Since 2018, The Chicago Magic Lounge has been amazing patrons at their Andersonville neighborhood location. The venue is the brainchild of Joey Cranford, who caught the magic bug after his wife jokingly gave him a magic kit as a gift. As his interest grew, he also learned about Chicago’s magic history—in the 20th century, the city was home to several magic bars, establishments like Schulien’s, Ryan’s, The New York Lounge, The Pickle Barrel, The Ivanhoe, and The Pump Room. These spots birthed a style of magic, where magicians behind the bar or at tables performed for patrons while they drank and ate.
That era ended when Schulien’s closed its doors in 1999. Magic in the city remained sparse until 2015, when Cranford sought to develop a theatrical recreation of a Chicago magic bar. He started out by doing a weekly show at the burlesque venue, Uptown Underground. Performances expanded to other nights in the week, and one day a magic-loving attorney named Don Clark saw a show and approached Cranford. Clark said he could provide the financial investment to build a space solely dedicated to magic, and the two teamed up. On June 7, 2017, they began construction at 5050 N. Clark Street. In February 2018, The Chicago Magic Lounge opened its doors, and guests now enjoy magic seven days a week.