What the heck is Chicago-style magic? While you might think it's pulling a hotdog out of a hat, it's actually the close-up magic that was born in Chicago's mid-century German taverns.

This special evening, hosted by our good friends at Dovetail Brewery, showcases the rich history of Chicago's magic bars that influenced tricksters around the world. From the late 1940s until 1999, the hub for Chicago magic was Schulien's (O'Donovan’s today), which was located not too far from Dovetail.

There, owner-bartender-magician Matt Schulien would delight barstool patrons with tricks that went on to become the stuff of legend—like becoming the first magician to eat a live goldfish (he was depicted on Schulien's matchbooks doing as such) and a invent a card trick now only known to magicians as the "Chicago Opener."

We’ll try to recreate the magic of Schulien’s for an evening with a Schulien’s-inspired three-course menu by the folks at Beard & Belly. But you can’t have dinner without a show, so joining us will be MAGIC BY BRIELLE, who will perform table-side magic. Brielle is a Chicago-based magician who’s been featured on "Penn & Teller: Fool Us” and who’s been reviving tavern magic at spots Beard & Belly and Long Room. Your first .5L of beer will be on us.

Finally, a portion of your ticket will go to support us, the Beer Culture Center!
And don't worry, no goldfish will be harmed during this event.

YOUR TICKET INCLUDES:
• 3-course Beard & Belly dinner
• Tableside magic from Magic by Brielle
• Half-liter of Dovetail beer, or N/A or cider

BEARD & BELLY MENU
Soup: Minestrone with oyster crackers
Salad: Simple salad with blue cheese dressing or citrus vinaigrette
Entree: Smoked Thuringer with braised red cabbage and buttered boiled parsley potatoes

Due to the sit-down nature of this event, space is limited.