Harry Potter banquet

On Saturday night I went with Betty the The Library Private Members Club for a Harry Potter banquet. I will admit that, although I read a lot, I still haven't gotten around to HP. Nor have I seen the films. But it was still fun. 

The club is fitted out as a library (unsurprisingly) and very cool. We got there a bit early and had a pre-dinner cocktail while we sorted out our outfits. Which was basically a scarf, tie and pair of fake glasses (and weird wand thing). It turned a bit St. Trinians crossed with Hogwarts but still.

Cocktails and books.

Pre-outfitted

Dressed for the occasion.

Not going to be getting this glasses style.

There was a pre-dinner cocktail included, either butter beer (Betty's choice) or fire whiskey (mine). We enjoyed them so much, we brought a second.

Tasty

With our wands.

The table was a long one which was a bit tricky to get out from, whichever side you were on as we were packed in.

We also got scrolls with secret messages on, uncovered by some blue stuff. 

The first course included our hogworts welcome letter.

Welcome letter.

The whole meal was 7 courses long and we did the wine pairing as well. Still never sure why posh restaurants insist on pureeing everything, but it was very nice. The best bit was the magician who was really good and somehow managed to get an initial £10 note into walnut inside an egg, which was then inside a lemon. 

Post-wine-paired dinner.

After, we had a look around to find somewhere else to get a final drink but it was Saturday night in central London. No chance. We did venture into a club briefly but it was way too noisy and over-priced, so we gave up. Besides it took ages to get home on the tube (Waterloo is still out).

I spent Sunday recovering!