"Forgive me, but it's been a while since I've seen REAL magic." - Michael Caine, The Prestige. Located on Halsted St, just a few blocks southeast of Wrigley Field and kind of near the Circle K, there is a place...dimly lit, decorated kind of like a velveteen version of the attic in Beetlejuice...where actual miracles occur most Thursdays through Sundays. If you happen to wander past, you might slink in and find yourself among a few dozen half-drunk patrons giddy with anticipation (and reasonably terrified they may be called upon) to help uncover the answer to tonight's question: did Hoppy know? And alas, dear reader, Hoppy knew. Hoppy always knew. Since none of that is probably helpful if you're trying to decide whether to put this on your calendar: you'll enjoy Trickery. It's a BYOB one-man magic show where your host, Aaron, joined by his friends Hoppy and a backstage intern who definitely exists, will perform some excellent sleight-of-hand, seamless drunk-audience management, and awesome comedy. You may want to get tickets ahead of time since seats are limited, but if you show up in advance (doors/box office open 30 minutes before) then you and your friends might be okay. And if you already have tickets but walk in a little late, like we did: Aaron, mid-act, will already know your name and direct you to your seats. From that point on, regardless of whether you typically love or hate magic shows, you're bound to be amazed and laugh yourself silly. TLDR; Trickery is a really funny magic show with a super-talented host and you can BYOB so do yourself a favor and go see Aaron & Hoppy. read more

Visited Trickery again after 3 years, and Aaron still put on an awesome show with some new material in addition to all the great original material. Highly entertaining and highly recommended! read more

If you love magic, comedy, and overall fun atmosphere I cannot recommend trickery more. Aaron hosts the show and runs the whole operation and is great at captivating the crowd throughout the performance. Differences in age, gender, sexual orientation, race, humor level or other backgrounds do not matter, as everyone can enjoy the show Aaron put together. A mixture of classic magic tricks with hilarious comedy made for a fun evening. read more

An experience to say the least! It is a one man show who does magic and is very funny. The setting is intimate and so you get to be a part of it! A must do in Chicago and lots of fun! read more

A must see interactive show! Highly recommend this magic/comedy experience! Aaron is absolutely fantastic and had me laughing throughout the entire show. read more

Great show with a small audience so it's very personable and he has several people help him throughout the show. BYOB and most people brought something. I've never seen a magic show in person before and he didn't disappoint very entertaining. read more

Funky and different! Very amusing show with a talented magician named Aaron. Audience participation is part of it. Don't be shy! Also don't be an asshole and text your ditzy friends during the show. It's rude to the performing artist, and you can wait 45 minutes. Highly recommended show! Reasonably priced! I've seen the show three times now. Good stuff! read more

What a fun experience. it started out feeling like you wouldn't be impressed then it just got more and more mesmerizing. Love the small, intimate venue. My 12 yr old grandson was the youngest audience member and he had a great time. You will not be disappointed! read more

Really entertaining! It's so easy to be skeptical of something like this, but the show delivers and has a very high "wow" factor. The activity itself is low risk - only an hour of your time and not that expensive. Plus it's byob. If you're remotely intrigued, you won't be disappointed read more

I just got out of the show and took my parents to see it! We loved it!!!! Highly recomend it!!! He runs the whole place (really cool decoration and atmosphere) and show on his own (I take off my hat), is very talented, funny, and engages with the audience wonderfully. It was a great price, nice, intimate location, and BYOB, which for some is a great plus too! Thank you Aaron for the experience, we had a great time and I'm definitively coming back with other people! Go check it out! Spread the word! read more

I went with several friends to Trickery on a Saturday evening. We were blown away! Aaron was so talented and funny! This was such a fun and different evening; will definitely be back!! read more

Absolutely beautiful, delightful magic + comedy show. Aaron is super entertaining and we loved the intimate setting. It's a must see. You'll love the trick and jokes in this 1h long performance. read more

Incredible show! It was our first time seeing a magician in person and would love to see a show again! He is hilarious and keeps you engaged, definitely recommend. read more

Awesome spot! My gf and I had a spare of the moment date night and we did not regret our choice. I highly recommend! A nice and intimate atmosphere for a great magic/comedy show. A/O to the man behind it all bc you rock my guy! Keep doing great things!! read more

We were looking for something different to do to celebrate a birthday last weekend and I am so glad we came across Trickery! The magician, Aaron, was amazing. He is hilarious, super kind and personable, and he was very accommodating to our large group. The show was sold out but we had a few friends that wanted to join last-minute and he was kind enough to let us squeeze them in as well. He also welcolmed us to hang around after the show to drink and we had a great time talking with him. The theatre is well-decorated and has a fun, cozy ambience. It is a small stage which was nice, the setting is really intimate and you are up close & personal with the magician. This made the tricks even more impressive; even those of us sitting in the front row with him directly in front of us still have no clue how he did any of them! There was a trick at the end of the show in particular that we are still trying to figure out & theorize how it was pulled off - so impressive! Overall, we had a blast and the experience was well worth $25 a ticket! BYOB magic show is a brilliant idea. He had us laughing throughout the whole show and involved audience members which made it even more fun. Highly recommend if looking for something different to do for a date night or group outing! read more

So much fun . Laugh from beginning to end . I was very impressed with the magic show.

Oh my God, that was so hilarious and the magic was unbelievable! He did things within arms reach of us that we could not believe. Highly recommended for a great laugh and to think "how can this be possible?!" read more

Ahhh! I forgot the name of the magic bunny but he's everything. The magician was great and attentive. He made the experience magical! read more

This is the most fun and intimate magic show! Every time I have people in town I bring them here. Aaron is amazing and always has new tricks! Highly recommend for a fun start or ending to your night! read more

Magic is underrated, okay? Magicians get a bad rap and Aaron is here to change that. Trickery is really a lesser known gem in the Lakeview/Boystown area. It's in a super small, intimate space which makes the experience a lot more fun and the tricks a lot more confusing/exciting. I sat in the front row and I really have zero idea how any of it occurred or how any of the tricks were done. Aaron the magician is super charismatic and funny (and cute but that's neither here nor there). He brought my mom up on "stage" or the front of the room and it made the experience way more immersive and fun. His routine has a lot of jokes and innuendo peppered in, but the really impressive part is the magic. If you're looking for something to do in Lakeview, definitely go to Trickery! It's BYOB and the show is only like an hour long, so there's no excuse. Stop in on your way out or make it your pregame. You won't regret it! read more

Funny, amazing and jaw dropping. We were blown away by several of the magic tricks and laughed constantly. The show offers a little magic shop as well so you can take home a few magic tricks of your own. Small Intimate so every trick can be easily seen, crowd participation is always fun. Must see read more

What an amazing show. Not only was it fun magic but the guy who was running the show has wonderful stage presence. Such a fun visit.

GO TRY THIS PLACE! Aaron is the magician and he is an amazing entertainer and magician. He had us cracking up, it was so much fun. It's BYOB, or at least people did, so that is also cool! My fiancé took us here for a date, it was a great date night, I highly recommend it for sure! He's truly a great at magic and it was just soo much fun! Go see him if you have a chance, you'll be happy you did! read more

Trickery - Aaron! - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The trickery is a fantastic spot for a fun night out with friends, a great date or a bachelorette party! The location is prime with lots of great spots nearby for a quick bite or a cocktail before the show, and plenty of nightlife after. The show is BYOB and the space is intimate, which makes the show that much more fun. Aaron the magician is wildly entertaining and does a great job of making everyone feel involved in the performance. He makes magic fun and he's so talented I honestly have no idea how any of the tricks were done. While he jokes throughout the show - his trickery really makes the evening a memorable one. Don't miss this Lakeview spot! read more

Have been three separate times and would go a fourth time! So much fun. This is an amazing activity for friends, partners, and groups. Aaron is hysterical and talented. You will not be disappointed! read more

10/10 good magic and also funny We did not have reservations but got there early and had no problem getting tickets for the Friday 10PM show. We did BYOB (as did most). The audience was able to get involved and since it is a small crowd everyone got to take part. Overall a good show! read more

Wonderful show in an intimate, comfortable atmosphere. The magic and illusions are top notch, but Aaron (and his "assistant" Hoppy) are the real stars. His charming, down-to-earth demeanor and sense of humor make the show better than the average magic show. You'll leave wondering how he did some of the things he was able to do. While the humor is teenage+ in nature, it's very location appropriate for being in Boystown. BYOB was great and glasses/wine keys were available to use. Snacks/candy were also available for $2 or less. Hands down we would go again if ever in the area. read more

-1 hour show -Ideal price point -B Y O B -Wildly entertaining -try to make your reservations ahead, but day of can probably catch a later show -smaller groups/venue...that's what makes it! -be prepared to get involved (my favorite part) -And oh what fun with the tricks!!! A friend and I were drawn in simply by walking past the store front and what a hidden gem we found! I can't say enough good things about this experience. The venue, the performance and the feel of the crowd that Aaron facilitates are all around fantastic. A light hearted show with a lot of enthusiasm and of course, GREAT MAGIC. I would highly recommend to anyone from a large group of friends to date night, you definitely won't regret it. (And BYOB is the cherry on top of it all). Thanks Aaron and hoppy :) will be coming back, shortly most likely! read more

Not only magic, but a comedy show! Highly recommend for anyone in the area to check it out. Great entertainment & BYOB!

If you like magic, this is a great show. It is up-close magic as there are only about 30 seats in the theatre. However, it is a very good show with some comedy as well as the magic. My husband and I were definitly the oldest in the audience (60+) but we really enjoyed it The BYOB policy is great and we certainy took advantage. If you forget, there is a 7-eleven down the street that has what you need and the theatre privdes openers and cups. read more

Super entertaining! Despite a group of rude, already drunk people in the audience, the performer was fantastic. He tried to include everyone, and even attempted to refocus drunk group read more

This show was awesome. Tickets were $17 online, and totally worth it. The magic was pretty damn good, but the jokes were better. I was laughing the whole time. I am so impressed with this guy and his one man show. He managed checking everyone in, to being the star of the show, to the lights, and music all on his own without missing a beat. The show was BYOB and about one hour long. I came in with low expectations, and he blew it out of the water. read more

I'll be honest, I came in with low-expectations, but those were blown out of the water! Me and my friends had an amazing time. The tricks weren't inconceivably mind blowing or original, but Aaron was able to put some personality, pizazz, and showmanship into each other making it a delight to watch. There were a few naughty jokes sprinkled in here and there, so don't be too surprised by that! Two of my friends were avid fans of magic, and they were still very impressed with the level of craftsmanship demonstrated. They spent the whole train ride home trying to dissect each one of his tricks. For a $15 dollar show, it was more than worth it for a fun time! I loved the intimacy of the small space, and I loved the magic too! It's a shame there aren't more magicians active in Chicago, but for now Trickery will do just fine. Will definitely be coming back when there's a new show to see! read more

Trickery - Audience participation was less nerve wrecking with a smaller audience. You're also more likely to get picked! - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We have walked by Trickery for several months as we live a block away, and always thought "one day we'll go to a show." Well last night we finally went, and it was amazing. The show was called "miracles" and it was aptly named. Aaron, the magician, started out with some fairly standard tricks, and it was okay. It was fun. But then he ratcheted up the caliber of the tricks higher and higher until he got to the "miracles" portion. That's when we started being truly blown away. The grand finale...was unbelievable. I think we saw some true miracles. The show is fun, with some very hilarious adult humor of the wink wink variety that would be invisible to kids, not that there were any present. BYOB was nice, everyone had their drinks. I had a great time, and would go back with friends or families, even if it's still the same show. It was that amazing. read more

So much fun! Spotted it by chance and decided to buy a ticket on a whim Definitely worth it. You should not pass this up. You'll be shocked, impressed, and laugh your head off while you're at it. The small venue was great, and the show was very interactive. Everyone in the audience knew each other's names by the end of it. Check it out! read more

As someone who isn't necessarily an avid fan of magic, I came in to the show with little expectations yet walked out of it completely mind-blown and inspired to the point where I'm now writing my first ever Yelp review because of it. If you're looking for a fun night full of laughter and magic (literally), you've found the place. I first noticed Trickery during my commute and knew I had to check it out once I saw all the raving reviews on it here. To sum it up, Aaron owns the place and is his own one-man show. The show I went to was called, "Miracles" and after watching it, you'll truly understand why. Aaron is absolutely hilarious and talented - he made jokes throughout the show, interacted with the crowd to make everyone feel welcome, and performed tricks and "miracles" that I'm still playing back in my mind. I stuck around after the show simply because the vibe was so fun and I was still honestly impressed by the entire experience. When I had the chance to speak to him, he told me a little background on how he's been practicing magic for years and decided to pursue his passion and open Trickery a year ago. This little detail really resonated with me as I'm someone who believes that the things we love are what make us unique - and it's always inspiring to meet the special type of people who invest in their passion to the point where they decide to take that chance on themselves to create something extraordinary. Overall, I'll definitely be back for another Trickery show and recommend that anyone who is curious enough to Yelp this venue should stop by for this truly amazing experience. read more

GO! JUST GO! It's a wonderful evening of close up magic. Aaron is skilled at slight of hand, leaving you to wonder, again and again, how DID he do that??? The setting is intimate and cozy with perhaps 25 seats, all of them good, all close to the magic. With such a small audience, the odds are pretty good that you may be called upon to assist in the magic. For the participants, such moments are brief, amusing and, even standing next to the magician, amazing! (How DOES he do that?) And he takes pains not to make his audience uncomfortable. The venue allows for BYOB. A few mixers - soda and such - are sold there, BUT do remember to bring your own cup. The Trickery is warn, fun, funny, and astounding. Tickets are a bargain! On street parking is easy. You can bring your date. Heck, you can bring your date and your parents and you'll all go home mystified and happy. SO GO! JUST GO! And have a very good time! read more

What a fun show. If you're looking for something fun and original check out this cool magic show

Great show! Great interaction and presentation! I would highly recommend for a night of randomness! Great presentation and showmanship. Will definitely be back! read more

Great magic, great comedy and BYOB? What more could you ask for?! This show was fantastic, and Aaron was incredibly patient with us drunks in the audience acting like fools. The entire show was enjoyable from start to finish and I highly HIGHLY recommend people attend! read more