Chicago Magic Lounge at Open House Chicago

Morris Architect Planners converted a 1940s-era commercial laundry into a modern and elegant theatrical venue dedicated to the art of Magic. The interior, designed by Ami Kahalekulu of Twofold Studio, delivers a sophisticated and surprising space with a sense of playful humor. From the laundromat facade to the professional-grade bar for experiencing close-up magic, no detail was overlooked. Original Victorian-era posters of the grand illusion stage shows and artifacts from now-extinct magic bars of the 70s and 80s dot the walls throughout the venue. This ephemera tells the story of magic's past, and the Art Deco-style interior, representing the moment when magic bars first began to flourish in Chicago, provides a glamorous backdrop to sip cocktails and be amazed by masters of close-up magic. Finishing touches such as the 1930s-inspired pendant lamps and chandeliers, cedar-paneled walls, and the gold-flecked, geometric pattern that frames the stage complete the upscale, post-Prohibition, supper club look and feel in each of the three performance spaces. Visitors will tour the Chicago Magic Lounge in small groups, with a guide who will explain the artifacts, ephemera, posters, and architecture. There may be a short wait for your tour to begin. Please note: this is an architectural and historical tour, there will be no magic performances.