The Performance Bar
About
From its very beginnings, Bar Magic has been essential to the Chicago style of close-up magic. The world’s first Magic Bar, Ryan’s Magic Tap, opened in the early 1930s solidifying magic’s place in Chicago nightlife. It paved the way for Frank Everhart’s Magic Bar, New York Lounge, Johnny Paul’s Magic Lounge and Little Bit o’ Magic. Magic legends such as Johnny Paul, Heba Haba Al, and Jim Ryan entertained countless gleeful revelers with close-up magic right from behind the bar.
The Performance Bar offers you the opportunity to interact with a magician in the informal atmosphere of our beautiful Art Deco-style lounge. Every night from 5:00 pm until close, a magician is on duty in the Performance Bar performing 20-minute close-up magic sets, with brief breaks. Fast, funny, and surprising, our resident bar magicians and special guests are masters of the style of magic that Chicago made famous.
No ticket required! Grab a cocktail and a spot at the bar to experience a true one-of-a-kind Chicago tradition. Entrance to the Performance bar is on a first-come, first-served basis.
