New Bar Alert: Blackstone Magic Bar

If you’ve overheard anyone discussing a ‘magic bar’ recently, they were probably talking about Blackstone Magic Bar at Found 158. It is a bar, and they do indeed have magic. This past Friday was their soft opening, we got a chance to stop in and see what all the buzz is about.  

THE BAR

So what is a magic bar and how does it work? There are two parts to the venue: a casual bar area and a magic theatre. First let’s talk about the bar.

Everything about the bar is dramatic, mysterious and well-thought out. From the old-timey magician trick wall paper to the magic-themed drink menu. Drinks like ‘The Milk Can,’ named after one of Houdini’s most famous tricks. 

The Milk Can: turmeric infused rum, custard apple puree, coconut cream, sago, egg top toast, RMB 95

DRINKS

Mexican Joe: Mezcal, banana liqueur, honeydew, watermelon, melon, RMB 95 

All of the cocktails here have been expertly devised by Bar Director Chris Xi, who won the 2014 China World Class bartending championship with his imaginative molecular cocktails. Most drinks are somewhere in the RMB 100 range, not surprising considering the quality of ingredients and top shelf liquors used. 

THE MAGIC

So while you sit and drink, magicians intermittently get behind the bar to provide guests with 10-15 minute sets. These are honestly pretty awesome, far exceeding what we were expecting. Most tricks are slight of hand stuff like making small objects disappear and reappear, and of course some card tricks. 

There are also some serious hammers; mind-blowing tricks that had all of us looking at each other with furrowed brows, wondering how the hell they did it. We’ll spare the details for those since we don’t want to ruin the surprise.  

THE THEATRE

There’s more than just the bar magic though. The back half of the venue is a dramatic amphitheater that seats 32 people. It’s this section that will eventually have nightly magician shows, lasting 45-60 minutes and done several times throughout the night. 

Shows here will cost RMB 240 per ticket (300 for front row), and the price includes a drink. The first of these will be March 2nd so call to book a ticket fast if you’re interested. 

THE STORY

What’s the story behind all of this? The bar’s name comes from legendary 20th century magician Harry Blackstone Sr., who wowed audiences during the World War II era with tricks like The Vanishing Birdcage, and Sawing a Woman in Half. 

Harry Blackstone Sr., Chicago-born magician the bar gets its name from

An early promotional poster for Harry Blackstone’s Magic act

The man who might just be Shanghai’s own Blackstone is Anson Chen, Blackstone Bar’s founder, owner and one of the magicians who will perform regularly there. He’s quite an interesting guy, and we’ll be doing an in depth profile on him next month, but for now we’ll just say that he loves what he’s doing and he’s pretty damn good at it.

Blackstone Magic Bar founder, owner and magician Anson Chen

Blackstone Magic Bar magician郭汛杰

Blackstone Magic Bar magician邓传玖

Address: Unit 5152, B1, Found 158 No. 158 Julu Road

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 7pm-2am

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail] 

Website: www.blackstonemagicbar.com

Wechat ID: blackstonemagicbar

Related Articles