Find a way in your life to visit/join this precious gem. Was booked there 5 times and loved it. Audiences are super. Nothing like it anywhere.

Fact check from a member: There are 3 major showrooms: The Close-Up Gallery, the Parlor or Prestidigitation and the Palace of Mystery. The Close Up Gallery and Parlor have 2 different shows each night (an early and a late). Each show runs 3 times in a night. On weekends, there is also an early early Close Up Gallery performer. On weekends, they also open the Peller Theater and the Library Bar performances. All shows are 15-20 minutes (except the Peller and Palace of Mystery, which are 35 minutes). Technically, only AMA members are allowed to perform magic in the building. Magician member dues are like $1000 now (they pretty much go up every year). The Hat and Hare a bar is in the basement, where the resident magician, Mike Pisciotta performs bar magic. Irma is not in the Hat and Hare. She has her own room, which is attached to the main bar.

Was truly a life changing experience. It gave me the push I needed to start learning the craft and it's history. When going it's best to go with the flow and take everything in. Let the wonder be a magical feeling you give yourself over to.

Before they closed it down, they had an on-line magic shop and a purchase included the opportunity to buy 2 tickets. That is how my wife and I were able to go once. I feel fortunate to have been able to go and it was truly magical. Met Chris Capehart in the bar (doing pre-show?). Low and behold during his act in the Parlor of Prestidigitation we were chosen as volunteers. Based on his advice, we stayed past 1 am to see Johnny Ace Palmer in the closeup room. Also saw Shoma and the stage show. Dinner was excellent. Would go again in a heartbeat! Nothing else like it.

Been a Magic Castle member since 1984, dues rose from $100.00 a year to $1000.00 year last time I paid them in 2011, currently inactive but once accepted as member you are one for life at least the last time I was active. The place is great to impress for social events, saw many celebrities over the years, Weird Al Yankovich etc.for the aspiring Magician it's great for networking......

True story, I went to magic castle by accident. I was fresh out of high school still developing my magic craft. I had only heard of the Castle once or twice but knew nothing about it. My friends and I took a road trip to LA, my first time there. One day I decided venture and explore LA on my own and came across it. It read Magic Castle and it drew my curiosity, There was no one guarding the door, no security, nothing. I just walked right in and was absolutely mesmerized by the eerie-ness of it. I was in the Houdini room took out my camera and took photos. Then I saw some people my age at that time and followed them, they seems to have been waiting to enter a room and were all magicians as well. I felt super excited being around everyone. I eventually ended up leaving at some point to explore other parts of LA but I’ve been yearning to go back to fully explore and experience it.

Have been fortunate to have been there 4 times. Twice I was on a business trip there, and twice was traveling. I did see Billy McComb. Was great to see him. The food was amazing, and pricey, however it is Hollywood, and it is California, and it is exclusive. So I felt it was worth it. I have to say my highlight of my times there was my wife and I and a few friends got to experience the Houdini séance. Not sure if they still do it, but it was amazing. 12 people in a room in the top of the castle. It is a 5 course meal that is mostly prepared right there, and we had our own private butler. Lots of food and lots of drinks. Then the seance started. It was a great time. At one time you could get in if you were a member of either IBM, or SAM. I believe you could get in 2 or 3 times but still had to pay. If you like magic, and happen to be within a decent distant to Hollywood, make the trip. But remember to pack a suit. You will not get in without it, and ladies, dresses or womens suit is also required. I hope to get back again sometime. Plus as you explore the castle, you will find that the outside is a great illusion. It is huge inside. You will also find that you will see many well known magi. I met Harry Anderson, Max Maven, and many others.

On the bucket list🎉 😁

I went to the castle back in 1985 and it is still one of my best memories!

I’ve always wanted to know more about The Magic Castle. Thank you for sharing

If you have dinner, you are guaranteed a ticket to the Palace or Peller showroom that evening. I've been many, many times. My recommendation is to go during the week (weekends are packed), and go as soon as they open to explore the building. (before the shows start) If it's just you or you are in a small group, make sure to get the schedule for the night to plan what shows you want to see. Outside of the Palace and Peller showroom (if you have a dinner ticket) , you will wait in a cue line to get a seat in the Close up and parlor showrooms. Make sure to talk with the folks in tuxedos that have ear pieces in. They are communicating with the rest of the staff, and can let you know the status of the lines for the shows in other parts of the building. Will save you from running from one end of the building to the other, only to find out the showroom cue line is full. There is no saving of seats, so make sure your party is all together when the showroom opens for seating. There are plenty of servers that will fill drink orders as you wait in line. Great place to visit!

Thanks, David - I was there about 10 years ago. I, too performed there - for my family at my table, hahaha! If did Rich Bloch's Perfect Time. We were visiting from Virginia at the time. The way I got in was simply by making a reservation and telling them I was an out of town member of I.B.M. visiting. I showed my I.B.M. Card at the door and was admitted. I believe this is still the case if you are from out of town-- you can get an invite as a member of S.A.M., or I.B.M. Thanks for the history. I definitely want to go back sometime.

I've had a lot of fun nights at the Castle over the years. If possible, try and go on a quieter night-back in the day that would have been Thursdays or Sundays when the shows were busy but the public areas weren't so packed that you have to shuffle along the hallways and staircases at a snail's pace. Quiet nights like Mondays and Tuesdays were often so dead that it wasn't much fun. That might have changed since the new management took over. I hear it's a lot busier all the time now. Best advice I can give...try and go with a group (4-6 is perfect), go early, explore the rooms and try and catch a show in each of the main venues. It's not possible to see all the main shows, although if you skip the Theater show, you can see all Close-Up and Parlour performers if you time it right. If you have to eat dinner as part of your entry pass, then even this isn't possible, so don't even try! The one thing I disagree about-the restaurant is NOT high-end. It's a bit of a time-travel experience...like eating in an 1880s dining room, with a menu from the 1970s (baked potato, creamed spinach) and prices from the 2050s! I mean it's eye-wateringly expensive. You can eat a meal 10x better and less expensive at many of LA's Michelin starred restaurants. Even top steak restaurants like Mastro's and Petit Trois are cheaper than the Castle. You're paying for the atmosphere; don't expect your $50 chicken (+ sides) to be the best you've ever eaten.

I always did it by invitation. Great memories. One of my favorite memories is spending an hour in the Library Bar with the one and only "Charming Cheat" Martin Nash. I remember seeing Mark and Nani Wilson while dining. Mark Evan's in the Theater. Always a memorable and pleasurable experience. Speaking of Billy McComb...I never had the pleasure of seeing him perform at the Castle but I had the opportunity after a sound and lighting check to give him a ride from the theater to the hotel at a SAM convention. What a classy gentlemen he was. Thanks for sharing David. You brought back great memories.

I went to the Castle about 15 years ago and your right David, it is impossible to see it all in one visit. I will say though that it is well worth it to visit and try to visit more than once. I was fortunate enough to be sitting beside Chuck Barris of The Gong Show fame, he was very nice. I hope to go back soon, however, since I'm on the East Coast and don't get to California that often I'm not sure when that will happen.

I got to go to the castle about 15 years ago. I got in because a friend had a birthday party there. I had no idea how he got the invitation. It was a lot of fun but it was before I got interested in magic. I would probably appreciate it more if I went again.

never been Living in the uk 🇬🇧 Heard so much about the place history and all the magicians who were members It’s a special place indeed for the magical arts 🎭 magician club I do like the dress code concept is it more authentic feel and respect to the performance and surroundings and what are you going to see it’s a 5 ⭐️Michelin food looks amazing too

Going to the Magic Castle was one of my Bucket List items. Fortunately I was able to go last summer. We loved it and I put it back on my bucket list... LOL. We were able to get in through a member acquaintance. Since then I found out that if you belong to the Society of American Magicians (SAM) you can go without an invite. Highly recommend going and experiencing this historical place. Thanks for you video on this.

You have to be out of a 60 mile radius from 7001 Franklin Ave. to get out of town membership. Associates also qualify for it too.

I am a non resident magician member of the Magic Castle. My annual dues just came in and they are $480 for me this year. If you have a guest pass, there is door charge, and your group must have dinner, which is worth it IMO. As a member, I do not have to pay a door charge, and anyone with me also does not have to pay an entry fee. Also, me and my group does not have to have dinner. That said, they serve food at all the bars. Only members can go into the library.

As a member of SAM, I got in for cost of dinner, no entry fee.

And next time you should do one on the house of cards in Tennessee, smoke and mirrors theater, the Chicago Magic Lounge

I went several times in LA before Covid. Magic Castle is one of my dream places to go, but I have always thought it was reserved to member and on invitation. Now I know it's possible to book a room at the hotel and I’ll visit it one day. I’ve already been to Las Vegas to attend the Penn & Teller Fool Us. I’ll only have one magic dream left to fulfill in the USA : go to Texas for attend a David magic show. I know you perform on stage, is it also in public shows or only for private groups performances? Long life to Magic Orthodoxy 🇫🇷.

I’ve always wanted to go there! Hopefully, one day, soon!

I wrote them for info a few weeks ago and was told that an Associate Membership costs $6,000 a year, plus between $112 and $225 monthly dues depending on whether you're a resident or not. Sounds like the days of $750 a year are gone.

Thanks for the review! I've had questions but never really looked it up or thought it was that difficult to get in. Hopefully I'll be able to go someday. I'm in Texas, been to LA/ Hollywood a few times. Love it there!

great bit of history Dave! Nice

Thanks for sharing this David. 😊👍😊👍

I went there in about 1980. At that time, it wasn't hard to get into. I was a member of the IBM and the SAM and a multi-year subscriber to Genii magazine, I think all three of those were qualifiers. I don't remember who I saw perform, but I do remember Dai Vernon sat next to me at the bar! Also, I remember the a/c went out, and they announced that gentlemen would be allowed to remove their jackets. 🥵🥵🥵

So Cool that this place even exists… 🙏🎩

First time hearing about The Magic Castle. Would be interesting to see.

great video David … full of super information … thanks for sharing 👍👍

I was able to go in the past with my family by simply showing them my membership cards to SAM and IBM. Not sure if that still holds nowadays.

I went there once and was cool! Jammy Ian Swiss and Arthur Trace was performing. And had the pleasure to meet Howard Hamburg. What a nice man! Sadly, I didnt like the dinner at all. For me, it was expensive and bad. The place by itself, its incredible

After one of my shows like 15 years ago I got an invitation to the castle in my hat it was a business card like thing I kept in my wallet for years. But never made it inside. Although the bench in the park across the street is a lot cheaper! Lost my Garret Thomas rings and my split focus there wonder if the junkies or a magician found em. Smilesotheylikeyou

I have not been to the Magic Castle. Unbelievable ! Several of the members of our local fellowship are members but I haven't yet asked for the invite, Why? I need to ask soon! Thought about auditioning but I'm just a tad within the "local" distance -- so membership is cost prohibitive.

Hi I’m interested in going to the magic castle do have more details about how booking the hotel would get you in?

I am a Magician member, been one for over 5 years. I did some card work, coin work, and silk work for my audition. My audition was in the Houdini Séance room. Since it has been a decade since the last visit, as said in the end, he is not an expert. FYI The bathrooms aren't 'fun' anymore. They removed most of the gags that were 'fun'. There's only one thing left in the men's room by the entrance. Also most of the shows are only around 20 min, not an hour. That's just the main show. Milt and Bill never bought the Castle, at least the property. They rented it. From my understanding, Milt owns the NAME 'Magic Castle' and Randy bought the building. AMA/Milt never owned the building. Irma is NOT in Hat and Hare pub, different room, different floor. Also no performing magic in Irma's room.

I've always loved the castle, even if I haven't had the opportunity yet to visit. My father and I are members of the ibm, sam, and fcm so it's feels like we're often surrounded by magicians who are members of the castle and some even who've worked there. I'll get my change someday tho...

If you stay at the Magic Castle Hotel you can get tickets as well. That’s how I got in.

Yes, it counts, but only to 7.

😎

WHAT? Randy bought the Magic Castle? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHYYYYYYYYYY

If you have the membership do you pay the door fee?

Dress code? Suit 'n tie?? Goodness! Did the 70'ies happen for nothing? Well, thanks for the warning.

Magic Castle is super expensive. Membership price is ridiculous. It costs an arm and leg to go. Even if you are a magician and member of IBM or SAM. And the dinner taste terrible for the price you pay. You'll get a better value going to a magic show in Las Vegas