Hollywood is where the magic of stories comes to life, but right at its heart is the most fantastical story of all. The Magic Castle is a world-renowned, exclusive club where magicians from every corner of the world come and perform for a selected few. From a trick of the eye to mind-boggling performances, every show will leave you on the edge of your seat.
The Magic Castle lives up to its name, creating an eerie setting that gets you into a mystical mood preparing for their shows. The minute you enter the secret passage doorway by saying, “Open Sesame,” the temperature drops, creating a chilling vibe that sets the scene. The chateau is decked out with spooky paintings whose eyes follow your every move and decor that takes common folklore, like the Loch Ness monster, and turns it into a reality. As you stroll onto the main floor, you glimpse a piano that seems to be playing itself. The resident piano-playing ghost is managing it, Irma, who plays whatever you request and will show gratitude to anyone who tips. The winding staircase and hallways are adorned with art, memorabilia, and homage to the magical arts and famous illusionists.
The castle’s initial finding in 1963 came with only a tiny showroom for William Larsen Jr., the founder, and his wife Irene performing for anyone willing to come. Now, the only way you can gain entry is via an invite from a magician working there, a significant shift from where they began. In the six decades, it has grown substantially, not only performance-wise but also becoming an academy for the magical arts. Even though it is a club for 21 and older, families can still enjoy it by attending their brunch buffet, where all ages are welcome. Casual clothes like sneakers and jeans are banned, and they encourage you to dress up, especially in your Halloween costumes, which makes it a perfect place to go during the spooky season.
Each magic show has its own unique flare that makes you question your eyes. Viewers can walk from the front to the show with only one central performance that requires tickets given to you as you walk in. During these performances, viewers see a variety of magicians that appear on TikTok, such as Day Mori, and Netflix TV shows like Magic for Humans. People also get sneak peeks into hidden, up-close magic galleries, which are tucked away in secret passages, bringing a whole new one-on-one approach to your magical encounters.
Throughout your experience, forcement is pushed upon you to question whether what you see is science, cleverly thought-out tricks, or real magic. Be sure to keep an open mind and enjoy the illusions instead of trying to figure out how these wild acts get done. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, perfect for a special Halloween; just don’t be put off by the long wait list of invite-only guests.
