Maho Magic Bar

Overview

Can't enjoy a trip to Japan anytime soon? You can pretend you're hanging out in Shinjuku right now just by heading to Lonsdale Street. Meet Maho Magic Bar, which is a bar, a performance space and a show all in one — all thanks to Broad Encounters, aka the folks behind that eerie Edgar Allen Poe-inspired warehouse experience A Midnight Visit that creeped out Melbourne a few years back.

Here, neon lighting sets the mood, cherry blossoms hover above, and sake cocktails and shōchū lead the drinks menu. Also, magic shows happen at your table. An immersive event from the moment that you approach its glowing exterior — which is blazing away until Sunday, December 17 — it's designed to replicate a night out in Tokyo, and conjure up an 'anything can happen' feeling.

The ace thing about the setup: whether you adore magic or don't think it's your thing, you'll still be entertained given that the atmosphere (and the drinks and those lights) are a massive part of the allure. Still, magic is nonetheless a big part of it. Busting out illusions: Shirayuri, Kaori Kitazawa, Rika, Sarito and Ryota.

Drinks-wise, beer, wine and booze-free options are also on offer — and umeshu and soda, too.

Maho Magic Bar is open Tuesday–Sunday evenings, and puts on family-friendly performances on weekend afternoons.

Images: Kate Prendergast, Trentino Priori and Nathanial Mason. Updated Monday, November 6.