Who: Most caters to the middle/upper classes, however all types can be found in the invitation-only backroom. Many employees are collaborators.
What: A speakeasy-inspired establishment that takes shape as a pub by day and restaurant/dance hall by night with a Dia De Los Muertos theme. It serves as a front for Meredith's other shady business dealings as well as a opportunity to gather and sell information.
Where: Diagon Alley, near the entrance to Knockturn Alley
When: Pub Hours: 11am-5pm; Restaurant Hours: 6pm-1am;
Why: Good food, good service and good live music make Calaveras a perfect place to take that special someone on a romantic date, have a business meeting, or visit Meredith herself

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RECENT UPDATE 12/15/10 Updated Staff page and Menu.

Located near the entrance of Knockturn Alley, Calaveras is Meredith's primary and favorite business, and where much of her information gathering and dealing and other...jobs are done. There is another, identical (more or less) Calaveras in Muggle London, which was actually Meredith's first solo business and keeps her connected to the underground of the Muggle world. For ease of reading, Muggle Calaveras refers to the muggle operation and Calaveras to the wizarding one.

Many of Meredith's employees know full well what the business and the boss really get up (and a lot of them are willing accomplices). All workers are  screened, interviewed and hired by Meredith herself. Everyone is expected to have a good memory, eye and ear, turning gossip and overhead conversation into notes for Calaveras' intel operations. A few of Meredith's favorite employees can be found at both Calaveras and Meredith's youth (teen-mid 20s) nightclub, Spellpunk. 

Calaveras is partly inspired by the speakeasys of the 1930s in the United States. The name comes from calavera, the sugar skulls used during Dia De Los Muertos celebrations and calaveras, poems written for Dia De Los Muertos that often humorously criticize the living.

From mid-October to November 2, the staff of Calaveras will done elaborate skeleton makeup to get into that 'holiday spirit'   

Although she passes herself off as a pureblood to help with patronage, Meredith is secretly Muggle-born and quite the Tim Burton fan, which could explain a lot of the decor. In Muggle Calaveras, there are several little homages to 'Corpse Bride' and from October-December look for "Nightmare Before Christmas" additions.

During the day, Calaveras resembles a typical pub, albeit one with a open, one-room floor plan. Furniture is carefully arranged to give the illusion of space and little rooms. At night, the sofas and coffee tables are whisked away and replaced with proper dining room tables. The center is cleared out for a dancing floor and Meredith often recruits live bands and lounge singers.

Due to the difficulty of rearranging furniture without magic, the Muggle Calaveras is a resturant/dance hall only.

An exclusive 'upstairs' is reserved for the most important and privacy-seeking guests. This upstairs wraps around the inner perimeter of Calaveras like an an elaborate inverted balcony. Railings ensure that no one falls down to the floor and offers excellent views of the stage and dance floor, while being far back enough to avoid scrutiny by other customers. Access to upstairs is by invitation only.

NOTE: You do not need my permission or Mer's involvement to start a thread in Calaveras. It is open to the public OOC and IC and completely normal, non-criminal dinners happen there everyday. If you would like to visit the backroom, Meredith's office or upstairs, you need Meredith's permission (aka, PM me )

Calaveras' employees are expected to be able to take on a variety of roles, both inside the establishment and out. Even Meredith has been known to jump into the kitchens or take over some tables during a busy night.

There are usually about 20 people on the Calaveras staff, though this can fluctuate around busy months and holiday seasons. Calaveras hires both part and full-time employees.

Below are a few of the most notable full-time staff, either because they are registered characters on the board, the longest-employed, active accomplices to Meredith's side business, or all of the above. During business hours/threads they can be doing any of their listed roles. They are all available as NPCs in threads. You are also free to make up your own NPCs to wait on or serve your characters.









Employment Opportunities: Meredith is always looking for new staff, eyes and ears. She hires both full and part-time and offers seasonal jobs to students. Doormen, barmen, waiters and hosts are all in demand. Also for the musically inclined characters- Meredith is happy to book local talent for the evening. Criminals and upstanding citizens are both eligible for employment. If any of your characters would like to seek out an exciting new career, shoot me a PM and we'll plot something out