Stationed along a verdant block in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, is Precision Clock & Watch repair shop, a small biz of yesteryear dedicated to keeping timepieces ticking.
But if you show up with a broken watch, don’t expect to walk away with a fixed accessory. The shop is merely a facade for something much greater: the Hanley Close-Up Magic Parlour, where Greg Dubin’s “Magic at the Clock Shop” takes place.
“People don’t expect this type of thing to exist in this space, in this neighborhood, on this block,” Dubin says of his show. “I want people to experience my magic the way it’s best experienced: up close in an intimate setting that feels special.”
Located in Luana’s, the oldest bar in NYC, the Court Street outpost is decked out with red velvet curtains, Persian rugs, quirky artwork, ventriloquist dolls, and one heck of an experience.
“Magic is having something of a renaissance so it makes sense that some of best magic would appear in one of the best neighborhoods,” Dubin, a long-time Brooklyn resident says. We couldn’t agree more.
See inside Magic At The Clock Shop
Though the faux small business seems a bit out of the blue, there’s actually a very clever reason for its selection: a tribute to Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, the father of modern magic.
“Before he became a legendary magician, Robert-Houdin was a clockmaker and inventor,” Dubin says. “You probably recognize the name because Ehrich Weiss, a young Hungarian Jew, adopted the stage name Houdini in his honor.”
Dubin, whose love of magic began when he was a kid, performs card tricks, illusions, and other sleight of hand maneuvers that will leave guests wondering, “What did he just do?!”
More than a place to shock and surprise guests,”Magic at the Clock Shop” has been a fun way to bring people together in a unique way.
“I feel like my strong point is my connection with the audience and people are constantly leaving the show with new friends, exchanging numbers, and hugging” Dubin adds. “I’ve had couples go out to dinner together after meeting at my show, and it’s a really nice feeling.”
If you could use a fun, interactive experience with cocktails and bites — and want to switch things up — we highly suggest a visit. Shows run Thursdays through Sundays, and tickets are available online.
“My main goal with this venue was to give myself a space to do my own thing,” Dubin adds. “I’ve been gigging around NYC and doing other people’s shows for over 20 years, and I realized that unless I’m doing my own thing, I’m not gonna be happy.”
When will you stop by?
📍 449 Court St