incredibly long wait times, and how ridiculously overpriced it was.
Even so, I was actually considering visiting their Edinburgh branch – because Harry Potter – until I was made aware of the Department of Magic, who were offering virtually the same thing at less than a quarter of the price, so it was ‘Goodbye Cauldron and Hello Potions Tavern – please don’t be shite!’
And shite it was not.
After having a little trouble booking a reservation – you can’t book a slot in house, so have to do it over the phone, but not on Sunday’s, even though the venue is open? – Me, Jess, and his parents; Anita and Geoff, descended to the basement bar down Blair Street, just off the Royal Mile, and got our pick of the room. We opted for a corner booth because of its board game strewn table and comfy looking chairs.
The venue reminded me of the Leaky cauldron with its long fireplace, scattered tables and miss-matched chairs. Décor was quite minimal, but the wizard theme was obvious, with ivy covered walls, dusty cabinets filled with mysterious looking artefacts, broomsticks, cauldrons, and lots of photo frames and cobwebs. There were even a few Harry Potter books dotted about in case you hadn’t realised the experience was inspired by the boy wizard.
We were each given menus and asked to pick a cocktail, and with four to chose from it wasn’t an easy decision. They were all Harry Potter themed and inspired by different lessons in the book, so you had Herbology 101 to test your green thumbs, The Dark Lord which promised blood and brains, Potion No. 9 for a colour changing treat, and Liquid Gold for.. liquid gold.
They were also centred around different spirits, so I opted for Potion No. 9 because it was gin based, Anita went for Herbology 101, and both Jess and Geoff chose the rather ominous sounding Dark Lord because it was meant to be the strongest.
In the meantime we were brought out a little chest filled with shots and dry ice whilst we waited for our potion ingredients. I don’t remember exactly what they were, but we chose one of each, ranging from the ridiculously strong, to one that just tasted like baileys. It was fun opening the chest to reveal the little drinks as smoke rolled onto the table.
The cocktails came out on trays with a set of very detailed instructions, and every single ingredient was in its own little container, so it really did feel like you were in a potions lesson. The boys drinks came first with four different coloured liquids, a glass skull, and what looked like a shrivelled eyeball – though I’ve since been informed it was a peeled plum.
Anita’s, which was my favourite, came with its own adorable plant pot to mix everything in, stoppered vials and a pestle and mortar for grinding up raspberries. It was definitely the most hands on out of the three – she really had to put a bit of wellie into it.
My cocktail came out already bubbling with a tiny jar of fairy dust and three colourless bottles. Each one changed the colour of the cocktail as you added them to the glass until it became this iridescent purple, it was really quite magical. It tasted great too, which is unusual for something so theatrical.
We were told the session would last about half an hour, but we ended up spending around 2 hours in there all together – it was a great way to break up a long day exploring Edinburgh, especially since it was so close to all of the main attractions.
It’s definitely a must for any Harry Potter fans visiting the city, and if you can tie it in with a Potter inspired tour, that’s even better. But you know what, if you’re not a fan of the books, you’d still get a kick out of this because it’s so different and hands on that it would be hard not to enjoy yourself, and at only £6 a ticket if you grab one through Groupon, it would be rude not to check it out.
Address | Magic Potions Tavern, 9 Blair Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QR
What to read next:
- The Ultimate Harry Potter Tour of Edinburgh
- Diagon House | A Harry Potter Inspired Store in Edinburgh
- Five Things Harry Potter Fans Can Do In York
- Harry Potter Filming Locations in London
By embracing the magical bitter filter, individuals can start to appreciate the lessons that bitter experiences bring. These experiences can act as catalysts for personal growth and development. They can teach individuals valuable life lessons and provide opportunities to build strength and character. The magical bitter filter also encourages individuals to focus on gratitude and appreciation. By shifting the focus towards the positive aspects of life, individuals can cultivate a sense of gratitude for the good things they have. This gratitude mindset can lead to increased happiness and overall well-being. In conclusion, the magical bitter filter is about choosing to see the magic and beauty in life, even in the midst of bitter moments. It is a mindset that helps individuals filter out the negative aspects and focus on the positive aspects. By adopting this mindset, individuals can cultivate resilience, optimism, and gratitude..
Reviews for "The Magic of Mixology: Creating Unique Drinks with the Magical Bitter Filter"
1. John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magical Bitter Filter" after hearing so much hype about it. However, I was sorely disappointed. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plot was incredibly predictable. I couldn't help but feel like I've read this story a hundred times before. The writing style was also lackluster. Overall, I found it to be a just another average book in the crowded genre of magical realism.
2. Emily - 3 stars - While "Magical Bitter Filter" had an interesting premise, it failed to live up to my expectations. The pacing was extremely slow, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The magical elements of the story were underdeveloped and didn't add much to the overall plot. Additionally, I found the dialogue to be unrealistic and forced at times. While it wasn't a terrible read, it definitely didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I don't understand the hype around "Magical Bitter Filter". The main character was completely unrelatable and lacked any depth. The writing style felt overly pretentious and distracted from the actual story. The narrative was disjointed and filled with unnecessary tangents. I found myself struggling to finish this book and won't be recommending it to anyone.
4. Mike - 1 star - "Magical Bitter Filter" was an absolute disappointment. The plot was muddled and confusing, leaving me unsure of what was happening most of the time. The characters were forgettable and I had no emotional connection to any of them. The writing was poorly executed, filled with cliches and awkward metaphors. I couldn't wait to finish reading it just so I could move on to something better. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.