Some mystery in the world – like the alleged time traveller spotted in Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Circus’ – is a very good thing, which makes Bristol’s Illusions Magic Bar a peerless place for an evening of head-scratching fun. The country’s first such venue, it opened three years ago and combines drinking, dining and varied musical entertainment plus, of course, a roster of magicians. Their art is taken seriously: the atmospheric dark décor pays homage to Houdini and numerous modern masters of deception have provided signed wall photographs.

I visit one Saturday night to find a group of women resplendent in wigs enjoying cocktails on black leather sofas. This place is perfect for hen and stag parties, but a varied clientele also includes couples, young professionals and solo drinkers meeting mates. Entertainment takes in the eponymous magic, music open mics and karaoke (choose from 40,000 songs!): the playlist during my visit ranges from Frank Sinatra to Iron Maiden. The baby grand gets cranked up later on, with The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’ a rousing opener. Should you feel peckish, doubtless the pizzas brought in from Zizzis across the road induce congregation as per Lennon and McCartney’s wish.

The sleight of hand, however, is the bar’s main draw. A group assembles for magician Rich Newman’s routine. It’s fast-paced, slick stuff involving a toy raccoon and cards appearing in unlikely places. Once that’s finished, magician/manager Matthew Fraser mans the booth and I’m joined on the stools by Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy and a female Robin. Having worked in Las Vegas (where he met Jack Nicholson), Matthew’s no stranger to Stateside glamour himself. Some of The Joker’s patter has clearly rubbed off: while the ladies are bewigged, all present are bewitched. (Words Simon Fry, pics Mark Simmons)

The information

Lager Fosters, Amstel. From £3.40.

Beer Old Peculier (bottles). £3.30.

Cider Symonds. £3.40.

Wine Three red, two white. From £3.60 gls/£13.95 btl.

Food Served until 10.30pm. Pizzas etc from Zizzis. Garlic bread £3.85, dough sticks £4.50, margherita £6.75, sofia (chicken and pepperoni) £9.25, funghi £7.95, quattro formaggi £7.45, fiorentina £8.25.

Offers Happy hour Mon-Thur until 11pm, two-for-one cocktails, Fosters/vodka & mixer £2.50, regular/small ‘magic wands’ reduced from £45/£25 to £40/£20.

ILLUSIONS MAGIC BAR 2 BYRON PLACE, SOUTH TRIANGLE, CLIFTON, BRISTOL, BS8 1JT. TEL: 0117 909 3405, WEB: WWW.ILLUSIONSMAGICBAR.CO.UK OPEN MON-THUR 7PM-LATE, FRI-SAT 6PM-2AM.

Copyright Simon Fry/pics Mark Simmons Photography 2010