RATED #1 SHOW IN CHICAGO on TripAdvisor

READ THE REVIEWS

“Chicago’s Official Magic Man!”

-Chicago Sun-Times

Experience jaw-dropping magic.

Step into the grand Palmer House lobby and meet 3rd Generation Magician and Mind-Reader Dennis Watkins.

Bask in the glamour of historic Chicago as Watkins guides you through the legendary hotel and into an intimate private ballroom.  

Then, grab a glass of wine, settle in and reconnect with your sense of childlike wonder as miracles unfold inches in front of your eyes, and even in your own hands.

Get in on the secret.

Seating fewer than 50 guests per show, The Magic Parlour is an intimate and exclusive live entertainment attraction. It may be the longest-running magic show in Chicago, but it is also one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Be the star of the show.

Though he’s spent a lifetime perfecting his craft, Watkins proclaims that you are the true magician in this magic show.  Your thoughts, your choices and your imagination create the most amazing feats showcased in this tour-de-force of classic magic and mind-reading.

Make it special.

This is a sophisticated night out designed for a grown-up audience. Cocktail attire is recommended. Guests age 12+ are permitted.

Get the VIP Treatment.

Gather around the card table with Dennis Watkins for more magic after the show with The Encore Room VIP experience or add the exclusive Magic Menu and dine in the grand Palmer House lobby before or after the show.

“We loved it from beginning to end!”

-Penn & Teller

Now in its 10th year, Dennis Watkins’ The Magic Parlour boasts

1,500 + performances - Over 30,000 guests - Hundreds of private and corporate events - 1,000 5 Star Reviews - 1 Mayoral Proclamation - 4 Magical Marriage Proposals

Make your next event magical!  Dennis Watkins is proud to offer The Magic Parlour to corporate events and private gatherings at the Palmer House.  Dennis Watkins can also bring world-class magical entertainment to events worldwide.  

The Magical Legacy of a Third-Generation Magician & Award-Winning Entertainer 

Dennis Watkins grew up with magic.  His grandfather was a phenomenal sleight of hand performer who ran a small, storefront magic shop in Dallas, TX for nearly 30 years.

“Your job is not to fool people,” Watkins grandad explained to him when he was 7 years old.  “Your job is to spark their sense of wonder…to ignite their imagination.  Your job, in short, is to help people remember what it felt like to be a kid.”

35 years later, Watkins continues his grandfather’s legacy of magic in a show that is three generations in the making. 

"The show soars on Dennis Watkins' brilliance as a genuine magician!"

– Chicago Sun-Times

After studying theater at Meadows School of the Arts and the British American Drama Academy in London, Watkins moved to Chicago to create The House Theatre alongside cohorts from school.

The fledgling company launched on Halloween of 2001 with a bold portrayal of Harry Houdini’s life, featuring Watkins in the title role.  To date, Death and Harry Houdini has enjoyed 8 sold-out productions.

Watkins performed Houdini’s infamous Water Torture Cell escape in each and every performance.  He won a Joseph Jefferson Award for his work on the show in 2012. 

Watkins has collaborated as an actor, writer, director and/or designer on more than 30 world-premiere plays with companies like The House, Lookingglass, Steppenwolf and The Goodman.

“A master of misdirecting attention and technical skill..He is without an obvious peer!”

-The Chicago Tribune

In addition to creating and starring in The Magic Parlour, Watkins delivers world-class magic and mentalism to corporate events worldwide.  His client list boasts some of the world’s largest companies, including Apple, General Mills, Microsoft, IBM, General Electric, Accenture, Miller/Coors, Kraft, JP Morgan Chase and many, many more.

His work has been seen on FOX, WGN, ABC, the A&E network, and he was recently featured on The CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

“A charismatic performer, an unrivaled magician, and just a hell of a lot of fun!”

-Stage and Cinema