Houdini’s Magic bar in Canterbury

Wow!! What a brilliant establishment!! Delicious drinks made by Casey behind the bar, and incredible magic from Matthew and Dazzling Darren! Absolutely loved it - what a hidden gem in Canterbury !!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! We are huge huge fans of magic and to find this place in the middle of the high street was an amazing surprise. We came in for a quick drink during the day and the gentleman behind the bar explained that everyone that worked there did magic. He performed a trick for us which was awesome! He then explained there was a full-on magic show that evening, so after having some dinner, we came back. It was absolutely brilliant. We had a front-row seat to see Ashley perform some magic and illusions, which we still speak about and tell everyone about to this day. Incredible bar, could not recommend more! WE WILL BE BACK!! 🪄

The drink quality is brilliant. The magic acts were fantastic, kept us intrigued and interested. Definitely worth a visit, brilliant place highly recommend.

We had the most wonderful afternoon at this bar,, we had some children with autism and adhd. We was made to fell very welcome and they also made a huge effort with the children. Amazing staff, amazing drinks, will definitely visit this bar again and highly recommend the cocktails.

This place is brilliant, i was shown some magic and the atmosphere was great. Child friendly

A brilliant bar and must-visit if in the area. The close up magic leaves the mind astounded 🤩 ✨

Was a very good way to end our night out, Matthew was lovely and was big contributor towards that - Excellent service! Would recommend!

Lovely intimate venue, great cocktails and Mathews magic card tricks were next level, even up close ♦️ ✨

The shop and the magicians are rich with knowledge, skill, and charisma. We had Matthew for a couple rounds of drinks and his likability and awe-inspiring tricks have definitely made Houdini a core memory of our time in Canterbury. Would 100% recommend

Most unique bar I've been to, definitely worth a visit! Magicians performed to whole bar and then moved around each table so everyone would be involved.

Totally rude staff, I planned to go here with my girlfriend for a fun night. When we arrived we were rudely ignored. I asked if there’s any mock-tails available, he said “not really a good selection atm” Turned his back and seemed to be looking at some bottles. Thought he was maybe picking out something for us, then after a awkward minute of being totally ignored we walked out directly. 0 Evidence of any magic at all.

They say that the best magicians take a simple trick and give it a unique spin to make it their own. That is definitely what this magical little bar is doing. This is a must stop spot if you are in town. We had JP perform for us and his scissor styled paper art card push was truly outstanding.

4 of us popped in su day afternoon for a quick drink while out and about in Canterbury, lovely place and good atmosphere. Served by the lovely Cassey who also did a bit of magic for all the other customers. Good bit of fun and great service. Many thanks.

Mike the magician and Mathew the bartender really made our anniversary night special, would 100% return again!!

Houdini’s bar is very welcoming, amazing cocktails and brilliant magic! 100% worth going

Had the best time in Houdini's yesterday. We were out for my dad's birthday and popped in for a couple of drinks. Matthew came to our table to show us some magic which blew our mind! Great entertainment all round! Matthew was not only funny, but his magic was awesome! Thoroughly recommend this bar and I cannot wait to revisit!

This place is a hidden treasure. If you love magic then this is the place for you. Rob Bentley was the magician the night we went, fantastic entertainment and funny too. The atmosphere of the place is great, the staff were friendly and efficient, we loved it. Something a bit different in the heart of Canterbury, would highly recommend!

We had a good time watching the wizardry of Matthew the Magnificent. A couple of drinks was only £8.something

This place is brilliant. The staff are amazing and its so interactive. Makes for a great night with friends! Highly recommend this bar. The magicians are funny and extremely good at their witchcraft and sorcery

Matthew the bartender was amazing, great night! Amazing magic! Xx

It's very entertaining to have a few drinks and watch magic tricks performed before your eyes. Jez really knows what he's doing. You should definitely pop in and have a drink if you happen to be nearby.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Always so attentive to the crowd and I can’t remember his name but the bald guy makes me believe in magic - will come back again and again!

This was one of the stops on my Stag do on Thursday, (Thorsday would be more appropriate given the events) during the day Casey really made it a great experience too, had a little laugh, nice drinks, and wasn't expecting her to come over and do a few tricks but she was great. one of the best stops of the night, definitely be back again

Fantastic bar for all ages! Went here with 2 of my kids and they loved it. Jez was amazing and will definitely come back!

The magician was so entertaining and a great atmosphere

What a magical and improbable place! Let the magic envelop you for a moment stolen from time... dare to rediscover your child's soul, it's really worth the detour ;-)

Best place to have a cocktail in Canterbury

Cannot rate this place enough, we visited them today to kick off my daughters Hen do with their Potions Masterclass, the guys were amazing, great fun, great hosts, great tricks and great food.. Can’t wait to come back. Thank you both so much!!

We really liked this bar because of the theme and the very friendly barkeeper. it's a small bar with live magic shows daily. I would recommend the bar to everyone.

Wonderful bar that we visit every time we come to Canterbury. Extremely friendly with some Wonderful magic performed at the table.

Can’t recommend this place enough! Came here today with a group booking of 12 adults. Right from the start we were made to feel really welcome. Matthew was awesome, kept us really entertained throughout. Laughed so much and the magic was a perfect touch - some of us have done cocktails classes before but this was by far the best we’ve been to! If you are visiting Canterbury Houdini’s magic bar is an absolute must!!!

We visited the bar on 17/04/24 in the evening and Mike was the magician that night. We were totally blown away by the quality of the very close up magic Mike performed and we also loved the overall atmosphere in the bar and the bartender made the most amazing cocktails! We had a brilliant night and will definitely go back! It has to be experienced to understand how brilliant the place is! Alan & Paula

We love visiting Houdini's Magic Bar. We've enjoyed the magic so much.

I am never a person to write reviews, but i love magic and i wasnt expecting to be so mind blown by the magic. It was incredible and the drinks actually tasted really good for the prices! Well worth it, will definitely return. Its an intimate little bar. Can't get over the over the magic, definitely go and see it for yourself.

Just a quick visit bit rapidly bamboozled by the barman doing magic. You have to visit this place.

Unexpected fun couple of hours. Peter Lee was amazing at magic and really funny too! Would recommend the bar and Peter highly.

I had a beautiful evening created by lovely bar team members and an amazing and charismatic magician, Phil Magic! I had some fantastic cocktails, atmosphere and a lot of laugh thanks to these people! Just an amazing evening and experience! Thank all!

Lovely little bar and the magicians who come to your table are very friendly and good with the crowds. I'm someone who likes to try and suss out a magic trick... but I had no chance! I was blown away and couldn't even fathom how they could be done!

Popped in for a quick drink before heading back to the train station. We were so fascinated by the size of the place ( quite small) but also very busy. The magician Mathew was amazing. We will be back in next week visit Canterbury,100%.

Always 10 out of 10 experience. The magic is great the cocktails are great

Amazing place! The supervisor has amazing shots imitating after eights! Also, amazing sense of humour! Furthermore, there are amazing magicians (like Ben), they will show you their tricks just to surprise you even more afterwards! The place to be in Canterbury!!

This is amazing I went with my family over Christmas was so much fun The magic was truly brilliant

Cocktail masterclass was fun but the alcohol they use in cheap which may be because some of it potentially gets wasted but I was surprised to see brands from aldi/lidl being used. Terry was great! Secondly the Canterbury site looks like it needs some TLC, overall it looks fine but some areas are scruffy and look a bit cheap. Thirdly communication and trying to make bookings is a nightmare, often having to chase for answers. Probably wouldn't go back again but it was fun and different.

Fun fun fun. The 'trick' to this place is the magic and service. By engaging fully you'll have a good time. Whether you're a wannabe magician or total skeptic, they'll still make sure you have an amazing time. Time slots are booked in, so make the most of your seating by engaging with them. The drinks are decent, with cocktails available as well as simpler drinks too. Somewhere that three or more in a group benefit from, more than solo drinkers.

Tiny little place. Completely over the top with their prices for drinks and very slow service.

We were curious as to what a magic bar was. Came in on a quiet night for 1 and stayed for ages, free table side magic with a magician that knows his stuff, very entertaining friendly staff too. Left there amazed!

Staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Almost immediately greeted with a free magic show after ordering a few drinks. Amazing.

Popped in for a few cocktails. Couldn't have had a better night. Matthew kept us supplied with fantastic drinks, as well as a great evening of close up magic. He's created such a fun and memorable evening - whatever you're paying him, he deserves a raise!

This really should be a secret bar. What a fantastic atmosphere, the magician’s are well just bloody magic. The place is small, inviting and truly brilliant. If you are looking to do something that will help enhance your Canterbury experience, then go and be amazed… 😁

We chose Houdini’s Magic Bar in Canterbury for our son’s 6th birthday party and the choice was spot-on. Terry and Sam were simply amazing and their service fabulous. Kids and adults were entertained until the end, the birthday boy had his special attention. Kids did not want the show to finish! Everything was nicely organised. I would definitely recommend this place for any occasion. Thank you for making my son’s birthday magical.

Really fun evening, Rob and Casey both amazing! If looking for a good evening in Canterbury, Houdinis is definitely the place to go

Popped in in a rainy Wednesday while visiting the city for my boyfriends birthday, when Rob the magician approached our table, he left us speechless and thoroughly entertained. Highly recommend it. And it was the icing on the cake, because hey, what's a birthday without some magic?

We had a great time here! The staff and guests magician were really welcoming and friendly. The magic tricks were fantastic, I'd thoroughly recommend a visit here 🎩🪄

Went to this place reading the good reviews and expecting some magic but was left disappointed. Don’t go to this place if your skin colour is anything but white. The magician went to all the tables, even the ones who came after us, but we were knowingly ignored. We also gave the same feedback to the bartenders, hope this behaviour is not repeated with others.

Went there hoping a drink with a magic trick would be a good way to end s beautiful day in Canterbury...but it actually kinda ruined out day as the magician made a conscious effort to ignore our table for reasons best known to him...yeah we are not from England...but we did not know we have to be from England fot this magic bar...so if you are not from England...don't go here... He entertained everyone who came after us...and decided to ignore the non English people at the bar...

Loved seeing some amazing tricks and talking to the staff Matthew and Will are great! So fun!!!

Houdinis became RUDEINIES put one star for service only because I had to put a star . Absolutely rude staff in the Canterbury branch. Came in today for a planned extra for my birthday trip to Canterbury to finish the day and night with lots of cocktails and hopefully some magic made to feel as though we had walked into somewhere entirely unwelcome and uninvited. The member of staff when asked for a menu promptly did a swish of his head and a loud huff before exclaiming they're on the bar. Well make it obvious then ! Totally rude and u welcoming . Shame as we were planning to spend alot of money there . Never again though!

Amazing night, brilliant entertainment. Fantastic magician, really knows his stuff. The cocktails were delicious and the staff were lovely. Would highly recommend!

The 2 stars are for the magician which came after us to show us a magic trick (otherwise it would be zero stars) after the bartender kicked us out of the bar after ordeing our drinks and paid for it because we are not allowed with dogs in. The bar person said we are not allowed with dogs in, but why don't you have a sign on the door? The bar is small, easy to see who is coming in. We came with the dog and sat right in front of the bar table. Why after ordering and paid for we were told "Hello, you cannot be here with the dog and we have no take away glasses either, so just drink up fast and go "! We came here just because we read it is a magic bar with magicians! Please write BIG, as well on your website, that you don't allow dogs on your premises.

We liked the magic tricks performed by Charlie Hewish.

Lovely intimate Magic bar - will definitely visit again . Very chilled atmosphere ( was a Sunday evening) and everybody in the bar was really invested in the magic - Charlie was an amazing magician ! - and Matt was really friendly on the bar. Would highly recommend this little venue.

We found the bar on a night out in Canterbury. Had to pop in and we’re glad we did. Casey and Matthew were so approachable and friendly all night as the three of us propped the bar up and Rob the magician was excellent. Highly recommend Houdini’s and the three of us will definitely go back.

We sat outside for a drink on a Saturday evening, watching the world go by. Staff were very friendly and attentive and invited us in for the show but on this occasion we couldn't. We will return and will book a table inside!

You need to go there. Prepared to be wondered and amazed.

We walked into the Magic Bar in Canterbury to have a drink & pass some time before we went for our boat ride. We had a fantastic time with Matthew who was not just the bartender but also the Resident Magician. He performed some great magic tricks and amazed us specially my son who loves magic. Matthew kept us entertained & we had a great time. Will defo be going there again 👍👌🙂🍺😁

We went here on a walk by in Canterbury. There on a wedding weekend it made the pre wedding night fantastic. The brothers who owned it were Magicians with different talents. They were friendly very entertaining and the night made our Canterbury visit extra special. Thank you 😊

Always have a fantastic experience, you can be with friends, family or work friends always have a fantastic time

Really enjoyed myself in Houdinis! Great staff and actually brilliant magic. Really fun night and would go back!

This is a magical place! The magician went to Hogwarts, so he’s the real deal. Great cocktails, excellent bar staff, and good vibes with the space.

We took part in the Cocktail Master Class for a Hen Party (20/05) and it was the best thing! It was interactive, competitive and fun! We had the best time and it was definitely the best choice for cocktail making we could have done. The very best in Canterbury. They really accommodated our mix of alcoholic, non alcoholic and half and half. So 2 cocktails and a shot tail later and we all want to do it again!! Thank you Houdinis you guys were absolutely amazing

Andrew Paul was very clever. Had a really nice evening in the bar.

Hassle Free Kids Party. From start to finish this was by the far the easiest party we have organised, and we have done a few! Houdini’s did it all – hosting, entertainment, food and party bags. The party was 2 hours long and from start to finish the children were fully entertained, engaged, and bamboozled by all the magic. Professor Watson and Terry made everything so easy and so much fun for us. All the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and left feeling like they had had the most exciting afternoon ever. As a parent it was great to sit back and feel like we were part of the party instead of dipping in and out to ensure the next activity was ready, or the food was coming etc. Just Perfect 👍

Brilliant pub for a quick late evening drinks. Loved the shorties and the vibrancy of the place. Its a small cozy bar with good music and drinks and friendly staff. The place can get super crowded in the night though...

Hosted my son's 9th birthday party here today and it was brilliant. The kids were entertained from start to finish. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for something a bit different to the usual trampolining/inflate and play etc.

No idea why this is so highly rated. We walked in and promptly walked back out. Seemed more like a cramped and cheap dive bar.

The place is quite small, so it's difficult to get seats. When you do manage to get a seat in there it is literally magical! The magic shows are incredible and the staff there are extremely friendly and helpful. The cocktails are quite expensive, £10 each, but they are very well made and very tasty. I would highly recommend watching them make the cocktails as it's a show in itself! Overall I love going there and would definitely recommend visiting it yourself!

Had a brilliant night out at Houdinis with my husband on our recent trip to Canterbury. Fun to do something a little different. Fabulous cocktails, great close-up magic and a lovely welcoming ambience made for the best night out we've had in a long time! Thoroughly recommend it

I had never been in this bar before. It's very small inside but had a nice vibe about it. There was a magician on when we were there. He was enteraining and made for something different on a night out. The staff were very friendly. I would definately go back there 😊

Good fun to be had at this bar if you enjoy having a drink with a little bit of free magic on show. The magician was really good and engaging, he also performed with us and two others which made the performance more enjoyable. The bar is a little small, so I’d advise getting here early or be willing to wait at the bar until a table is ready. It’s something different and quirky, well worth a visit.

Loved it. Magic and cocktails. What more would you want?!

He lit a piece of paper on fire and turned it into a piece of candy 🍬

Fantastic place, came for a friend's birthday and was very impressed. Very friendly and magical - good beer on tap

Fantastic time with Mike thank you!

Saw this place while walking around and dragged hubby in the next night. What a brilliant concept! Staff great, cocktails great, magic great!!! Hubby didn’t fancy it before going in and then I couldn’t get him out! Definitely a great place to go!

It was absolutely brilliant! Me and my partner popped in to kill a bit of time and Ender up getting some lovley drinks and 3 personal magic performances that were all amazing 😍😍 absolutely over the moon, it was valentine's as well and the bar staff made me a rose out of a napkin which was very sweet, we didn't want to go to the show we had booked haha! Could have happily stayed and will be coming back again with our mates 😊

Great bar where you can actually see some magic! In a very close distance!

Good card tricks but a small place. Cosy.

Had an amazing experience with Will and Mat leading the night! tasty cocktails and bewildering magic tricks, definitely recommend!

Great night. Spent a good 5+ hours with the guys at Houdinis with our work team. Hosts were very friendly and the magic was quite impressive. Definitely will be back.

I’ve been coming to this bar a couple of times a year and never been disappointed. The fusion of entertainment and just chilling out in this intimate space with drinks makes this place so unique and a perfect way to end an evening out in town. Every magician is different and certainly some have left us with jaws dropping. Bar service is quick and efficient. Highly recommend!

Fantastic show . And amazing Magician's

One of the best cocktail bars I've been to. The drinks were great and the magic was even better!

Mike Davies, amazing magic, my husband was left gobsmacked 🤣👌👌

Great place to visit for a drink

Popped in for a drink and had some super tricks performed at our table which we were amazed with. We will be going back when we are next in Canterbury.

Great spot for an entertaining evening. Interesting cocktails, good range of other drinks. Staff are amazing fun, and happy to amaze you with magic tricks as you wait for your drinks. Each night there are guest magicians who will do a stage show, and then come around with some close up magic. All will keep you wondering how they do it while they keep you laughing. Highly recommended, but best to book a table a few days ahead as the venue is intermate.

Was great went in for a quick drink ended up staying a while as Ben a magician was there Amazing

Very interactive and lovely to get to drink in a bar and experience live magic! Peter lee was great tonight

Amazing! I went here in the late afternoon and it was not crowded, which was great. I enjoyed a cocktail while the bartender/magician performed some tricks. My mind was blown — still is! Will also add that they were so sweet with a young girl who was there with her mother (again, it was a weekday afternoon). My only *complaint* is that I don’t live nearby!

Unique bar experience, time flies. Magician comes round frequently doing various tricks followed by a show. Definitely worth booking so you can make sure you're at the right time for the show. We had Ashley Green who's there every Sunday and he was great ☺️