Why a Magician is the Best Thing You Can Add to Your Corporate Dinner (As Proven at St Ermin's Hotel)

You've booked the venue. The menu is sorted. The speeches are written (well, mostly). But there's still that nagging question every event organiser knows too well: what's actually going to make this night memorable?

Whether you're planning a magician for a corporate dinner in London, looking to add something spectacular to a gala dinner, or searching for entertainment that'll make your Christmas party genuinely unforgettable — we might just have the answer.

And we've got proof.

The Brief: A Christmas Party and a 25-Year Milestone

When a company celebrating its 25th birthday reaches out asking for something special, you know the pressure is on.

This wasn't just a Christmas party. It was a double celebration — the festive season wrapped up with a quarter-century milestone. The event was held at the stunning St Ermin's Hotel, Westminster — a venue that already oozes atmosphere and occasion, with its ornate interiors and grand event spaces in the heart of London's SW1.

The client contacted Close-Up Chris & Co wanting something that would run through the whole evening — not just a moment, but a thread of magic woven across the entire night.

The Entertainment Package: Three Layers of Magic

For corporate dinners and gala events in London, we often recommend a layered approach — entertainment that works at different points of the evening rather than a single performance. Here's what we put together:

1. Close-Up Magicians During the Drinks Reception

Two of our close-up magicians circulated through the drinks reception, performing right in guests' hands — cards, coins, impossible objects, mind-reading. It's the perfect icebreaker. Guests who've never met suddenly have something to talk about: "Did you just SEE that?!"

2. Table Magic During the Meal

As guests moved to their seats, our table magicians moved with them — visiting each table during dinner to deliver close-up magic in a more intimate setting. It keeps the energy up between courses without disrupting the meal or the conversation.

3. The Crooked Croupier — After-Dinner Con Games & Swindles

This is where things got really interesting. The client added our unique after-dinner option: The Crooked Croupier — a performer who specialises in entertaining con games, hustle magic, and swindles. Think Three-Card Monte, bar bets, card sharping demonstrations, and sleight of hand so smooth it makes you question everything you thought you knew about a fair game.

It's the perfect finale to a corporate dinner — interactive, hilarious, and jaw-dropping in equal measure.

What the Client Said

"What an amazing evening we had. It was our Christmas Party and the 25-company birthday kick-off. The magic was out of this world. Our staff are still baffled some four weeks later as to how you can get smoke coming out of someone's sleeve, and mind-reading our Spanish team! I would definitely recommend a booking. And don't get me started on the Crooked Croupier!"

— Lysander

Why a Magician Works So Well at Corporate Dinners in London

We've performed at corporate dinners, gala evenings and Christmas parties all across London — from the City of London's financial district to Canary Wharf, Mayfair, and beyond. And the reason magic works so consistently well at these events comes down to a few things:

It breaks the ice instantly.

Corporate events often bring together people who don't know each other well. Close-up magic gives guests an immediate shared experience and something to talk about.

It works at every stage of the evening.

Unlike a band or comedian who needs a stage and a captive audience, close-up magic is mobile. Drinks reception, dinner, after-dinner — it slots in wherever you need it.

It doesn't disrupt your event.

Speeches, awards, dinner service — we work around your schedule, not the other way around.

It's genuinely unforgettable.

As Lysander's team proved, people are still talking weeks later. That's the magic of magic.

Looking for a Corporate Magician in the City of London?

We regularly work with companies based in and around the City of London — law firms, financial institutions, tech companies and more. Whether your event is at a hotel near Bank, a private dining room in Moorgate, or a venue in the Square Mile, we know the territory.

We also offer magic-based team building workshops if you're looking for daytime corporate entertainment — a great option if you want to combine an afternoon workshop with an evening dinner.

Planning a Christmas Party or Gala Dinner in London?

The festive season books up faster than you'd think. If you're in the early stages of planning your Christmas party or end-of-year gala dinner and want to know more about having a magician as part of your entertainment, the best thing to do is get in touch early.

We'll talk through your event, the format that works best, and how to make the most of our full range of performers and packages — from a single close-up magician to a full evening of entertainment like the one at St Ermin's.

Ready to Book?

Get in touch with Close-Up Chris & Co to discuss your corporate dinner, gala, or Christmas party. We cover all of London and are available for events throughout the year.

→ View our corporate events packages

→ Learn more about The Crooked Croupier

→ Explore our team building workshops