If you’re near Union Square today, you might notice a line of people who look like they’re waiting for a Quidditch match rather than a caffeine fix. That’s because a full-blown Butterbeer Café has officially taken over 51 Irving Place, and we can testify that it’s every bit as cozy as a corner of Hogsmeade.
We swung by this morning to check it out ourselves. Nestlé Coffee mate has basically turned a Manhattan storefront into a shrine for the Wizarding World to celebrate their new Harry Potter creamer collab. We’re talking comfy seating, house banners, and— perhaps most importantly—free, and very delicious coffee.
They’re serving up four custom drinks and we tried them all. You’ve got the Salty Owl (a salted caramel Butterbeer latte), the Frosted Phoenix (a cold brew slushie with Butterbeer foam), the Hippogriff Honey (a honey-infused treat with “magical gold” sugar), and a secret fourth (easter egg) creation for those who know how to ask. The real star of the pop-up, though, is the Butterbeer creamer itself—it effectively hits those classic notes of butterscotch and shortbread without the weird, artificial aftertaste that usually plagues seasonal syrups.
If you want to check it out yourself, don’t wait. The pop-up is a first-come, first-served situation and it’s only open today and tomorrow (March 27-28). If you’re a Potterhead, it’s certainly worth the trek just for the vibes and not to mention the Instragram-worthy photos.
But if you can’t make it to the city, the Butterbeer Coffee mate bottles are rolling out to grocery stores nationwide this month for around $4.39.