- happy hour
- cheap drinks
- jukebox
- good for groups
- casual
- (13 more)
- Popular
- Recent
- This place was ground zero for the blogger/Gawker scene in 2003-2004 and has always been a big hangout for the early dodgeball.com crowd. My brain is hardwired to use "The Magician" as a test search.
- DeanApril 18, 2013Pretty chill atmosphere. Divey, but with a good beer selection. (You can still get your $3 Coors Banquet or especially a $4 Genessee Cream Ale on TAP).
- emeFebruary 21, 2015This place saved one of my nights out. Excellent music, not too crowded and we managed to snag one of the front tables. Beers/prices decent. Stayed here the rest of the night for an enjoyable time.
- Andrew PhelpsApril 10, 2013The bartender here—I don't know her name—is the best in New York City. The kind of place you can come and read without being bothered. Or drink all night with a (big) group of good friends.
- Probably the best happy hour in NYC. $4 top shelf cocktails (Sapphire and tonic) until 8pm and one hell of a jukebox. For $20 you will leave "happy."
- Jon CowleyJanuary 29, 2019Great little dive bar, the bay window seats are great for exceptionally long chats 😉
- Zii HammadJanuary 7, 2016Cheap and casual bar, with lots of room to sit and chat. The crowd's a mixed bag, so just don't talk to any of the new LESders and you'll be fine.
- Village VoiceSeptember 9, 2013After work, put on the jukebox and kick back with a few beers. You can always count on getting a table or bar seat on weeknights.
- DoubleDeuceNovember 21, 2018Solid spot for a hang sesh, especially if you have a bigger group, you can post up in the back.
- Hector TavarezJuly 27, 2013It's a great bar in the lower east side with down-to-earth people and cheap drinks. What more can you want?
- Jeremy MooreJuly 20, 2013Magic, is finding a not too loud place to drink at prices that actually make sense, all in NYC. At the same time.
- Corley StoneNovember 2, 2014Cozy bar that falls somewhere between dive and hipster. Cash only with an ATM right outside and one across the street as well
- Great for groups and never really crowded. You can find seating for a group even on weekends
- A sentimental favorite. Grab a table near the front window with your bud bottle and pretend you're checking in on Dodgeball 2004 style.
- Red FabbriAugust 8, 2014An endangered bar (along the lines of WXOU) with a great juke and plenty of space.
- Calm on weeknights but bustling on weekends. They have a great jukebox and happy hour. Cash only, but there's an ATM outside.
- Cristina HartDecember 6, 2015Chill place, great vibe, normal NYC beer prices aka overpriced but great environment
- Meg LewisAugust 20, 2014They pump this place with A/C in the summer! Great place to escape the heat and drink a cheap beer.
- Great happy hour, jukebox, and friendly staff. Bring cash.
- Edmund BoeyFebruary 21, 2017There are so many great bars in the area, the magician is fine, cash only!
- During the week, this is the most laid-back bars in the LES. The happy hour is fantastic.
- Front booths, right near the big windows, are by far the best people watching spots in the LES. (for a backup, hit the mini magic room at Local 138 around the corner on Ludlow)
- Fantastic reprieve from the pretentious LES bars
- quite often my last stop in manhattan before getting on the JMZ home. therefore i call it my neighborhood bar not in my neighborhood.
- Corin LianidesApril 17, 2010Well drinks are $5 which is always good. Smile and be friendly with the bartender and it'll go far.
- Hal SparksApril 17, 2010You're probably here because the other place is full.. And you feel better because this place is actually more fun
- Kraig ParkinsonApril 18, 2010Stick around for the buy-backs. Also, fav spot is the round table in the back room on the near right...
- Cash only but a decent juke box that isn't gull of shitty current top 40.