The Magic Parlour – Chicago’s Intimate Magical Experience with Dennis Watkins

Step inside a century-old Chicago skyscraper and leave the ordinary world behind. The Magic Parlour is an acclaimed, close-up magic experience starring third-generation illusionist Dennis Watkins, whose mind-bending sleight-of-hand has dazzled audiences from The Kennedy Center to HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Seated at elegant banquettes beneath crystal chandeliers, just 40 guests per performance witness impossible feats inches from their eyes: signed playing cards materialize inside uncut citrus, borrowed rings vanish and re-appear inside locked boxes, and thoughts are plucked straight from your mind. Every ticket includes a complimentary beverage—choose from craft cocktails, local beer, or artisanal mocktails—while VIP pass-holders stay for an extra 30-minute session in the private Encore Room where Dennis performs exclusive routines and answers questions over a second round of drinks. The vintage parlor setting, curated jazz soundtrack, and theatrical lighting create a speakeasy vibe perfect for date nights, celebrations, or out-of-town visitors seeking only-in-Chicago entertainment. Performances run year-round, making The Magic Parlour an ideal anchor for a River North evening; pair it with dinner at one of the neighborhood’s Michelin-rated restaurants for the ultimate magical night out. Critics call it “the gold standard of close-up magic” (Chicago Tribune) and “a must-see bucket-list experience” (Time Out Chicago). Reserve early—shows routinely sell out weeks in advance.