Dark Arts Potion Bar — Restaurant in Southampton

I’m quite upset with my experience at this bar. My partner had been given a gift voucher code for one of the puzzle boxes worth £45 for her birthday. We finally booked for 6 of us to partake using the gift voucher online so we could enjoy this activity and some cocktails but when getting to the bar and sitting down, we were told that the booking had been made for cocktails only. First of all, I don’t know who spends £45 on a gift voucher just to book a table? Secondly, the staff member serving us was extremely unhelpful and rude. We queried this issue but the member of staff was very reluctant to help. We asked if we could re-do the booking at the establishment but were turned away and told to do it online. Once attempting this, we were not surprised that the voucher wouldn’t work as had already been “redeemed”. Still awaiting an email back to my partner…

Finally, I would like to comment about the service. As mentioned, I found our server quite rude, even if he was just “acting”, it just didn’t feel right. I had ordered a specific drink which was deemed “strong” even after all the alcohol was burnt off it anyway. But when ordering it our sever told me I couldn’t have it after rolling an 8 on a dice? Frankly, if I order something off of a menu, I shouldn’t have to fight for it. I just want to order a drink! Service was very slow, waiting for our orders to be taken was painful but not as painful as waiting 20 minutes for our drinks to arrive. It wasn’t even on a busy night. Stories about the cocktails are a little cool after hearing them one or two times I guess but at the end of the day, we just wanted to drink our drinks and...

We have visited the Dark Arts before and had a wonderful time so I booked to take my son tonight as it is his birthday. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was tonight, so much so we walked out, this is something I have not done before. I booked a table for 7 pm on arrival we were told to wait as our table was not ready, I did mention to the staff we only had 30 mins sadly as we had a dinner reservation. We waited about 10 mins, eventually seated, no theatre no atmosphere just sit and wait. Again I told the staff we only had a short time. We ordered our drinks again no theatre no fun we had so much fun last time it was a real let down. We waited 30 mins and one cocktail arrived. My partner ordered a dark and stormy, it had so much salt on the rim of the cup it was impossible to drink. We waited nothing else came. The table next to us complained about their missing order. I eventually went to the bar said I was Really sorry you’re going to have to cancel our order nothing but one drink had arrived, the man serving at the bar looked at me in disbelief, sighed, rolled his eyes and tutted. A young lady at the bar apologised and I said I’m sorry but we have to go I was not expecting to wait so long. As we were leaving the gentleman in question. Was verbally and visually abusive to my son, absolutely shocking service. I can not believe how different our experience was, so disappointed and will not be...

Lovely venue, impressed from the outside. The escape room experience with Mitch was fantastic, Mitch was very entertaining and funny, the room was quite tricky, but we did work it out between us and was really uplifting to have completed it! I have no complaints with this at all.

We did the potion making experience straight afterwards. The experience as a whole was fun, though, At times, I did find some of the staff members rude. Not sure if it was because of the act they putting on as a part of the show, but I did think it went too far. There’s things on the cabinet you interact with to start the game- at times, it is not clear on what it is, though we found out the hard way when we were shouted at our table “what are you doing, you’re not meant to touch that” - it almost makes you not want to take part, in case you do the wrong thing. On top of that, there were points where we were obviously stuck and were having a laugh about it, instead of joining in or helping us, they just made us feel stupid and put on this serious persona that kinda killed the vibe.

Anyway, overall fun experience and would go back. Couple of staff just need to tone down the sarcasm and harshness towards guests as it does...