The Magic Castle

Every time I am at this magical place, it feels like it’s the first visit there. Unbelievable performers from magicians, to jugglers, to comedians, just a phenomenal experience. The dining experience is exceptional. Sea bass, beef Wellington, to banana cream pie and crème brûlée are delicious. All the magicians and staff throughout the castle are always delighted to share their tricks and knowledge of the castle. David Deeble thank you for another memorable performance. Love love the Magic Castle!

I LOVE this place. I love Magic and what better place in Los Angeles to go to then the Magic Castle? I love everything about this place. Here is the list of things that I love…
— historical vintage victorian location. So unique looking and very beautiful
— rich history — the walls are covered in history, its inspiring
— exclusivity — to feels so awesome to be able to come here and be able to experience this special private club
— the MAGIC — so many really great magicians perform here and because the rooms are really small, everything is so intimate and up close, its really really amazing to see the magic they do here. they can wow you while sitting 6 inches from them. Amazing.
— iconic — its the place to be!
— great people — everyone is so so nice here
— dressy — how many places are there left in los angeles that you can dress up like a red carpet party and not go to an official big event?
— classy — the historical décor and the ambiance is so awesome
I don’t really care about the prices. It’s worth it. One of the times I came was for a magician’s birthday party and that was even more amazing experience. The entire bottom floor is for the party magicians to show off their magic, and to celebrate and get photos. So much fun!

The Magic Castle is an awesome experience. If you have the opportunity to go, don’t pass it up!
G E T T I N G I N
You have to get an invite from a member or you can get 6 tickets by staying at the hotel for a couple hundred bucks. Our friend booked a room and made dinner reservations for a group of 6 of us. Such a good friend!
P I C T U R E S A N D E N T R Y
Upon arrival, be sure to take a group picture in front of the castle because you’re not allowed to take any pictures inside. Scrolling through photos on Unilocal,you’ll see that there are a lot of rebel Unilocalers who broke this rule! Anyways…
After taking your pictures, you pay your very reasonable entry fee of $ 20 per person and you’re in. Nice.
D I N N E R
I went all out on this dinner. Pretended money wasn’t a problem for me. Ordered the calamari, a bowl of their «famous» chili, their special orange marg, a glass of Riesling, and the rack of lamb. With tax and tip I think it all came out to around $ 110-​$ 120. A decent chunk of change but nothing seemed unreasonably priced.
The calamari was good but nothing special. Same goes for the «famous» chili — good but nothing special. I was loving the orange marg. Thought it was gonna be too sweet but it was perfect. Ended up ordering 3 or 4 of these throughout the night. The riesling was excellent. And I loved the rack of lamb. Cooked to a perfect medium rare and it had a super good flavor. Pretty good size as well. The lamb came with garlic mashed potatoes which were nice, different colored carrots which were undercooked, and broccolini which was fine. Overall, I was very happy with the meal.
M A G I C S H O W S
We saw 3 or 4 different magic shows after the dinner. Not gonna say much about these but they were all very entertaining.
E X P E R I E N C E
At first when I heard the strict formal dress code, I was a little turned off. But the fancy dress code actually added a lot to the experience. Helped make it more of a unique night out. It was super fun going from one magic show room to the next, dressed all fancy, getting drinks from the different bars in between shows.
S U M M A R Y
Overall, The Magic Castle is the definition of a 5 star experience. Exclusive, formal attire, fancy dinner, classy drinks, good magic shows, the works! Highly recommend!

The Magic Castle! After 20 odd years of chatter, anticipation, rumors, and stories of this place while growing up as a kid, I FINALLY made it in! I thought this moment would never come.
I’d like to start by saying that I really want to give this place a bad review, because the manager Joey really did rub me and my friend the wrong way, but honestly, I can’t. I came here last night (Thursday, 6÷9÷16) for my first time ever and had an absolute blast. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here, and highly recommend everyone to check this place out if given the chance. Though pricey, it’s definitely worth splurging for.
As many already know and have previously stated, this restaurant/​club/​bar/​entertainment venue is invite only and pretty exclusive. You either have to be a member, know a member, or know someone that knows a member. If you don’t, the only other way to get in is to book a hotel room at the magic castle hotel next door.
One booked room (~$ 250) will get you 6 passes into the magic castle club, but plan ahead if trying to make reservations for a Friday or Saturday night (the best nights here), as those spots often fill up a few weeks in advance. For a Thursday night, same week reservations into the club is possible, and that’s what we did/​how we got in. For taking out-​of-​towners, this is the best last-​minute way to show them a glimpse of something magical.
When we arrived, we were pleasantly greeted by the hostess, who confirmed our reservation and gave us an itinerary of the shows for the night. To get inside, you must say the secret words «Open Sesame» to the owl on the bookshelf. Once you say those words to the owl, the bookshelf will slide open, leading you to the secret passageway into the club.
The dining room is upstairs. Once seated, the waitress came over and explained the menu, along with some additional off-​menu items that sounded delicious. Service was quick and efficient. Our waitress was very knowledgable about the hotel’s history and helpful in showing us where to go. Very friendly and truly top notch service all-​around.
The food was A-​M-​A-​Z-​I-​N-​G. Do not listen to the other Unilocalers that complain about the prices and the food quality here. For what you get, prices are VERY reasonable. For $ 49, I ordered a 14 oz prime rib, ordered medium rare, which came with mashed potatoes and vegetables, as my main dish. For an appetizer, I tried the seared ahi tuna, priced at $ 16.
Both dishes were absolutely exquisite. The tuna was masterfully marinated in a soy ginger vinaigrette, and topped with a mini seaweed salad and masago. The tuna tasted fresh and I could tell it was quality. The prime rib was huge! This slab of meat was about 2 inches thick and took up well over half of my plate. I seriously think it was more like 20 ounces. It came perfectly cooked and was among the best prime rib I have ever had. Food quality, flavor/​taste, quantity, and presentation: A+! I was stuffed.
After finishing our meal we wondered around the castle, which contains 14 bars, a myriad of secret rooms, and non-​stop Magic shows. The castle is grand, and there really is a lot to take in. From the piano that plays whatever song you tell it to, to the haunted dungeon and more, I can stay entertained here for hours and hours.
The best show of the night was the main one after dinner, that the waitress gives you guaranteed tickets to. Show up to shows roughly 30 mins before they start if you want a good seat/​view. Most of the side shows were generally average to me, but the main show blew my mind for sure. All the magicians are pretty funny and interactive.
For those looking for bar prices, beers are $ 9, cocktails are generally $ 14, and glasses of wine range around $ 10 – 14. Beer options include Golden Road IPA, Lagunitas IPA, some kind of red ale, Stella, and a few more.
I highly recommend coming here when given the opportunity. You will not regret it. I had a blast, and I hope you do too!

Just went here for the third time this past weekend and I still can’t get enough of it! I tend to favor the dinner over brunch because I hate children. I also appreciate the strict dress code during the evening as well. I love to get all «dressed up» with hair and makeup for anything worthwhile so it’s just my preference.
Although the evening requires a «strict» dress code, I must say that I have seen a handful of female guests arrive in some of the most questionable attire. You can pretty much tell who frequents high end establishments and who doesn’t. Not to say that this place is anything close to Michelin star rating. Far from it. But according to some guests (specifically females in their early 20’s), appropriate evening attire consists of wearing an old Forever 21 club outfit from two years ago. :/​Like, you couldn’t have at least gone to the contemporary section? It’s the same price range as everything else in that store?
As for the food… :/​Let’s just say, it’s obviously not the reason why people come here. If I had to compare it to anything, I’d probably say that it’s the same exact quality as first class airplane food (domestic :/​). I see so many reviews on how overpriced it is, but honestly… It’s really NOT that «expensive». Calm down. I can name at least 10 other restaurants in LA that are way more overpriced with even WORSE quality. The ambiance and «exclusivity» is all factored into the pricing appropriately.
The magic shows are all fairly entertaining for the most part. I hate being pointed out and put on the spot for participation but I always end up laughing about it after. If you don’t like dressing up or paying over $ 50-​$ 70(per person) for dinner, then this isn’t the place for you.

The only way to be able to come here is if you know a member to get you in or someone you know knows a member.
We were able to get our magician to come with us and it was great because he gave us all the secrets and knew where to take us. It was about a group of 12 – 15 of us and we all had fun wherever he took us.
The menu options are great. We had dinner there and we all seemed to enjoy all the food they provided. The drinks were great as well. The décor there is pretty cool, it feels like a true castle full of magicians. The main shows normally run at a certain time so make sure you try to make the best of the time while you’re there.
I’ve gone once and I think going once was enough. The reason why I think that is because I like magic but I’m not crazy over it.
Overall such a fun, great experience!

Magician/​Tour guide: Rich Freeman
Amazing time! We got there at 6pm and didn’t leave until shortly after midnight. The best part of the night was that we got a guided tour by Rich! He gave us quite a bit of history on the building, the founders and many of its magicians! Rich showed us the hidden gags and so many other interactive parts of the castle and pointed out a lot of must see magicians and what times we should get in line for shows. (sooooo many things are just hidden in plain sight)
All in all, it was a great night and our group was amazed at the things we saw. I suggest that you seek out Rich and ask him for a tour if he isn’t performing that night. You will no regret the amazing history lesson and the ties to Disney!
and if you’re lucky, Rich will show you some of his amazing magic along the tour.

Wow what an experience.
I was invited along with three others to attend a memorable night. Prior to going I have heard some things like the food isn’t good and the shows are pretty cool. Well, from my own experience, we had a pretty amazing time overall. We luckily were able to make reservations one day ahead of time. Our reservation was at 6pm and we arrived at opening time, 5pm. Once we arrived we checked in and went through their doors. That’s when the magic happens. No photos and no video recording of any kind. Once you enter, there is their grand bar. I had to get my dirty martini that was made super strong and enough for the entire night. Since we arrived early we were able to watch two shows right before dinner.
The first show consisted of card tricks. He was a good starter for us. The second show blew my mind. I luckily was able to participate in most of the shows, and this one included. This show had a younger guy who made things change right in front of our faces. What?! He gave me two balls to hold in the palm of my hand. Then when I went to open it there were a bunch of balls that rolled out. WTF?!
Once it was dinner time, we made our way to the dining area. Drinks came out immediately. To start we went with a bottle of red wine and their shrimp cocktail which was eh. For my entrée, I went with the scallops dish. It was pan seared perfectly. There was the right amount of sauce. It was a light dish but perfect since I wasn’t super hungry. We also ordered crab mac n cheese to share which I didn’t taste much crab but was still very good. I had a bite of their steak which was very good and their seabass which was also good. To our dinner, we had a bite of their chocolate cake, crème burlee and banana cream pie. That banana cream pie was to die for. It’s a must get if you want dessert. Our service we very friendly, very sweet, and very helpful. He gave us tickets after and gave great recommendations on the order of shows we should attend.
After dinner, we made it to our ticketed show which was the largest show. There they had three top magicians perform. My favorites were the magician that had our friend come up on stage and the hot younger guy that made an ipad disappear. Once we saw that show, we went over to see the popular Alberto de Figueiredo. I participated in this one as well, along with my friend. After those two shows we made our way to the bar where the bartender did some magic right up front with us with some card tricks. That was a lot of fun to interact with them one on one. Lastly, our last show of the night was in a small room downstairs. The magician there was a high school teacher who had my sister come up on stage to participate. He was pretty amazing and a great magic show to end the night.
Besides a great dinner and unbelievable shows, I enjoyed walking around the castle and looking at all the details. I love the dark vibe of the place and the exquisite work they put into it. All the photos, painting and décor around the castle were beautiful to me. Each room has it’s own look. It definitely had some class. We ended up leaving around 11pm so we spend quite a bit of time there. I was really glad I got to experience coming here and I recommend if you get the chance.

I had such a great experience at the Magic Castle! If you happen to get an invite, don’t think twice… just go! My friend is taking a six-​week class here and can invite up to 3 people for the whole duration of the program. When you go with a student, you don’t have to pay for the cover charge and you don’t need to have dinner reservations… you can just walk-​in with the student! We decided to have dinner here though because we wanted the whole magic castle experience.
We were here on a Tuesday night at around 730 and it wasn’t too busy– no valet backlog and no line inside the lobby. Once we got there and valet parked, we headed inside where we paid for the valet ($ 13) and had our IDs checked at the front desk. If you get there ahead of your party, you can wait inside if you have dinner reservations.
We had an 8 pm dinner reservation so when we got there a few minutes before that, we had a little bit of time to go around and explore the place. There were shows scheduled before 8 pm but we didn’t get to see those so maybe come earlier if you want to catch at least one show before dinner.
I have read some bad reviews about the food and service but during the night of our visit, service was impeccable– from the valet guys, front desk ladies, waiters, and security! Hmmm but the bartender, not so much. Food is great too. We had the calamari and pork belly sliders for appetizers and for our entrees, I had the filet mignon ($ 39), while my fiancée had the tomahawk steak ($ 72). The meats were tender and flavorful. I also loved their salted caramel crème brûlée! Our bill came up to about $ 425 for our party of 4, including alcoholic drinks, tax and tip. Do I think it’s worth $ 100 per person? I mean, dinner + magic shows (you can watch 6 shows if you time it right!)…I think it’s worth it!
We were able to watch 3 shows that night but you can watch more than that if you come early and if you time it right. Since we had dinner reservations, we had guaranteed tickets to the main theater. If you don’t have tickets, you can wait on standby. You’d also have to get in line maybe 10 – 15 mins before each show in the other rooms, depending on how big the crowd is that night, so you can get a seat inside. The night we went, it wasn’t too crowded but there were still people who were turned away because the room was already at capacity.
The magic shows were great although there were some tricks that were too cliché (bunny appearing out of a hat, circus rings, etc.) The highlight of the night though was the late night close up show by the magician Bebel… really amazing! I am convinced he is the real-​life Dumbledore!
Don’t forget to adhere to the dress code… suits for the gentlemen, dresses for the ladies. I came in a short dress and heels and I didn’t feel underdressed. I saw a few women in long cocktail gowns though so if you want to show up in those and an updo, I don’t think you will feel out of place.

We had a very special time from the moment we said the password to the owl for the doors to open and I already, can’t wait to return. Growing up in LA most people have some sort of connection to someone who is a member here, I think that’s just sort of how things work in this town. Think six degrees of separation but really it’s not even that, you’d be surprised. I won’t wish you luck getting in, because I’m sure you can find a way if you’re resourceful enough.
We’ve known a member or two for decades but I’d still never visited the Magic Castle until last night. I was super excited to attend as the guest of another friend/​member we know. When visiting with a member our entry fee was waived, sweet! and we were not required to have dinner, although dinner would have been lovely — the time frame we were looking for was booked so we will return for the full dining experience in the near future.
We did however order bar eats. The menu is quite large and everything was tasty after having drinks. It grew late and we missed ordering dessert before the kitchen closed but we did have Truffle Fries, Calamari, Sriracha Chicken, and Cheesy Garlic Bread earlier in the evening in between exploring and having drinks from various bars.
Everyone is very friendly, talented and welcoming here. I met other members who loved to get you know you and were happy to extend their business cards ensuring you grow your network and know even more members so you aren’t ever solely relying on only a few people to guarantee your entry. I also met and chatted with Milt Larsen at the bar, very sweet man!
I loved the décor and touring the mansion. Irma seemed to be out of commission when we visited her but I did have the chance to entertain myself various other places, like the phone booth and sobriety checker. We had a chance to peek at the library, a classroom session being led by Mark Wilson and later his son Greg performing a show, the Houdini room and many other special areas here.
There are restrooms everywhere, which our friend noted makes complete sense — since there are bars everywhere!
Everything about the place is magical and special. Classy joint all the way :) Everyone must abide by the dress code so men, are dressed like true gentleman. Everyone is cleaned up and looking their best.
Hostess take drink orders in all showrooms so if you missed grabbing one from a bar, need not fret you can wait in line for a show and still have a drink in hand by the time the fun starts.
We did not attend the Palace show on our visit but we did attend 3 other shows in 2 other rooms. My favorite for the evening was one in the very intimate (although, every aspect of this place is intimate) Close Up theatre.
Zero photography allowed inside, except for the lobby prior to entrance and very little if any cell phone reception inside — not that you’d want to waste even a second dealing with your phone. You will completely preoccupied during your visit.
Although there are plenty of bar stools, tables and chairs do expect to be on your feet a lot, as you move about through the Magic Castle. Heels are always a great idea for ladies, but do wear comfortable ones.
I can’t wait to come back for dinner and another amazing experience. My boyfriend and Mom had a fabulous time and our friend managed to create many special miracles for us on his own, which added to our experience. I’m not certain attending without a member would be as much fun, until you’ve learned a lot about the place but on a first time visit being with a member to give you a proper tour and history of many things you wouldn’t have otherwise learned is really a treat.
This place really is special and I typically steer clear of saying certain places are for special occasions because you should find something special about every occasion so I’ll say this place is perfect for any day, time of the week. It’s an exceptionally different experience than dressing up and grabbing a drink or dinner anywhere else but I don’t feel it should only be reserved for special occasions. Visit often as I’m sure you’ll always enjoy something new here.

This is for the restaurant and facility, not the magicians. I am not a member and appreciate the opportunity to go
First, to get in the door, with a reservation, the bouncer needed to see the original invitation on my phone, not the confirmation… no idea why, the check in girl didn’t care about any of that, my name was on the list. Also, the bouncer required IDs to get in the door, I don’t care because it was in my name and figured it was for that. My wife could not find hers and we were about to be turned away. If that is for alcohol, open your fucking eyes, we don’t look under 40, and there is no way anyone would mistake us for teenagers. I get annoyed with this shit, the last time a bouncer wanted to ID me I pretty much told him to go F* himself and walked in. Pay the $ 30 person cover and $ 13 parking.
So then we use the restroom before going on our adventure. There are dangerous stairs just inside the mens room, so exercise caution.
We go up stairs and are seated at a tiny table. The waiter, Michael, comes by and and I ask for recommendation, first he recommends the lamb, I’m not a fan of lamb so ask what next, he suggests the Sea Bass. I take it. we order Spinach dip appetizer and I a soup, her a salad. moments later the soup and salad are delivered along with bread and the table is now about full. I figured he didn’t write down the appetizer and we were just skipping forward. Then one bite into the Soup and Salad another runner shows up with the appetizer and forces it onto the table. I was about to send it back because I don’t play that game. So we eat finish everything on the table and then it is like 30 minutes for entrees to arrive. I am not thrilled in the least with the Sea Bass, but her Diver Scallops were really good.
So dessert time, we went with the Banana pie, it was ok, assembled oddly and pretty much fell apart. My wife loves banana crème pie, she was disappointed as was I.
I guess this fall in the category of captive audience, everyone wants to go to the Magic Castle, so they can serve mediocre food at higher than market prices because the demand is so high.
For the facility, it is an annoying place, there are 7 – 8 sets of stairs to traverse, and constantly ascending and descending to get to the different rooms/​theaters. Most of the rooms are very small and packed, which I guess is good because the place is overcrowded, there were shows we did not get do see because we arrived at 9 for the 9:15 show and they already had the closed the line for the 10:00 show and we didn’t feel like standing there 2 hours for the 10:45 show. Felt a lot like ComicCon with hours long lines… Oh for one of the shows we did sit and wait an hour, because there were chairs outside the Peller. When it came time to let us in, good thing we were first, because there were 27 VIPs for a room of 40, so most people waiting didn’t get in.
Annoying in the Peller, we were seated on the side, in the aisle, and after everyone was seated and the show had started they decided to turn on the blinding LED step lights. Annoying me through the entire show.
In the main theater, the seats are not staggered like most theaters, so you are constantly shifting to try and see around the person or people in front of you’s heads.
The atmosphere is loud in most of the club, so it can be difficult to hear the magicians.
In the early 1990’s I managed a Comedy Club and every time a magician came through they gave me invited to the Magic Castle, and for 26 years I have wanted to go… I’m glad I did, but definitely not planning to ever go again. Oh, and final total for 2, no alcohol, $ 250
Oh, and if you want to go, and don’t know anyone to invite you, book a stay at the Magic Castle hotel and it includes your $ 30/​person admission.
Oh, and one more thing, the Houdini Aquarium form Tanked is no longer there, the manager told us that Houdini decomposed and killed all of the fish, so the got rid of it.

Guys, this place is extraordinary in every way. If you love magic, mystery, old things, and classy-​ness, then this place is for you! I love everything about it: how you have to dress up to go there (wear a tie or they will provide you with one), a piano played by a ghost named Irma, the intimate magic shows, the talented magicians who are also hilarious, the secret passage bookcase, and other magical touches. It feels like you’re in a time warp when you step into the magic castle. Is it 1920 or 2016? Not sure. This food and drinks are expensive, but it’s totally worth it for a unique and unforgettable experience!
TIPS: Get there early so you can see as many shows as possible. Try to go on a week night, as the lines for the magic shows are shorter. Ask the bartenders which shows to see.

Growing up, I’ve only seen magic on television that usually showed me how they did it afterwards, so magic to me wasn’t really considered «magic,» until I came here! Seriously, my entire perspective towards magic has completely changed after one night at the Magic Castle!
This place is exclusively for members only and their guests. I love exclusive places because they actually work really hard to maintain and keep their members happy. The number one rule here is no pictures allowed, so shame on everybody who took photos! The security guard strictly told us no foodporn, outfit porn, or any type of porn pictures! Hahah! The second strict rule here is the dress code. You have to dress nice in order to get in, which makes sense.
Admission was $ 30 a person and remember to grab a schedule of the magic shows on your way in. As you walk around there are plenty of shows you can visit on the schedule or visit small tables of magic located all around the castle. I personally liked the small tables of magic over the shows a little bit more because they were a lot more intimate. The magic in all the shows/​tables were outstanding. I can tell they work extremely hard to provide such an outstanding show; leaving me amazed after each one. I would also recommend arriving early because I felt like the night went by so quickly that we were not able to see as many shows as I wished.
The food here was a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I ordered the Herb-​Rubbed Slow Roasted Prime Rib and I like how they have two sizes to chose from in case your hungry or really hungry. My friend ordered the Academy Beef Wellington and they were both pretty good. For the sides, we enjoyed the Sautéed Seasonal Mushrooms, Truffle French Fries, and the Four Cheese Garlic Bread, which I would highly recommend on all three of those. The sides were really good.
I would highly recommend anybody who ever get a chance to go here to definitely not let the opportunity pass you by. It is a once in a lifetime experience! Keep the magic going!

The magic castle exceeded my expectations !! I had a wonderful night filled with magic and friends.
I was invited by a member to attend the castle. It was a truly magical place! i really enjoyed my time there an cant wait to go back!

If I could move here, I would.
Irma’s ghost captured my heart from the beginning.
She knows how to charm a room for sure!
I’ve had the honor of attending a few nights thus far and have been impressed each time.
The bartenders are kind, personable, and one on the main floor really knows his whiskeys.
I tried the chicken satay and street tacos most recently, and would definitely reorder the tacos for the flavor.
When it comes to the shows, getting into the close up gallery is key. That room fills up so fast due to it’s size, but if you can score a seat or standing room, it’s worth it!
Everything else can probably be seen throughout the night if it’s a weeknight, and you’re patient.
I love all of the items kept here from various magicians throughout the years, it adds to the building’s rich history.
Some important things:
–Valet is $ 3 for members, $ 12 for non members.
–Photography isn’t allowed past the lobby, don’t be THAT jerk who ruins the magic of the castle. Save your selfie for later. Snap your food elsewhere.

Wow, I had an amazing time here! I was invited by someone who is a member by being an associate of a magician, so no entrance fee needed, just paid for valet.
It is exactly what you’d expect, dark and medieval vibes, no windows, art deco bars around every corner, hidden corridors, magician memorabilia, and lots of important people!
There are several rooms/​parlours with scheduled show times, most of which have a waiting line. Or if you prefer you can catch an up and coming magician practicing in a corner or for a group of strangers enjoying dinner.
NO PHOTOS/​VIDEO ALLOWED! Saw some ladies ignoring this and taking bathroom selfies =/​
You ARE able to take photos in the lobby area, before saying the magic word and entering through a book case!
Also, stop by the gift shop on the way out!

Are you ready to be amazed?! I don’t think I was ever ready lol
I’ve been eyeballing this place for a while but I knew I didn’t have a chance. But I asked for a favor for my birthday last year and boy, did they come through! It took 5 months to get a reservation but it was well worth the wait!
Things to know:
It’s exclusive! You have to be a member or know a member. We were lucky enough to know a person who knew a person LOL (6 degrees of separation lol) and we made it a triple date!
Read and adhere to the dress code! Men: coat and tie. Women: nice evening wear (dress/​pant suit). NO ZIPPERED JACKETS ALLOWED.
follow house rules: NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEO INSIDE. There’s a photo op outside and you can take pictures in the lobby before entering.
Guests are required to have dinner! And you will get guaranteed seats to the biggest show post-​dinner. (No line! Yay)
Have a plan, you’ll be able to maximize your time here! (Better than I did lol). Look up the times of each magician (and leave 30 mins time before to wait in line! The smallest room fits 22 so be prompt!)
Ask a castle knight for a brief history and a tour! He can even drop you off at a show at the end.
Don’t forgot to visit Irma, the castle ghost at the piano behind the first bar. Her ghosty tunes are strangely up to date for being dead for long lol
Entering:
Valet $ 13, guest entry $ 30 per person.
They check your ID (21+ for dinner) before entering the doors and you pay at the desk when you’re inside in the lobby. The gift shop is to the right, visit before leaving.
If you’re here with a dinner reservation and your part isn’t all here. They’ll check you in and you can wait inside. Soooo cool!
If you have a birthday, ask for a button here! Similar to Disneyland. They write your name and you have people telling you «happy birthday» all night!
To enter, say the magic words to the owl on the bookcase and poof! Magic happens.
Inside:
On the left when entering is the close-​up room (holds 22 people) and is about a 20 min show! Ask to be an assistant. Or try to sit in the front row. You’ll be confused, shocked and tricked lol it’s awesome.
Take a tour, learn the layout. Dinner is upstairs. If your reservation is later than you want. First thing you do, go ask if there are any cancellations. Keep checking back and you might get lucky!!! Our reservation was at 9:45 originally but with patience and persistence, we get ours to 8:00!!! We were so hungry lol.
Dinner:
Free bread and butter.
We ordered the prime rib and beef wellington. You can view the menu online before attending. I also got a free dessert for my birthday (red velvet cake) and I purchased a pistachio crème brûlée!
The beef Wellington was smaller than I thought. It only came with one medallion. Also had some veggies (carrots and broccoli) and mashed potatoes. The steak was very tender but the crust could have been flakier and thicker. $ 39 price tag.
The prime rib was standard, comes in 10oz and 14oz Came with mashed potatoes, veggies and au jus. We got the 14 oz with a price tag of $ 48.
They charge gratuity for parties of 6 or more.
Cards tricks, rings, ropes, coins, mentalists! Sights to see, people to meet, food and drinks! I hope I get another chance to come back!!!

Had an ABSOLUTE BLAST coming to the Magic Castle on a Satuday night. My girlfriend’s friend had an extra ticket and I was lucky enough to be invited to come along to finally see what the Magic Castle was all about. We arrived a little earlier than the agreed upon time to meet up for dinner and was able to explore the castle a bit before dinner time.
When you walk in, check your car in valet (since that’s the only option), pay for your entrance fee at the door & pay for your parking fee as well before you’re allowed to enter through the secret doorway into the fun, mysterious and exciting world of magic. But before you do that; make sure you walk a little to your left hand side after entering to check out their Magic Gift Shop.
There are absolutely NO pictures that can be taken and any photos should be taken outside before entering through the magic door. Once you enter through the doors, it’s like you’re transformed into another world.
Overall: Dinner was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our food. My girlfriend’s food came out a bit cold and they offered to give her a new plate after she explained to them what happened. We shared our dessert of macarons (which were just okay though). After that we walked to the auditorium where we got to see our Magic Show and then explore the remainder of the Castle afterwards (and take part in one of the Magic shows in one of the Magic rooms!)
Before taking off for the night, don’t forget to take an obligatory photo op in front of the Magic Castle banner outside!

This is absolutely THE MOST FAMOUS Magic venue in the whole world! It has so much history, you can go there several times and still never hear all the stories behind the décor and all the performing rooms and specialty rooms. The food is FANTASTIC! The service is unparalleled. The schedules of the shows make it imperative that the food is served in time for the customers to be able to make it to scheduled shows. The strict dress code adds to the elegant atmosphere. People are on better behavior when they’re dressed to the hilt and everybody looks GREAT! There are five bars, six scheduled show areas with early and late performer shifts, several specialty rooms and informal show areas where magicians can perform even if they are not on the schedule. Everybody is laughing or in awe… its just the most upbeat positive experience that you can imagine. Highly, highly recommended!

I came here on an invite from one of my buddies. One of his patients was a magician here, and he was given an invite. He called me up, and being the extreme extrovert that I am, I couldn’t say no.
Driving into this place, I remembered driving by this place many times when I was on my way to party on Hollywood Blvd. I had a buddy who lived in Hollywood Hills, and I would traverse this part of town often. So I was intrigued on the idea of finally venturing into this place.
We pulled up, and valet took care of us. After checking our IDs and invitations, we went through a door that opens up when you say a specific command. Interesting.
We walked into one of many bar areas. The décor was very interesting: very turn of the century. We ordered our drinks, and were attended to by a cool bartender. Alex Figueroa is his name, and he had interesting magic tricks of his own. From him, we learned an interesting puzzle involving bar picks. To any fellow Unilocaler that meets me in person, I will tell you all about it.
We then proceeded to the magic show. We went to the other side of the castle, where our host greeted us. An open bar and finger foods kept the conversations going. It was a singles event, and everyone was mingling with everyone. I did a good deal of networking as well.
The actual magic show was awesome. The magician had a good personality, and involved the crowd. Everyone was having a good time.
After the show, everyone went to another part of the castle, where another magic show was going on. That magician was also pretty good. Much like the first, he had a good sense of humor and had entertaining tricks.
My buddy and I called it quits around 11, since it was a weekday night. But I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and I will be back to check out more events.

I’ve been wanting to come here for the longest time. My friend made dinner reservations at 6pm and we got seated right away. I ordered the scallop tagliatelle, it was really disappointed. I thought it would be the jumbo scallops, but instead it was the really tiny ones. For the same price, you’re better off ordering one of the meat dishes.
Other than the disappointing dinner, the magic shows were really entertaining. I suggest getting to the shows early to wait otherwise it gets full quickly. Overall, my experience was great and I’ll definitely be coming back.

My husband and I recently went to the magic castle with some friends who had a family member performing. I must say the food was just OK, and the headliner magicians left something to be desired!
The four stars is for the magicians doing table magic that were so amazing! They made our night! I loved one so much, I am having him perform at my husbands 45^th birthday party next month!

My sister got invited and brought my husband and I and my parents along as her guests since it has been a life long dream of my moms to go.
You arrive and have your car valeted and wait to be verified from the list. While you wait they had some heaters going and a cute little back drop for pictures since no pictures are allowed inside. I loved the dress code and the fact that cell phones are not allowed (even though a lot of people do not follow this…) It makes for a great evening where you can enjoy the company of others you are with.
We arrived when they opened for our 9:30 pm dinner reservation and we still did not get to see everything. You arrive at the main bar, where we ordered a round of drinks and got a tab started since we planned on being there all night. While here we were able to ask someone with a name tag where we should go and what we should do since we were so early. They were very nice and super helpful for recommendations.
You really do have to wander around and make your own adventure. The castle is amazing and always has something new. Some of our favorite things were the smaller acts. Even just waiting in line for shows can be an experience as we had the chance to chat with quite a few members who were funny and super nice.
We arrived early for our dinner reservation because we did not have enough time to do anything else and luckily they seated us early. We started with the garlic cheese bread which was delicious and hit the spot. Most of our party had the prime rib and my husband had the beef wellington. All the food was quite delicious and on par for what I would expect. Let’s be honest, you aren’t coming to The Magic Castle for the food.
We received our big show tickets with dinner and had enough time to get in line to get a great seat. They constantly have cocktail waitresses circulating through the theaters before shows which is really nice. All of the shows were absolutely amazing but again some of my favorite acts were the smaller ones. Come with an open mind and an adventurous spirit and you will be sure to have a good time!

Well, as an update, we’ve now been members for approx. 1 ½ years and you know, I love this place more each time we visit.
Food continually improves, the staff has become more like family and many of the members are now fun and exciting friends.
The AMA maintains a wonderful member’s only Facebook page so everyone can keep in touch and the chef and general manager are always on there, getting ideas and accepting input. Wow! The castle lives up to it’s name.
The ‘real’ magic isn’t in Anaheim, it’s in Hollywood, or to be specific, the 1909 Victorian Mansion on the side of the hill known as The Magic Castle.

The Magic Castle, where to begin. Was invited by friends for Valentine’s Day dinner and didn’t really know what to expect. Apparently it’s a very exclusive place and you either have to be a member or a guest of a member. It’s right in the middle of Hollywood and getting there was definitely quite a journey. Dress code was strictly enforced so definitely wear a suit and tie.
From the outside the location looked intriguing with the lighting and medieval like architecture. Street parking is impossible so the easiest way truly is valet. You pay for the valet and the entrance fee all together once you get inside so don’t panic like I did when I realized I didn’t have any cash.
Heading in you speak to an owl and utter the magic words to get in. Quite interesting. As you walk inside you can’t help but appreciate the interior decoration mid 19^th century. Won’t delve too much into it since it’ll take away from the experience of seeing it yourself. Definitely go with an open mind.
Food was mediocre to be honest. Had the steak but it lacked quality and taste. Wine pairing was also mediocre.
The various magic shows were awesome. I would suggest arriving at 6:30 pm so you could make the most of it. The magicians were not only quite skilled but most of them were also great comedians. The best shows in my opinion is the main show after dinner and the late show.
Overall it was definitely quite an experience and would recommend this place if you haven’t been.

First time here
Although I cannot divulge the secrets within the walls of the castle, the meals are 4 ½ stars. I would give it 5 starts but the meal lacked flavor. The texture and cooking consistency and presentation are perfect, but it it needs just a little more push.
I had the Beef Wellington was perfectly presented and cooked but does not make me want to order it again.
The prime rib was perfect. Cut was just right for every bite and meat was worth the trip.
Service was excellent and the ambiance was pleasant.

Came back for my second time at the MC and it was still a great night!
Pros:
–Had great fun at the main 45 minute show and one of the hallway magicians
–Food was decent (and mandatory)
–Really fun to explore the club/​castle and get lost in the environment
Cons:
-$ 30 entrance fee + $ 40 short rib + $ 13 valet + $ 20 pro photo = me soooo poooooor
–The 20 minute show we went to was more comedy than magic

Wow! What an incredible experience. My boyfriend and I were invited to the magic castle by some of our close friends. We were thrilled to get the invite because we had been DYING to go for some time now. Needless to say, my expectations were high.
We arrived just before 8PM which is when our dinner reservations were. If you are not a member of the Magic Castle, you have to order dinner and you have to spend a certain amount of money. Dinner is expensive so prepare yourself for that. None of the entrees really jumped out at me so I ordered my own assortment of appetizers: I ordered the wedge salad to start with and that was delicious; I asked for extra blue cheese on it because I’m obsessed with it and I was given a plentiful amount. Then I ordered the side of crab Mac and cheese, which was good but really small. I expected it to be a lot bigger for it being $ 14 and it didn’t have a whole lot of crab in it. I also ordered the calamari too which was really tasty. My boyfriend ordered the Sea Bass, which I stole a taste of and loved. Our server, Carissa, was charming and charismatic and got all of our orders perfect. She took great care of us.
Now onto the best part: the magic! We had tickets to a main show in a theater. There were 3 different acts. The first 2 were cool but the third one absolutely blew my mind. I’m still trying to figure out how the magician did the things that he did. I won’t give it away though. Make sure you arrive early so you can get good seats. There are also a lot of little side shows which you should definitely check out and those go on at different times through the night.
I wish we had gotten there earlier but due to it being a Thursday and having work plus LA traffic, were unable to get there until almost our 8PM reservation time. Next time we are going to get there much earlier so we can see more magic.
On top of a great dinner and being able to watch outstanding magic, the décor and the vibe of the magic castle is awesome. It’s super old school in every aspect from the old pictures on the walls to the wooden staircase, which I absolutely loved. It’s also an awesome excuse to get super dressed up. Guests are expected to dress very nicely. Gentlemen are expected to wear a tie. Ladies, this is your chance to get glamorous. I LOVE dressing up, so going to a place that requires it, is right up my alley.
The only thing that I didn’t like was that we can’t take any pictures inside! You can outside before you go in but none inside which made me sad because I’m a huge picture person.
Overall, it is an amazing experience. It is expensive though, but in my opinion, completely worth it. It’s a very exclusive place and also very special. I’m so happy that I was able to go. If you get invited, take advantage of that; you won’t regret it.
We even saw Drake Bell from Drake & Josh and got to hang out with him! I loved that show growing up so that was the cherry on top of a terrific night.

We finally had the opportunity to visit the Magic Castle and I must say that it was everything we expected and more. A friend of ours received an invite for Valentine’s Day and asked if we would like to join her. You already know that was an automatic and quick YES! So we received the email with the proper instructions on how the night would be planned out. Shows are all scheduled and in between time you wait at the bar until the next show is ready.
They have roughly 3 – 4 bars in the castle (didn’t venture all the way through so it could be more) and they have a restaurant as well. We ordered the Pub burger with truffle fries and I’ll say the fries were amazing! The burger was decent and perfect for putting food in your stomach while drinking all night.
As for the magicians, they had some great ones that night, Suzanne being my favorite. They were all really friendly and the magic was jaw dropping. I’m still trying to figure out how they did a few tricks in my head. Our guide, Adrian, was awesome and handle the night very well! It was a packed night and he was great.
Overall, I would definitely recommend the castle to everyone and would love to catch some more magic some time soon! Awesome experience everyone must see.
OOOOO
5 out of 5 Afros

Los Angeles is home to many hidden gems, but if you’re looking for a magical evening unique to the area The Magic Castle is certainly a venue that will impress. I had the opportunity to visit on three occasions and the performances never cease to excite me. However, as an exclusive and private club, guests need to have an invitation from a current member. In essence if you’re extended an invitation you definitely need to go :)
The venue itself is situated atop a mountain in Hollywood and the interior has a vintage old Hollywood glamour feel to it. The decorations are very art deco and while the space is quite intimate, guests have the option to get up close and personal to some of the world’s best magicians. It is a bit of a maze inside, but everyone is really kind and courteous in directing guests to the shows. If you’re a first timer I recommend sitting in the front row as the magicians are likely to select volunteers in participating in the act.
Overall it’s a wonderful get-​away to get all dolled up and enjoy great entertainment.

My other 2 reviews have been deleted by Unilocal.Why? Funny story. I noticed that this certain Elite Unilocaler had suddenly gone from 0 check-​ins to over 40 check-​ins in about a month. I’d never seen her there even though she supposedly checked in on dates I was there, and yet she hadn’t posted any pictures of the lobby or outside area where pictures are allowed (nay, encouraged) and never even written a review. Also she lists she takes photos all over LA yet not a single photo of the Castle. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out she was just randomly checking in and probably lived or worked close by. So I messaged her and asked what was up, and she sent back this rude response that she could check in because she did go often, she liked to jog up the hill and that she had actually been there before (???). She then blocked me and flagged my reviews and claimed I worked for the Magic Castle, which I do not. Now at least I see why she’s a regular at 88 other places…
So anyway, I’m a member at the Castle but do not work here. Much like if I was a member at a gym, a Costco or yoga place that require memberships to go. Most of the public stuff about the castle such as dress code, no photos inside policy, the food quality/​costs, and bars have all been covered extensively by other Unilocalers. So I probably wouldn’t add much more to what’s already been stated.
What I will say, however, is that this is at its core a private membership club for magicians and lovers of magic, and a lot of people forget about that. So they complain that it’s so hard to get in (which is part of the ambiance) and set the bar up pretty high and then are disappointed for whatever reason. But guests should know that featured magicians change every week, with about 7 – 10 different magicians a week so everyone’s experience will be slightly different based on the shows they see. Keep in mind also that some weeks are better than others because there will be different magicians performing different magic week to week so it’s hard to compare experiences.
The best thing to do upon entering is to find a member (magician members will have gold owls on their lapel) and ask which magician they’d recommend that night or if there are any must sees that evening. Most members will be glad to help and steer you in the right direction. There are also extra magicians who come Thu-​Sun because of the weekend crowds and they need more magic at the club. On those days make sure to go down to the Hat & Hare Bar to see Mike Pisciotta, who is a definite must see. Also there’s an early early close up room magician, the Peller Theater is open (with 2 magicians), and a WC Fields Bar magician. Feel free to ask those gold owl wearing magician members for a trick or two also. That’s like the only time I carry cards with me just for that reason.
Finally, getting a pass is becoming more difficult, as our policy is to hand passes out to only people we know. We’re ultimately responsible for our guests so handing out passes to strangers (passes can be traced back to us) who then get belligerent can get us in trouble. You can look up who’s performing and email the performers, but be aware that we share a common Members Facebook page and have a laugh at that too. Good luck!

My husband and I were invited by friend’s to the NYE party. This was our first visit to Magic Castle and it lived up to the rave reviews from our friends.
Our dinner reservation was for 6 p.m. We planned ahead and gave our order to our friends. It’s important to get there on time because the next dinner seating is at 8 p.m. and everybody has to clear out. The staff will pack up your food if you don’t finish. We were pretty late so we had to eat our food quickly. The filet mignon was very good, as was the rest of our meal.
We had tickets for the 8 p.m. magic show and it was very entertaining and impressive. We saw a very creative and humorous female juggler. The show closed with a terrific performance involving a magician and his doves.
NYE at the Magic Castle is a memorable experience and should not be missed.

Magic is real! Magic is especially real at the Magic Castle on Halloween when they celebrate all week and on Founder’s day January 2^nd.
I’m surprised by all the sneak photos on Unilocal because photos are not allowed inside the castle except in the lobby.
To go, you must be a member or be a guest of a member.
Harry Potter fans out there or magical people will love the sliding secret book case that you say ‘open sesame’ to enter. The walls and halls are adorned with photos and treasures of magical and Hollywood history.
There are 4 bars… Lobby, down the south corridor, upstairs to the right of the restaurant, and downstairs at the magic bar.
The restaurant is fantastic with scrumptious menu choices. I have not had anything I don’t like!
Service is, well, magical!
I love the close up room or magic bar for a great up close magic show.
But my favorite room of all, perfect for cuddling and smooching, is Irma’s room where the ghost of irma will play a piano version of nearly any song you request. Don’t forget to feed the birdie! the memories of times in this room…*Swoon^
On October 30^th there was even a DJ and dancing, tarot reader and photo booth. Magical night for me!
On founder’s day, January 2^nd, it’s members only plus 1 guest, and they roll the menu prices back to the 70s!!! Wow! It’s far less crowded. Beef Wellington (delicious and available in their normal menu), Tomato Mozzarella Salad (yum!), Endive salad (loved it) for very low prices!
They have nightly shows in several rooms including the magic bar and several impromptu magi running around willing to aww and inspire you!
They also have a members only library and classes for those studying the magical arts. *jealous I could not go in*.
I cannot say enough kudos to the Academy of Magical Arts for making this magnificent club house right here in Los Angeles walking distance from highland and Hollywood, and Madame Trousseau’s Wax Museum. And I can’t thank my magical man for taking me as his guest on so many occasions over these last several months! I think I lost my heart in these rooms.

I was finally able to make it here thanks to a friend. I usually don’t get excited for an event but this made it more fun since you have to be an invited guest to attend. There are lot of magic activities to see around the Castle. From magicians performing in front of you at tables to shows in a small theater. I came on a Sunday night but it might be better on a Friday or Saturday because the shows can end late. You can walk around the Castle and view the décor or hang out at the bars.
Dress code: strictly enforced so check the website.
Guys: dress in slacks and jacket at least. Women: Dress
Parking: Valet only
Entrance Fee: $ 30 per guest. Food & Drinks Separate.
Dinner: Classic American Cuisine. The food was decent and not much to rave about but its a decent meal. I had the steak which was cooked right but the flavoring was lacking.
The Magic Castle is a fun event to come once or twice if you let yourself enjoy the magic. Of course we all know magic isn’t real but there are card tricks that pretty amazing.

I wanted to celebrate my 100^th review milestone with this amazing place. I’ve been here before and this time, with a more critical eye, I still think that it’s a local gem.
Here are my tips to enjoy the evening to the fullest:
— Be happy to part with your hard earned cash. There’s parking, about $ 15…door fees, about $ 25 per person… dinner, starting about $ 40 per person… bar drinks, about $ 10 a glass. For three of us, we spent about $ 100 each. Worth it? Oh yeah.
— If dinner is a part of your visit, eat early as the lineup begins at 7. There are at least 5 rooms with multiple shows on weekends and it’s tough to fit them all in with a dinner in the middle of it all.
— Line up in time for the Close-​Up Gallery and get it out of the way toward the beginning, about 30 minutes before the show. Space is tight in that particular room and people who couldn’t get in just stay in line until the next performance.
— Don’t miss the main show in The Palace of Mystery. Three performers in one sitting. My favorites of the group were Shoot Ogawa and Shawn McMaster. Great tricks and hilarious too. Who knew magicians could be so funny!
— Invisible Irma is fun to watch, heheh, as she plays requests on her piano. But stick with the classics and popular tunes as she’ll ignore you for lesser known songs. I asked her to play Jon Brion’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. No dice, so sad.
Also, dinner reservations may need to be made two months in advance during the holidays at least. But if you’re persistent, cancellations come up often — just call and check.
Another highlight of the evening was Simon Si. I hope to see him again — very entertaining and a great way to finish our very busy visit to the castle. If you enjoy magic, it doesn’t get any better than this place.

I was excited to finally be have the opportunity to visit the Magic Castle. Since it’s a members-​only club I had been at my wits’ end trying to find a way to get a guest invite. The recent visit far exceeded my expectations. Before my visit I had envisioned outdated interiors with some retired magicians performing mediocre magic tricks in a small dining room. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
When you first arrive you’ll make your way up the long driveway and pull up to the $ 12 valet. You then enter the front door and check in at the front desk. There will be a flyer there with the list of performers and show times. This lobby is also the only place where you can take pictures since photos are not permitted inside the clubhouse. After announcing, «open sesame,» a magical bookshelf opens up allows you to walk into the lounge/​bar area where you can mingle as you wait for your dinner table reservation.
When it comes time for dinner you will make your way up a long spiral staircase and wait to be seated. Each person is required to order an individual entrée meal. The average price for an entrée is about $ 40. After your meal you can head over to one of the various theaters and watch one of the scheduled magic shows. The first one that you’ll probably want to watch is the one held in The Palace of Mystery which is the largest theater. It is also the longest running show. We watched Jonathan Pendragon. He gave a wonderful performance which featured an ensemble cast that happened to include his daughter. It featured classic magic tricks along with storytelling, humor, and live singing performances.
After the show you’re free to explore other parts of the historic clubhouse, view other smaller performances, such as the Parlour of Prestidigitation or The Peller Theater, or just hang out and have some drinks at the bar.
Overall we had a really great time. It’s was a really classy and unique experience that was both authentically cool from both a visual and historical standpoint. The only downside is that the entire night can be a little pricey. After paying for the valet, door charge, dinner and drinks, you can expect to spend over $ 100 per person. It’s also worth mentioning that there is a strict dress code. Men will need to wear a coat, tie and slacks.
Best of all, during our meal a photographer came around and offered to take our picture in the Houdini Room for $ 20. The purchase included a guest pass that lets you bring up to 5 guests for a return visit. I plan to bring my kids to one of their Saturday and Sunday Parlour Kids’ Show brunch performances.

The glorified ‘Invite only’ letter to this perplexing dinner theatre is like an exclusive member’s-only club for the noblemen of the court during the Renaissance Era. It is swanky, posh, and quite exclusionary — a social activity for the well deserved. Having been invited and attended a few times, The Magic Castle is a one of a lifetime dinner & show adventure with friends and other guests at the most unusual dinner club in the world.
[ r u l e s ]: Think 1940’s.
Black Tie Affair.
Cocktail dresses for women.
Jacket and tie is a m u s t for men.
Nothing is sexier than a well dressed man and a glamourous woman attending a private club social affair. Destined in an old Victorian home once built in the early 1900’s during the Progressive Era, this home is a Victorian enthusiast’s paradise. Stairs lead to underground speakeasy’s and private libraries where ‘up close and personal’ magic tricks are occurring right in front of your face. The quicker you get the front row seat, the more interaction you will get with the magician. Other rooms include the invisible pianist, special club rooms for extraordinary performances, and a ticket to the main magic show before or at the end of your dinner.
[ n o t e ] :
entrance fee: $ 30
valet fee: $ 12
1 entrée per person fee: $ 39-​$ 50
What we tried:
F O U R C H E E S E G A R L I C B R E A D [ $ 9 ] :
Melted cheese on toasted crusty bread, an abundance of garlic aroma is layered upon cheeses making this little appetizer quite a favourite to be shared amongst friends. I love anything cheesy, crusty, and very garliky.
C A L A M A R I [ $ 14 ] :
Heaps and heaps of calamari on a large plate! How could anybody resist a crispy bed of little squids?
C L A M C H O W D E R [ $ 8 ] :
I rarely order soup, but this clam chowder had an abundance of real crab meat in such a creamy broth that I could have finished the soup alone. I shared this with my dining partner! So yummy!
H E R B R U B B E D S L O W R O A S T E D P R I M E R I B [ $ 39/​$ 48 ] :
Thick, herb crusted, and marbled at just the right places, it’s utterly difficult to turn down a good prime rib adorned with garlic butter. A meal fit for a King, I could only finish ¼th of the prime rib itself! I personally wish I could have shared this with my dining partner as our only meal, but due to the 1 entrance per person rule I had to finish as much as I can and have my dinner date finish the rest.
A C A D E M Y B E E F W E L L I N G T O N [ $ 39 ] :
A classic English favourite — a center cut beef tenderloin layered in truffle pâté in a light puff pastry with wild mushroom duxelle under a cabernet demi-​glaze, this was the real winner of all the dishes I have tried by far. I’m just so fond of strong European influenced cuisine, t was a cooked perfectly to medium rare that danced on my tongue. Paired with roasted garlic potatoes and seasonal vegetables, I wouldn’t ever pass up this dish for any first timers.
M I S O G L A Z E D S E A B A S S [ $ 39 ] :
Tender, flaky, and almost buttery, the sea bass is adorned with asparagus spears, miso butter, on a bed of wild mushrooms. Good if one is in the mood for seafood, but I would not order this again as it tasted like any ordinary sea bass dish. It is however, a perfect fit for light diners, but I only finished ¼th of it.
I P A B R A I S E D B E E F S H O R T R I B S [ $ 40 ] :
Braised in a mouthwatering juicy glaze, these bad boys are meant for an exquisite lover of fine meat. A little on the salty side, it’s full of flavour and spices that pairs quite well with egg noodles or risotto.
F I L E T M I G N O N [ $ 39-​$ 48 ] :
When cooked perfectly, the petite medallion is one of those ‘melt in your mouth’ that it’s so hard to resist. Perfect for a light diner, and is accompanied by mashies and sautéed vegetables.
W H I T E C H E D D A R M A C A R O N I A N D C H E E S E [ $ 8 ] :
Aromatic and very cheesy, I love macaroni and cheese any way it comes!
B A N A N A C R È M E P I E [ $ 12 ] :
I am personally never fond of banana anything, but their banana crème pie is so decedent with a mountain full of bananas with a wonderful thick vanilla crust. Out of all the desserts I have tried, this is the best.
P I S T A C H I O C R È M E B R Û L É E [ $ 12 ] :
Magic Castle must have missed the recipe on how to make a proper crème brûlée as their custard was more of a pudding and here was no crystal shell on top. It’s quite something I would rather skip next time.
As per the magic shows go, check the monthly calendar to see who will be performing within the week. My favourite magician is celebrity magician ICE MacDonald, I was blown away by his magical surprise!
[ t i p ] :
Arrive early, 6pm to catch side magic trick shows
RSVP for late dinner at 9:45pm
watch the main show at 11:30pm

Parfait ! Excellent! J’ai donc réussi à rater cet endroit pendant 36 ans, quelle erreur ! Y accéder n’est pas forcément très évident mais je le recommande vivement !

Mi cuñado consiguió entradas a este lugar para festejar mi cumpleaños, nunca había ido y no tenía idea de que se trataba. La vestimenta tiene que ser formal ósea saco, corbata y no jeans, el lugar es como un castillo, eres recibido por los encargados del lugar vestidos en con smoking, los cuales te dan la bienvenida y te explican las reglas del juego. No puedes tomar fotos ni utilizar el teléfono durante los actos de magia. En la planta baja hay un Bar con todo tipo de bebidas y también 3 pequeños cuartos donde realizan diferentes shows, en la planta alta hay un n dining ron donde ofrecen cenas y mas salones. El chiste en este lugar es que en cada rincón hay magos realizando diferentes tipos de trucos, tanto sorprendentes como divertidos.
Es una garantía que te vas a pasar un muy buen rato divertido y conviviendo con magos, lo cual hace la experiencia mucho mas divertida.

I’ve been wanting to go to the Magic Castle for some time and never had the chance to when I lived in LA. But an opportunity finally came up to visit and my gracious magician friend who is a member hosted us when we were in town! The dress code is strict, but it makes for a good time to see everyone dressed to the nines! Just remember, no zippers! I totally overlooked this on my MK trench coat. Oops… but no worries, you can just coat check at the front!
For some reason, I thought the Magic Castle was literally a castle on the hill by itself, so I was surprised when it was smack dab a turn off Franklin Ave. It’s not that high up or isolated. When you see Orange Ave, turn up towards the hill. It’s sometimes hard to see in the dark! And the «hotel» is the same thing as the castle. Valet is $ 13. My fiancé was hoping his car would turn into a BMW by the time we came back out for some real cool magic. Cover is different during different days/​times of the week, but apparently if you’re a guest of a magician, you can get in for free! Thanks Tony! :)
No pictures allowed except outside and in the lobby, before you say Open Sesame to the owl that lets you into the hallway behind the staircase. Equipped with 3 bars and a restaurant, the Magic Castle is sure to provide a good time. We opted to skip dinner because I’ve heard the food is only average for prices that are not so average (read: overpriced). My magician friend says some of the food is good but it’s really up to you.
The dinner, however, will help guarantee you entry to the Palace of Mystery, which is the largest theater and highlight show of the evening (~45 min). But, you can still try waiting standby for seats… which we were lucky to get! Probably because One Direction was in town that night and performing on Jimmy Kimmel, so traffic was bad and people stayed away… or they wanted to see 1D. Check out the telephone booth next to the Palace of Mystery for a little interesting phone call…
The Close up Gallery is more cramped but you see… close-​up magic. haha I was delighted to get pulled up to the stage and assist in an act. The Parlor of Prestidigitation was a medium size theater and also had great early and late evening shows! Sit closer to the front if you want to participate more in the acts :)
Also, check out Irma the piano ghost. Tell her any song you want her to play and she will most likely be able to! Would love to come back anytime to see more magic tricks :)