Trickery

The Basics

Duck inside a Boystown storefront into a magical, intimate space decorated with antiques and draped in velvet. Welcome to Trickery, a laugh-filled, intimate magic show designed for adults and teenagers. Expect a new spin on a classic vaudeville show, with plenty of audience participation to keep guests on their toes. Performances are entirely BYOB, with plastic cups and bottle openers available for use. Making reservations ahead of time is recommended.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Doors open 15 minutes before scheduled showtimes—arrive early to secure a good seat.

• Trickery is designed for teens and adults. Children under 12 are not permitted to attend.

• The show is BYOB, with snacks and drinks available for purchase.

• Trickery can be booked for private events and is also offered virtually.

How to Get There

The Trickery venue is located at 3453 North Halsted Street in the Boystown neighborhood, also called Northalsted. The closest L Train stops are Belmont, serving the Red and Brown Lines, or Addison. The #8 bus runs along Halsted Street, stopping at either West Cornelia or West Roscoe. Drivers will have to find street parking.

When to Get There

Trickery showtimes take place on Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at both 7pm and 9pm, and Saturdays at 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm, On Sundays, there is a special daytime showing at 4pm. Whichever performance you plan to see, remember to book in advance as spacing in the venue is limited.

Boystown Nightlife

Boystown is known as the home of the best LGBTQ bars in Chicago. After your Trickery show, be sure to spend time in the area visiting other local establishments, several of which have been around for decades. Sidetrack and Lucky Horseshoe Lounge are two iconic nightlife venues dating back to 1982 and 1989, respectively. The Closet caters to a queer and lesbian clientele, while Roscoe’s is a tavern known for its high-energy drag shows.

Ways to explore

Trickery offers a short and sweet magical experience in the heart of Chicago’s most LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood. Be sure to book ahead, as shows do sell out, and plan to arrive 15 minutes early to find a seat in the intimate space; there’s a BYOB policy, so bring a drink if you like. While there are no official age limits, there is a suggested minimum age of 12, but younger kids are welcome if they can sit still throughout the show.

Accessibility

The venue is not wheelchair accessible, unfortunately.

Age limits

Suggested for guests 12 and up

What to pack

Your drink of choice (alcoholic or non)

What to wear

A light jacket in case the theater gets chilly

Not allowed

Taking photos or videos during the show

Amenities

Corkscrews and bottle openers, restrooms

Address

The venue is on North Halsted Street, and you can easily get there by either driving or using public transit.

Driving

If you’re driving from downtown Chicago, take Lake Shore Drive north to Belmont Avenue. Exit west on Belmont, then head south onto Halsted Street. The venue is between Belmont and Addison.

Public transportation

From downtown Chicago, take the CTA Red Line northbound to the Belmont station. Exit at the Belmont stop, and from there, it’s just a quick walk away.

Best times to visit

Shows take place in the evening on Thursday–Saturday, and at 4pm on Sundays; tickets are limited, so book in advance. Doors open 15 minutes before showtime, and each performance lasts a little over an hour.

Best days to visit

The show runs from Thursday to Sunday.

Best months to visit

It’s a year-round performance, so purchase tickets to suit your schedule.

Special events

Since the venue’s neighborhood, known as both Northalsted and Boystown, has a strong LGBT+ community, catching a show during Chicago Pride in June can make for a memorable experience.