The Magic Castle, Private club and magic venue in Hollywood, California

The Magic Castle is a châteauesque house built in 1909, with pale yellow walls, a steep dark grey roof and a round tower topped by a tall conical spire. A balcony with a decorative balustrade rings the tower, and a curved bay with arched openings and globe lamps projects at the lower level. It holds three theaters, five bars and a members-only library.

The building was constructed in 1909 as a private residence and became a magic venue in 1963 when it was converted for that purpose. This transformation made it a lasting gathering place for magicians and magic enthusiasts in California.

The owl sculpture in the lobby guards the entrance: visitors must speak a secret phrase to it before a door appears. Inside, the invisible pianist "Irma" takes musical requests in the music room, and the Houdini Séance room hosts regular sittings. Members range from working magicians to celebrities such as Steven Spielberg and Muhammad Ali.

Admission requires a formal invitation from a member and advance registration for events. Formal evening attire is required, so visitors should plan their dress accordingly and contact a member in advance to arrange an invitation.

The lobby has no visible doors to the interior; visitors say a secret phrase to a sculpture of an owl to reveal the entrance. The members-only library downstairs holds first-edition books on magic in English dating back to 1584, and original effects used to design the apparitions in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.