Name for a Magic bar?

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Sean Macfarlane
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Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Sean Macfarlane » January 17th, 2003, 9:27 am

I'm trying to come up with a name for a bar that I'll be performing magic in full time. So far I've got:
Jack of Clubs
Kabbla
Trumps
Secrets
Spades
Matrix
Pips
Heirophant

Just brainstorming, any suggestions

Jamie Badman
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Jamie Badman » January 17th, 2003, 9:53 am

Hmmm...

'Flourish' ?
'Visions' ?

Loads of names related to Magic. Hey, you COULD call it 'The Card College' !

Jamie.

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Brian Morton
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Brian Morton » January 17th, 2003, 10:59 am

"The Loaded Dove?"

"Topits?"

"The Shuffled Deck?"

"The Bra Trick Cafe?"

:D

brian :cool:

Jamie Badman
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Jamie Badman » January 17th, 2003, 11:27 am

If it's situated in a seedier area of town, how about:

"The Sponge Dong" ?

Jamie.

Jamie Badman
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Jamie Badman » January 17th, 2003, 11:30 am

Astonishment
Wunder Bar (probably works best in Germany!)
Shimmer
Moments
Shadows

Curtis Kam
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Curtis Kam » January 17th, 2003, 7:24 pm

Hey, I like Wunderbar / Wonder Bar.

Or, for Jamie's seedier areas, how's about

"TRICKS"

or

"Miss Direct's"

or even

"Tricks by Miss Direction"

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 17th, 2003, 7:47 pm

Before you light on a name which is a clever play on terms used by magicians you should ask yourself: what percentage of your take is going to come from magicians.

It doesn't matter how many magicians come to your bar. What matters is who are the paying customers.

What name is going to attract them and be memorable to them? The name must suggest magic and pleasurable experience to those people who wouldn't know a side-slip from a Run Rabbit Run.

Sean Macfarlane
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Sean Macfarlane » January 17th, 2003, 8:26 pm

Good Point Tonga,
I'm trying to play names that are catchy and somewhat mysterious, the bar is going to be small and cosy, and have a shabby and shiek style, a modern English Pub with a hint of the Orient as it's located in Hong Kong.

I'm going to run it and perform magic nightly. the name doesn't even have to be related to Magic really, there were lots of bars over the years world wide that were run by magicians that didn't have magic related names. For instance "Schuliens" or the "Tower Inn" I'm just toying right now and seeing what comes up. Thanks for the replys everybody, they're much appreciated.

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 17th, 2003, 9:17 pm

Think a Drink
Multum in Parvo
Six Shot Lota

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 17th, 2003, 9:49 pm

Maybe I missed it, but how about the most obvious...Scotch and Sodas?

Okay, okay...it was an attempt!

Russell Davis
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Russell Davis » January 17th, 2003, 11:27 pm

With deep apologies in advance:

How about Honging Koins? Zhao Zha Do That? The Five Pints of Magic? Magic Al Cahill's Disorient Express (shudder!)? Phun More? Club Marlo McPuppyfeet's?

Or, more realistically, Joker's? or Tonga's?

Mr. Stickley
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Mr. Stickley » January 17th, 2003, 11:29 pm

How about a take off on "The Pink Elephant" (famous speak-easy)... How bout "The Pink Heirophant"

BTW - While I was performing in Hong Kong (Kowloon) I saw the coolest sign for the Guerilla Bar I believe. Maybe you know what I am talking about. That thing was HUGE and cool as all get out.

Mr. Stickley

Sean Macfarlane
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Sean Macfarlane » January 18th, 2003, 4:17 am

I do know the place Mr. Stickley, I don't venture into Kowloon side much, I'm not even sure if it's still there.

You guys kill me, thanks for the input.

Mr. Stickley, when were here? and where did you perform?

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 18th, 2003, 8:23 am

In central New Jersey there's a liquor store splendidly named "Spirit World." Works for a magic bar, too -- more or less, depending on your magic and the decorative scheme.

Ed Oschmann
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Ed Oschmann » January 18th, 2003, 8:57 am

Hong Kong Phooling?

Brad A._dup1
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Brad A._dup1 » January 18th, 2003, 11:04 am

"The Magic Bar"
with a lower title restating: "A place that serves magic, and drinks."

I do suppose that isn't as classy.

Something like "The Conjuror." It could be nicknamed "The Con." Eh.
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Bill Duncan
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Bill Duncan » January 18th, 2003, 1:20 pm

Originally posted by Snatch:
...the bar is going to be small and cosy, and have a shabby and shiek style, a modern English Pub with a hint of the Orient as it's located in Hong Kong.
This is probably obvious but...
The East End

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Glenn Farrington
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Glenn Farrington » January 18th, 2003, 5:51 pm

When I worked for AOL running all the comedy areas...it was up to me to give a name to the main chat room in an area call the Comedy Pub. I thought of a name that I thought was pretty cool "The Open Mike". Now this was back in the days when you paid AOL for the time you used it...not a monthly flat fee.

Even though we had a lot of traffic in the chat room one of my producers thought it would get more traffic (hence more revenue) if I changed the name. She suggested I should call it what it is..."Chat Room". I thought she was crazy and had no creative thought. She convinced me to give it a trial to test it out. The chat room traffic went up not 2 or 5 or 10 percent...but it went up 45 percent. In business that is unheard of. Even though I have a degree in marketing I let creativity get in the way of positive results that can increase the bottom line.

Believe me when I tell you, that you should call the place "Magic Bar". When people talk about it (and as you know word of mouth is positively necessary) there will be no mistaking what it is...and it will be easily remembered. "Wow last night I went to the Magic Bar and had a blast. The magician there was amazing!!!"

Save all the cute names for the drinks.

There, for what its worth free advice...from someone who charges a lot for it. Whatever you decide to call it...I do wish you the best. Nothing like making what you love, pay the rent.
Comedy's Easy...Dying Sucks.

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 18th, 2003, 6:33 pm

I demand a drink called the Han Ping Chen and another called Guiness! In all seriousness, the Magic Tap or some derrivative (Magic Pub) is a good idea. Something that truely refers to magic in the common mind (eg The Magi's Staff) or that refers to magic in a very direct way (The Rabbit in the Hat) is also fine. If you name it something like the Scotch and Soda, or some such, you won't do as well. Of course, there's always subtitles....
"Welcome to the Magic Tap, home of the Scotch and Soda." Which, of course, gives you some great patter oprotunities...

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 18th, 2003, 7:57 pm

It would have to be "The Han Ping Chien."
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Bill McFadden
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Bill McFadden » January 18th, 2003, 9:36 pm

I'm rather partial to Schulien's, or Malone's Magic Bar. Or how about the Brook Farm Inn? ;)

Sean Macfarlane
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Sean Macfarlane » January 19th, 2003, 2:06 am

Thanks Glen, that is very interesting indeed. I'll have to run that idea past my partner to see what he thinks. I like it, it does come down to the bottom line as you say. More customers is defintely what I want. Thank you everyone for you input.

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 19th, 2003, 1:14 pm

Howie Dooit's

Jon Allen
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Jon Allen » January 19th, 2003, 5:38 pm

We had a short lived restaurant here in London called 'Magic Moments'. Hope it's not an omen.

If it's in the seedy part of town, it could be called 'Dive for None'

I'm reminded of the girl who goes into a bar and asks the barman for a double entendre... so the barman gave her one.

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 21st, 2003, 10:11 am

I'm reminded of the girl who goes into a bar and asks the barman for a double entendre... so the barman gave her one.
A termite walks into a bar and asks: "Is the bar tender here?"

(I had to crawl out of the woodwork to use that.)

Richard Morrell
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Richard Morrell » January 21st, 2003, 11:48 am

Originally posted by Ed Lopez:
I'm reminded of the girl who goes into a bar and asks the barman for a double entendre... so the barman gave her one.
A termite walks into a bar and asks: "Is the bar tender here?"

(I had to crawl out of the woodwork to use that.)
So this Guy goes into a bar and says "Where's the barmaid" and the barman replies "Where the rest of the furniture was."

I'll get my coat!

Carl Mercurio
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Carl Mercurio » January 21st, 2003, 12:43 pm

Snatch,
Do you own the joint, and have you ever owned a bar before? My brother owns two, which I perform bar magic at. The name of the joint and whether or not you do magic are the least of your worries. You should talk to Bill Malone for advice. He's pretty easy to contact down in Boca. He'll give you an earful.
Carl

Sean Macfarlane
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Sean Macfarlane » January 21st, 2003, 6:48 pm

Hi Carl, I've not owned a bar before. I have although worked in and ran them for over ten years. I understand the risks and commitment it needs. I'm going to take a shot at it this time. I've got a good location and a partner I can trust.

Carl Mercurio
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Carl Mercurio » January 22nd, 2003, 6:59 am

Good luck. "The Joker" is a nice name for a magic bar. You might also consider "High Kard," which has the benefit of having the initials HK. So you'd be the Hong Kong High Kard or HK High Kard or HK2. Other possibilities: "21 Club" "Club Magic" "HK Magic Bar" "Bar Magic"

Btw, I'll be releasing a set of bar magic lecture notes in a month or so. See www.carlmercurio.com if you're interested.

Sean Macfarlane
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Sean Macfarlane » January 22nd, 2003, 9:56 am

Thanks Carl, I'll check your stuff out. I jsut tried to contact Bill Malone via e mail but was sent back a notification that the e mail address is no longer valid. I'd love to hear what he has to say on the subject. Could anyone possibly pass his e mail address on to me privately. Cheers.

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 22nd, 2003, 3:37 pm

Hey Snatch,
No one will likely know who I am, but I have worked as a bartender in Toronto Canada for many years and ofter perform informally in between mixing coctails. I have managed a few bars as well. Allow me to offer the following advice. Your bar like your magic aought to be an extension of your own pesonality, which I am sure extends beyond just your magical personality. Why not take the opposite approach and broaden your spectrum by naming it something unrelated to magic, but which also expresses who you are.
I seem to recall a Toronto restaurant called "Gammy the Cat" where tha Magician/owner had his name legally changed to "Mr. Breakfast."
Remember: A bar too can be a work of art, and great minds drink alike!

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Pete Biro
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Pete Biro » January 23rd, 2003, 12:08 pm

Glenn may be right to use "The Magic Bar." But, if you don't want that, to me, there is only one other name that would work...

The King of Clubs :rolleyes:
or
The Ace of Clubs :rolleyes:

Any other card would seem like a lesser joint. :p
Stay tooned.

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 23rd, 2003, 4:05 pm

Humm...You'd have to check out the legal angle, but among the younger folks, "The Leaky Cauldron" might draw in some custom.

Chris Bailey
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Chris Bailey » January 30th, 2003, 9:03 am

Speaking of legal. I was talking to someone once and they wanted to have a coffee house that gave legal advice for free. It was going to be called "Legal Grounds". They never went through with it but all these years later I still remember the name. I thought it was pretty clever. I don't suppose a coffee house with magic would work. Most people aren't there to hang out ordering coffee after coffee. I WOULD be cool though.

Guest

Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 30th, 2003, 2:31 pm

Originally posted by Pete Biro:
Glenn may be right to use "The Magic Bar." But, if you don't want that, to me, there is only one other name that would work...

The King of Clubs
or
The Ace of Clubs

[...]
Um, Pete...? That's actually TWO other names.

TW

Dale Shrimpton
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Dale Shrimpton » January 31st, 2003, 9:23 am

Shufflers bar?
Rifflers INN ?
THE OUT-JOG INN ?

John McDonald
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby John McDonald » January 31st, 2003, 10:58 am

How about, "The Learned pig."

Best wishes

John :D
Best John

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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » January 31st, 2003, 12:36 pm

I've always wanted to have my own bar called "Whit's Inn."

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Brian Morton
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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Brian Morton » January 31st, 2003, 2:16 pm

Shouldn't that be "Whit's End?" ;)

brian :cool:

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Re: Name for a Magic bar?

Postby Guest » February 2nd, 2003, 7:22 am

It could be Wit's End, Brian, if you don't like a little subtlety. ;)


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