Trickery Chicago Magic Show

Trickery is a small-room magic show where magician Aaron works close to the audience, mixes sleight of hand with comedy, and pulls people into the act. I like the personal scale and the easy BYOB setup: bring your own drinks, then use the available cups and bottle openers. The one-hour running time also fits neatly into a Chicago evening.

I especially like the steady audience interaction and the location near Wrigley Field, the Red Line, and Lakeview restaurants. The main caution is the humor. The show is intended for adults, with sexual innuendo that some families may find unsuitable for children, even though the suggested minimum age is 12.

Key points to know before booking

• Aaron keeps the action close: The small room allows for intimate magic, crowd participation, and direct interaction.
• BYOB makes the evening flexible: Bring your own drinks, with cups and bottle openers available at the venue.
• The show lasts about one hour: You can easily add dinner, drinks, or a baseball game nearby.
• Expect comedy as well as magic: The program uses a playful theme, audience work, and recurring comic characters such as Steve.
• The humor is adult-leaning: There is reported to be no cursing, nudity, or drug references, but there is plenty of innuendo.
• Advance booking is sensible: The room holds no more than 36 people, and the experience is commonly reserved about 10 days ahead.

A close-up show in a room built for interaction

Trickery is not a large theater production with grand scenery and stage effects. Its appeal comes from the opposite idea: a compact venue where you are close enough to follow the magician’s hands and become part of the show.

That small scale matters with magic. From far away, a card trick can feel like a visual display. Here, the format puts the focus on the performer’s timing, patter, and ability to work with people in the room. Audience participation is a major part of the experience, so you should be comfortable with the possibility of being addressed or invited into a trick.

The capacity is limited to 36 people. That is small enough to give the evening a club-like feel, though it also means the room may feel tight rather than spacious. If you prefer polished theater seating and a large production, this probably is not your ideal night out. If you like direct contact with the performer, the compact setting is the whole point.

What happens during the one-hour performance

The activity begins and ends at Trickery, at 3453 North Halsted Street in Chicago. Doors open 15 minutes before the show starts, giving you a short window to arrive, settle in, and arrange your drink.

The performance itself runs about one hour. That is a useful length. You get a complete evening attraction without giving up the rest of your night, and the short format helps keep the show moving. You can schedule dinner before or afterward without building your whole Chicago itinerary around it.

Aaron combines magic with comedy rather than presenting a silent succession of tricks. The program has a playful story and a campy tone, with an imaginary assistant and recurring references to Steve. Some people will find that comic style charming and silly. Others may find the running jokes a bit hokey or repetitive.

That difference in taste is worth understanding before you buy. This is not presented as a serious demonstration of classical illusion. It is a character-driven entertainment show that uses magic, jokes, and participation together. The best match is someone who enjoys a relaxed, knowingly cheesy performance as much as the tricks themselves.

Aaron, Steve, and the comic style

Aaron is the central performer, and the show depends heavily on his ability to connect with the room. The strongest reactions focus on his charisma, humor, and skill at involving much of the audience rather than performing at them.

The recurring Steve material adds a comic storyline. For some people, that gives the hour a clear personality and makes the show feel like more than a collection of unrelated tricks. For others, the imaginary assistant becomes tiring. I would treat this as a good reason to know your own comedy preferences before booking.

The show also uses a little misdirection in its tone. It may begin with deliberately cheesy magic or playful jokes before moving into more surprising effects. That contrast is part of the fun. You are not only watching for the trick itself, but also for the way Aaron builds a joke, involves someone from the crowd, and turns the moment into a larger bit.

The result is strongest for people who enjoy performers with a visible stage personality. If you want silent, technical magic with very little talking, choose another type of show. If you enjoy comedy, participation, and a magician who treats the room as part of the act, Trickery makes more sense.

The BYOB setup and why it matters

You may bring your own alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks to enhance the evening. Cups and bottle openers are available, so you do not need to arrive with a fully equipped picnic kit.

This is a practical feature rather than a fancy extra. A BYOB show can cost less than a theater event with expensive bar prices, and you can bring exactly what you like. It also gives the night a relaxed date-night or friends’ outing feel.

Remember that the show still requires attention. Magic depends on watching and listening, especially when the performer is working with someone nearby. Bring a drink you can manage easily, and avoid treating the event as a loud bar night. The room is small, and conversation can interfere with the experience for everyone around you.

Adult humor and the age question

The venue describes the show as intended for adults, with a suggested minimum age of 12. The comic material includes innuendo. The stated content guidance says there is no cursing, nudity, or drug references, but that does not mean every family will find the humor comfortable.

This is the most important booking decision for families. A 12-year-old may understand little of the wordplay, while another child may notice enough to feel awkward. Several comments specifically advise using caution with younger children and suggest that older teens are a better fit.

I would personally treat the show as an adult or older-teen activity rather than a standard family attraction. Couples, friends, and birthday groups are likely to get the best fit. If you bring children, talk with your group first about cheeky jokes and audience participation.

The content is not described as explicit, but the tone can be racy. If that sounds uncomfortable, the magic alone may not be enough to outweigh the concern. If you are fine with PG-style innuendo and a comic stage persona, it should be easier to enjoy.

Getting there from Wrigley Field and the Red Line

Trickery is in the Lakeview area at 3453 North Halsted Street. It is near public transportation, and the location works especially well if you are already spending time around Wrigley Field.

The venue is reported to be about a 5 to 8-minute walk from Wrigley Field and a similar distance from the Red Line. That makes it a handy add-on after a baseball game, particularly if you want an unusual evening activity instead of heading straight back downtown.

You can also pair the show with a meal or drinks in the surrounding Lakeview area. The location gives you more flexibility than a venue isolated from restaurants and transit. If you are staying downtown, the trip is described as roughly 25 minutes, though your actual travel time will depend on where you start and the transit conditions.

Parking has also been described as easy by one family group, but the supplied details do not specify a garage, lot, or guaranteed parking arrangement. If you drive, check your parking plan before leaving rather than assuming a space will be waiting outside.

Is $41 a fair price?

At $41 per person, Trickery sits in the range of a reasonably priced evening attraction. The value comes from the full hour of live entertainment, the intimate room, and the fact that you can bring your own drinks rather than paying venue bar prices.

The price makes the most sense when you care about the format. A large magic show can offer spectacle, lighting, and production effects. Trickery gives you proximity, personal attention, comedy, and the chance to see close-up work in a small group. You are paying for the performer’s interaction with the room as much as for the tricks.

For a couple, the ticket can form the centerpiece of a date night. Add dinner in Lakeview, and you have a simple evening without the cost or time commitment of a major theater production. For a family of four, the total climbs quickly, so the age and humor question becomes even more important. Do not book on the assumption that a child-friendly magic show automatically means family-friendly comedy.

The experience is often booked around 10 days in advance. With a maximum group size of 36, advance booking is wise if you have a fixed date, especially around baseball games, birthdays, or weekend plans. Tickets are mobile, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The cancellation rule is strict: the ticket is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. I would wait until your date and group are settled before buying.

Who should book Trickery

I would recommend Trickery for:

• Couples looking for a different date-night activity
• Friends who enjoy comedy and audience participation
• Magic fans who prefer close-up performance to large theater spectacle
• Visitors attending a Cubs game or exploring Lakeview
• Older teens and adults who are comfortable with innuendo
• Small birthday groups or casual celebrations

I would be more cautious if you:

• Want a serious, formal magic performance
• Dislike being addressed or included from the audience
• Prefer a large venue with polished production effects
• Are bringing children who may be uncomfortable with adult jokes
• Need flexible cancellation or date-change terms

The intimate format is both the best feature and the main limitation. You get closer to the performer, but you also get a smaller room and a more personal comic style. The show asks you to accept its tone rather than expecting a neutral, all-ages performance.

A simple plan for the evening

For the easiest visit, arrive before the doors open or during the 15-minute entry window. Bring the drinks you want, but keep them manageable so you can pay attention to the performance.

If you are coming from Wrigley Field, allow a short walk to the venue and consider booking dinner afterward. If you are taking the Red Line, the nearby station makes the show practical without a car. The one-hour performance leaves room for another stop later in the night.

For a first visit, I would avoid stacking too many time-sensitive plans around it. The show is short, but theater timing can vary slightly. Give yourself enough breathing room for transit, entry, and a meal.

Should you book Trickery?

Book it if you want intimate magic, comedy, and audience interaction in a relaxed BYOB setting. Aaron’s ability to connect with the room is central to the experience, and the compact venue gives the tricks a personal feel that a large theater cannot match.

Think twice if you want a strictly family-friendly show or a formal magic showcase. The adult innuendo is mild by the venue’s description, but it is frequent enough that some parents may prefer not to bring younger children. Also keep the non-refundable policy in mind.

For most couples, friends, and older-teen groups, Trickery is a smart one-hour addition to a Lakeview evening. Pair it with dinner, use the short running time to your advantage, and go in expecting a funny, interactive magic show rather than a grand theatrical production.

FAQ

Where is Trickery located?

Trickery is at 3453 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA, in the Lakeview area.

How long does the magic show last?

The performance runs for approximately one hour. The overall activity is listed as lasting about one to two hours, including arrival and departure.

How early should I arrive?

Doors open 15 minutes before the show starts. Arrive during that window so you have time to enter and settle in.

Can I bring my own drinks?

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

Is the show appropriate for children?

The show is intended for adults, with a suggested minimum age of 12. It includes sexual innuendo, although the stated content guidance says there is no cursing, nudity, or drug references.

How many people can attend?

The activity has a maximum of 36 participants, creating a small and intimate room.

Can I cancel or change my ticket?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.