Tag: magic show

Season 3, Special Events

Episode 058 | Magic Hideaway Interview with Bill Abbott

The Boozy Blondes

The Boozy Blondes love magic. If you listened to Episode 054 | Nashville, Part 2 – House of Cards, you heard them gush about just how much they love it! In this episode the girls fill you in on all you need to know to see an amazing magic and mind-reading experience hidden right in their backyard!

The girls each have a different DOE. Molly is drinking a Blood Orange Creamsicle (learn how to make it here or beg Chrissy to do it for you!) and since Chrissy smashed her Creamsicle before recording, she opted for a mimosa. Both great morning drinks!

Bill and Rebecca Abbott are your hosts at the Magic Hideaway in the Casa Monica Hotel in the heart of St. Augustine, Florida. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Bill Abbott is an entrepreneur, magician and showman. He has performed over 5000 shows in 11 countries and is the creator of magical illusions seen on America’s Got Talent, Good Morning America and The Steve Harvey Show! Before his residency, he and his wife Rebecca frequently visited St. Augustine, and a few years ago they decided to make this beautiful city their home and opened the Magic Hideaway in the Casa Monica.

There are two shows on Saturday nights starting at 6pm or 8:30pm. The experience lasts two hours and tickets are $125 per person. With your ticket, you get

  • Complimentary cocktail
  • One-on-one magic with Bill in the Cobalt Lounge before the main show
  • Hour long magic and mind-reading show in the intimate Magic Hideaway room
  • Post show photo and autograph opportunity with Bill

The first hour is cocktail hour and one-on-one magic with Bill, then the second hour is the performance in the Magic Hideaway. When the girls arrived they were greeted by Rebecca who performed a magic trick for them. She escorted the girls to their cocktail table in the Cobalt Lounge, and a server came over to take their order. Before the show you can order food and drinks here, but the girls just enjoyed a drink. Pro-tip: order an additional drink before you enter the Magic Hideaway for the main performance. Once it starts, you can’t leave. Do this at least 20 minutes before the main show start time.

Bill performs magic tricks for each table during the cocktail hour and engages with the attendees. Before going into the Magic Hideaway he gathers everyone together for a group trick. Photography is allowed during the cocktail hour, but not during the main performance (the Boozy Blondes had an exception because of the podcast).

Rebecca leads each group to their assigned tables inside the Magic Hideaway right before the show. The room is small and intimate, so there isn’t a bad seat. The performance is about 60 minutes and is interactive. Be prepared to be involved – the girls both participated in multiple tricks! Because of the small group size, almost everyone, if not everyone, was involved at some point during the performance.

The girls don’t want to give any spoilers, so you’ll have to visit for yourself. Be sure to get your pictures with Bill following the show; it feels like a red carpet moment! The Boozy Blondes had an amazing evening and would definitely go back for another show. They were lucky enough to have a few minutes to interview Bill and Rebecca after the show, so be sure to tune in to this episode to hear what they have to say about the best magic tricks and how they ended up in St. Augustine, Florida!

Here’s a recap of what to remember:

  • Dress to impress. The Casa Monica is swanky, and this is an opportunity to sparkle and shine!
  • Remember photography is only allowed during the cocktail hour.
  • Order an extra drink before you go into the Magic Hideaway room.
  • Be prepared to be engaged.
  • Be prepared to be captivated and amazed!
  • Secure your tickets and get more details here.

Share your thoughts and photos with the girls at boozyblondespodcast@gmail.com if you attend, and when you check in, be sure to let Rebecca know the Boozy Blondes sent you!

Season 3, Travel - Where to Drink

Episode 054 | Nashville, Part 2 – House of Cards

The Boozy Blondes

There is one thing the girls love almost as much as a great drink – and each other – MAGIC! ✨ Did you know there is a underground, super exclusive speakeasy/house of magic in downtown Nashville? Tune in to hear all about House of Cards, the hidden gem underneath the Johnny Cash Museum – but don’t worry…no spoilers. You have to experience the magic for yourself!

The DOE for this episode is rum and ginger beer – a Boozy Blondes favorite!

So again, House of Cards is an exclusive speakeasy-esque bar/restaurant/house of magic in downtown Nashville. It’s located UNDER the Johnny Cash museum around 3rd and Broadway. Once you arrive at the museum, there is a doorman who will direct you to the private entrance to House of Cards. You go down a secret tunnel and enter into a whole other world. There’s an amazing hand-crafted bar that offers one of the largest liquor selections in the region, there’s a multimillion dollar collection of art, European antiques, and ancient magical artifacts. There are no windows, tons of red velvet curtains draped all around, old magic show advertisement posters and tall columns throughout the space.

Once we checked in we were greeted and offered a tour of the dining room. Our guide showed us where the main magic show was held, where the floating magicians would be performing, he pointed out artifacts and pointed us in the direction of the courtyard which features a 19-foot waterfall.

They will take a group photo for you inside since photography is not allowed – except in the bathroom and in the courtyard.

Reservations are highly recommended, and the dress code is strictly enforced. At the time of this recording, you can book your table no sooner than two weeks in advance. So set your alarms and calendar reminders because tables fill fast. Dress code is dress to impress and if you don’t abide by it, they will not grant you access:

MEN: Sports coat or dinner jacket and button up dress shirt is mandatory. Dress pants suggested, dress shoes required. No light or torn jeans.

LADIES: Cocktail or formal dresses, elegant skirt and blouse, dressy rompers or dressy tunic (hip-length) and slacks combinations, and pant-suits (matching blazer and pants) with dress shoes is required. No denim of any kind, nor casual wear.

The food is phenomenal. Menu selections include octopus, beer tartare, foie gras, steaks, elk, lamb, porkshops, sea bass, etc, etc. Complimentary tickets to the main magic act are included with an entree order, but you cannot purchase tickets separately to this show. Then there are rotating magicians on the floor which you can go see at any time. We waited until after dinner to do all the magic, but you can go see the magicians on the floor while you wait for your dinner to be prepared.

House of Cards is 21 and over, except during Sunday brunch when all ages are welcome.

The girls include some tips for visiting House of Cards:

  • Set a reminder to make your reservations. This place is extremely popular, so 14 days out, secure your spot. They do accept walk-ins, but you’re taking a chance there will be availability.
  • If you don’t get a reservation, you can try to get in to enjoy cocktails on the patio or at the bar. You’ll be able to see the roaming magicians, just not the main act. Dress code still applies.
  • Dress to impress. The dress code is strictly enforced so use this as an opportunity to get all dolled up.
  • Bring cash to tip the magicians and the photographer. The group photo is complimentary, so it’s nice to tip the photographer.
  • Arrive early and enjoy a drink out on the patio before dinner and stay late to enjoy the magicians and an after-dinner drink or cigar.
  • Be prepared to be engaged. There is a lot of audience participation.

The magicians we saw were Mark and Shadow. You can follow House of Cards on Instagram. Please message us on Instagram if you’ve been to House of Cards and share your experience with us!

Cheers!