(it was asked we cross post the venue description for people so here you go)
As guests enter the grand hall, a large circular room opens before them. Upon entry to the establishment guests would see the boutonniere and corsage table to the right of the door with flowers for all guests, whether they came as one, two, or a group; they were free to anyone who wanted one, and there were certainly plenty to choose from. Directly opposite the door is a large wooden bar, DJ stand, and voting booth. Along the side walls are six different setting areas, three on each side, of these is decorated to represent a different mythological setting. Going clockwise from the bar, these are Celtic, Egyptian, Slavic, Hindu, Greek, and Slavic. In the center is a large dancefloor, illuminated by dramatic crystal chandeliers that hang over head.
In the one o’clock position from the door, leaves and twisted branches crept along and even emerged from the wall, reaching and covering a short amount of the floor very close to the edges, and also a section of ceiling, stretching outwards, the scent of fresh woodland and crisp earth filling the area; if one were to look closely enough, they would see hints of soil beneath the foliage that sat upon the ground. In the centre of the ‘woodland' area, near the back, sat a large and sturdy throne with Celtic patterns carved into the dark wood, including a carving on the side panels of the tree of life, a raven feather mantle hanging over the back, the seat big enough for two people. Above the throne, embedded into the greenery at the back, was a large Celtic trinity knot with a soft glowing backlight to help illuminate the area modestly. To the throne's right stood a cauldron, exterior and interior panels on the vessel displaying various Gods and even a few images of animals here and there, the images on the inside however were partly concealed by the bubbling orange liquid within. To the left, was a thick, heavy table with Apple Beer Bread (freshly baked bread with apples, cinnamon, honey, and Guinness), Bangers and Mash (pork sausages and mashed potatoes topped with onion gravy), Boxty (potato pancakes with sour cream and chives), and Irish stew (lamb chunks braised with onions, carrots, potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, and spring onions served over pearl barley) all served on bronze platters.
At the three o’clock position, the Egyptian section was decorated richly in austere, black drapery and contrasted with accents of silver and gold, its wall lined with life-sized statues of its most famous gods -- Amun-Ra, the King of the Gods, in the center sitting on a throne; Osiris with crossed arms and his shepherd’s crooks; Anubis with his characteristic jackal’s head; Horus, with his falcon’s face; and Sekhmet, the fierce lioness goddess. Before them was two tables for offerings, covered in gold trinkets, bowls of water and scented oils, and plates for people to place food, with a replica Book of the Dead on display. The food for the event goers, however, was on a long table and filled with delicious-smelling options, such as kabab wa kofta (ground beef and lamb skewers, with fresh parsley, onions, garlic, and spices), sayadeya (white fish cooked over a bed of fragrant yellow rice), aish baladi (flatbread used for dipping or smothering in food), and a large container of besarah (fava bean and herb dip). The special Hathor-inspired drink, a beautiful and shimmery teal, was being advertised along the edge where people could take pictures with the gods watching over the brightly-lit event hall.
At the five o’clock position, a gold painted wooden throne sat at the top of four or five set of steps in the center of the Slavic area. Etched into the the throne were intricate designs, tendrils woven interweaving in an oval that was the back of the throne, and then two wolves seemingly leaping out of the ovals, stylized with their own inner weavings, with black ovals to symbolize the eyes. The arms came out and on the end of each arm a carving of what could be interpreted either as an owl, or a wolf, left ambiguous on purpose. Directly in front of the throne was a feasting table, piled with wooden bowls holding sweet and savory Slavic treats such as pierogi (potato and cheese filled potato dumplings, boiled then sauteed in onions and butter), halupki (ground beef and rice stuffed in cabbage leaves then baked in a thin tomato sauce), borscht (beet soup topped with dill and sour cream), knedle (potato dumplings filled with apricot or plums, then steamed and topped with honey), and orechovnik (sour cream based dough filled with a sweet ground walnut filling and baked).
On either side of the throne, there was a sculpture of a slavic god standing sentinel. On the left side, Belobog, the god of light and sun. He had a long beard, and hair, all of which flowed seamlessly into one another, with a severe gaze in his eyes as he stared straight ahead. He wore a white robe with red designs in a circle on at two parts of the sleeves. A winged crown rested on his head and one hand on the head of a wolf, the other holding a staff with the sun sculptured into the top of it. While the god and wolf were clearly alert, their faces were at peace. On the right side, stood Chernobog, the god of darkness and the moon. He was identical to Belobog, but wizened, hunched. His robes were grey. On one shoulder rested an owl, talons unusually large and sharp, in an open mouthed screech. He had two wolves, one on his left and right, both depicted as snarling. In one hand, woven between his fingers, the teeth of a creature in a necklace, presumably of the antelope head that was dangling off his fingertips, acting as a pendant to the necklace. The other held a staff, but the top was not in any sort of design, just gnarled and worn.
A red and white rug rolled down from the throne to the bottom tier, where, once it was reached, the rug disappeared in a fog that covered the floor, and mysteriously, hung only over the bottom of the slavic side. The tables here had lamps in the middle, with a crow on top. They were circular and black. The brilliant reds and whites and golds that adorned the upper tier were nowhere to be see, just greys and dark blues and black. Iron gates adorned either side, stopping about halfway to allow for guests to move between the different mythologies on either side of the Slavic part. This tier represented the old horror tropes surrounding vampires: Fear and darkness.
At the seven o’clock position, the lingering scents of sweetness and various spices wafted through the air, inviting partygoers to relax in the Hindu section of the venue. Against the back of the wall in the centre hung a large, ornate painting of Krishna in a golden frame, to one side of the painting stood a large statue of Vishnu, the other, Kali, with her tongue extended, and between the pair an incense brazier. On the floor lay a large rug with an elephant design, reds and golds the main colours of the area, two curved tables, (one either side of the main display,) held the food, smaller frames on the rounded walls behind with images of Gods and Goddesses, some frames just contained shayari. The tables had many choices of food, including, kheer (Rice Pudding with almonds and raisins), korma curry (chicken simmered in a mild curry, served with pilau rice), onion bhaji balls (spiced onion fritters served with Mango Chutney), and vegetable samosas (crispy triangle shell filled with mildly spiced potato and green peas).
At nine o’clock, the space dedicated to the lore of Ancient Greece would have made the Gods themselves proud. Clearly marking the boundaries of the massive, wedge-shaped area stand statues of the major gods, lining the borders of the triangle and the rear wall. On one side atop pedestals of obsidian, carven from white marble stand Zeus, his brother Hades, his wife Hera; on the other, Artemis the Hunter, Athena the wise, and Aphrodite the beautiful. Between them, they hold aloft sheer, heavenly-pure pale sheets of drapery, forming a canopy of clouds above the arrangements beneath. Every so often, a white pillared column holds the canopy aloft again, enhancing the idea of the heavens presiding over the gathering. The drapery and sashes wrapped around the columns with tapered silk edged in gold to hold them fast; and at the rear of the room between Zeus and Athena lay a long table with laurels decorating its surface, along with small replicas of the gods statues, including peacock feathers for Hera and three black puppies, evoking the idea of Cerberus, the beast of the underworld.
To one side of the area, there is the feasting table; food of every stripe and description weighs down the plain-clothed benches. Stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita, gyros, hummus and baklava stand on pedestals above the more contemporary fare. The overall effect is one of awe and immersion; its difficult not to be drawn to the wide tables awaiting the feasting many that will fill the room, or to go and admire the genuine stonework of the massive statues. But with so much to take in for both eye and mouth, and all the time in the world to enjoy it, what’s the rush?
At the eleven o’clock position, Odin’s throne sits golden and grand in the honored Nordic section of the room, almost too large for life and decorated with intricate weavings of battle and glory. A replica of Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, rests on the throne, gleaming in the soft lighting and riddled with runes. Handcrafted sigils of Fenrir litter the table where the food is set up, free for the taking as a souvenir. A well worn and battle hardened set of armor stands off to the side, horned helm dented and missing one of the horned tips. Blood splatter stains cover the right portion and a few holes puncture the side. The large oaken food table is laden with pewter plated bearing many traditional dishes including pear gruel (sliced pears cooked in honey, served over tender oats and topped with sugar, salt, and more honey), bread and beer soup (softened rye bread mixed simmered in stout beer and sweet honey, topped with whipped cream), lamb sausage links (smoked lamb with white onion mixed with thyme, sage, goutweed, salt and honey, stuffed into casings and served with green onions sprinkled over top), and pancakes topped with mead soaked fruit (cinnamon and honey pancakes topped with your choice of apples, raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries).
A small wooden placard sits on the bar counter with tonight’s specials.
Signature Cocktails
Inspired concoctions created by Port Luna Live staff
Ambrosia (aka Amitra, Soma, Nectar, Elixir of Life)
This cocktail is inspired by the honey based drink of the gods from many cultures. Mead brewed with lemon is shaken with Woodford Reserve bourbon and Cherry Herring then strained into a chilled coupe glass. Garnished with cherry vanilla bitters and a piece of candied honeycomb.
Cernunnos (Celtic) - Wild God of the Forest
The lush green forest captured in a glass. One part absinthe is shaken with 2 parts gin and 2 parts lime juice then strained into a ice filled highball glass. Garnished with a spring of rosemary, lime peel, and juniper berries.
Ganesha (Hindu) - God of Wisdom and Learning and Remover of Obstacles
This tropical drink is inspired by the elephant-headed god’s favorite sweet, the modak. This take on the coconut rose variant of the dessert starts with combining coconut rum with rose syrup, lemon juice and coconut water. This mixture is then shaken and strained into a martini glass and finished with a dash of kewda essence and sprinkle of grated cardamom.
Hathor (Egyptian) - Lady of Turquoise and the Milky Way
This drinks starts with homemade teal shimmer liquor comprised of equal parts blue curacao and blueberry vodka shaken with green and silver pearl dust. Three parts of the viniq-like blend, one part lemonade, and one part triple sec are shaken with ice ane and poured into an ice filled highball glass. Finished with two parts champagne and a sprig of fresh mint.
Persephone (Greek) - Goddess of the Spring and Queen of the Underworld
This drink starts with soaking pomegranate arils overnight in vanilla vodka. Six seeds are placed in a champagne flute before Prosecco is poured over top to float the arils, then finished with a dash of pomegranate juice.
Skaldi (Norse) - Goddess of Winter
This frosty blue and white layered drink starts with a footed highball glass filled with ice and rimmed with blue candy sugar. The glass is filled halfway with white chocolate liquor, topped off with vanilla creme soda, and finished with a shot of blue curacao floated on top.
Svartog (Slavic) - God of Fire, Sun, and Forge
All aspects of this god are well represented in this twist on a classic Bloody Mary. Four parts tomato juice and one part hot pepper vodka are combined with blood orange and lime juices before being shaken and poured into a salt rimmed highball glass. Finished with a dash or Worchestire sauce and garnished with a blood orange slice and celery stick.
