The Magic Castle brunch is a delightful and enchanting experience that combines the joy of a delicious meal with the wonder of a magical show. The Magic Castle is a renowned private club in Hollywood, California, that is dedicated to the art of magic. It has been a destination for magicians and magic enthusiasts since its opening in 1963. The brunch at the Magic Castle is a unique and immersive experience. Guests can enjoy a sumptuous buffet brunch while being entertained by talented magicians who perform tricks and illusions right at their table. The magic happens up close and personal, creating a sense of awe and wonder.

Exclusive Guest Pass for 4 at The World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA

Enjoy the mecca of magic at The World-Famous Magic Castle, the exclusive private clubhouse for members of The Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood, California, with an official exclusive guest pass for 4!

A visit to The Magic Castle is always amazing, literally. The mansion is full of surprises, the dining is superb, and the shows are no less than remarkable. You’re in for a truly unique, unforgettable experience. You'll dine and see a magic show afterward. A typical evening - if there even is such a thing here - features magic shows that range from miracles right under your nose to full stage illusions that stun an entire room. The Castle is full of rare memorabilia and magnificent posters, so there’s a lot to see. There’s also a critically acclaimed full-service dining room and a number of unique bars, each with its own personality, making it easy to find just the perfect spot for whatever mood you’re in. There are many shows to see. Some are on stage. Some are close up. They go on throughout the evening, and you can enjoy them all whilst still managing other indulgences. Don’t be surprised to look over your shoulder and find somebody performing a minor miracle. You’ll soon understand why your visit will be one of the most amazing evenings you’ve ever experienced.

• Experience will occur within the following date range(s):
  Nov 14, 2023 to Dec 30, 2024
• Experience blackout dates: Subject to availability. Blackout dates apply such as club buy-outs, certain holidays, special events, and members only nights.

• Valid for 4 people.
• For an evening show, participants must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Duration: 1 Night.
• Does not include a meet & greet.
• Purchase of one dinner or brunch per person is required.
• Includes a hard copy certificate that will be mailed to the winner.
• Certificate does not include valet, dinner, alcohol and gratuity.
• Certificate must first be redeemed for an official guest pass before arranging a visit by emailing the team with a photo of the winning certificate, contact information, and address you want your VIP Pass mailed to. After receiving your official guest pass, a dining reservation may be set.
• Advanced dining reservations are required.
• Admission and Cover Charge is included with your certificate.
• No one under 21 years old will be admitted into the Magic Castle except for Saturday and Sunday brunch.
• Dress code and other rules will be listed on your guest pass.
• Special Event Evenings may require additional charges.
• You must adhere to the dress code and no-photography rules.
• Void if transferred or sold.
• Certificate is valid for one time use only and not valid if duplicated or photocopied.
• No tickets may be purchased for additional guests, and certain dates may be excluded, such as club buy-outs, certain holidays, special events, and members only nights.
• You should allow 10 weeks' notice to secure a reservation on a Friday or Saturday evening and approximately 4 weeks notice for all other times.

• Experience cannot be resold or re-auctioned.
• Cannot be transferred.
• Travel and accommodations are not included.
• Additional shipping charges may apply based upon the location of the winner.
• We expect all winning bidders and their guests to conduct themselves appropriately when attending an experience won at Charitybuzz. Decorum and adherence to all rules and guidelines are a must.
• Seat location will not be known in advance.
• Additional blackout dates may apply.
• To be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon date, based on the experience provider's availability.
• All Charitybuzz patrons are required to comply with current government, venue, and event requirements associated with the redemption of this lot. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the experience and final purchase price.
• Should redemption of all or a portion of this lot be prevented or postponed beyond the dates of redemption explicitly stated on this lot page due to force majeure (i.e. weather, act of God, state of war, terrorism, strike, pandemic, etc.) or any other condition beyond reasonable control, the winner may be eligible for a refund of the total purchase price.

Jack.org
Jack.org is Canada's only charity training and empowering young leaders to revolutionize mental health.

Proceeds from this sale benefit a charitable organization based outside of the U.S. We advise you consult a tax professional for information about deductibility.

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A trick for getting into the Magic Castle — and how to avoid the bracelet of shame

The other night, my wife and I paid good money to a business that immediately set about deceiving us. This is not the first time that’s happened to us in Hollywood. But this time, we appreciated it.

In fact, we wandered room to room, drinks in hand, hoping to be fooled again.

The subterfuge is what has made the Magic Castle a rare destination for the past 60 years. Mystery and misdirection are the core of the brand, and you don’t venture to the castle, which is really a customized Hollywood hilltop mansion, unless you’re ready to be flummoxed. Also, you don’t get in unless you’re invited by a member of the Academy of Magical Arts — or if you’re staying in the Magic Castle Hotel next door. More about that in a moment.

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Since co-founders Milt Larsen, William Larsen Jr. and Irene Larsen opened it in 1963 as a private clubhouse for members and guests, the castle has seen plenty of good times and bad. There was an attic fire in 2011, the backstage death of a performer in 2017, a closure and layoffs during the pandemic, then a leadership scandal involving allegations of sexual misconduct and racism that were disclosed by The Times in 2020. On May 28, the club’s last surviving co-founder, Milt Larsen, died at 92.

But the club keeps coming back, now with a set of new leaders who arrived in 2021 and ’22.

We’re witnessing the passage of the Magic Castle into a new era.

The magic happens up close and personal, creating a sense of awe and wonder. The brunch menu is a feast for the senses. From freshly made omelets to mouthwatering pastries, there is something to please every palate.

What happens in the castle?

What these dim, glitzy rooms offer is part Old Hollywood, part Las Vegas, part Harry Houdini, part Harry Potter. (Also part Harry Anderson — I spotted an old headshot of the late comedian-magician on one wall.)

You turn up in formal attire at a three-story mansion, built in 1909 with dramatic turrets. It’s just up the hill from the Dolby Theater, just down the hill from the panoramic-view restaurant Yamashiro.

Outside the front door, a greeter will make sure you have a reservation, then give you a good once-over, enforcing the club’s formal dress code, which bans denim, sneakers, shorts, skorts, athletic wear, hoodies, bare midriffs, exposed undergarments and more.

They mean it. I wore a coat and tie but was almost refused entrance because of my too-casual shoes (wool, not leather). In fact, the greeter fitted my left wrist with a pink plastic bracelet so that security wouldn’t eject me. Thus I entered the Castle of Magic shackled by a bracelet of shame.

Stepping into the entry room for an evening visit, you will hand over $35 to $45 per person, up slightly from pre-pandemic times. Then you say the magic words and duck through the secret door (Psst! the bookcase!) and the adventure is on. You’ll climb stairs and step through a series of rooms full of oak paneling, stained glass, eerie oil portraits and posters announcing illusionists and tricksters of bygone years.

A guest disappears behind a faux bookshelf, which opens only to a password spoken to the owl on the shelf.

The new leadership’s challenge is to hold onto the best of that throwback atmosphere while purging sexism and welcoming a diverse, contemporary crowd.

Though the vast majority of working magicians are male, Magic Castle spokeswoman Vicki Greenleaf said, the club has 38 women in its regular rotation of performers (among 482 magicians over the last three years). She also noted that the club has rewritten its guest dress code to eliminate all gender-specific requirements, and that of 67 children taking magic classes through the club’s Junior Society, most are girls, people of color or international students.

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“We can’t change the past, but we can change the future,” Chuck Martinez, president of the Academy of Magical Arts, said in a statement. “We are making every effort to ensure that the club’s culture is inclusive and diverse for members, guests, staff and on our stages.”

We came on a Monday night, prepared for business to be slow. It wasn’t. The dining room and main theater were just about full, the barkeeps busy.

As you explore, every other room seems to be a bar (there are five in the building) and every cocktail seems to be steeped in mystery nomenclature (Sorcerer’s Sangria? Tropical Trickster?). You’re obliged to have dinner, which costs about $45 to $60 per main dish. The dining room is swanky and the menu leans toward steakhouse fare. Our server was welcoming and attentive; my filet mignon wasn’t my favorite of this year (that would be Jocko’s Steakhouse in Nipomo) but it was tender and tangy.

If you start with dinner, as we did, you proceed next to a 45-minute magic show in the 130-seat Palace of Mystery, a.k.a. the building’s main venue. First Danny and Stacey Cole did crazy things with shirts, ties and chairs. Then came Levent Cimkentli, perhaps the most high-velocity conjurer-comedian I’ve ever seen.

After dinner and the big show, you meander the mansion by your own timetable, dropping in on card tricksters, sleight-of-hand artists and other entertainers working the Close-Up Gallery, the Parlour of Prestidigitation, the Library Bar, Peller Theatre, and the Hat and Hare pub.

A seat is reserved with an Old-Fashioned cocktail to honor Milt Larsen, Magic Castle co-founder, at the Owl Bar, on the left. Magician Sharpo, right, shows a 10 of spades while performing a magic trick.

In the Palace of Mystery and the rooms that followed we saw levitation, disappearances, appearances, juggling, fake rabbits, card tricks, interlocking rings, many sight gags and audio gags. (You won’t see any of this on Instagram. Once you’re beyond the entry room, photography is forbidden.)

The crowd was diverse in age and heritage, all dressed to impress. Whether you glimpse a celebrity or not, the people-watching is top-notch.

Even after video-game mogul and magician Randy Pitchford bought the castle building and neighboring hotel in 2022, co-founder Milt Larsen remained a regular at the castle’s Palace Bar until days before his May 28 death.

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Cary Grant and Johnny Carson used to be members; visitors have included Johnny Depp, Katy Perry and Ryan Gosling. Performers have included Steve Martin and Neil Patrick Harris, who served as president of the academy from 2011 to 2014.

Soon after my visit, I heard the story of how the club once ejected Siegfried Fischbacher (of Siegfried and Roy fame) for showing up in jeans.

The castle is adults-only except for brunch performances on weekends, when guests under 21 are allowed and the entertainment is tailored to accommodate kids.

The buffet is filled with a variety of dishes, including salads, seafood, carved meats, and decadent desserts. The food is prepared with care and attention to detail, ensuring that every bite is a delight. The magic show is the highlight of the brunch. Magicians roam from table to table, showcasing their skills and captivating the audience with mind-boggling tricks. From card tricks to disappearing acts, the performances are always impressive and leave guests wanting more. The intimate setting of the Magic Castle allows for a truly immersive and interactive experience. In addition to the magic show, guests can explore the castle and discover its hidden secrets. The castle is filled with unique and intriguing artifacts, including antique magic props and historical memorabilia. Exploring the castle is like stepping into a world of mystery and wonder. Overall, the Magic Castle brunch is a magical experience that combines great food with extraordinary entertainment. It is a perfect outing for families, friends, or anyone looking for a unique and enchanting brunch experience. Whether you are a magic enthusiast or simply appreciate good entertainment, the Magic Castle brunch is an event not to be missed..

Reviews for "Escape Reality with a Magical Sunday Brunch at the Castle"

1. Samantha - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Magic Castle brunch, but unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. The food was mediocre at best, with limited options and nothing particularly outstanding. The service was also lacking, as we had to repeatedly ask for water refills and our server seemed disinterested and inattentive. Overall, the experience fell short of my expectations, and I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon.

2. Michael - 1 star - My experience at the Magic Castle brunch was nothing short of a disaster. The food was cold and tasteless, and it took an incredibly long time for our meals to arrive. The atmosphere was chaotic, with overcrowded tables and loud, distracting music. The staff seemed overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the demand, resulting in poor service and a lack of attention to detail. I wouldn't recommend this brunch to anyone looking for a pleasant dining experience.

3. Jessica - 2 stars - The Magic Castle brunch failed to live up to the hype for me. While the venue itself is charming and the concept is intriguing, the execution fell flat. The food was average at best, with limited options for vegetarians like myself. Additionally, the service left much to be desired. Our server was slow and forgetful, and it felt like we were constantly waiting for our orders to be taken and the bill to be brought. Overall, I think there are better brunch options available elsewhere.

Elevate Your Brunch Experience with a Trip to the Magic Castle