Magic & Mind Reading
The Art of Learning Magic: A Beginner's Guide
A complete beginner's guide to one of the world's oldest art forms — the best books, magic clubs, magic shops, and how to start practicing today.
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Stories, Guides & Secrets
Insider guides to San Francisco nightlife, date nights, the art of magic, and the stories behind our theater.
Date Night in San Francisco
10 Most Romantic Date Night Spots in San Francisco (2026)
From rooftop cocktails to intimate magic shows, discover the most unforgettable date night experiences the city has to offer.
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Why a Magic Show Is the Ultimate Corporate Icebreaker
Forget trust falls. Here's why interactive entertainment creates stronger team connections than any traditional team-building event.
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The History of Moroccan Design in San Francisco Architecture
From the Alhambra-inspired details of Golden Gate Park to our own theater — Moroccan design has a rich history in SF.
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Best Things to Do Near Union Square After Dark
When the shops close, the real San Francisco comes alive. Here are the best nighttime experiences near Union Square.
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How to Plan a Surprise Birthday in San Francisco
Pull off the ultimate surprise with our guide to the city's best birthday-worthy venues and experiences.
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Why San Francisco Magic Theater Is Rated #1 on TripAdvisor
The San Francisco Magic Theater is rated #1 in Downtown SF on TripAdvisor — 5 stars from over 5000 reviews. Come discover why travelers are making it a destination.
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The Unsinkable Tale of Titanic Thompson
The life and adventures of one of history's most legendary con men — a gambler, hustler, and all-around maverick.
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Discover the Secrets: Exploring the Wonders of Misdirections Magic Shop
San Francisco's hidden gem for aspiring magicians — a treasure trove of tricks, illusions, and all things magical.
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The Grand Deceiver: Jasper Maskelyne's Magical Conquests over the Nazis
How stage magician Jasper Maskelyne used illusion and deception to outwit the Nazis during World War II — hiding harbors, tanks, and even the Suez Canal.
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The Psychology of Wonder: Why We Love Being Fooled
What happens in your brain when you see the impossible? The science behind our love of magic.
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The Magic Cellar
The story of San Francisco's first magic nightclub — in the basement of Earthquake McGoon's — featuring R. Crumb artwork, Carter the Great, and Martin Lewis.
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Houdini and Brindamour: Dueling Escape Artists in San Francisco
The untold rivalry between Houdini and Brindamour — two escape artists who faced off in neighboring San Francisco theaters in 1907.
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Musée Mécanique
The craziest collection of 20th-century automata, penny arcade games, and musical contraptions — a free experience at Fisherman's Wharf.
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Peephole Cinema
A tiny, free theater hidden in a Mission District alley plays short silent films for anyone daring enough to look through the peephole.
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China Beach
A secret beach with stunning Golden Gate Bridge views, tide pools, and hidden coves tucked into the Sea Cliff neighborhood.
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The 16th Avenue Staircase
163 mosaic tile steps tucked away in San Francisco's Golden Gate Heights neighborhood with sweeping city views.
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Steve Martin: Wild and Crazy Magician
How Steve Martin's career began at a magic shop in Disneyland — from learning card tricks to becoming one of the greatest comedians of all time.
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Muhammad Ali: The Greatest… Magician?
Muhammad Ali wasn't just The Greatest boxer — he was an amateur magician who loved sleight of hand. Discover the surprising magic side of the champ.
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Howard Thurston: The Wonder Show of the Universe
From the early 1900s to the 1930s, Howard Thurston presented what may have been the largest magic show in history — traveling on eight train cars of equipment, costumes, and animals.
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Houdini: The Master of Escape
Harry Houdini was the world's most famous magician and escape artist — a master of publicity, danger, and the impossible.
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Johnny Eck: The Most Remarkable Man Alive
Born without the lower half of his torso, Johnny Eck starred in Tod Browning's Freaks and performed one of magic's most astonishing sawing-in-half illusions.
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Henry Box Brown: The Escape from Slavery
Henry 'Box' Brown escaped slavery by mailing himself in a wooden crate — then became a touring magician and mesmerist in England for 25 years.
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Carter the Great: San Francisco's Globetrotting Illusionist
Charles Joseph Carter grew up in the SF Bay Area and became one of the greatest touring illusionists of the Golden Age of Magic — his poster art adorns our theater walls.
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Profesor Alba: Spain's Master Hypnotist and Mentalist
Profesor Alba was a Spanish magician, hypnotist, and psychic entertainer who toured Europe in the 1930s performing thought experiments and demonstrations of psychic powers.
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Chung Ling Soo: The Magician Who Lived a Lie
Born William Ellsworth Robinson, he crafted an elaborate Chinese persona and became one of the greatest magicians of his era — until a bullet-catching trick ended his life on stage.
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Harry Kellar: The Dean of American Magicians
Harry Kellar (1849–1922) shaped the golden age of magic with grand illusions, iconic posters, and a legacy that inspired Houdini and Thurston.
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Max Malini: The Magician Who Fooled the World
Max Malini was a gruff, brilliant sleight-of-hand artist who performed for kings, queens, and presidents — producing miracles out of thin air.
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Gogia Pasha: The Gilly Gilly Man
Born in Pakistan in 1910, Gogia Pasha pretended to be Egyptian and became one of magic's most colorful showmen — performing for Hitler, the Beatles, and audiences worldwide.
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Lee Grabel: America's No. 1 Magician
Lee Grabel rose from Depression-era saloons to become America's No. 1 Magician, touring coast to coast with his Famous Mystery Review and the legendary floating piano.
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The Great Chang & Fak-Hong: Oriental Review
The story behind the spectacular 1930s magic show starring Juan Pablo Jesorum — a Panamanian who became The Great Chang.
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Joseph Dunninger: The Master Mind of Mental Radio
The Amazing Dunninger became America's most famous mentalist — reading minds over the radio and TV, referenced on I Love Lucy, Johnny Carson, and The Simpsons.
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Ben Darwin 'Pfeffer': The Man With Iron Teeth
Jay Alexander's great grandfather was vaudeville strongman Ben Darwin — billed as the Modern Day Samson, he pulled cars with his hair and bit through chains.
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Karrell Fox: Clever as a Fox
Karrell Fox pioneered corporate magic and created 'The Magic World of Ford' — a $3 million roadshow that toured America promoting Ford automobiles.
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Frederick Bancroft: The Prince of Magicians
A dentist and insurance agent who traded real estate riches for the world of stage magic — performing as 'De Castro, the boy magician' in 19th-century Chicago.
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Kar-Mi: The Prince of India
Joseph Hallworth performed in Wild West shows, circuses, and vaudeville — sword-swallowing, knife-throwing, and conjuring from the 1890s to WWI.
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Doug Henning: The Man Who Made Magic Cool Again
The Canadian illusionist who revolutionized magic through Broadway, NBC television specials, and sheer charisma.
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P.C. Sorcar: The Indian Magician Who Made Britain Panic
In 1956, P.C. Sorcar performed his sawing illusion live on the BBC and lit up the national switchboard. The story of India's greatest magician and his Indrajal show.
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Dante the Magician: Six Hours to Get Out of Berlin
On September 1, 1939, the world's greatest magician had six hours to escape Berlin. The story of Dante, Sim Sala Bim, and the end of the Golden Age of Magic.
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Wayne Raeke: The Magician Behind the Magicians
The Houston magic shop mentor who quietly shaped a generation of magicians — including Jay Alexander and Bay Area family magician Michael Stroud.
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What to Wear to an Upscale SF Speakeasy
Smart casual? Cocktail attire? Here's your guide to dressing for San Francisco's most exclusive night out.
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Behind the Scenes: The Art of Close-Up Magic
What makes close-up magic different from stage illusions? The answer is intimacy — and decades of practice.
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The Rise of Intimate Theater in the Bay Area
Why audiences are trading Broadway-scale spectacles for 44-seat theaters and why it matters.
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Mentalism vs. Magic: What's the Difference?
One reads your mind. The other defies physics. Both will leave you speechless. Here's how to tell them apart.
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A Local's Guide to the Best Cocktails in SF
Craft cocktails, speakeasy vibes, and bartenders who are artists — your guide to SF's finest drinks.
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The Best Speakeasy Bars in San Francisco
Unmarked doors, hidden lounges, and password-only rooms — a local's guide to SF's best speakeasies and the most intimate night out in the city.
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Top 5 Hidden Gems in San Francisco for Tourists
Skip the tourist traps. These are the experiences that will make your San Francisco trip truly unforgettable.
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Planning the Perfect Corporate Buyout: A Checklist
Everything you need to know about hosting a private corporate event at an intimate theater venue.
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Celebrating an Anniversary in SF: The Ultimate Itinerary
Dinner, drinks, and wonder — the perfect anniversary evening in San Francisco, start to finish.
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Call It "Magic Tourism"
A new travel pattern is emerging: travelers are seeking out intimate, destination-worthy magic venues the way music lovers seek out jazz clubs.
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75 Things You Can Do in San Francisco This Weekend
A funny, opinionated guide to 75 things you can do in SF this weekend — from sourdough rituals to rooftop bars to a magic show in a 44-seat theater.
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