I think doors (and bars) open at 5:30 pm...not sure about the afternoon hours. I think they are open for members for lunch on Fridays...have fun...if you get a chance, stop by Magic Apple as well. Great store, not far from the Castle...

Ken

The Castle is open only to members and their guests for lunch...afternoons are different than evenings. As others said, get there EARLY to see as much as possible...it's easy to miss a show in the close up room as it only seats a limited number of people. If you have questions, members will be wearing little pins on their coats, and they're always more than happy to chat...if you have the time, get someone to take you on a tour. The Castle is about more than just good steak and stellar magic...it's a museum. You'd be surprised where some of the furnishings came from.

Thanks for the info, Ken and Andrew.

The Blackstone Merlot "was" my favorite! (seriously).

Have a great time Todd. Soak it all in... but don't break out in a sweat.

And, remember to visit the room "downstairs"... where any magician can try out some of their effects without registering or being the "chosen one".

Not to suggest that yo are just "any" magician.

...You are, after all, the Chosen One.

Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonathan

I went last night - you are in for a great night of magic all the acts are really strong. Last night we got a little extra - Dan Sperry was there in the Palace performing what he will be doing tonight on America's Got Talent.

As far as lunch and hours, the castle opens at 5:00 PM, the bar will be open but you can't order any food until closer till 6:00. Last night the 7:00 Close Up line was filled up by about 6:20. Check downstairs, you never know who may be doing impromptu, Bill Goodwin did a set last night for some guests at 5:30.

Regarding lunch, it is members and their guest - but it only on Fridays.

There is Brunch on Staurday and Sunday - but that's a whol different story.

Before the magazine changed hands you could get in if you were a Genii subscriber. The only stipulation as I recall, is you had to have dinner. You could bring a few guests, but they had to pay the entry fee.

So besides my IBM membership what else is required to get in?

Well, I'm back from LA and the Magic Castle.

On August 24th, I arrived at the castle at 5:00, said 'Open Sesame' to the owl, and passed through the moving bookcase into the magical realm. Checked out some of the artifacts and old posters on the walls and behind glass (a lot of old ventriloquist puppets), then settled in for a decent dinner.

Got to the close-up line a half hour early, but it was already sold out. Simon Lovell was to perform, but fortunately I saw him at the bar and chatted with him. He said he would be doing mostly card tricks, and one trick with a rubber lizard. I would've liked to have seen his rubber lizard. He did, however, give me some pointers about the retention vanish with a coin.

Next, entered the parlour for the John Carney show. What a showman! As soon as he walked out on stage, holding an oversize martini glass and an oversize smile, the audience was his. Not sure if that was his character, or Billy McComb's (it was a Billy McComb tribute week), but John is one entertaining magician. He did a great cups and balls routine with a few final loads that I never saw coming, and a very strong card prediction, as well as a couple of other things. Unfortunately, after the show I checked my phone message and my wife had called, very upset: our baby had fallen from the bed and bumped his head, so I had to leave before seeing the stage show, David Regal and Whit Hayden. Turns out the baby was alright.

Well, at least I had the partial experience. We'll be going back to LA in a few years, so by that time I expect our boy won't be falling off the bed at inopportune moments.

All the best,

Todd Shapiro

Todsky,

Nice to have met you and very glad I could help you a bit with the coin vanish. Smedley the Lizard could probably have done a better job but he was having a between shows nap at the time!

Simon

Simon,

Good to have met you, too. And regards to Smedley!

I'd love to visit the magic castle too, but does anyone know what the membership fee is? It's not on their site. Seeing Pop Haydn would be awesome in person.

Whit's stuff is fantastic.
If you contact the castle, they can send you information on how to become a member. The price differs depending on when you join, since the year starts at a certain time. There are different memberships available as well. It's not cheap, but for good reason.... It's absolutely worth every penny and then some. Email memberservices@magiccastle.com and they'll take good care of you.

Donna and I are planning a weekend in LA next month and we've been talking about visiting the Castle, so I guess I'll give them a call and make sure my IBM card is still good to go.