Fans of the Harry Potter book and movie franchise have another reason to raise their glasses. Butterbeer, a favourite tipple in the magical saga has long been a work of fiction for most US audiences, until now.
On 3 June, New York City will be see the opening of a flagship store in the Flatiron district. The huge space pledges to bring Potter fans a place which will “house the largest collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts products under one roof.”
News that a Butterbeer bar is set to open as part of the store is no small deal to fans who grew up with the franchise.
“Once inside the Butterbeer Bar, fans will be greeted by a giant cascade of glowing Butterbeer bottles,” reads a description of the bar.
“Nearly 1,000 bottles will rise from the floor and ‘float’ over the bar as Butterbeer moves magically across the ceiling through copper pipes. Witches, wizards, Muggles and No-maj’s alike are invited to enjoy a frothy cup of Butterbeer served in souvenir tankard, a refreshing Butterbeer ice cream or freshly poured bottled Butterbeer as well as range of wizarding world inspired treats.”
Butterbeer is a non-alcoholic sweet drink that fans in the UK can currently enjoy delivered directly to their front door.
Officially-sanctioned Butterbeer isn’t new, as the beloved non-alcoholic Harry Potter beverage has been served at the Warner Bros Studio Tour London and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Parks & Resorts around the world since 2010. But June 3 will mark the first time the drink has been sold in New York. And the bar itself promises to be a sight to behold.
The Harry Potter Store New York also promises that their bottled Butterbeer – which is brewed in the UK—will also have a brand new label exclusive to the store created by Harry Potter design duo MinaLima and inspired by the Magical Congress of the United States of America from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
