An evening at the Magic Castle

Why it is on the list

The Magic Castle has been the clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts since it opened on 2 January 1963, in a 1909 châteauesque house on Franklin Avenue that has been a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument since 1989.¹ Its magician members audition before the Academy's membership committee.² An evening runs from close-up work at the table to full stage illusion in several theatres, with a dining room and bars between them.³ There are no public tickets: entry is as a member, a member's guest or a guest of the Magic Castle Hotel.⁴⁵

It is the wrong evening for anyone under 21, who are admitted only to the weekend brunch, from age 5.⁶⁵ For a party of 10 to 12, ask instead for the private Houdini dining room, with a séance added Wednesday to Sunday.⁷

How to get it

A member's invitation comes with a confirmation link; the reservations desk takes calls on +1 323 851 3313, option 1, daily from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific, and reservations@magiccastle.com handles changes.⁴⁸ Without a member, book a room at the Magic Castle Hotel directly or through a travel agent, not a third-party site, and name the evening you want; the hotel asks the club, and a room does not guarantee a table.⁵ Reservations are required and there are no walk-ups, even with a pass; bring photo ID.⁴⁶

The evening entertainment fee is $45 a person, paid when booking and not refundable; guests without a member must dine, with a $50 minimum a person in the dining room.⁸⁶ Cancelling within 24 hours, or checking in without dining, adds $50 a person.⁸ The dress code is enforced at the door: a suit with a tie or an accepted alternative, dress shoes, no denim and no sneakers, and an evening gown, dress or pantsuit with a jacket.⁹⁶ Arrive from 5 pm, and at least half an hour before the reservation.⁴ For the Houdini room, a party without a member takes the club's one-day membership, and a security deposit holds the date.⁷

Discretion

Photographs and video are not allowed inside the club, only outside and in the lobby.⁴ Cars are taken by the valet at the door, $30 for a guest's car; limousines and shuttle buses cannot use the steep, narrow driveway.⁴⁸ The Houdini room is private to one party; it is never shared with another group.⁷