In 2025, Maho Magic Bar celebrates its fifth birthday. Since its premiere in 2020, Maho Magic Bar has toured Australia, wow-ing audiences wherever it goes. This year is no exception. If you’ve seen it before, it’s worth grabbing what tickets are left and seeing it again. Four new magicians and tricksters and one returning favourite are currently performing in The Garden of Unearthly Delights, and it is certainly a night to remember. 

Once you step inside the neon-lit Maho Magic Bar, you are transported to a glitzy Japanese bar, where five of the world’s best close up magicians mesmerise the audience with an array of incredible tricks performed right in front of your eyes. The audience is placed into groups and positioned at one of the long bars that run the length of the venue. The magicians then rotate to each group and perform their tricks at each station. 

There are four sleight-of-hand magicians, Wandi, Ryu, Shirayuri and E.O. Lee, who are all masters of their art. Their tricks leave you second-guessing the laws of physics and make you doubt your own eyesight. They are some of the best sleight-of-hand tricksters you will come across at this year’s Fringe. The whole performance is kept under control by ‘their boss’, Sawaka, who is such a gifted hustler and trickster, you won’t realise she’s fooled you until it’s too late.

Throughout the performance of Maho Magic Bar, patrons have the opportunity to purchase additional tricks that are performed in the centre of the room for all to enjoy. These are all very over-the-top in structure and are reminiscent of one of Japan’s well known crazy game shows.

Maho Magic Bar is a wonderful escape in the middle of the Garden of Unearthly Delights. Go in with an open mind, let yourself get swept up in these fine magicians’ crazy antics, and prepare to have your mind blown.