This place is such fun. I can highly recommend a night of magic to boost the spirits (😉). I’ve been there twice, once through a friend who’s a member, and once by staying at the Magic Castle Hotel. We had a blast both times, and the Beef Wellington was delicious. If you’re in LA, get some tickets and get dressed up and go!
When I was in high school a few of us went with a friend whose family were members. Once we were accompanied by our beloved AP English teacher, who spent the afternoon at the bar on the stool which the bartender surreptitiously moves up and down. As word got out, a few of us at a time would steal into the room to watch;he didn’t realize he was being pranked for at least an hour. This was more than 40 years ago and is still a warm memory.
I have to agree with another readers commenting: this seems like an exceptionally snobbish review by someone who didn't do all their homework. For one thing, you can also gain access to the club if you stay at the nearby Magic Castle Hotel, something not mentioned in this article. I never thought I'd say this, but the Wall Street article written (December 19, 2018) about the same subject was much much informative and far less condescending.
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“The place is not exactly known for its food, but it got a new chef (unnamed in this column?!) in April.”
And I thought this new CA column was for restaurant criticism. My mistake. I look forward to her future musings on magic and those that perform magic in old, dark rooms. I now know to look elsewhere for information about quality dining in Los Angeles.
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Stay away from the place.
Looks and Feels OLD
This place looks good in the photo but It cant be fixed.
Need to demolish the place and re-build
The most important thing to me about the Castle, outside of the elegance of the structure itself, was the fact that you could sit at a table, not 3 feet from a performer who could do magic right in front of you, that could only be described as impossible.
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I'm trying to figure out whose idea this article was, because it strikes me that Ms. Rao and the Times aren't taking the California restaurant scene any more seriously than New York takes California in general. New Michelin guide that seemed to rate Los Angeles restaurants on a different scale than the restaurants in the Bay Area? Like the Stanley Cup which didn't have any New York teams in it, not something the Times is interested in. The vagaries of New York chefs opening in Los Angeles? David Chang is still here,Scott Conant isn't. Not interesting either? Seriously, if you have a restaurant critic for California you might assign her to more, well, significant places than the Magic Castle.
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Back in the early '70s, I was at the Magic Castle with a small group of friends. The Amazing Kreskin, the mentalist, was appearing in the large theater space downstairs and we were seated in the front row. Kreskin told the audience he needed a volunteer to assist him. I pretended to study my drink as I fervently prayed "Please, don't pick me." But he did. I was 24 years old, a blonde at the time, and that night I probably looked the best I've ever looked or would look again (which might have had something to do with his choice).
I was terrified to be up on that stage, but at his direction I wrote down on a small slate a series of numbers he projected mentally to me. I actually could see them in my mind's eye. Prior to that he had showed the audience (but not me) a number on a piece of paper, which he put in a safe on the stage. When we were done, he had me total up my numbers. Math is not my strong suit and I laughingly told him he'd picked the wrong person for the job, but I did it.
He went over to the safe and took out the piece of paper. Our numbers matched. I went back to my seat to great applause.
When we were walking out of the theater, Morey Amsterdam (of "The Dick Van Dyke Show") had been in the audience, and he came over to me and congratulated me. It truly was a "magic" night that I'll never forget.
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When the bookshelf opened for me one night about 25 years ago or so, there stood Ringo !! True magic ...
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I was excited to read this article as it's a hidden gem in LA. What I read is a reporter who didn't do their homework or missed all that's fabulous about this place.
It's not just a private club. It's THE club for magicians from all over the world. Only the best can perform here. Magician members must pass a challenging audition. This is magic at a level you've not seen, and especially so close up.
I've been here more than half a dozen times, and as a former New York snob, I'm not easily impressed (unless they worked their magic on me each time.) This is not a glitzy place but an authentic relic of when Milt Larson created this place more than 50 years ago.
How could you not mention Houdini's Seance or the constant surprises that one encounters just walking through the maze, getting from one place to another.
While there are excellent places to eat in LA, the food at the Magic Castle has always been decent and at a fair price (haven't been there with the new chef.)
This is an evening filled with value at a very reasonable price, and an experience visitors (or inner child) will not forget.
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As a displaced LA native, a visit to the Magic Castle arranged by a friend of a friend while I was home on a visit many years ago, remains a delightful and unique memory. Food? Who cares? My memory is of the literal magic!
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Is this supposed to be a food review? Why review a place you really can't go to, esp. with all the wonderful restaurants in LA? Much better articles on the Magic Castle elsewhere. And much better stories on food in LA elsewhere. Makes the loss of the LATimes' Jonathan Gold even bigger when you read mediocre food reviews like this who don't really get LA.
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Well, the author got to unload some of his snark, but I would have preferred a treatment by someone else.
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Why photos in this article if they are forbidden? You talk about that being a good thing and then immediately violate that tradition. We should feel good about that?
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@Mike it was stated at the beginning of the show to the attendees that there were no photos allowed, with exception of the NYT.
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Are you insinuating with your last line that the drinks are watered down? Couldn't be further from the truth! Every time I've had the pleasure of visiting, I've always noticed how strong they are.
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The Magic Castle is one of the most fun times you can have (at least with your pants on!) Been there many times, and spent lots of happy evenings buying drinks for Irma, the resident ghost pianist, and singing along while she belts out tune after tune. They have a marvelous kitchen turning out great meals, numerous bars to keep you well lubed, and a never-ending assortment of established and up-and-coming magicians who will amaze and entertain you. Beg, borrow, or bribe your way into this amazing club. It will be a night you'll remember for the rest of your life.
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Magic Castle never changes. I have been there three or four times over the past 30 years. Weirdly enough there is at least one "Columbo" from the 70s where Jack Cassidy appears as a murdering magician with another secret. And even then, the place looked pretty much the same.
If you visit LA and have some time you should make a reservation. It's wonderfully retro and the different types of magic are great. I particularly enjoyed the close-up sleight of hand around a small table with this retired magician who still did a gig at the Castle. Just don't plan on a revelatory dining experience.
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Ms. Rao's writing is also magic.
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@ Greg Creedon Nantucket
Reads like a properly run private club. The tricks after dinner are typical of the diners who like to share the table "with people like us". On can see a group of of clergymen discussing theology, medical doctors talking about diseases, and bankers about making more money that they nedd, etc.
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If photos are forbidden why are you ruining the mystique with yours?
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I visited the Magic Castle 4 or 5 times back in the early 80's. Any time I got an invitation I said yes.
In addition to the magic, they had a bar stool that would mysteriously rise up a few feet - with a startled patron aboard. They also had a gadget by the men's room pay phone ( ...) that would emit phony sounds so you could lie to your wife about where you were.
They also had a ghost named Irma who would play requests on a piano. In 1983, she overheard me propose to my late wife and played the wedding march. Great memories.
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There used to be a magic bar in Atlanta, Tom Foolery's. Hold on to your cigarettes, the owner really hated them.
@Ryan that was a great place and the best entertainment around.
Few man-made places anywhere are truly unique. The Magic Castle, however, is. The article only hints at the fun attendees have over many hours; I have sent friends and relatives there and years later they still rave about the experience.
One thing not mentioned is that while the lineup of performers changes weekly, playing "The Castle" is considered a plum gig (in terms of prestige, if not remuneration) and so performers of the highest level from around the world are often on the bill.
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Went to a birthday party at the Magic Castle about a decade ago. Memorable experience. One of LA’s must do experiences.
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Everyone likes being fooled. Magic is addicting.
I was fortunate enough to get admitted to the Magic Castle a few times. I'm 70 and I think my first visit I was in my 30's.
The best parts to me are the surprises. Magic where you don't expect to see magic, like sitting on a bar stool or watching some close-up magic in the bar where the table itself is part of the magic.
The ghost pianist takes requests, just go up and speak to the nothingness. And if you leave a tip in the tip jar, you get a brief rendition of the song "We're In The Money".
I could go to the Castle a hundred times (if I could afford it as it is not an inexpensive outing) and every visit would offer something different, and all totally amazing.
Its longevity and originality are truly magical. It is a private club, exclusive and swank, but still accessible if you are ingenious enough.
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I lived right at the end of the block that ends where the hill up to the Castle starts.
Got to go a couple of times. Great experience. It must be experienced first hand.
Great article.
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I had the good fortune to spend an evening in the Magic Castle in the late 1980's....your article reminded me of the good time I had, beginning with that owl! I presume the ghost playing the piano is still there.....! While we know that magic involves 'misdirection', there was one bit of magic (I won't call it a trick) that still amazes me....how the magician could get a bowling ball out of thin air.....and it was a real bowling ball! It was a great evening. One of the things that makes it fun is how close one is to the magician in all the theaters....
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I have been fortunate to have had the dinner experience at the Magic Castle Club. Not mentioned in your article is if you are a guest next door at the Magic Castle Hotel, you can ask the staff to make a reservation for you. Don’t forget the dress code!
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I was delighted to see this article. I lived right down the hill from the Magic Castle back in the early 90's and never had the connection to get in. How wonderful to get a glimpse inside! Thank you!
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