Now You See Them, Now You Don’t
My life in the magic bars of Chicago
by BILL WEIMER
From the mid-1970’s until the late 1990’s, live magical entertainment was just a short ride away for many Chicagoans. People flocked to the magic bars to share the laughter and awe generated from the miracles of Chicagoa magicians.
In Now You See Them, Now You Don’t, Bill Weimer reflects on the history, the performers, the magic, and the still-told stories of the magic bars he worked: Schulien's Restaurant, New York Lounge, Little Bit O' Magic (I & II), Bit O' Magic, Houdini's Pub, and The Magic Theatre. Joining Bill in looking back to those good old days are dozens of people who were there: the magic bar owners, Bill’s co-workers, and fellow magicians who frequented the places.
Now available in 2 Versions!
For Magicians – the original 2014 version, which also includes the book-within-a-book IF YOU HAVE TIME… which details the genesis and workings of ten comedic magic routines Bill created and performed at the magic bars.
275 Pages
Over 200 photos
Forewords by Bill Malone, William Pack, and Rich Purpura
$40.00
Postage included if Continental USA.
Go to Contact page for special orders.
For Everyone Else – The Special Edition, without the magic technical talk and the magic routines, offering the lay audience an inside look at the long-gone magic bars and clubs where it was “fun to be fooled.”
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Newly updated in 2025, Bill's latest edition dives into the thrilling evolution of Chicago's magic bar scene since its 2014 debut, spotlighting the rise of the iconic Chicago Magic Lounge (1.0 and 2.0) and Bill’s own unforgettable role in its creation and legacy.
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216 Pages
Over 200 photos
Foreword by William Pack
$20.00
Postage included if Continental USA.
Go to Contact page for special orders.
The Special Edition is also available at Amazon.com​