Boralus, Saturday 17 October. Mariner’s Row gained a crowded new drinking house on Saturday as the Curious Octopus opened its doors with live music, a busy kitchen and enough customers to keep its staff moving between tables for much of the evening.
The tavern is owned by Luoniev “Luo” Havardr and his wife, Illiy “Lilly” Havardr, a human and draenei couple who married only a week before the opening. Their first night as bar-owners therefore arrived during an already eventful month: Lilly is also seven months pregnant. Opening a tavern under either circumstance would be enough work for most households, but the Havardrs have elected to combine all three.
“The timing wasn’t ideal,” Lilly acknowledged, though she said she would not change it. “It’s all gone swimmingly so far.”
It had, by the useful standards of a grand opening. People were present, drinks were crossing the counter and strangers were talking to one another without requiring the intervention of the harbour guard. Boralus has hosted less successful evenings under grander banners.
Luo said the couple had been searching for a suitable place of their own after Lilly left her position as head chef at the Blue Recluse in Stormwind. He was raised in Northrend and worked as a monster hunter, together with occasional guard work at the Recluse, where the pair first met. When they found the premises in Mariner’s Row, he said, it felt like home.
Lilly now leads the Curious Octopus kitchen. Food served during the opening included sausages with mash and gravy, garlic bread, shaped brownies and portions of fried “poppycorns” chicken with several dips. Behind the bar, cocktails bearing names such as the Pink Lady, Sassy Maiden and Octo-tini joined more familiar ales, wines, spirits and hot drinks.
The owners said they hope to open every evening where possible. Their plans extend beyond ordinary tavern trade, with musicians to be invited back for future performances and a Hallow’s End event already under discussion. A noticeboard will also carry contracts and opportunities for visitors seeking work or adventure.
“This is something not only myself but our team has wanted for a long time,” Lilly said. “We are only living the dream now.”
Both owners gave considerable credit to that team, particularly their tavern keeper, Tim. Lilly described them as essential to getting the business ready, while Luo called the experience behind the bar a strong beginning for the new establishment.
Tim previously worked at the Slaughtered Recluse, rising to shift manager before what they politely described as “a little disagreement with the upper management”. The promotion, they said, had brought more responsibility without corresponding privileges.
When Lilly, whom they regards as a sister, and Luo invited them to help start the Curious Octopus, they accepted the offer as the fresh beginning they had been seeking. Their girlfriend has also joined the staff, as have friends and relatives who moved between the kitchen, bar and tables throughout the opening.
“What started as a small business project for a weekend tavern quickly evolved into a full-time business, even before we opened,” Tim said. “The city has certainly cast its spell on all of us.”
A native of Booty Bay, Tim said port towns have always appealed to them, but that Boralus was “on a whole other level”. They can now imagine settling in the city permanently. That enthusiasm may prove useful. Boralus tends to make newcomers work for their welcome, although those who mean to make a home of the city generally fare better than those waiting for it to behave like somewhere else.
The local reception has so far been encouraging. Lilly said residents had been kind, while Luo praised Kul Tiran hospitality. The owners also said an experienced security team was available for troublemakers. I advised some caution in advertising that fact, since announcing good security in Boralus has been known to attract people who regard it as a personal challenge.
No such test interrupted the opening while this newspaper was present. The room remained loud, warm and sociable, with music carrying over the bar and customers continuing to order well into the evening.
The coffee cost ten copper. It was served black, refilled promptly and passed the examination required of any establishment hoping for a second visit from this reporter. Food, contracts and organised festivities are commendable ambitions, but a reliable mug remains the soundest foundation on which to build them.