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Categories: Bars, Steakhouses, Performing Arts [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hollywood
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I came here with a bunch of friends on a Sunday. We had a friend of a friend who was a magician at the Castle bring us in...we all paid him $20 bucks or so we saved money since we didn't have to eat there. The magician was kind of against us eating there because he said it was overpriced and not that good. The dinner isn't themed. I probably would have wanted to eat there if the dinner was themed.
The place wasn't very busy on Sunday so there weren't any side shows going on. However, we did get to see the mains shows which were impressive but weren't astounding. Nonetheless, good fun!
Why don't you go f*** yourself? How's that for a magic trick?
Context: friends from out of town want to go. They make a res for 8 PM. I get sick and close to death. They change res from 8 to 7 people. They still charge me $25. Unless they have a "magical" table that only seats 7 that they want to switch my party to, I don't see how this affects their revenue stream. Oh that's right, they want to gouge on the cover AND the food, which is crap, by the way.
Oh and magic, really? Jesus H. I can find better ways to spend my money than staring at a "magical" piano and watching "magicians."
Ways to make Halloween more fun as an adult than it was as a child? Come to the Magic Castle.
You will be greeted by a full sized coffin loaded foot-deep with candy. And for those of you who would feel guilty taking more than one piece, they have bags right there begging to be stuffed full of their premium, hip-and-ass inflating candy. Yay!
You will see the castle tricked out in decor befitting their yearly themes. This year the bloodied, bashed and bruised baby dolls littering the mantles, bars and walls represented their "Night of the Living Dead Dolls" motif. Everything from barf-inducingly ugly Chuckielike dolls to cute little teddy bears wrapped up in chains mean that every corner here holds even more secrets than during the rest of the year.
And if you are really lucky during this most crowded of nights, and get to see the main show at the palace, your senses will be bombarded by a mixture of magic, comedy, circus, burlesque, and goth to please all but the sourest of attendees.
Plus, once you are pleasantly buzzed, your heels hurt (this isn't just a comment for the ladies-I saw more than a few dudes in drag) and you realize that a fortune has been spent and you are ready to turn in your valet ticket, you get offered a goody bag with special souvenirs as you leave. Provided you aren't too adult to yell "trick or treat" at the behest of your lovely hostesses, 'cuz while you may have to be 21 to get in even on this child's play holiday, people in this city hardly ever act their age anyway.
Dude, how the hell did I make it into the Magic Castle? I'm still confused as to the how, but I did… Read more »
A magnetically enchanting and spellbinding experience! WOW! what'll I have to tell my grandkids... adopted ones, of course.
First off, last night, 11/4/2009, marks the 100th anniversary of Magic Castle and it was an honor to be amongst such a talented array of magicians. Everywhere you turn, you see a magician that is standing/sitting/lying.. ever so aloof around you, only to dazzle you with their incredible tricks and powers that'll turn your head into mush. So what, go ahead, have one more glass of that absolut and you probably can stumble onto the stage floor. Please, just don't fall asleep, that's just rude.
When first driving up a steep passage into Magic Castle, you're instantly enthralled by the castle, but terrified by the fact that you might not have changed your brakes recently, and that your car will roll down in an instant's notice.
Next, when you're actually in the Magic Castle, you're instantly captured by the photos and all the little refined details on the walls, in the telephone booths, in the bar area.. EVERYWHERE! Ladies, if you do go, please wear walkable heels so you don't end up butchering your feet in your fervent pursuit of shows.
Even though the shows were good, for me, the magicians chillin' near the bar were the ones that made the Wednesday evening, one of the most memorable and riveting nights of my life. I want to thank five particular magicians, especially, because they made the initially slow night, into an encapsulatingly fantastic and mesmerizing world that gave me a new direction in life. No, silly, I ain't gonna be a magician, cuz I ain't got the dough, but... it certainly lights up my understanding of the pursuit of happiness.
To tell ya the truth, I'm an exceptionally skeptical person when it comes to magic and reality, but Magic Castle, and their uncanny magicians, are slowly turning me into a true believer of life and miracles. Miracles do happen, just on a more frequent basis in Magic Castle. ;)
PROS:
Food was delicious
So many different rooms to see magic
Friendly staff
The Castle is decorated so well (it feels special)
You get to say the magic words to get in and a hidden door opens for you
The history of the castle is interesting.
We went during Halloween and they had added fun decorations including a coffin filled with candy that you could help yourself to.
Irma the ghost who plays the piano (even though she didn't know some of our songs).
CONS:
Expensive
Main show was more circus than magic (pretty sloppy)
I'm sure it would depend on who was performing but the magicians we saw weren't fantastic, mildly entertaining.
This was such a fun experience, even if the magic wasn't outstanding, it was all in such a fun spirit. I could get lost in there, the home is so big. I took my family who were visiting from another country and they loved it. If you haven't ever been, and you have the opportunity to go, Don't miss it!
I really don't know how anyone could give this less than 5 stars.
The magic acts are amazing, the prices are reasonable, and the steak dinner is on par with any good steak house I've been to. Oh, and no kids allowed (I know, I sound like a grump - but it ends up a very nice, adult experience).
This was just a really, really fun evening!
I've now gone to the Magic Castle about 8 times, so I thought I'd update and share some tips:
1) The food is getting much better; the Castle is now making an effort to source everything locally. So all you foodie locavores, you can eat here and be smug about it. That being said, the menu doesn't change much -- the quality is better, but it's traditional stuff. However, everyone seems to love the chili -- which is relatively cheap. You can even buy some chili mix to take home from the gift shop. So, maybe opt for that and a few sides instead of the traditional entrees. You only have to spend $15 at dinner for it to "count."
2a) Talk to strangers. Magicians, even if they aren't performing, are everywhere -- and this is their Disneyland. They will spontaneously do tricks for you at the bar, they'll tell you about the secret cool stuff (which I am not detailing here), even a little magic history. Go with it. Be friendly. Don't just go and get hammered with your friends. Everyone knows the drunks are a bunch of a-hole douches and reacts accordingly.
2b) Another piece of this is -- a lot of magicians are old guys. Not all, but a lot. Magic got a boost in the last few years thanks to David Blaine and Criss Angel, but before that it was sort of a dying art. These guys have day jobs in sales and real estate and all that kind of stuff -- but they love magic and some of them are CRAZY good at it (time + years of practice = good). They usually have good senses of humor if you talk to them instead of rolling your eyes at Grampa. If you're going to go to the Castle with a douche attitude like, "eh, a bunch of silver hairs," then I really wish you'd just stay the hell home with a six pack of Mike's Hard Lemonade or whatever crap you drink and fuck off.
3) Explore. This is a Victorian house, one of the few actually still open to the public in Los Angeles. The others seem to be covered in stucco in crappy areas of town or stuck at Heritage Square. Yes, the decor is a little dated, the rugs look like they're from Vegas, but if you look around, there are some very cool historical artifacts and memorabilia (I think there are old Charlie McCarthy costumes, for example -- and don't make me explain who/what he was, people). If you don't get into a show, take that as your opportunity to look around and ask questions.
4) Leave Neil Patrick Harris alone. He's on the board of directors and he's there quite a bit. He's always very polite when someone approaches him, but Jesus, I can't believe how many drunken a-hole douches (see above) start saying, "Hey, there's DOOGIE!" in loud voices. He's probably used to it. But that doesn't make these people any less douchy. And he's a true magic fan -- if you want to see him do magic, check YouTube -- he does a trick seemingly whenever he's on the Ellen show.
5) If you want to avoid the douches, don't go on Saturday night.
6) If you don't get into a show and you ARE there on a douche night (Fri or Sat), don't forget that shows are constantly going on from 9pm on at the bars in the basement. Sometimes, those are actually better than the main room.
7) Whatever you do, wait for a shot at the Close-Up Gallery, even if that means standing in line.
8) Adjust your attitude. C'mon, people. We all know magic isn't real. So don't be the a-hole who has to figure out how the magician does it. The fun part is allowing yourself to be tricked. And don't be a heckler. There's a relaxed attitude at the castle, but that doesn't give you license to be (again) a douche.
Anyway, keep in mind that to you this is just a fun evening out, but to actual performing magicians, this is Mount Olympus. One of my friends said, "So, performing here is like performing at the Blue Note for a jazz musician?" And it's true. One night I was here, a guy had come from JAPAN to perform at the castle. You get the thumbs up to perform here, it's like getting your official stamp of approval. And even if you get a performer here or there who doesn't float your boat, there are 7 more floating around that evening who might. Relax. Have fun. Go with it. Open your mind.
Just don't be an a-hole douche.
This is one of those places where I totally get the bad reviews and I totally get the good reviews.… Read more »
Hands down, this is the BEST place to spend Halloween Night!! If you can, go go GO!
The Halloween decor was beautiful, and I saw so many cool people in costume. The shows were awesome, the magicians were very funny and had charming personalities...oh wait they are supposed to be charming,aren't they? duhhh lol
The Phantasmagoria show was beautiful!
I was impressed by the invisible piano player (Irma)...I requested a Lady Gaga song and she played Poker Face for me. I've seen other ppl request songs and she didnt play it/or she played something else...she responds better when you say please.
They had a dance floor, and an art gallery if u felt like buying a Gris Grimly print...there's so much cool stuff there!
We were relieved nobody got offended by our costume, lol. ( We were dressed as pilot/attendant plane crash survivors )
( I'm guessing they arenot really known for their food, right? People go there mainly for the entertainment and drinks )
The food was ok....my husband ordered a filet mignon that was burnt and was strategically covered in sauce, to cover the mistake ) I ordered a chicken masala and it was good...I was pretty happy with my dish, but my husband insisted that I write about his steak on Yelp =P
Overall, we had a great night!!!!
I have performed at the Magic Castle. I just read the review that described how to get an invitation, and I felt I should chime in here.
If you follow their advice about contacting a performer, it's up to that performer whether he wants to go out of his way to help a complete stranger get into the club. Our reputations are on the line if our guests make trouble for the staff.
There's no reason for a performer take the time and effort to get you in, other than good karma. So, if I were trying that strategy, I'd make sure that my email to the performer was... at the very least... a really nice one. If a magician helps you get in, remember that he's doing you a favor, since it's a private club that's not open to the public.
awhile back, I went out of my way to get a group into the castle, only to find out they were a bunch of jackasses with a sense of entitlement. They caused problems for the staff all night long. Honestly... these people couldn't have been any ruder or less appreciative. So, they WON'T be coming back.
EVER.
My advice for getting in? Ask a magician nicely and be honest. Describe how much it would mean for you to go there. It's hard for us to ignore a heartfelt request. If a magician helps you out, be gracious and respectful of the club and it's staff. We love the place dearly, and the people who work there are our family, so please treat them well.
So I havent been here in years and the old friend that was once was a magician is no longer. Is there anyone on Yelp that can assist with an invatation or with knowledge on how to get one. I would really love to go back.
thanks so much!
THE PLACE
Magic ranged from OMG to I can't believe they allowed you to perform here. Are you still working on your act?
Non-member: $25 door
Valet: $8
Formal dress code (men suits / women dressy)
FOOD & DRINK:
Cocktails about $10 a pop
Dinner - MANDATORY for non-members
Seafood pasta $22
Prime Rib $38
all dinners come w salad
Not the cheapest meal but good quality ingredients and large portions. Very tasty. My pasta was good but my honey's large juicy piece of meat was the best. All in all not 1 negative about the food.
But, the MEDIOCRE SERVICE was hard to except when paying that much. Waiter only took half of our drink order. I guess their was a misunderstanding but my honey & i ate our meals drinking a glass of water instead of a glass of wine. 2 pasta orders but no Parmesan cheese even though the table next to us served at almost the same time by the same server where given fresh Parmesan for theirs. I can only assume that they must be members therefor more attention.
SUMMARY:
We where entertained all night long even the bad stuff was fun to laugh at. Don't miss this place it is a unique experience.
8.14.09:
Get in: Invites only through a magician. What if you don't know one? Well search on yelp through talk threads, I found one through that method. They can email you an invitation. You will have to eat dinner there, which is probably the only downer cause the meal there is expensive and not up to par.
dress code: ladies no jeans! Cocktail/business atire. Men make sure you have a jacket. If you don't have these things they will actually look inside their closet and make you change. And its not guarantee that they will have your size. so be careful! or they won't let you in.
Valet only: I forgot how much it cost
Admission: $25 on weekends
Castle: Lovely on the inside. This place I have to say is very entertaining. From the invisible piano player Irma to the Bartender who does tricks and serve drinks at the same time. The shows is a must, do not miss out on their shows, it is definitely worth the wait!
Make sure to try to tour the whole castle. There are members throughout the place with a pendant, you may ask them some questions. Some are very delighted to help.
I would love to come here again and maybe one day the food will be decent enough to talk about .
It's a great place to enjoy some close up magic and get trashed at the same time.
My mother is a member-- she's been driving me friggin' crazy with her incessant and simplistic card tricks she's been learning from her classes. COME ON MOM, WHAT ARE YOU IN JUNIOR HIGH AND JUST MOVED NEIGHBORHOODS SO YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS AND INTERNET WASN'T INVENTED YET SO YOU GO TO THE LIBRARY AND CHECK OUT CARD TRICKS AND MEMORIZE ALL OF THEM??????
Other than that, the drinks are typical club prices (expensive), the food is slightly above average but definitely higher than normal prices.
Pro is that everyone looks nicely dressed-- hard to get that anywhere these days.
It's like Disneyland-- gotta go at least once.
This review is based solely on entertainment, my friends and I did not dine here at the Magic Castle.
The magicians knew how to wow, amaze, and confuse me the whole night! I was bummed that we couldn't get to see the most popular magician that night, whoops I forgot his name. The wait was full for the next two shows, it was sort of a downer at the moment. However we were able to get our own private show by a magician who was hanging out at the castle. After his little show he told us that if we couldn't get into the popular show, he knew another magician around the castle that could perform for us too.
Don't forget to pay Irma, the piano-playing ghost, a visit. Tip her birdie and she will play the song you request. I don't think she likes top 40's music though, she refused to play "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry and Low by Flo Rida.
Unfortunately we didn't get to that point. It was a Sunday night and it was time to stop acting like children and start being grown-ups again. If I get invited back here again (and you have to be invited, you can't just show up), I'd definitely say yes. It's always nice to get dolled up =)
Valet parking is $8 for non-members.
I've gone here probably five or six times, which is quite a few considering I live in Phoenix. It's a great alternative to the usual date night or a fun prelude to a night out. I love that I get to wear fancy dresses here and I love the decor. I highly recommend exploring as there are many hidden suprises.
It's best to go on a weeknight as it is much less crowded and the shows are more intimate. I've had the pleasure of being asked to assist multiple times, which was always a sort of childhood fantasy of mine. (geeky, I know). The magicians can be hit and miss, but most of the shows I've seen have been nothing short of awesome. My favorite of all time was The Unholy Three- absolutely hilarious, with Zabrecky a close second. Also check out David Minkin. Although I've never seen him perform a proper show at the castle, he's entertained me in hallways and at parties numerous times and I owe him for heckling him and trying to steal his table.
I've only tried the appetizers here, and they are forgettable- I would advise saving your money and eating before or afterwards. Also, there is no smoking patio as far as I know (I don't smoke, but my friends do, and I can tell you that the ambiance outside by the dumpster is slightly lacking, and not to mention Very Chilly if you are wearing a cocktail dress)
If you haven't been yet, Go go go!
I am your biggest cynic when it comes to magic. I was told to walk into this experience with an open mind and to just, well. Believe. Upon walking in, you will need to tell this wooden owl with scary looking blue eyes, "open sesame." Make sure you either turn off your phones or at least keep it on vibrate. It takes away from the magical experience!
While we waited downstairs at the bar for our reservations, we listened to Irma tickling the ivories. I requested Britney Spears "Toxic" but she played something else. Oh well. Didn't think that would be possible but I just wanted to give it a shot! What can I say about the dinner besides it being absolutely mediocre? They had a specials menu and I was going for seafood. I noticed they had a steamed mussels and clams linguine dish under the specials section and a seafood linguine under the regular menu. I asked the waiter what the difference was between the two dishes. And what is the difference you ask? The seafood linguine has only clams! You have your choice of red or white sauce. The red sauce tasted NAH-STEE. I have a pretty good appetite and I couldn't even stomach half of this dish. Their crab cakes were probably the highlight of the dinner. Battered on the outside and juicy and full of crabby flavor on the inside. It was finger-licking good!
Now, onto the magic shows. You have three different areas to choose from and there are a few show times for each show. I had the opportunity to go to the close-up gallery, the parlour of prestidigitation, and watch the performers at the palace of mystery. Overall decent shows but they made it up with their witty jokes. My favorite magician was the guy from the close-up gallery. You don't usually get to see their tricks up close and I definitely walked out stumped with my jaw dragging along the floor. My suggestion is that you line up extra early for the close-up gallery as the room capacity is at 21 so the line builds up fast.
Everything about this place screams old Hollywood glamor and I loved it. It was a pleasant experience and I am grateful for having the opportunity in coming. Any chance to get all dolled up and wear a nice dress and heels!
One word: disappointment.
My expectations of this place were pretty high. The dress code is ultra fancy, its expensive to get in, you have to pay x amount of dollars to become a member...etc.
What most others fail to mention is that this place is for losers. Straight up. The regulars here spend time preying on tourists to watch their lousy magic acts and listen to their lame stories.
I saw 4 acts here and 2 were less than average, 1 was good, and I left 10 minutes into the other one.
The decor is atrocious to say the least. It tries hard, but apparently not hard enough, Its sad when the "haunted mansion" look you were going for is an utter failure. This place just looked cheap.
I guess I had an alright time. I managed to rack up a $100 bar tab to make this place tolerable.
I really enjoyed how everythign was setup in the Magic Castle. The entire night was more of an experience than a meal, and they execute the entire show extremely well.
I must say, you do not come here for the food, and it's really expensive. Don't expect anything from it, and you will have an awesome time.
If you're lucky enough to get an invite from a member, please go, you won't be disappointed.
Magic Castle is home to some of the biggest names in magic, and thankfully the largest room is probably 40+ people. The close-up room in particular, will let you see some of the best slight of hand on the planet, mere feet from the illusionist.
I've only dined here once, and the Beef Wellington was excellent. Do yourself a favor: as the night winds down, head to the kitchen and get a bowl of chili. It's absolutely fantastic.
1.you have to be invited by a performer or have a ticket given to you by a member. I went as a guest of a magician since i work at the comedy and magic club.
2. Cocktail attire
but Seriously ...one of the cheesiest places ever...BUT a good time..
It's super dated and it feels like you fell into the twilight zone with all the creepy magicians and dated furniture.. besides all that some of the acts are really good and extremely quick. The "big show" was super cheesy but my friend i went with said the assistant was super hot, you can't beat a cute girl running around in fishnets and thong haha. So guys theres a plus+++
The food was good at the restaurant and they had decent drinks, kinda pricey but fun server and fun atmosphere..they have 11 some bars around the castle and the shows get better when your drinking a little.
It was a once and a life time evening. i wouldn't go again just because it was so cheesy but it was fun..go with people that actually follow the dress code otherwise they will lend you clothes
This place is pretty amazing! I was so lucky to even have the chance to go here! Like other yelpers have mentioned, this place is by invitation only by a Magician. Our project manager knew a magician here so she was able to get us all in! Too bad here magician friend didn't perform that day. Oh well, we still had a blast! Everyone enjoyed it a lot! The performances were really cool and FUNNY!!! It was very interesting and entertaining. The crowd that night was very pleasant. I'd totally take my friends the next time we come back here! I'm sure they will definitely enjoy it! It's beautiful on the inside and out! They don't allow cameras anywhere inside the castle, so be warned! We didn't have to dine here, so I can't tell you how the food was, but this must be experienced at least once!!
I came here a while back, but felt strongly about telling everyone that this place is simply OK. My expectations were maybe too high... IDK, yeah. Maybe that was it.
I was told it is very upscale & that was true for the fact that men must wear a coat & tie. With that said the dress code is not strongly enforced with ladies; as long as u wear a dress u can get in. Taste is not a criteria as I got beaver shots from left to right. for the most part it seemed like the hang out for rich silver hair folks.
The acts were ok. Some people were asleep; that may just come with the territory...
One star was for decor which is absolutely flaw-less!
The other star was for the food, which is DELICIOUS! Seriously tasty, bt a lil on the expensive side. However, worth every penny. Even the bread rolls were memorbale.
In summary I thought it was an honor to be invited here, but soon realized it was all fluff. I am glad I got to see for myself that it truly was just ok.
I would love to take my husband and two of our friends to The Magic Castle for our friend's birthday. If anyone happens to have a hook-up for passes, I would really appreciate the help.
Thanks!
Just the name itself is intriguing: A castle full of magic! A bona fide CASTLE! That's MAGICAL! If that doesn't instill some sort of excitement, I don't know what else does.
Although I was super stoked for a night of "guess how these guys are deceiving us like idiots" entertainment, my boyfriend (of nearly 3 years) decided to tell me the day before that his (dreaded) parents would be attending as well (of whom I would be meeting for the first time). This was not good news (to be diplomatic).
Thank goodness for the full bars sprinkled throughout the maze-like building!
We were given pamphlets bearing show schedules and map of the property, which was pretty useless. The map, I mean. It was this crude sketch that made little dimensional sense unless careful scrutiny was applied. Either that , or I was drunk.
The magic was so much fun, even though I spent more time trying to crack the tricks rather than actually enjoying the show. It is fake, after all. It's a show based on lies! Dinner was decent, but the dining room was so dimly lit my contacts would stick to my eyeballs when I tried to focus. Not that I'm complaining, it only meant it was easier to avoid eye contact with the parents!
It's like Disneyland; you gotta visit at least once especially if you live in LA!
I finally went after begging on facebook for anyone to get me in...Really enjoyed the Magic and the food. I think I would go a little earlier next time - so I can check out more of the Magic shows. So many to see, so little time! The food was ok, but I went for the magic and it didn't disappoint!
I think a visit to the Magic Castle is something that almost anyone would like, if you bring the proper expectations to your night out. There is something pleasing and even uniquely American about attending an old-fashioned magic show.
You should be able to attend about three magic shows during your visit, with a fine dinner included in your evening. I found the magicians themselves to be first-rate in each case. Some were from other countries, but that didn't matter because a fine magic demonstration does not require speaking to the audience at all. Some shows take place in small rooms that hold no more than 20 persons, so you're seeing the sleight of hand up close, which makes the illusions performed that much more remarkable.
While visiting the Castle, you'll have to occupy yourself with your friends between the magic shows, and there are several attractively decked out bars to accommodate you. You can also be entertained by a player grand piano that responds to your spoken requests - quite an instrument!
The castle's interior is elaborately decorated according to the styles of the late 19th century. On the walls of all the castle's rooms and hallways are portraits of the very many magicians who have performed there over the years. You might even see a celebrity or two during your visit -- I missed seeing Nicole Kidman by just one evening.
There is a small gift shop just inside the castle's front door, so you can purchase a souvenir or two of your visit.
I've written several articles about unique travel sites around the Los Angeles area. I mention the Magic Castle in one of them, found here: : http://www.examiner.co...
Tadaaaaaa! My 500th review! [pauses for applause]
A friend pulled some strings to get us into the Magic Castle for a bachelorette party, and I was rather excited, although, as noted by Christine K., standing up in your heels outside=ow. It also seemed odd to me that we had to wait outside in line for at least 10 minutes when we had a reservation.
I was given the honor of saying the Magic Words to the book in the bookcase that slides away...and it opens to anything, including my "Can I say whatever I want?" Once inside, you could take an extremely long time looking at everything if you aren't rushing upstairs for your dinner reservation. Dimmed lights, magicians performing up-close card tricks, a piano that will play anything you ask it to, once you put a dollar in the empty adjacent birdcage (I chose a polka standard, yes for realz), and a swank bar my friends dropped quite a bit of money at.
The restaurant is quite pretty, what I assume is early 1900's decor, with deep colors and extremely attentive service. Not much on the menu for vegetarians, since it's essentially a steakhouse, but there's a daily vegetarian special: this particular night, it was mushroom ravioli with various grilled veggies and marinara sauce. And it was delicious. The dessert menu looked incredible, but we didn't have time.
Folks, make sure you get to your show early, lest you end up in the very back like us. You aren't supposed to hold seats, either - tell your friends to get their nicotine fix later!!! The featured magician was HILARIOUS, with amazingly flashy smoking jackets, and capitalized on being gay, as well as embarrassing a rather mundane man in the audience. The other magician mostly performed tricks I've seen before.
Which show to see next, what time? My friends used unclaimed time to drink; how much of the Magic Castle's income is on booze? Servers roaming the audiences in the shows only adds to the spending. Wait time in the theaters led to me talking to a performer/ventriloquist who told me he thought I'd make a great magician (because I seem like a liar?).
My drunk friends kind of heckled the magician in our second show, which they said they've done before, but nearby audience members HATED them for it, which I find understandable. So shhh.
I knocked off a star because it was very crowded, hard to get through and I constantly felt squished or afraid of losing my friends. There must be a max capacity and I'm sure they weren't breaking fire codes, but oof - make it comfortable for the people who pay a lot to attend.
I'm a huge fan of magic and wizardry so I was on my toes anxiously waiting to go to the Magic Castle. Finally, the night came. Our dinner reservation wasn't until 930pm but we wanted to get there early to check out the magicians. Here's where I b-tch a bit...getting to the Castle was not an easy task because it's in Hollywood. Tourists, cars, people, etc were all over the streets!!! Grrr...it took us about an hour to get from Venice to the Castle. Anyways, the Castle didn't look as massive as I thought it would be. It's not as mysterious as I imagined it even though I've seen pics of it.
Parking is valet. We entered the building and waited a bit to pay for our entrance. The hostess told us to walk to the bookcase and say the secret word. It's really not a secret word if she tells us. I know that people have said it in the reviews but I wished I didn't know so that it would be part of the mystery.
I have to say that the magicians that performed that night were B++. We watched 2 great magicians who did amazing card tricks. The others that we watched were not impressive at all. It was a bit comical too.
For dinner, the food was great. I ordered the regular prime rib cut and it was a good size. It was cooked perfectly too. My other guests ordered the Filet Milton and the Beef Wellington. We ordered a side of sauteed mushrooms and calamari to share. The mushrooms was delish! The entrees were definitely pricey. Prices ranged from $25-$44, I think.
Overall, it was a fun night. The food was good, the acts were decent and it definitely took me out of LA and into a different world.
If you go, remember that you'll have to get dressed up and expect to pay a lot for dinner if you order their entrees.
Straight up one of the coolest night's I've ever had.
To get in we had to pull some serious strings, my ex-girlfriend's sister's boyfriend's sister's boyfriend got us an invite. Yeah the place is more exclusive than a sleepover at the neverland ranch (too soon?)
You have to get dressed up in your finest digs which makes the place even more fun. Suits and cocktail dresses abound and you're guaranteed to see a few sweet magician mustaches if you look hard enough. I'm having a hard time coming up with words to describe the vibe that is created by the decor and the crowd but everyone is super friendly and for the most part everyone just seemed super excited to be there. I could probably spend another night there just checking out all the cool stuff on the walls and listening to stories about the amazing history the place has.
It's truly fascinating to be at a place that is solely dedicated to such a specialized and awe-inspiring craft. The place isn't an event hall that sometimes does magic shows Its sole purpose in life is to bring magic to the people, you've got to respect that.
So grease some palms and get yourself an invite then rock your Sunday's best and head to the magic castle for a night you will never forget.
And for my next TRICK...i'll be reviewing the MAGIC CASTLE
Hollywood is known for its lavish style and old time glamor. What better way to show that in this turn of the century castle. Off Franklin avenue, you'll find a baroque exterior and subtle waterfalls as you drive up the curvaceous driveway. The affable clean-cut valet will open your door to a world of mystery and magic.
OPEN SESAME!!!!
Inside you'll find a magic club that is reminiscent of a secret hangout during the prohibition years. The restaurant upstairs offers prompt and professional service. This is to be expect as the price is relevant of its high quality service. Steaks and seafood fill their hefty menu with a few alternative choices for the picky eater in you. Generous portions will make your taste buds fall deeply in love with each groan of satisfaction.
Be Sure to book your party early as the shows typically run early. Also make note that there is absolutely NO standing or saving seats for their first come, first Serve magic shows.
I have been fortunate enough to have attended this magic club a handful of times during my life. I have always been impressed with the club's devotion to perfecting the art of magic. You will come across many tricks that you have seen before as a child but with an entirely different twist and style that will live you in awe and wonder.
There are plenty of the magicians waiting around the bar and lounge areas to perform close-up tricks to give your visit a more personal touch. Just about all of their performers dazzle you with quick-witted humor and mind-blowing illusions.
If you ever get the chance to visit the magic castle, make sure you visit IRMA, the piano ghost to amuse with an encyclopedia of music on her grand piano. Leaving the castle will cause you perplexed yet captivated by your experience.
i had the pleasure of getting invited to magic castle last night and i really had a great time here...a little cheesy, but i love magic tricks so it was a blast...the performer at the end of the night, david cassidy, was such a hoot with his neurosis/magic/balloon creations...totally wish i could've watched more shows though! if i ever get a chance to go again, i'll definitely try to hit up as many shows as possible
minus 1 star for the crap food...like someone said before, 3 star food at 5 star prices...definitely felt like i wasted $$$ on a poorly prepared swordfish dish that was drenched in creamy nothingness paired with bland mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies that i could've done myself at home, but to make up for the chef's ineptitude in the kitchen, you do get tickets to the big magic show at the end of the night, so it evens out i suppose
also FYI: for men, jacket and tie ARE absolutely required (if you don't have one, they'll give you a jacket and tie...someone in our party had to do this), cover charge of $20/person, $8 valet
A great place to visit. At least once in your life.
Food was decent, I had the lamb and it was cooked very well. It had a great jalapeno gelee that came with it. Side dishes were pretty generic, steamed veggies and mash.
Shows were all great. First one was a comedy/magic had me cracking up the whole time. I'm not big on the 'mind control' magic though.
I once wrestled a bear for two tickets inside Magic Castle, but unfortunately he won. From there I continued plotting ways to get inside this enchanted kingdom of sleight of hand. I sold my left kidney to a man named "Little Bill" in West Hollywood, I waxed all my body hair including my eye brows, and gave away my entire collection of micro machines, but still had no luck with tickets. Actually I'm not sure why I did any of that stuff. No one offered me tickets for any of it. God, sometimes I'm so stupid.
Little did I know all you really have todo is call them up and politely ask how to get tickets. If you catch the right person on the phone and it's not a busy day, usually they'll tell you to come on down. If you get the chance, don't miss it. Here's a tip, go for the magic and not the food. It's bland. But the magic is great. And they have three different bars inside.
Took my parents and best friend and his wife.
Food seemed a bit better than before, but the magic this time was really really great.
We all had a great time. Went on a Sunday and it was pretty busy.
Call at least 2 weeks ahead for Fri/Sat. resv.
You don't go to the Magic Castle for anything but the magic.
When you pay you $25 to get in, make…
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went here for the first time on my bday last nite and i had a really great time there. my friends and i had smiles on our faces the whole time. if you are invited and have an invite card, it's $30 at the door and you are required to have dinner. we did not have to eat dinner since we were walked in by one of the magicians, so i won't be able to give any info on what they serve, but i do know that plates range from $40-90 per plate. the drinks i do know were about $12.50 each for a grey goose or any top shelf drink. it is a very upscale dress code. guys have to wear a coat and tie and ladies have to wear a cocktail dress or some sort of equivalent. it was fun getting dressed up and having a a nite out with a bunch of friends.
this is a perfect place to bring a date. you and your date will not have a dull moment. all of the magicians that we saw were friendly, made us laugh, as well as amazed us with all their slight of hand tricks. i read some reviews from people who gave this place bad reviews, and i think those people in general don't have fun anywhere they go, and are probably negative about everything they rate, so don't pay attention to them and go have the time of your life at this place! i definitely will be coming back here again. it beats going to some bar or club where you have to pay $20 or $30 to get in and pay the same amount of $$$ for drinks and get no entertainment value.
There are so many things to be said about the Magic Castle...Magical, Great Entertainment, beautiful house and grand atmosphere and the food ain't too bad either.
I have to preface this review by saying I'm a member of the Magic Castle and please accept the fact that I'm a bit biased but I will do my best to be very fair. In the 46 years that the Castle has been, I think that now is the best of times for the old girl. It is good to get dressed for dinner and to enjoy a night of entertainment that you can not find anywhere else in Hollywood nay even the world on the regular basis that you can at the Magic Castle.
Depending on your point of view, the food has greatly improved over the last year and the prices have stayed about the same so the value for what you get overall is great. While I believe that everything is very good on the menu, I will always suggest the Steak Milton and the Beef Wellington; potato and veggies come with the meal and the house bread is wonderful.
For appetizers the Lobster Bisque is Divine and the crab cakes are pretty good too. Because the popularity of the place has seemed to increase over the last few years, it is very difficult to get through the meal and still get one of the heavenly deserts before you need to be at the main show.
This is a great place to bring guests but I would recommend that small groups of 6 work best to "see everything".
Be sure to see Irma in the piano bar. She will entertain you will music of your choosing just be sure to bring a few dollar bills to feed her bird.
She also will answer all your questions, just be sure to know your music because she answers you musically.
Please be sure to enjoy a night at the Magic Castle. Remember that if you go to the castle it is a very elegant place. Dress to the nines. Also remember that kids can come on Sunday for a wonderful Brunch and some great magic just for the kids.
If you would like to go drop me a note. I'll see what I can do about getting you a pass.
If your looking for really good food and drinks, in a pretty cool looking place then look no further.
If your looking for magic that will bow you way, don't bother coming here. Very simple and boring magic here... all stuff you can buy at magic shops (most of which i already have) and its more comedy acts than magic.
I still had a great time regardless but i wish the magic was more... well... magic.
Failure to be entertained may indicate that a carton of yogurt has more culture than you do.
I've been to the castle twice and both times were equally magical.
It still maintains its original Victorian charm, so you feel quite literally transported in time once you cross the threshold. Full of historical artifacts that range from quirky to creepy to just plain silly, the place is a cornucopia for the eye and ear with its multiple levels, winding hallways, and hidden doors.
The Magic Castle is classy and unique, and there is something to be said for dress code. If your idea of dress-up attire is a blingy Ed Hardy t-shirt and ball cap, or a low-cut tunic that skims your buttcheeks, then I suggest you visit Fogo de Chao on La Cienega for a meal. The price tag for food is about the same, but the ambiance may be more to your taste.
I find it very gratifying that the patrons of the Magic Castle must adhere to a strict dress code. It's very Old Hollywood to see everyone in their most glamorous frocks and tuxedos. You really cannot over-dress, so why play it safe? Suits for men and women are permitted, but men without jackets and ties will be required to borrow one from the castle's communal selection.
Our meal was delicious but not the best meal I've ever had in Los Angeles... rack of lamb is solid, chicken marsala is average, beef wellington, filet and steak milton had great reviews from our table, and bread pudding for dessert satisfied my sweet tooth. I would love to try their brunch!
The magic itself has been consistently high caliber. With multiple shows occurring in separate parlors at various times throughout the evening, there should be a little something for everyone. Shows are intimate with limited seating, and it's amazing to see magic performed at such close proximity. I haven't seen a rabbit pulled out of a hat, but I did see a poodle materialize out of thin air. Wild!
I went to the Magic Castle about a year back and I cannot stop thinking about the dinner I had.
I have never had a better Filet with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Green Beans in my life. If you have the chance to go, it is a great night with wonderful food and entertainment.
The staff is extremely nice and accommodating, the atmosphere is to die for and the food is top notch. Expect to spend some money but it is so worth it for a night out on the town.
I think my expectations might have been a wee bit too high...
I thought it was super ghetto how they make you wait in this huge line in your nice little dress + heels.
1 invitation = 8 ppl, $25 pp entry fee + ~$40-$50 dinner. (sat night)
Their system was not very efficient when entering...nor was it inside.
Crowded...and you're basically locked in for the next 2-4hrs!!
No patio, no light...this is one dark castle...
There are many small theaters which you have to wait in line for...
friends were saving spots in line so it took forever to watch a show! Insane! It was soOOo stressful!!!
They should make it so you move along in a set schedule. And if you miss it...tough luck. You snooze, you lose!
Also some of their shows (the bigger ones) are setup.
The person who is chosen out of the "audience" is actually part of the show!!!!!!!! I felt so deceived. =*(
How do I know this?? B/c the same lady was chosen 2 times in 2 different shows!!! plus she's a bad actress...
She was in both Dale Hindman show and The Palace of Mystery show!
I remember exactly how she looks like...her giggling was so annoying.
Yes she giggles...errrr
Most of the shows were just so-so...the best was Michael Rangel at the Hat&Hare Lounge...he was hilarious and very entertaining.
I love how you're so up close and personal with this one.
The worst...I will not say since it seems I said too much already =x
Food was not so good...altho the cobb salad looked good.
My stomach wasn't feeling good after I had coffee (with cream + sugar) at their bar...uh hem...
I hated how their a/c was soOOo inconsistent...cool in one area and hot as hell in another!
1 star for Michael Rangel
1 star for Barbara Eden (The Jeannie from "I dream of Jeannie"-she was a guest here that night. wOohOo!)
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