Magic Castle for sale?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Story (http://www.knbc.com/news/13638445/detail.html?dl=headlineclick).

The terms of sale, according to the report, would require that it still be run as it is currently run, but whenever something like this is sold out of the family, it's likely the beginning of the end.

[blueerica]

In the last couple of times I went there, it already didn't feel quite the same as the previous visits. Even Yamashiro's wasn't quite as good. Perhaps it was a lack of interest.

There is also the possibility that someone could pick it up and really do it justice, which the two properties haven't seen in years. Maybe a long time member, wealthy - as was typical of earlier members - who really loved the place. Who knows?

It might be the beginning of the end of what I saw as a so-so era for the once great club.

[innerSpaceman]

Yep, the Magic Castle sure has gone downhill on my last few visits. That's not to say I know all about it and its illustrious history. I think, after the land is sold, it will be a long, steady decline ... and the end will come at an appropriate time for such an icon and institution.

The land it and Yamashiro call home, despite the presence of a few taudry motels sharing the space, is a fabulous bit of hilly parkland in the midst of safe zone Hollywood. It's inevitable that it would be sold and developed.


Recent Hollywood development mystifize me. There's dozens of very hip clubs, frantically busy on Saturday nights, with parking fees rivaling Manhattan. Trendy lofts are going up everywhere, and mall-clone shops opening in more and more parts of town.

BUT ... most of the place is still skeezy as ever, competely creepy and vaguely unsafe. It's a weird mix.


Anyways, I've heard some surprisingly good things about Yamashiro's, despite how touristy it is. Perhaps, when swanking season returns with the Fall, we should make a pilgramige up there one Autumn evening.

[Kevy Baby]

Sadly, I have never been to the Magic Castle.

[Not Afraid]

That property is PRIME. I can't imagine that would just keep things the same. I really need to go to Yamashiro soon.

[blueerica]

I would loooooove to go to Yamashiro, especially before I move. Haha! Maybe for my birthday? (Unless the sale becomes even more impending!)

[Disneyphile]

Fudge. I've always wanted to take my father there, since he's been dreaming about it since I was a kid. :(

[innerSpaceman]

Yamashiro's and The Magic Castle are not going anywhere, anytime soon. The terms of the sale offer stipulate they must remain open and operating.

It was the OP's conjecture that the sale might be the beginning of a decline that leads, someday, to the closure of either or both. I must sadly agree, but it remains conjecture.


There's no need to rush out to either one for fear of having a CLOSED sign greet you. But let's tary no more in planning a dining adventure to Yamashiro. And if you know a member, wangle a invite to the Magic Castle while you can.


As for me, I've been to the Magic Castle a half dozen times, and I'm pretty much done with it. For it's own sake as a cherished institution, I hope it lives on and somehow sees something of a renaissance, because my visits over the years lead to me to imagine it in the throws of a steady decline.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

How much? *pulls out some change* I'm thinking the LoT commune could do worse...

[innerSpaceman]

Oooh, one swanky locale in Oriental style at the top of the hill, and another in Victorian style at the bottom! It'll be just like Tiki Camp and Lounge Camp writ large!

Let's do it!

[Not Afraid]

And, apparently, we'd even have a hotel for our friends.

[blueerica]

It's the new Beat Hotel.

In all seriousness, and I forgot that it stipulates that they remain in operation, I would think it's an opportunity for revival. It's been dying for years- bring it BACK! The pictures I've seen of the old Yamashiro's, the old pictures from The Magic Castle only made me realize what I was seeing wasn't all that great compared to what there was before.

[Kevy Baby]

I guess I am reading the several comments of "it ain't what it used to be - it has been slowly declining" and conjecture that I will may ever be able to visit what once was. Is it too far gone to capture the notion of what it once was?

Only time will tell if I will ever be able to enjoy what truly is the Magic Castle.

And I thought one could eat at the Magic Castle? Are they two separate restaurants? Or is the experience to eat at Yamashiro's and then venture to the Castle? Do you have to know a member to eat at Yamashiro's?

[innerSpaceman]

Yamashiro's is open to the public. The Magic Castle is not. Both serve food and drink.


One also serves magic acts.

[blueerica]

Yamashiro's (as one might guess) serves Asian-influenced cuisine. (Predominantly Japanese, though it has progressively veered into Cal-Asian).

Magic Castle's food is more along the steakhouse route. Unlike much of the rest of the castle, it's gotten better with time. The last two times I went, I rather enjoyed my meal. Oh, and as iSm said, MC has magic.

[Kevy Baby]

Cool. Thanks for the clarification iSm and E.