Illusions, the operators of magic bars, plans to open its first venue offering a dedicated stand-up magic performance, M&C Report has learnt.
Co-founder Mark Bennett said the company is close to completing on a Scottish & Newcastle Pub Company lease for the Bunch of Grapes in Bristol, which it plans to convert to a concept called Smoke & Mirrors. The site will have a dedicated room for live magic from a stage, which differs from other Illusions venues where magicians perform at customer tables.
Bennett said the move is in response to customers asking to see live magic on a stage. “We are following the market,” he added. “If this can work we will start looking for other sites that fit the demographic.”
He said eventually he’d like to run sites that combine stand-up and table magic as well as a restaurant offer.
Illusions was reduced to one site last year after the landlord of its Manchester venue declined to renew the lease. The first Illusisions, in Bristol, opened five years ago and was named Best Entertainment Pub in the 2009 Great British Pub Awards.
The company has previously exmained opening in London, Bath, Cardiff, Torquay and Brighton.
