The Magic Castle in Los Angelas, California
Built in 1909, The Magic Castle, originally named Holly Chateau, was designed by Lyman Farwell and Oliver Perry Dennis for banker Rollin B. Lane and his wife Katherine. Its châteauesque architecture mirrored the Kimberly Crest mansion in Redlands, featuring 17 rooms including a roof garden and sun parlor .
The building changed ownership in the 1950s, and in 1961, Milt and Bill Larsen (plus Irene) transformed it into what we know today. It officially opened as The Magic Castle on January 2, 1963 . Designed to feel like something between The Addams Family and Disney’s Haunted Mansion, it embodies the mystique Hollywood magic fans crave .
The Castle is laden with salvaged decor—from street lamps off Venice Pier and chandeliers from Bullock’s department store, to maple floors from Hollywood High School—giving it an eclectic, time-warp charm .
In 1989, it was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument .
The Magic Castle
Location & Opening Hours
Address: 7001 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood—just one block north of the Walk of Fame .
Evenings: Open daily from 5 PM to 2 AM (shows begin after dinner)
Weekend Brunch: Saturdays & Sundays from 10 AM to 3 PM; guests under 21 welcome for brunch only .
Who Performs & What You’ll See
The Castle is home to the Academy of Magical Arts and hosts a rotating cast of top-tier magicians—from sleight-of-hand artists to stage illusionists. Legend Dai Vernon made it his home turf for decades . Other notable performers include Orson Welles, Johnny Carson, Steve Martin, Neil Patrick Harris, Penn & Teller, Siegfried & Roy, David Blaine, Harry Blackstone Sr. & Jr., Lance Burton and more .
The Castle houses theaters, bars, and lounges—like the Grand Salon, W.C. Fields Bar (complete with a trick pool table), Owl Bar, Parlour, and Library Bar. Expect impromptu close-up magic, cocktails served with flair, and even a Houdini Séance Chamber in the basement on select nights .
Rules & Dress Code
Access is strictly controlled. Entry is limited to:
Members and their guests
Guests staying at the adjacent Magic Castle Hotel
Special invitations (e.g. via certain stage show tickets or promotions)
Dress Code:
Formal. Business attire or evening wear is mandatory. Denim, casual or athletic gear, sneakers, shorts, hoodies—not allowed . Redditors emphasize it’s strict—pantsuits must include a blazer, ties required for men, and backup clothing may be offered if needed .
Other Rules:
No photography allowed—violators risk ejection
Dinner reservation (one entrée per guest) is mandatory
Must be 21+ for evening visits
How to Visit
If You’re a Member:
You can visit anytime and bring up to five guests. Works like a magic pass.
If You’re Not:
Be invited by a member.
Stay at the Magic Castle Hotel—guests often receive courtesy admission .
Buy tickets to affiliated shows, like at The United Theater—some ticketed patrons receive Magic Castle invitations later .
What to Expect:
Arrive early (5 PM). Valet parking is available.
You’ll face a greeter checking dress and invites. Some guests mention quirky wristband shaming rituals .
Enter through a hidden bookcase by whispering “Open sesame” to an owl figurine—Archimedes—and the door swings open .
Enjoy dinner, then catch a 45-minute main show in a theater like the Palace of Mystery, followed by roaming the Castle’s other performance spaces .
Built
1909 (Holly Chateau), opened as Magic Castle 1963
Location
7001 Franklin Ave, Hollywood
Access
Members/their guests, hotel guests, special invitations
Dress Code
Strict formal attire—no exceptions
Performances
Sleight-of-hand, stage illusions, Houdini séance
Must-Do
Dinner reservation required, no photos, hidden passages
The Magic Castle is more than a venue—it’s a hidden, magical retreat where architectural splendor and close-up wonder meet strict etiquette and nostalgic charm. Whether you’re a devoted magician or a curious guest, it promises an unforgettable night of mystery and delight.
