Comedy Close-Up Magic Lounge

Max Francis is running the Comedy Close-Up Magic Lounge at BOX Nottingham on Thurland Street, with shows starting this Friday 16 October. It's tucked away inside the venue, and the setup is a bit different from your usual night out: there's no stage and no back to the room, so the comedy, close-up magic and mind reading all happen at arm's length. Each performance is limited to 16 guests, which means every seat is front row and everyone ends up part of the show, sitting inches from the action. The evening blends stand-up humour, sleight of hand and psychological entertainment with sophisticated drinks, combining the feel of a private members club with the energy of live theatre. It's built a following as a top Nottingham date night, with 5-star Google reviews and a performer who's said to know every guest's name by the end of the show.

The lounge is a short walk from Old Market Square and the Christmas market, with Hockley and the Lace Market nearby, so it's easy to build a full evening around. The shows run on most Fridays and Saturdays through October and November: 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31 October, then 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28 November. Each one lasts 60 minutes. On Fridays, you've got slots at 5.30pm, 7pm and 8pm; Saturdays are 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Once the Christmas season kicks in, a 5pm Saturday show is added to the mix. Tickets start from £35 per person and need to be booked online in advance. It's age 16+.