Five reasons why Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic is a New York City must-see

A night out in New York City is always a magical experience, but the evening can take an even more enchanting turn thanks to Steve Cohen, the world-renowned magician and mentalist behind Manhattan’s long-running Chamber Magic show. 

For more than two decades, Cohen has been hosting the dazzling weekly live show, with two intimate seatings (7pm and 9:30pm) every Friday and Saturday performed in an elegant salon in the legendary Lotte New York Palace hotel. It’s a spellbinding mix of conjuring, mind-reading, sleight of hand and other up-close wonders, like his famed Think-a-Drink ruse. (Cohen asks audience members to name their favorite drinks and then magically pours each beverage one after the other from a single tea kettle. No, we have no idea how he does it either!)

If you’re looking for something more unique than a traditional Broadway show and more elevated than a stand-up comedy routine—but no less entertaining—Chamber Magic is just the experience for you. And if that isn’t enough to convince you to snag a ticket to the mystifying performance, here are five reasons why Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic is one of New York's best-kept secrets and must-see theatrical events.

1. Chamber Magic has been captivating attendees for 25 years

New York City is a famously changeful city, with shows opening and closing every other day, so for any production to have the longevity and legacy that Chamber Magic has had for two-plus-decades is quite a feat. 

Cohen praised his ever-discerning audience for helping the show reach such a momentous milestone. “When I launched Chamber Magic, I never imagined it would play continuously for twenty-five years in the most competitive theater city in the world! The show has survived—and thrived—purely through word-of-mouth from enthusiastic fans,” said the magician. “Some have traveled from far-away places like New Zealand, Kenya, India and Malta just to see my show. That absolutely blows my mind! And since the show has been playing so long, I’ve seen many guests return multiple times. Each time they bring a new friend, and they get doubly entertained by watching their friend’s reaction to the magic.”

2. It’s a throwback to old-school New York glamour

For two decades, Cohen has been delighting and baffling guests with his refined take on the parlor entertainment that characterized Manhattan in the early 20th century. Along with the intricate illusions that Cohen performs, the sumptuous setting of the show helps conjure that atmosphere of old-world luxury. 

“Chamber Magic is an intimate magic show staged in a jewel-box setting,” Cohen said of the Lotte New York Palace, an iconic five-star property set on the exclusive Madison Avenue. “My showroom is located in a nineteenth-century mansion that is the perfect backdrop for an interactive magic show. The Lotte New York Palace hotel transports you to a magical place the moment you step inside.” 

And the Chamber Magic audience itself also adds to the sophisticated ambience—the show’s cocktail attire dress code means that guests are always dressed to the nines, for an experience that’s a perfect ten!

3. Steve Cohen has been a favorite of celebrities, royals and luminaries for decades

Among the more than 500,000 people who have been dazzled by Cohen’s masterful feats of skill and deception over the years is a who’s who of celebrities, royalty and other notables. We’re talking theater icons like Stephen Sondheim, world-famous astronauts like Buzz Aldrin, Oscar-winning filmmakers like Woody Allen (who reportedly called the show “a religious experience”), acclaimed writers like William Goldman, billionaire businessmen like Warren Buffett, real-deal royals like the Queen of Morocco—the list goes on and on. There’s a reason they call Steve Cohen the Millionaires’ Magician!

4. Chamber Magic is far more intimate than other theatrical experiences

Nowadays, scoring great seats to a live show can be quite the headache—but not at Chamber Magic. The adults-only audience is limited to 64 people for each performance, guaranteeing each guest an intimate view of every mystifying maneuver. “I’ve had many visitors tell me they prefer the intimacy of Chamber Magic over the bigger marquee shows because it is more personable, and they feel more directly involved,” Cohen said. 

To guarantee a front-row view of all of Cohen’s riveting up-close illusions, you can purchase a Premium ticket to Chamber Magic, which gets you a VIP seat in the center of the first row. And if you want to amp up the occasion, there’s also the option to add a special meet and greet experience with Cohen himself after each 9:30pm seating which includes a photo with the performer, a question-and-answer session and, most cool of all, additional close-up magic exclusively for you. 

5. And the show still feels fresh after all these years

“After over 6,500 shows, every moment is perfectly constructed for maximum astonishment,” said Cohen. “My aim is to create magical feats you remember for the rest of your life.” However, that doesn’t mean that the illusionist doesn’t leave room for off-the-cuff magical moments. “While Chamber Magic follows a script and adheres to a strict timeline, there is ample room for ‘crowd work.’ Some of the most memorable moments have come from spontaneous, unforeseen byplay,” he added. 

In fact, Cohen said he’s just as entertained by his guests as they are by him. “I have grown as a performer mainly by listening to the audience. The audience senses that they are collaborating in the creation of something wonderful.” And unlike Broadway shows that are locked into the same material night after night, Chamber Magic has continued to evolve over its 25 years. “I have complete freedom to test new tricks, new story lines, new jokes and new interstitial moments, so I never feel locked in,” Cohen shared. “As long as people crave wonder, I will be there creating moments of awe, one show at a time.”

To experience the unforgettable Chamber Magic for yourself, book tickets now for an enchanting evening of jaw-dropping magic fueled by audience engagement and led by the one and only Steve Cohen. Learn more here. Get ready to witness the unbelievable!