Open, Sesame
Everyone must remember these two words if you are ever invited to the Magic Castle. The famous words originate from Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves story. Although possibly lost in language translation, many associate their use as a given command to open the cave of treasures in the stories told in The Arabian Nights or 1001 Nights. These two magical words must be said to get past the library doors of the Magic Castle.
Let’s have a brief history lesson of how the Magic Castle came to be. Toward the end of the Gilded Age, a beautiful Victorian mansion home was built. The couple that built it were Rollin and Katherine Lane. The year was 1909. Rollin- a very successful lawyer/banker- and his wife Katherine lovingly called it the “Holly Chateau”. They hosted many friends, family and business acquaintances there until the 1940’s when they passed away. (Think Bertha Russel from the Gilded Age on HBO MAX.)
After their deaths the mansion would become a multi-family home until it was transformed into senior living apartments. After two decades, the home’s future was unknown. Until a very interested show writer for NBC noticed it from his office window across the way. Inspired by the dreams his father once held, which was to open a magical private club, he wanted to bring that dream to life. Together with his brother Bill and his wife Irene they created The Academy of Magical Arts aka The Magic Castle.
Photos from: MagicCastle.com
Just after New Years Day in January of 1963 the doors of an exclusive club would open, nestled along the Hollywood Hills, located just above the famous Hollywood Boulevard and down the street from the infamous neo-Mayan mansion the John Sowden House- one of the last places the Black Dahlia was seen before her grisly murder.
The Magic Castle is an exclusive club for magicians only. To get into the club you have to be invited by a magician or someone who holds an invitation. Or… you could become a magician and audition to be a member. Look, that's a lot of work and expense in my humble opinion. Although a night at the Magic Castle is not for the faint of heart when it comes to budgeting for a night out. Between the strict dress code, entrance fee, your meal, and drinks your bill can quickly add up.
Photos from: MagicCastle.com
I’m lucky to have been able to attend brunch and dinner as the invitee several times, most recently casually for drinks with my friend Kurt, a magician, which included us taking the train from Orange County to Hollywood. It’s quite the adventure!
Tamantha with husband Paxton and friend Kurt
Photo from: Tamantha Bowman
Tamantha with Kurt
Photo from: Tamantha Bowman
So how did I get my first invite to the exclusive Magic Castle? Well I made friends with a magician! I was looking for a bolo tie for my husband. We wanted to dress up as Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction for a Halloween party we were invited to. I decided I would stop into a shop named Best Magic and Costume shop located in Anaheim, CA. I liked to run my errands while my kids were in school. As I puruse the costume racks and friendly gentleman approached me. “May I help you?” Me: “Why yes, I’m in search of a bolo tie.” Him: “I’m sorry we don’t carry any, you might try the Knott’s Berry Farm shops. That’s where I found mine for the Magic Castle.” Me: “Oh! I’ve never been.” Him: “Would you like to go?” Me: “Yes, that would be amazing.” He then precedes to the front counter and pulls out a binder. After flipping through it, he finds the page he’s looking for. Carefully he begins to rip what appears to be a business card. He flips it over, signs it and hands it to me. Holy Sh!t! I just got an invitation to the Magic Castle.
Photo from: Tamantha Bowman
My invitation allowed me to invite up to 8 people. I couldn’t believe it. So my husband and I went with 3 other couples. My twin and her husband, my friend and her husband, and our cousin and her husband. My cousin’s now ex-husband said that was the most “HOLLYWOOD” thing he had ever experienced. I can’t disagree. Somehow when I booked our reservation I was able to secure the Houdini room. Not at an extra cost like it is today. I still don’t know how I got it.
What I remember most about that night is having a cocktail with my cousins at that first bar you see when you enter through the doors. Then when our table was called we followed our host to a private side room. It was wild. It truly felt like VIP. We sat around a large round table perfect for an actual seance. Our night was so mysterious and fascinating because no one in our group had ever been to the Magic Castle. This old Victorian had us going up and down and all around- secret stairs led to little rooms in the basement that then led us out back at that first bar.
The magic in the big theater is like a mini Vegas show to us- sitting close-up and enjoying some nice sleight of hand, stopping and grabbing a fresh cocktail at every bar along the way. (There are 5 by the way.) We ubered there and ubered home. It was a night full of laughs and memories made.
Now I feel like I know that place like the back of my hand! Although, I’m always learning. I’m now confident enough to ask Irma the ghostly piano player to play my request (don’t forget to tip her). If you request one of her favorites she will make the lights flicker!
I also now know NEVER to rest your cocktail on a felt table top. Use the side rails. Don’t have a member scold you like one did to me on my first visit. I always take time to get photos before entering and sometimes while exiting. The Magical Moment is my favorite cocktail. It's very similar to a French 75. I will save the orchid flower garnish to count how many I’ve had. Never order a regular drink from the Hat and Hare, it's just not the same. It’s also Hollywood so you may see a celebrity or two. The most famous we’ve seen is John Hamm walking by our table on a slow Monday night while eating our dinner.
Tamantha with husband Paxton
Photo from: Tamantha Bowman
If you want to see inside the Magic Castle, head to Josh Gates’s Late Night show Season 5 Episode 5- it’s quite hilarious! Behind Closed Gates. The club has a lot of rules, especially that once you enter the club through the library doors, you are no longer allowed to take photos.
Since then, we’ve gone to a few dinners but this year the Magic Castle is almost a second home. From hopping on the train for a quick visit, to a VIP dinner (no door fee) this past July, to the end of this year when my friend is holding her retirement ceremony celebration at the Magic Castle. If that wasn’t exciting enough, my neighbor friends and I wil be heading back for a ladies night out at the end of January 2026. Turns out my neighbor's sister in law is now a magician club member. When I called to make that reservation I learned you could stack separate invitation codes to have your guest all at one table. Invited guests help to keep the club alive and operating.
I might have to do another write-up to tell you my adventures inside the castle. Sadly I’ve surpassed our word count by a few hundred words. ;)
Now “Open, sesame.”
Written by Tamantha Bowman
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Sources:
magiccastle.com/clubhouse
