Trickery Chicago Magic Show

The appeal of Trickery is its small-room magic: with a maximum of 36 people, you are close to the action, not watching tricks from the back of a theater. Magician Aaron mixes close-up illusions with comedy and crowd interaction, so the evening feels more like a shared night out than a formal stage performance.

I like two things about the setup. First, BYOB keeps the evening casual, with cups and bottle openers on hand. Second, the show runs about an hour, leaving you time to have dinner or explore Lakeview afterward. The trade-off is its adult-leaning humor: the material includes innuendo, so families should think carefully about bringing children, even though the stated minimum age is 12.

At a glance

• Close-up magic in a small room: The audience limit is 36, which puts you near the performance.
• Comedy is part of the act: Expect audience interaction and cheeky wordplay alongside the tricks.
• Bring your own drinks: Cups and bottle openers are available for use.
• Plan for about an hour of showtime: Doors open 15 minutes before the performance.
• In Lakeview, near Wrigley Field: The venue is at 3453 N Halsted St, with restaurants nearby for a meal afterward.
• Think about age and humor: The show is intended for adults, and innuendo may not suit every family.

Close-up magic at 3453 N Halsted Street

Trickery is a compact magic-show venue in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. Its intimate size shapes the experience: you are not going for grand staging or a distant view of elaborate illusions. You are there to watch a performer work close to the audience, with the room itself helping make each trick feel immediate.

The show centers on magician Aaron, whose act combines magic, comedy, and audience participation. The interaction is a recurring part of the appeal. You may be asked to take part, and even when you are not, the jokes and exchanges help keep the room involved. That closeness can make a clever trick more startling, but it also means the performance depends on the magician’s timing and personality as much as on the mechanics of the illusion.

The tone is playful and deliberately a little hokey. There is a story line and an imaginary off-stage assistant, Steve, who has become part of the act’s running humor. Some people find that comic setup charming; others may find it repetitive. Go expecting a personal, comedy-led magic show, not a polished production with elaborate sets, large-scale effects, or a hushed concert-hall atmosphere.

What the hour-long show feels like

The listed running time is about one hour, though the overall activity is described as roughly one to two hours. The doors open 15 minutes before the show starts, so allow a little extra time for arrival and getting settled. Your ticket includes admission, and the activity begins and ends at the Trickery address.

That shorter performance is useful if you are planning a full evening. You can pair the show with dinner or drinks in Lakeview, or make it one stop in a night near Wrigley Field. The venue is described as a five-to-eight-minute walk from Wrigley Field and a similar distance from the Red Line, making it a practical choice if you are already in the area. One visitor also described the trip from downtown as about 25 minutes, though your actual journey will depend on where you start and how you travel.

Expect a small audience, with a maximum of 36 people. That cap is central to the format: it gives the magician room to work close to the crowd and makes participation easier than it would be in a large theater. The flip side is that the setting may feel tight, and the show’s success rests on the performer’s ability to hold the room. If you prefer a grand venue and a more traditional stage spectacle, this is probably not your kind of magic night.

Aaron’s mix of tricks and comedy

The most consistently praised feature is the combination of skill and humor. The comedy is not a short introduction before the magic begins; it is part of the act throughout. The result is a lively pace, with close-up tricks, mind-reading-style moments, and audience exchanges rather than a string of silent demonstrations.

The magic itself can be surprising even if you arrive skeptical. The modest room and campy presentation may set expectations low, but the performance can turn that contrast to its advantage. You are close enough to watch the action, and the audience involvement keeps attention on what is happening. The finale has also been singled out as a strong ending, so stay with the show through its last moments.

A repeat visit may still work for you if you enjoy the performer’s comic style and the way the show plays with the audience. But this is a personality-driven act, not a neutral showcase of tricks. If you dislike crowd work, pun-heavy humor, or an intentionally cheesy theme, those elements could wear thin. The same traits that make the evening fun for one person may be the reason another finds it only okay.

BYOB, room size, and what to expect

Bring your own beverage if you want a drink during the performance. Trickery provides cups and bottle openers, which makes the BYOB policy easy to use without turning the evening into a full service-bar outing. The information provided does not specify a drink menu or other refreshments, so plan on bringing what you want rather than expecting to buy drinks there.

The close quarters create a sociable feel, but they also mean you share the room with the entire audience. A maximum of 36 people keeps the scale personal; it does not guarantee that every seat feels identical or that you will be selected for a trick. If you are shy about joining in, you can still enjoy watching the exchanges from your seat.

The address is in Lakeview, a neighborhood with restaurants nearby for before or after the show. The short run time makes a meal afterward especially easy to plan. If you are in Chicago for a game at Wrigley Field, the proximity also makes this a convenient alternative to heading straight back downtown, provided the show time fits your plans.

Is the humor right for your group?

This is the key decision for families. The show is intended for adults and is not recommended for children younger than 12. The humor includes sexual innuendo, described by the performer as wordplay rather than explicit material. There is no cursing, nudity, or drug reference, but that does not mean every parent or child will find the jokes comfortable.

Some families have enjoyed the show with children, while others have felt the innuendo was too much. A child’s age alone may not settle the question: what matters is your own comfort with cheeky jokes and whether your child can sit through an hour-long performance without disrupting the room. If you are unsure, treat the adult-oriented description as meaningful rather than assuming the show will feel like a standard family magic act.

For couples and groups of friends, that slightly naughty comic edge is more likely to be part of the fun. The close-up format gives the evening a personal feel, and the performance offers something different from a typical dinner or bar stop. It also suits visitors looking for an easy-to-fit activity that does not take up the entire night.

What $41 buys you

At $41 per person, Trickery costs more than a casual drink or a quick neighborhood activity, but it includes a live, roughly one-hour performance in a small room. The value comes from the format: you are close to the magician, the act combines comedy and magic, and audience interaction helps make the evening feel specific to the room.

It is a better buy if you enjoy live performance and are open to the magician’s comic style. If you expect a large-scale illusion show with major production effects, the price may feel harder to justify. The venue is small, the tone is intentionally campy, and the magic is presented at close range rather than as a grand theatrical spectacle. Know what you are paying for and the ticket is easier to assess.

Tickets are often booked about 10 days ahead on average, and advance booking is recommended to secure entry. The show has limited capacity, so waiting until the last minute could leave you without a seat. Keep in mind that the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so settle on your date before you pay.

Should you book Trickery?

Book Trickery if you want an intimate night of close-up magic, comic audience interaction, and a performance short enough to pair with dinner or another Chicago plan. It is particularly well suited to couples, friends, and adults who enjoy a little wordplay with their tricks. The Lakeview location also makes it a handy choice if you are spending time near Wrigley Field.

Think twice if you want a formal theater production, dislike audience participation, or are bringing a child who may be uncomfortable with innuendo. For families, the stated minimum age of 12 is a guide, not a promise that every joke will suit every child. If the tone sounds right for your group, book ahead, bring your own drinks, and leave room in the evening for a meal nearby.

FAQ

How long does the Trickery show last?

The performance runs for about one hour. The overall activity is listed as approximately one to two hours, and the doors open 15 minutes before showtime.

Where is Trickery located?

The venue is at 3453 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657. The activity ends at the same address where it starts.

Can I bring my own drinks?

Yes. The show is BYOB, and cups and bottle openers are available for use.

Is the show suitable for children?

The show is intended for adults and is not recommended for children younger than 12. The comedy includes innuendo, so consider your child’s comfort with that material before booking.

How many people can attend?

The maximum group size is 36 people. This small capacity supports the close-up format.

Is the show performed in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Is advance booking recommended?

Yes. Booking ahead is recommended to guarantee entry, and the experience is booked about 10 days in advance on average.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. If you cancel or request an amendment, you will not receive a refund.