Teleportation may not be possible just yet, but Maho Magic Bar is the closest we’ve come! Situated in the newly opened Spiegel Haus Melbourne precinct, step into a bespoke space that stimulates the senses and transports you to an authentic Tokyo magic bar without ever leaving your backyard. Combining dazzling magic, classic cocktails and laughs aplenty, you won’t believe your eyes as Japan’s sleight-of-hand masters perform an array of mind-blowing tricks.
After making your way up to the Spiegel Haus roof you’re greeted by an alluring neon-lit entrance inspired by the Tokyo nightlife. Navigate the lantern-lined entryway and watch as the space opens up into a dimly-lit room that’s beautifully drenched in an almost aethereal ambience. Decorated with cherry blossoms and a selection of Japanese alcohol, the room consists of five bars along the outskirts and a central table, all arranged to give everyone a view of both the individual and group magic performances. The layout calls for everyone to rotate their chairs to enjoy the special magic performances, but its a small price to pay to ensure everyone in the audience gets a clear up-front view of the magic unfolding on their table.
Once the performance gets underway, the structure of the night is blissfully straightforward and fast-paced, with each bar being treated to a rotating lineup of sleight-of-hand magicians. Each of the night’s magicians hail direct from Japan and specialise in various forms of close-up sleight-of-hand magic, ensuring you’ll be greeted to five mini magic acts that are sure to leave you scratching your head in disbelief.
The cast of magicians is made up of Shirayuri, whose card-based magic will have you questioning your own card-shuffling abilities, Wambi, who makes solid rings do things that shouldn’t be physically possible, and Kaori, who tricks your mind with a little “origami” and a truly baffling card-based trick. There’s also E.O. Lee, whose love for eggs and cheeky innuendos are sure to have you laughing up a storm, and Jonathan, who can make cards do things you never thought possible. At the main bar is AXE, the show’s resident bartender with a knack for flipping bottles and putting on a show. Each of their magic acts are impressive in their own right, making the collective performance a memorable one at the least.
Between these individual acts, the cast would call upon someone from the audience to participate in a magic trick the whole room could watch and enjoy. These moments were the most fun and energetic of the night, capturing the gaze and disbelief of the entire audience and ensuring it wasn’t only the volunteer left bewildered by what they’re seeing.
The laid-back vibe of the show is what really sets it apart from other magic shows. Filming and photography is not only permitted, it’s encouraged. This lifts the energy in the room and promotes a lot more fun, engagement and laughter. The magicians provide valuable banter during and between tricks, fuelling conversation and encouraging interactions among strangers that you wouldn’t otherwise get in these types of events.
To put it simply, if you’re a fan of magic then you’re guaranteed to get a kick out of this unique experience. Maho Magic Bar brings the sleight-of-hand wonders found on the streets of Tokyo to Melbourne’s brand new Spiegel Haus and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest. Think you can uncover the secrets behind how these magicians execute their tricks? Get up close and keep a keen eye on the wonders unfolding right in front of you.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Maho Magic Bar is now playing at Spiegel Haus Melbourne through to February 15th, 2026. For more information and to purchase tickets, head HERE.
Reviewer attended on Thursday November 27th, 2025
Photo credit: Jeff Busby
