ONE of Edinburgh’s hidden speakeasy bars is launching a festive programme of Christmas events featuring a drag Mrs Clause and a range of winter cocktails.

Hidden in plain sight beneath Edinburgh’s Frederick Street, The Cauldron’s Magical Experience is the Scottish capital’s wizard themed speakeasy.

Direct from New York and London, the world-famous Cauldron Magical Cocktail Experience will be running throughout the festive period, offering a wizard-themed experience. Visitors can arrive in witch and wizard robes and the cocktail mixology is themed to match.

In characteristically dramatic style, visitors to the magical popup will be faced with bubbling brews, spirits and a “spellbinding” Santa performance.

The traditional Christmas backdrop sets the scene for visitors to raise a glass – or their wand – to The Cauldron’s own lady in the red suit.

Mrs Clause, AKA Drag Queen Ellie Diamond, will be in her Christmassy grotto from 5pm every Saturday in the run up to Christmas (December 7, 14 and 21) to find out whether Scotland’s sorcerers have been naughty or nice. The performance includes a judgement of the revellers and they will be presented with a drink to match their behaviour over the past year.

Matthew Cortland, co-founder of The Magic of Things, the imagineering studio behind The Cauldron Magical Experience, said: “Christmas is undoubtedly the most magical time of the year, so it makes sense for us to celebrate it in style – with a twist! We like our visitors to experience the unexpected, so our Santa is more slay than sleigh and our Christmas sparkle is more of an explosion. Come and warm up in our dungeon this December and make your own Christmas magic!”

The Cauldron is also offering offers a cocktail class, with tickets starting at £29.99 per magical being. Alcohol-free, gluten and vegan options are available. As well as out of this world cocktails, The Cauldron is also home to Three Sisters Pale Ale, a limited edition Innis & Gunn collaboration. Made exclusively for The Cauldron Edinburgh, the beer is infused with rosemary, honey and thistle and reimagined using an old Scot’s brewing recipe.