I recently visited Alston Bar and Beef in the Corn Exchange, Manchester and noticed they’d started ‘a night of magic’. The Mrs and I were intrigued and had a peek... read more at a few reviews, they talked a big game and booked it for our July date night... the reviews were right! The show was that good we booked again for August and the show ended with a full standing ovation!

The show takes place in the bar dove below Alston, and has a really intimate experience and you really feel part of the show. There are 4 magicians in total, 3 regulars plus a guest I think. All were top notch, hilarious and needless to say the magic was jaw-dropping.

There was everything from traditional card tricks to vanishing objects and even mind reading. The ending I can’t even begin to describe... I’ll leave it as a surprise.

The Mrs got chosen to go up and have her mind read, she doesn’t play along with anything, but the mind reader got it right and she’s still talking about it now!

The bar serves great cocktails and we often dine at alston (which is how we found out about the show) and would highly recommend the food too!

All in all a great date night with a magical touch. We’re heading back for the Halloween special. More

  This was one of the most fun, unusual, and enjoyable nights out I've had! The performers not only wowed us with their illusions and mind-reading skills, but had us all... read more in fits of laughter, entertaining the whole crowd all night. There's a fair bit of audience participation - even hiding at the back won't help you escape that! - but that's part of the fun. The venue is perfect for it too - small, but not cramped, it creates a perfect atmosphere. The cocktails from the bar were brilliant too (if pricey). I'll definitely be going back to a future performance!

  Hard to convey just how enjoyable a night out this was in a short review. Small, intimate venue where we were looked after from the moment we arrived. Spent the... read more night alternating between laughing uncontrollably and scratching our heads at the tricks. Will definitely be returning.

  WOW AMAZING my birthday treat from my girls who ended up being part of act very entertaining well worth seeing well done

  i went with my friend who surprised me with the ticket, and it was amazing, funny, wow factor, surprising, awesome, unbelievable, gob smacking, hysterical, in total awe,well worth what ever... read more it costs (gift) ambiance brilliant, smaller group so much more interaction with the audience almost everyone was part of the show........ and the tricks magic and mind reading was scarily brilliant.......it is on once a month we went to the Alston bar and beef behind the Manchester Cathedral not far for parking.....worth every single penny.... FYI, i dont like balloons and there was an act with them but i survived.....lol

  In one swoop, these hilarious and very talented gentlemen take you on a funny, visually eye boggling and magically mischievous journey with their quick slight of hand and hilarious anecdotes.... read more Great evening in a great venue that will make even the biggest skeptic believe in a little magic at the end. Absolutely brilliant!

  We went to see this show after we had seen Sam do his 'magic thing' at a friend's wedding. We loved what he did that night and wanted to see... read more more!

The Vanishing Cabaret was amazing, I have not stopped telling everyone about this! All four acts were magnificent and we had a thoroughly entertaining evening! Highly recommended!

  Privileged to have attended the 1st Vanishing Cabaret event. Fantastic atmosphere, a great way to meet new people, intimate venue and amazing acts. Not laughed that much in a long... read more time too. What a show you put on guys!

  Amazing night - great meal in the Alstonbar and Beef followed by fantastic entertainment - haven’t laughed so much and had such a fun night out for ages. Would definitely... read more return More

  Brilliant show. We loved every second of it. Great venue too. We would go every week if we could!! 🙂

  Vanishing Caberet was quality - loved the set-up as it's so much more relaxed in that style, rather than at a theatre. Plenty of breaks for drinks and food too!... read more />
The acts themselves were top notch, especially Thom Peterson who was the funniest act I have ever seen live

Would go again!

  Absolutely fantastic night of magic in Manchester set inside a very cool trendy bar. I honestly didn't know what to expect but it did not disappoint. The first act of... read more the night blew everyone away with his unique style of magic - visual, magical and charming - Joel had everyone enthralled from start to finish... you can't be dosappointed with Joels magic - just fantastic. The guest magician of the night was absolutely hilarious with a great mix of comedy and magic - loved it. Sam the compere brought again some fantastic magic leaving the audience gasping with 'No way' and ' How did he do that?'. And to finish the night off was focused on mind reading and captured the imagination and focus of the whole audience. It's not my kind of thing, but 99% of the audience was sat with open mouths as Aaron revealed specific details about people time and time again. Absolute pleasure to watch. Overall a fantastic night in a fantastic venue. Intimate venue which is totally ideal for intimate magic. If you want a night out with good beer, and cocktails and a night full of magic. Just go!!

  Absolutely amazing ! It was such a fun night and all the guys were incredible, it was a full on abs workout with all the laughing! Thank you for an... read more awesome night! More

  Awesome night!! It was like being back at Edinburgh Fringe, which if you’ve ever been, you know it is an incredible feeling with the best atmosphere. What an amazing idea... read more it was to bring this to Manchester. The location, setting, style, and overall vibe all contributed to it being a perfect evening out, not to mention the chemistry between the performers and the talent in their highly entertaining acts. With variety between all four performances, there was a little something for everyone and I definitely don’t think I’ve laughed that much in ages. Would highly recommend you book tickets in advance, this is going to be a sell out show for sure!!!

  Absolutely brilliant night in the AlstonBar and Beef, from start to finish kept us enthralled, I either gasped or laughed !! Brilliant night and definitely not to be missed... read more !
I’ll definitely be going back !
5⭐️ from me !!