My Professional Repertoire for Restaurant Magic! (EDC)

[@omdarjiintheflesh]

I've been working my restaurant gig for 6 months now and it's interesting how my EDC varies. I carry a standard deck, little door, double cross (highly recommended), color monte (with a personal twist), a Bic Pen, sponges and a final load, loops, as well as an interchangable set of gimmicks. Sometimes I carry NFC tags, othertimes self-tying shoelaces, a bill switching device, and once or twice Threek. As a primarily jazz magician, I recommend props that you are skilled at handling/have multiple uses and if they don't (or take up more than one pocket of space for an effect) make sure that they are worth it. I also carry fun outs/utilities such as cards printed on my business card, jumbo cards, and vanishing ink. Keep up the good work!

[@omdarjiintheflesh]

And as an extra note, I introduce myself to tables with cards in hand and explain who I am and what I'm doing there. I open with personality, because it plays to my skills as an actor and introduces the character I'm choosing for the given table.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Nice! Sounds like you've got a really well rounded repertoire there! I do some jazz magic as well and I agree that taking props that have several uses/outs is extremely valuable.

[@preparingforparadise]

What is a good bill switching device?

[@brianmendenhall8387]

Nice video!, I work in a restaurant as a food server, so it's not exactly the same setup but I just started getting comfortable doing a few tricks for my tables "IF" I get a good feel for them. Having an apron with a few pockets helps but I 💯 agree that less is best. I carry one deck and the following.... A thumb tip to perform Jay Sankeys ' Fan Mail' from his Front Row Sankey DVD, for my opener. It's a simple way to get things started. It's quick, funny and gets them thinking what you might do next. I carry my Black Ops watch for a quick signed coin routine I made up. Their coin vanishes and ends up in a tic tac box I handed them before the trick begins ....quick and impossible. I might do one packet trick like Paul Gordon's, ' Holy Sh@t' a nice monte style trick with a killer surprise ending. Then 2-3 card tricks, one maybe 3 phase card to box routine , a nice invisible deck routine involving 3 people to ' create a card' and a closer I've been working on that involves a signed card vanishing or changing into a blank card, then their card ending up becoming my 'favorite card' that I keep in my wallet. I also include my sharpie writing changing into their card with flash paper. It's kind of a 3 phase trick that kills. Sorry if that was a bit convoluted, just wanted to share a simple 3-4 trick set I might do for tables. Definitely increase my chances for a bigger tip $!!!

[@iamcalebsimpson]

That sounds great!

[@ThomasTuanAnhNguyen]

I think many magicians underestimate sponge balls. In my experience many laypeople enjoy sponge balls. They are also great for misdirection and other moves. One thing I see among some magicians when it comes to sponge balls is their handling of sponge balls are clumsy and not really realistic. They should look good and convincing no matter how small the moves is. Also they play well for adults as well not just kids!

[@dashmax7780]

Always wanted to see a video like this from a working magician. Cheers

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@presto709]

I've worked restaurants for 30 years. The advice in this video is very good.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

That's really encouraging, thank you!

[@presto709]

@@iamcalebsimpson My case has pretty much the same as yours. I carry a few more coins (Hopping Halves, and Cop-sil brass) and I always have a finger ring and string. I only take a deck of cards and two other effects into the restaurant.

[@thequadcitymagician]

This is a great video with loads of valuable tips. Your editing skills are awesome and I'm so glad I found this channel.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@Andrew_McGrath]

Caleb… how on earth did I not know that you have a KZbin channel??? This is great

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Thanks man :)

[@iamBlackGambit]

Like i tell people, dont over think its never as bad as you think, i perform at 6 restaurants, but done it at over 20 in total, and your right you can be confident and still get rejected, but thats life..one table says no the other says yes🤷🏾‍♂️

[@ghostblot2518]

Very informative video, I don’t do restaurant magic or even perform for live audiences in general, but there were some good takeaways. Beautifully structured video. I'm looking forward to seeing this channel grow!

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Thank you! I'm really glad you were still able to take something away from the video. Appreciate all your support!

[@dylanyoung4938]

Great advice thanks Caleb 👍👍👍

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Appreciate it!

[@luciensomposhako4276]

yeah I did enjoyed that. Thank you for all your pieces of advice!

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dominic_cards]

Such an insightful video! Thanks for all the tips 😁

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Thanks man, glad it was helpful!

[@mylestran714]

Thanks for the vid! Some insight into how you got performing in restaurants would be really valuable.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

I actually cut some out to avoid making the video too long. I'll definitely talk about it sometime in the future

[@thomasmoloneymagician5143]

Nice video, I've been a full time close up magician for over a year and I've also got a residency at my local bar/bistro it's one of the best ways to getting work and make money as a Magician. The advice you gave is solid! I would highly recommend anybody who's thinking of getting a restaurant gig to just go out and do it. It's the best was to learn and evolve your act, I was the same when I first started I used to carry every effects now I have 2-3 polished effects that entertain the customers and 1 or 2 effects I'm working on. Keep up the great work! On a side note I've very tempted in buying the fps wallet! I've been using the Jol hip card to wallet would you recommend upgrading? 🤔

[@NT_1]

That's so cool my friend. Keep on performing ! I surely want to get into restaurant magic in the near future. First I really need to build audience management. I do amazing magic in my room for myself or in front of a mirror but when I show a person I just stutter. Like the other day I was showing the ultimate 3 card Monte to a coworker and i turned over the card from the wrong position, the spectator faced the gimmick right on. Oh the panic I felt! I wrist killed right away and just said I needed to practice. This has happened before with a different spectator where he clearly saw the gimmick and looked confused to see such a weird card. I wrist killed, reset a few seconds later and actually managed to make it work . He thought I was doing witchcraft 😅 I guess it helped that he was smoking lol. Speaking of wallets, I have the F1 Nitro. A rigged wallet for sure but I love it.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

I agree, restaurant magic is a great place to get experience performing. I don't know about the Jol hip card to wallet, but the FPS wallet is perfect for me. The secret is well concealed and it will hold up well as an EDC wallet. Plus it's not bulky and it loads fast. Highly recommend

[@iamcalebsimpson]

And Na Tee, the best way to improve at performing is to just get out and do it. Every magician starts out like that, just make sure that each time you screw up you learn from it and adapt to improve :)

[@thomasmoloneymagician5143]

@@NT_1 yeah the best way it to go and do it I know buts easer said then done, I wish I hadn't wait so long. Just go to a restaurant, bars, cafes that already know you and ask if you can perform to customers while they wait. Trust me after doing it 2-4 times your magic will become 100% better and you'll realise how much you can really get away with... which it a lot more more then you think.

[@lanegutz9768]

Good shit right here. I'll probably watch this dude's channel all day...

[@user-iq7gf8xj7z]

ur tricks are coo

[@NT_1]

Aweosme man! Im also getting the 🗝 ✈️

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Enjoy it!

[@Kevsterjhb]

Great advice. How do you market yourself to new restaurants that you would like to perform at?

[@iamcalebsimpson]

I'll cover this in a future video, but my top two strategies are: 1. Create a good looking promo reel 2. Work for a few nights for free, so they can understand the value that you provide their restaurant

[@Kevsterjhb]

@@iamcalebsimpson Cool, look forward to the video. I'm not so convinced about doing magic gigs for " free " though.

[@miamimagicians]

Jumbo Double Crossed best trick in the last 20 years!

[@RobertBallMagician]

Wonderful video 😊😊

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Thank you 🤗

[@stupidstopmotion4265]

I love working restaurant gigs because when the spectator is signing a card or shuffling the deck I have time to take a few quick bites of their food. 🍴

[@iamcalebsimpson]

😂

[@dashmax7780]

Tutorial on what to do when you screw up would be great

[@MichaelLawrenceMagic]

It depends on what and how, you'll come up with ways to deal with different situations with experience.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

I'll try to make a video like this in the future :)

[@4suits]

Damn, this was a good video! Very nice intro too! I'm just a hobbyist (except from some busking), but it's really intersting to see what I could do if I wanted to go professional. I mostly do cards, but it seems like you can manage with predominantly cards (if you are slightly advanced) and some other basic effects?

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Thank you! Something that I realized as soon as I went pro is that laypeople love variety in magic. People love seeing everyday props used in unusual ways. So although I agree that card magic is great for most audiences, I think it's super important to learn things that you can do with anything lying around: coins, pens, straws etc. Because if you really could do magic, you wouldn't just do card tricks. However card magic is probably the best genre of magic imho, so it's perfect as a hobbyist :)

[@4suits]

@@iamcalebsimpson Makes perfect sense. I've been playing around with coins and stuff and I like that too, but cards will probably always be my main thing :)

[@keithg460]

Advice for everyone at Restaurants: Don't ask, "Would you like to see some magic?" Ask instead, "Do you mind if I show you some magic?" Or say, "The restaurant has asked me to do some magic for everyone. Is now a bad time?" Ask No-oriented questions: questions designed to get them to say No, but the No works in your favor. It is an FBI strategy used to bypass your No filter. People naturally prefer to say No to a question, especially when they don't know you. It lends security, it makes them think they are holding the power. It is an unconscious reaction, people don't even realize they're doing it. So if you ask someone, "Would you like to see some magic?" Their natural reaction is most likely to be No, even if they do want to see it, or aren't sure. What they usually do ia think No, then give it some thought, look at each other to see what the others at the table think, then they say Yes or No. But if you use a No-oriented question, any question where them saying No is good for you, then their natural reaction works in your favor. They are more likely to agree to your request, and they'll pause for a shorter amount of time. There are other ideas. Do some research on YT and elsewhere. Craig Petty MagicTV advises to call out the leader of the group. Usually there is one person who everyone will look to for permission, and sometimes that person will look grumpy at your request. You say to them, "You, sir, look super enthusiastic about me being here." Everyone will get the humor immediately, and it will break the tension a bit.

[@dbootcheck]

Great advice in this video.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@e.s.andrews1702]

Very good advice. Thanks.

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clurkroberts2650]

This is some great advise…

[@elopers6424]

Subbed to learn more from you!

[@audiemuniz6445]

That is my problem to perform that I'm afraid to screw up.but I want to perform any way

[@iamcalebsimpson]

The more that you perform, the more you’ll realise that screwing up a trick is the fastest way to get better. So don’t be afraid, the best way to overcome that fear is to face it and perform. I know that’s easier to say than do but keep your goal to improve as a magician in your mind. Also, although you will probably screw up less the better you get, it’s worth noting that I still ‘screw up’ in many of the effects that I perform regularly, but through experience I’ve found ways to handle it. Keep going!

[@RILEYproMAGICIAN]

This is great

[@MrMcMaN]

I know it's been roughly 3/4 of a year since this video & the comments have been posted...(hey, I just found the video tho, haha haha)- With that said tho, did anyone ever get a line on 'bill switching devices' , let alone "GOOD switching devices"?? Just curious- Oh & I have to agree with everyone else, really great video! (about a yr later haha😂) You did earn a subscriber tho, hope you're still doing videos🤞. Well, off to check & ideally; binge me some Caleb👌 hahahaha

[@iamcalebsimpson]

Hahaha thanks man, I've slowed down on making videos this year but you can expect a dramatic increase next year :)

[@JosephelLeon]

Exellent advice. Thanks.

[@mrg2384]

has anyone ever been offended when you keep saying dick,eg iam just going to show you my dick only joking Caleb,keep up the good work.

[@72A1D372]

Short, sweet, informative and to the point. This was a great video! Subbed!!!

[@iamcalebsimpson]

I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you