House of Cards

My wife and I spent our last evening having dinner here and enjoying the unseasonably warm temperatures after going to the Titans game. I really like it that they mandate patrons dressing up. People just don’t do that anymore these days. You feel kind of sneaky as they open the key door and direct you down a stone covered stair corridor into the basement. From the time you walk in until you leave, the atmosphere is amazing. To sum up our dinner, we had the Panzella salad and the octopus to start. Absolutely delicious! I had the elk tenderloin and my wife had the sea bass. The tenderloin is definitely for the heartier appetite and is probably the best tenderloin I’ve ever tasted and I’ve had venison and beef, and neither were nothing short of spectacular. The presentation of everything was top notch. As they want you to be able to get to the three tiers of magic, the food was out very quickly. Everybody there seem to be having a good time and I wish it could always feel like your first time going there because it was so unique. Loren our server, was very attentive, friendly, and not at all stuffy as you might find in some high-end restaurants. We will definitely ask for him when we bring friends back to the Nashville area. Just do it!

I’ll be fully honest - despite hearing glowing reviews about the food, I booked this restaurant for my friend’s birthday solely due to the magic show. I expected the food to be good, but not to blow us away. When I tell you that is this is genuinely one of the best meals I’ve ever had, if not THE best meal I’ve ever had, I truly mean it. Everything that we got came out so tender and flavorful, and the drinks were delicious. (One of my friends said she feels that every steak she’s had prior to this wasn’t a real steak. I may have ruined her haha). The magic show ended up being the added bonus, not the other way around. And the magic show was wonderful as well, it made us laugh so hard. Lastly, our waiter was incredible. He was so nice, funny, engaging, and helped us pick our food items. It felt like he knew the menu inside and out, and he spoke like he belonged in a magic shop, which really sold the experience. This is not a place I will be forgetting anytime soon :)

AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!! I had the "2ND" best meal of my life here!!! Me and my friends came here for a fancy and unique dining experience and we got that and then some! ! ! ! W A R N I N G ! ! ! YOU HAVE TO DRESS UP FOR THIS PLACE AND THE DRESS CODE IS STRICTLY ENFORCED! So this is definitely a place you need to plan for and 100% make a reservation! From start to finish this was an A++ experience. Probably the worst part was the host was a lil ridge and straight to the point, but besides that our waitress was amazing, attentive, and super cool to talk to! Each magician had a larger than life and unique personality and each do their own unique tricks making it worthwhile to check out all of them! Hands down the best part was the food! I got the veal and duck fat fingerling potatoes and after eating it I felt like I had to smoke a cigarette after it was so good. The drinks are good too, and they have a wide variety of alcohol. If you get an entree you can get a ticket to a bigger magic show than the small ones you can visit while your food is being made. The show is pretty cool! They last close to 30mins and will definitely leave you amazed even if you're a skeptic! Lastly, definitely check out the patio, its a cool place to chill and take pics. Again, if you're going to Nashville this is a must!

The food here is excellent, the sleight of hand is even better! We greatly enjoyed the Magic Up Close. I was absolutely impressed. We also laughed so hard at Allan in the theatre show. 10/10 we are already planning to go back again!

We were really looking forward to the “experience” of House of Cards yet we left a little disappointed. The atmosphere is incredible, love the decor and vibe of the restaurant. Our waitress was attentive at times the service felt rushed even when we had plenty of time before our show time. We were told the main magic show was 30 minutes but it barely lasted 20 minutes. The card shows were good making the experience better. I’m not sure I’d go back for the price we paid.

House of Cards was a very mystic experience. The food was very delicious. We enjoyed everything including burrata, vegan surf and turf and creme brulee. The chocolate cake was very dense. The service, however, was terrible. Our server was not attentive at all. We had consistently get his attention by walking to him.

What a cool place! We were only in Nashville for 2 days and came across this gem. The dress code is strict, seeing as how we had not planned to go out somewhere nice, we bought our suits, dresses, and shoes an hour before the event. Totally worth it. It’s located inside the Johnny Cash museum. We were actually a little lost trying to find it because there’s not really a sign or anything. A well dressed man will open the door to lead you in and explain to you the rules. You will then descend some stairs into the main place. It’s very beautiful! Speakeasy, gothic vibes for sure. It’s actually why we chose it because of the novelty of magic and we are really goth, so the vibes were just right. It’s a very intimate setting, beautifully decorated. You’ll receive a short tour once you’re inside and then led to your table. You are not allowed to take photos, so besides the food, I tried to respect that and did not take photos of anything else. I like the idea of also not being in your phone at dinner and being present 💖 The food prices will be a shock, be warned. However, it includes the price of the magicians and performances that you get to enjoy. Because of that justification, it makes sense to me. If you’re looking for a top of the line steak, go elsewhere. If you’re looking for an amazing experience- go here. We got the beef tartare as an appetizer, the elk, side of fries, and the braised lamb shank. Beef tartare was good! I enjoyed the strange spicy jam underneath. It was definitely unique to me. I enjoyed it, but my partner did not like it but he’s also a picky eater. The braised lamb shank was alright. Portion is BIG so there’s that. But the taste was not mind blowing or anything to write home about. A little gamey actually. Strangely enough, the elk was NOT gamey. It was the most delicious dish we had! We have never had elk before and were expecting something extremely lean that may not be as nice to cut or chew, however we were so glad to be wrong! It was so tender and flavorful. I put aside my dishes to steal half of my partner’s (I love that he loves me haha). This dish alone would have us coming back!! If there’s one thing for you to get on the menu, let this be it. The main performance was so fun. You are lead into a very small and initimate theatre room during your designated show time. The humor is dry and absolutely hilarious. They give you cute little tickets too so I use them for my old lady scrapbook hehe. There are also a couple of people who sit at tables in the restaurant that you can sit with and watch them and interact. Overall this was a good experience. It was fun for a night and would make a great date night. The bathrooms are pretty and great for selfies. But the hallway to get to it is kinda creepy in the best way. The staff were phenomenal and I recommend trying this place if you’re ever in town.

Dined in on Saturday and was extremely disappointed! For the price I expected much more. I ordered a fillet mignon medium rare and it was tough. Also ordered mushrooms for an up charge and they did not have hardly any seasoning on them. The service was incredibly slow as well. Would not go back.

I visited House of Cards to celebrate my birthday, and while the experience was memorable, I'm giving it 4 stars due to the menu not being to my liking. I'm not a fan of steak and hoped there'd be something else that stood out, but unfortunately, nothing appealed to me. On the other hand, the drinks were amazing! I ordered a cocktail with pistachio liqueur, and it was absolutely delicious. The ambiance was a standout too--I loved the secret door and the speakeasy vibe. We even got a little lost trying to find the entrance, which added to the charm. If you're like me and don't enjoy steak, I'd still recommend House of Cards as a cute date spot. Go for the unique drinks, a cigar, and the chance to dress up and enjoy the elegant atmosphere.

I recently attempted to make a reservation at House of Cards and was surprised by the lack of courtesy I received. The staff I interacted with were dismissive and came across as quite arrogant, which made the process unnecessarily frustrating. While I understand that restaurants can be busy, a little warmth and professionalism go a long way in creating a positive experience for customers. Unfortunately, that was missing here. I hope the management takes this feedback constructively and works on improving how they handle customer interactions, especially for something as straightforward as a reservation. Im glad I didn't go there for my 50th birthday It's too special of a day to spend it with people who clearly don't know hospitality

I had a party at five and they put me in a table that barely accommodated 4 Service and food were great, but the table was absolutely awful. Management is totally pathetic at this place. Such a shame because the servers and the kitchen really do a good job. Hey managers fuck you!!! I spend 10s of thousands of dollars all Over Nashville every year just on restaurants alone. I just crossed House Of Cards off my list of places to make tens of thousands of dollars off me. Hey owners, are you listening to me? Your management sucks. FIRE THEM ALL.. Why shouldn't you? They just cost you about $25,000 in sales from me next year, and you're actually going to pay them to lose that money? Seriously?Oh well.

This Magic Theatre is a wonderful experience! Can't speak about parking because we were staying at a hotel within walking distance. Highly recommend planning ahead so you're not surprised by the dress code, the no-photography rule, and the relatively small menu where you are required to buy an entree. Seems to me that the negative reviews I read ahead of time were largely folks that were unprepared for the rules. Make reservations! And you can only make those a month ahead of time. We went on a Monday night and they were very busy. Photography is strictly forbidden, but do know they will come around and take a pic if you want, and they don't charge for it. Highly recommend bringing cash for tipping though, for the photo and for the close-up Magicians. (not required, but I felt it was important) Having been to the Magic Castle before, we were just as charmed at this smaller version. The close-up magic guys were all mind-boggling terrific!! The main show in the small theater was around 25 minutes and a lot of fun. Would be nice to have cup holders on the seats, cause if you bring a drink in with you you have nowhere to put it down to applaud. So drink up before you go in. Speaking of drinks I was not impressed with my $19 lemon drop. Would definitely not recommend that. Husband got a couple of their Fortune Tellers which is a smoky dream! I should have gotten one of their specialty cocktails. My later wine pour was on the small side. Food: I'm not much for steaks so I got the Sea Bass, which was perfectly cooked and the beurre blanc was very nice. Asparagus good also. But I have to say the Pineapple Salsa had uneven knife cuts, and it didn't taste like it went with the fish and beurre blanc. Separately it was fine, but all together didn't work for me. I also hit a couple super spicy bites that were unexpected. Husband declared his filet to be one of the best he's ever had and also loved the mac and cheese side. He got the red-wine demi glace as well and that was amazing. Not an inexpensive evening but when you factor in how much close-up entertainment you're getting along with a pretty darn good meal, it's well worth it. Walk around! There are interesting items all over. TIP: Pay attention to your surroundings when you go to the restroom! It's way too easy to get confused because of the curtains everywhere. Especially when you've been drinking. Almost killed me not to take any food porn shots, but I'll live LOL.

Great atmosphere and the magic show was very entertaining. However overall price and food quality was mediocre. Limited menu options and would have liked to see a much better mock tail menu especially given $12-14 per drink

I love this beautiful restaurant. It is very intimate and the ambience is unmatched. Excellent for romantic dates or special occasions the food is excellent and the cocktails are crafted to perfection. From the moment you walk in, you are captured by all of the magical history and artifacts. The food is excellent, the serving staff is very knowledgeable of magic history as well as the unique menu. Every magic show is unique so each time you come your experience is different. There are also small magic shows going on during your dinner that keeps your interest peaked! Pictures are allowed inside the restaurant, only on the outside patio, so it was difficult to get photos of the food . I highly recommend trying this place out.

This "secret" location makes you feel elite when you walk in and have a sworn in reservation. The staff is attentive and explains the flow of the evening to make sure you understand the intricacies of the magic shows and side shows. The room is dark and swanky with the vibes that you're in a speakeasy. The staff wears suits and offer services such as professional photos in a keepsake. The magic was hilarious and breathtaking and this was a very unique experience in Nashville that everyone should try at least once. The food is very mediocre. If you're looking for a top tier steakhouse this is not it, but the experience is a memory builder and the sides were good enough to pull the experience together, but for a meat lover don't expect this steakhouse to blow you away

The atmosphere was hands down the best. Such a gorgeous venue!! The magic show was very very short. Kinda disappointed. Dinner was good. Sides varied a lot in size but safely, each could feed 3-4 people. (We were given guidance to each order our own - ended up with way too much food). As someone who doesn't eat red meat, I found the menu limiting. I mentioned this to the waiter and he was like 'let me do something for you with seared scallops'. He had previously mentioned how he was happy to work with you on getting exactly what you wanted, I thought he was going above and beyond, but he came back with just a plate of 6 scallops - nothing extra, nothing special, not even garnish. My dish was $66. The up close magic after the show was fantastic, but wish there was more. Overall, I'm glad we went. It's rare to find a place like this, a reason to get all dressed up and do something different.

Such a cool and sultry atmosphere. We loved the idea of magic along with dinner rather than the typical dining experience. Our food was fantastic. I had the filet topped with steak Diane mushroom sauce and it was perhaps the best thing I ate in all of Nashville. I'd also recommend the wedge salad. Our bottle of Austin Hope Cabernet was fairly priced. Only downside was our magician, Henok, decided to end the show early as he was annoyed with an audience member or two. It's a small theater and I did not pick up on anything inappropriate, as I usually would be annoyed long before the performer. The guests come For this and if people are out of line, ask them to leave. Other paying guests should not be impacted. I would come Again and hope for the best.

Food Presentation: 10/10 Food: 6/10 Ambiance: 10/10 Service: 8/10 Value: 3/10 Hassle: 10/10 Came upon this venue on a whim. Was very excited to participate in such an elegantly exclusive experience; however for all the troubles a strict dress code, strict no photography, and odd showtime explanation gave, I established that the tribulations were not worth the expense. We spent far too much money for such a mediocre time. The magic was good, but it was so stressful not knowing about when the show would begin, or even what the seating situation would be. Not sure why they must be so secretive about everything The steaks we ordered were over cooked and flavorless. Truly disappointing. The drinks were really nice though.

House of Cards is a hidden gem nestled in downtown, and after four visits, it continues to impress me every time. While it might be a bit tricky to find and there's no valet service, the experience is well worth it. The dress code is strictly enforced, and if you're not dressed appropriately, they'll even lend you clothes to ensure you fit the part. The attention to detail here extends to everything--from the drinks to the food, you can't go wrong with any choice on the menu. One of the standout features is the magic show, included with every entrée. You can choose to see it before or after your meal, adding an extra layer of entertainment to the evening. While waiting for your food, you can explore the niches where magicians perform up-close tricks, creating a wonderfully interactive experience. If you're looking to relax a bit, there's also a patio area accessed through a tunnel, perfect for smoking or simply hanging out. Overall, House of Cards offers a unique and thoroughly enjoyable dining experience, and I highly recommend it.

I loved the concept "speakeasy" and the ambiance is spot on! Amazing service once you step foot into the Johnny Cash entrance and they lead you from there. Menu options are very slim (ehhhh) but great cocktails and the shows are AMAZING! We were able to get into the big show due to us not purchasing an entree (which is required) but would have if the menu possessed more appeasing options. Great complimentary photos and vibe!

We came here during their brunch hours for Father's Day. The dining experience is buffet style during this time with a $60 flat fee per person drinks not included. Kids 12 and under are $40. To me the food was just ok. The magic show, Thurston, the ghost piano, and the side magic shows were more intriguing than anything. Very dim lighting making it hard to view the menu. The atmosphere reminds you of a speak easy. My dad thoroughly enjoyed himself, which is what it was all about. So if he was pleased then so was I. Lillian was our server who was very attentive and accommodating throughout our experience. Just a heads up no cell phone photos or videos allowed while dining or during the magic shows.

What a great experience at House of Cards! An absolutely fantastic dinner experience. We started with 5:15 dinner reservations which sounds crazy, but we wanted to make a full night at HoC and this worked very well as we had plenty of time for dinner and they pushed out seated show time back for us to 7:30 to allow ample time to eat and didn't leave until around 11pm The food itself was good. Not the best, and yes it is on the pricier side, but food is the least important factor here. Also, regarding food price, there is clearly some additional margin for all the magic which is at no cost so just factor that in. We had the caviar, foi gras, elk tenderloin, filet, and lemon cake. Nothing was out of this world amazing, but just all around good and everything cooked perfectly. Service was top notch. We had a great server and management also stopped by to ensure we were having a great time. Ambiance at HoC is absolutely amazing. The strictly enforced dress code is nice for a change as so many Nashville restaurants have become lax. The dining room is beautiful, lively, and chic. The decor is mostly historic magic pieces that add an amazing flare to the ambiance. Although it can be hard for some to not take photos, I enjoyed keeping my phone in my pocket all of dinner and it really enhanced the experience. They are strict on the no photos policy except on the back porch Now to the magic. After our dinner we went to the seated 7:30 magic show. It's about 25 minutes long, interactive, and very fun. From there we went back to the bar and then sat through various table shows that are first come first serve. The magic was awesome and it is again very interactive which further enhances the experience. Everything from cards, coins, illusions, etc and very well done. After the magic and meeting new friends at the bar we went to the beautiful back porch to smoke a cigar complete a wonderful night. All around great experience that would make for a fun date night, friends in town, or customers.

This was definitely one of our favs with our visit to Nashville. Fantastic experience from the host to the servers to the magicians! The food was outstanding too! Well worth the money in every way! We had steaks and a pork chop meal at our table and all dishes were perfection!! Espresso martinis were tasty and strong!! Now the magicians and shows -- Supremely Impressive!!!! We just were in awwwwwwww with every trick..lol Totally loved this experience and so glad we found this for our Nashville visit! No cellphone pics allowed inside and a very strict dress code so everyone looks great!

Place is awesome!!! The magicians are very talented and the food was next level. Great experience all around from the ambiance to the service and especially the food. Highly recommend a date night here.

This is just a super cool, very different must do for Nashville. The restaurant itself has a whole speakeasy vibe, think dark and mysterious, but the close up magic magicians will have you already thinking about a return visit before you hit street level again. After entering the Johnny Cash museum, you will be ushered to a hidden passageway that leads to the restaurant. Don't forget to check out the House of Cards tapestry sign just before you enter, it's a neat photo spot! After you give your name to the maître d', they will have someone escort you on a small tour of the restaurant on the way to your table. The restaurant also does a complementary photo of your group, no strings attached! It will be delivered to you after your meal. As far as the dress code, most men had jackets on, and women were dressed and everything from full formal gowns to short strap sundresses. Take the opportunity to get dressed up in your finest! The menu is pretty well rounded. Would've been nice to be able to order a salad and a couple of appetizers or a certain dollar amount versus just having to pick an entrée to get the show ticket. That being said, the food was good and flavorful. Our table ordered the pork chop, the Seabass and filet mignon. Everything was cooked properly, not dry. Side dishes were okay, did not really add a lot to the meal. The regular entrées came with a side dish, the steaks were offered with à la cart sides and toppings. The prices were similar to that of a high-end steakhouse, but the meal was not quite at the same level. Not surprising though - the meals were not expected to be the stars of this establishment, the entertainment was! Many reviews mention this, but it's worth saying again...you must purchase an entrée to get a ticket for the main show. The theater is small and intimate. Line up as early as possible for the show because guests are seated first come, first serve. Again, it is small enough that there's not a bad seat in the house. In addition to the main show, there are two small, intimate areas in the restaurant that you can go between to watch three magicians do their close up acts. That being said, if I had to do again, I wouldn't bother with the ticket to the main show because the magicians out on the main floor were so entertaining! We could have watched them all night! In fact, had I watched the floor magicians first and then saw the main act I would've been a bit disappointed. The main act was a mentalist and he was outstanding. Very, very impressive. It's just something about close-up magic that just mesmerizes a crowd. Shadow, Terry Hodges and Frankie were absolutely fabulous! Also, there's a parking garage just a couple of blocks away called Pinnacle. The restaurant will validate your parking. Very convenient! Don't miss the outside patio. Once the sun goes down, there is a very cool projected image of the House of Cards logo behind the waterfall. Pictures are OK on the patio or the doorway leading down to the main entrance where the tapestry can be found.

This place is super cool and you are treated well from the moment you are escorted in. The drinks are outstanding and obviously poured by a real bartender. The food is amazing. Filet cut like butter and was perfectly cooked. The bone in ribeye with black pepper was equally as good. Lobster Mac and cheese served the entire table with some leftover. The magic show to top it off lasted about 30 minutes and the guy (Hub) was spectacular. Kept the audience engaged in the small center and was entertaining. I would recommend HoC for a special event. It's not inexpensive, but it's worth every penny. The lemon cake was extraordinary! Service was top notch. Decor was moody and amazing.

Our cousin that lives in Nashville told us about this great Buffet underneath Johnny cashes museum. The most delicious food. He said Afterwards, they do card tricks . The place is called house of cards. I don't know why I didn't put two and two together. I figured it was a Johnny Cash themed buffet . Loving Johnny Cash, I said we must do it ! I'm gonna tell you why I didn't give them five stars #1they didn't let me take pictures ! I hate that ! I know it makes the place more exclusive ! I understand that .Just how the place was so luxurious, and I just wanted to share pictures with you so bad ! Acknowledging it's in the name speakeasy . Literally, so tightlipped about it . We walked up to an employee at the Johnny Cash Museum and told him we had reservations for the Buffet . He just pointed to another man and Whispered he can help you . That's right s-p-e-a-k e-a-s-y ! Then they take you down this private tunnel looks like a dungeon . They let you know that you're not allowed to take pictures pass dungeon door. Sad face emoji .You open the door and you're in a hallway with red velvet curtains, all over the walls . Black and white Chevron floor, and a book stand with a magic book that changes pages with a hologram From the Metal tin ceiling . That would be my first Indication that the vibe would be much more darker than just the room . Go to the end of the hall and a hostess will send you to a photographer. He will take two free pictures of your party . Once again, velvet curtains, beautiful antiques oil paintings everywhere. Now we start seeing the long tables with gourmet, catering, trays . Dim lighting all elegant and beautiful . Down at the end of the room, you could see a piano playing by itself . Next to it is an owl, perched on a stand .That owl only take your Song request after the song is done . So you got a kinda time that perfectly .Huge charcuterie board to the left, and a dessert table to the right. #2 Seated at our tables, the pictures surrounding us glorified the devil a lot . As a Christian, I did start feeling uncomfortable at this point. That's when the light turned on in my Head like oh, this is a magic show ! Like devil magic cards like that . This has nothing to do with Johnny Cash. Basically breakfast with the devil got it . Trying to ignore and just enjoy my delicious food. They had so much crabs, lox & salmon, chicken & waffles potatoes ,eggs omelette bar and so much more ! I almost ate chicken. It looked so good. After eating go to the first magician, who does a little card game with you . Succeeding they let you know that the show is about to begin . As they ushering to the next room, which is set up like a small auditorium . Lovely stage red curtains, open and Miral of multiple devils again ! At this point, I'm convinced we're in doorway to Hell and The devil has our credit card number ! Oh, lord, forgive me ! Just a magician with regular card, tricks, and rope ties very entertaining. The weird part I was thinking in my head. How do you get out of here ? You can't tell where the exit is because all of the red velvet curtains . I remember thinking to myself this is hell you can never leave. I asked the person that took pictures of us , hi, how do we get out? He replied with a straight face so seriously Oh you can never leave........ then, devilish laugh came out and he pointed down the hall . If I would've seen any of the pictures, I definitely would not have booked event . So I guess that's why they don't let you take them. The food was five stars, and so was the service . Praying for forgiveness all the way home !

This place has fantastic food and drinks! The price is definitely up there, but they require you to be nicely dressed (no jeans, hats). If you want to dress up and go out to nice dinner and see a magic show too then this is great. Food is delicious, drinks are very well made. Nice speakeasy atmosphere, so it is somewhat quiet, dimly lit with a nice back patio to relax on. Service was perfect. They pretty much only take reservations so they waiters are not taking on too many tables and you get ignored.

This was such a fun place to have dinner! If you want to dress to impress & have an amazing dinner with a show! The service was amazing! All the different people who were doing card tricks were amazing & they all did a really great job! The food was delicious too! We got a special item menu wagyu and French fries. It's a hidden gem in downtown Nashville. They don't allow you to take pictures. Didn't take any pictures and lived in the moment and loved it. Book a table and see for yourself!

What an incredible experience! I've gone twice and each time has lived up the hype. Food is amazing, the steaks never disappoint. Cocktails are so fun and some seem to rotate seasonally. I have had one experience there with a rude bartender but servers both times I've gone have been incredible-Brandon and Robert. There's a magic show each night and your server plans out your meal timing to make sure you make it there on time and so everything is coursed out perfectly. On top of that there are mini magic shows all night around the restaurant to go to that are all incredible, all around amazing experience with dinner! The restaurant also has amazing decorations and even some antique magician items like Harry houdinis handcuffs on display!

Wow! What a great experience! Who knew this place was here?! Their website clearly states the dress code- and it is strictly adhered to. Besides, it's fun to get dressed up so fancy! The food was amazing and not overly priced. The drinks were strong and well balanced. Can we talk about the service? Perfect! My water was never empty and just as I thought I might need something, our server would appear and take care of everything! The cost of the dinner covered the theater ticket, which was awesome. All in all, an unforgettable date night for sure. 10/10 I would recommend and go back!

Came here with a few friends that were visiting from out of town and this was a great opportunity for us to dress up and have a good night out. First off, I do appreciate that HoC will validate your parking. Especially with it being located on Broadway, you know that it's going to be a hassle to get there, but knowing that there's a designated parking area takes a lot of that stress off. We were a little early, but they took our jackets and seated us right away. The servers were really friendly and gave us a tour of restaurant first so you know where the magic shows and bathrooms were located. I agree that the menu prices are expensive for what you're getting but if you take into account that a portion of that price is going towards your magic show ticket, it softens the blow. I wouldn't say that the menu options were anything to be impressed about and it would have been nice if there was a chicken option, but I assume that most people aren't here for just the food. If you get the streaks, it only comes with a few string beans so you may want to get some sides. The sides were a great deal though because they were huge and enough for the whole table to share. We also ordered the sea bass and the vegan surf and turf which was delicious. I will say though that the sodas were flat and had a weird after taste to them so I would probably skip that. They time everything really well and after we finished dinner, the photographer came by and took our pictures. The pictures are included and they print enough so everyone in your party gets one. All of the magicians were great and definitely left us baffled in how they did it. We especially loved the side tables because it was smaller groups and we were able to take part in the tricks. It's way more impressive when the trick works when it's a card that you're picking yourself and the magician isn't touching the cards at all. Overall a great night, we were there for 3 hours and it was well worth it for the whole experience.

Food, service, ambiance really cool place. A little confusing on where to go at first but the entertainment well exceptional as well.

Magic: Weird rules/servers: Food: I came in for my birthday and have mixed reviews. The location itself is so cool and the magic is fantastic. If not for those two things, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. Firstly, greeting staff were excellent. The man who took us downstairs and to our table was great, and they were able to accommodate my birthday cake which I was thrilled for. (Weirdly, though, I called beforehand, left a voicemail a week prior and had no response. My husband used their text line and got an answer within the hour.) We started with cocktails, which were very good, then moved to our table. The scheduling is very odd. The main stage showtimes are scheduled, so there's a lot of "if your order now, you'll have time to do table magic before the show, if you order later we'll do table magic after, or we can do dessert after" etc etc. They also require you to order an entree to see the main stage show. We had a couple of people who wanted to do a starter and a salad (which would've totaled more than an entree) but they didn't allow it. The reasoning was "this is how we pay the magicians." Sure, but you could just make a tab minimum or sell tickets independently. On top of that, I'm not a big meat eater so I looked at the menu in advance and decided to get the pasta. Our waitress told us the vegetarian options are terrible so only order them if you have to. Disappointing to say the least. I ended up ordering the pork chop which came with brussels sprouts. Truly the driest pork chop I've ever eaten, and I ate Sam's club sprouts last week which were higher quality. Really disappointing for the price. My husband had the elk which he said was good, and we split a few sides. The lobster mac and cheese was okay but had so little lobster. The fries were cardboard. Again, really disappointing. We got up to go to the show and I went to take a photo of my cake on the table (clearly pointed down at the cake.) A waiter flipped out and screamed "there's no photos inside!!" Which is why I'm posting photos I took inside out of spite. I get not in the show, but I'm trying to take a photo of my cake. Chill out. Also our waitress was very frazzled and at one point said "forgive me, I've been working at the dentist all day" and proceeded to complain about her job. Again, not a big deal, but for the cost of the meal the service was just not what I'd expect. The magic show was great, the table magicians were very good as well. The last odd thing was the checks. We were a group of 5 trying to split and they gave us one check. Two of us decided to just split it down the middle, but they still were weird about it and frazzled. The waitress complained about the system and apologized and then rushed us to pay so she could leave. Overall, just a weird vibe from staff and bad food. My advice to management would be to change their entree/ticket system, clearly change their menu if wait staff are sitting people down and saying how bad your food is, and cut out the weird rules and scheduling as much as possible.

The food was excellent. The servers were very good and the atmosphere was great. The magic show was a lot of fun.

A whole date night package in one place! Hidden in plain site just off the strip in Nashville, you'll find this gem! You have to come dressed in your best, but that just adds to the flair. Once you open the door, you're transformed to this little speakeasy. We were greeted by very friendly staff who's sole purpose was to make sure that we had the absolute best time. Robert was our server. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and enthusiastic about his job. We started with scallops that are an absolute MUST. My husband had the Sea Bass that melted just with his fork and was full of flavor. I had the American rack of lamb and it was cooked to perfection with a glaze that had the perfect balance of sweet and savory. We shared Lobster Mac N cheese but I could have made a meal just from that! It was also my birthday so I got to enjoy a slice of their flour-less dark chocolate gnache cake and it was a slice of heaven. To our surprise, after dinner we were ushered to the auditorium for a magic show that was top notch entertainment. After the show we explored the humidor and selected some cigars to smoke on the hidden balcony where there was a beautiful waterfall. Did I mention this place is in downtown Nashville? All hidden right under your nose! Parking can be validated, see their website for places permitted for validation. Remember though, NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED, and you won't have cell service either so put your phones away and enjoy the night and the people you are with!

Probably the worst meal I've had in Nashville. As soon as we walk in a girl gets yelled at for taking a photo of the main entrance. We walk in and get yelled at for wearing denim jackets. They ask us if we've been before and we said yes. The host said "well we've made a lot of great changes so it's like you haven't been here" if anything it's gone way downhill from when we visited in 2022; it was delicious years ago but is no longer on our list to come back. First of all you are constantly having to follow the "rules" and the service goes along with that. You aren't allowed to order a $50 lobster tail to count as an entree for the show. (Even though the squash is $38) It was disappointing when we specifically made birthday reservations and were sat at the bar next to the kitchen door. When we asked to move it was a major inconvenience for them to do so. Secondly the butternut squash entree is the most horrific thing I think I've ever ordered off their menu. And the server had to "warn" us that it wasn't a pasta. Absolutely disgusting. It's basically watery squash topped with bland spinach, quinoa and sweet potato chips as a garnish. No flavor. Yall really can't just put a pasta on your menu? If you have to warn people it's not pasta maybe make a pasta? We didn't even attempt to try the Brussels sprouts they looked horrible. 0 good fish or pasta options for the "free show ticket." The only decent thing we had was the wedge salad. We tried the meat last time and it was really good. Magician named Henok during the show on Saturday yelled at the room for not being quiet during a portion of his performance; seriously, it felt that we were being yelled at the entire time we were there. Giving this place two stars for the ambiance and the nice magicians who were on the floor Saturday night (not the mean one from the main show.) but that's all it has going for it.

4 of us took in Brunch for our friend's birthday! EVERYTHING was ON POINT! Impeccable attention to details, GM Joey is the consummate professional at customer service and our server Marie was elegant and outstanding. Buffet was SO GREAT, Prime Rib, Omlettes made to order and brought to your table, fresh fruit, and all the delish fixings you would imagine even down to the carved fruit designs decorating the serving tables! Ceilings are low and it's dimly lit as one would expect in a "speak easy", fascinating magicians placed in small alcoves around the rooms and a full on theater show included. This is a destination! It was Truly a FIVE STAR DINING DAY!!!

A culinary disaster! Terrible service and uninformed staff. . Ordered a steak, which took forever to come out and was like beef jerky! The fish was like a salt like and also very chewy. Expected a magic show but was more like pocket puppets-not entertaining. Had a fancy dress code but the place had no class or atmosphere.

I had a fabulous time at House of Cards. I did the Sunday brunch. The HOC is located in the Johnny Cash museum, but it is set up like a speak easy meaning there are no signs and the entrance is through an unmarked black door. Brunch is pricey, but the spread covered a good variety of fresh breads & cheese, fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and desserts. There is also a meat carving station and an omelette station! The magicians were awesome. The main show is held in a moderately sized room and two other performances are done at tables in the dining room for a total of three shows. I really enjoyed one magician and I couldn't figure out for the world how he was accomplishing these magical feats right before my eyes! For the food and entertainment, HOC is worth the price!

Amazing place for a close group of friends, a first date, or a quiet romantic dinner with your special someone. I've been a handful of times and enjoyed each time. Food and drink options are great...never disappointed. Magic is so fun to try to figure out...talented crew! Go and enjoy this unique option here in Nashville!

The food was way overpriced and not good. Over $300 for two people. Don't go here if you want a good meal. Left early and didn't stay for the show. Just don't go. Had a $50 meal at a taco place near by that was significantly better.

Ambiance was a lot of fun, service was good, and food was ok. Not bad but not great. Food was definitely overpriced, you are more paying for the experience than anything. It was worth the fun but definitely something you only ever really need to do one time. No pictures because they were really strict about not taking any while we were there.

House of cards is an immersive experience of the palate and of the mind! First off, the ambiance and design of this establishment is amazing. The incredible architecture and attention to detail is what first hits you. A classy vintage vibe with an ode to magic, the walls are covered with some of the coolest magic memorabilia you'll ever see. Playing cards from civilizations past were an intriguing highlight. While we got carried away in dinner and conversation and missed the show in the main show, we did engage in a smaller show with a charming magician who went by "Colonel". It was, at times, mind-blowing! Colonel did a variety of tricks and illusions that had several of us at the table simply amazed. The food and the service was exquisite. We started with a sampling of the Wagyu. I'll say I'm not big on red meat, but clearly the quality and flavor of this beef is simply next-level. One of the best meat dishes I've personally ever had. It was followed up by the scallops, which I found on-par with some of the best coastal seafood restaurants that I've experienced. Last, but certainly not least, was the staff and service. From the doorman to the bartender to the waiting staff, all were polite, friendly and informative. Everyone knew and understood the menu in depth and helped guide our party to a terrific dining experience.

Extremely fun special occasion spot. Very pricey but worth it for something special like a birthday which is what we did. I love that they have a dress code and "make people" dress up. People really take it to heart and most people looked great! The interior is gorgeous and whimsical, although obnoxious they don't allow photos. It seemed a bit silly. No one was going steal magician's techniques lol. I had zero expectations of food because the reviews on yelp are pretty poor regarding that. However, we all thought the food was pretty good, except for one little snafu. The tartare was amazing highly recommend, butternut squash pasta great, lowest value proposition were the steaks. I would definitely select another entree. Speaking of entrées every person must order an entrée and it's really not about the money, I just like to share with my husband or friends. I don't eat that much and the portions are fairly large so that was kind of annoying. I would've rather just paid a cover charge for the entertainment. The snafu was the fingerling potatoes that we sent back three times because they were mostly rock hard, flavor was great but for some reason they couldn't cook them, which was totally and utterly bizarre. Dinner can drag out probably because they want you to spend more money drinking, so I highly suggest you ask what time you're slotted to view the main show. After the main show you can go to the various card trick magicians in the bar/restaurant. These are highly entertaining; but when you're also trying to have a night out in Nashville, it can be a really long time at House of cards. Which is great if that's all you're doing but for us, we wanted to get out on the town- so just be wary that house of cards will take up your entire night- as it should for the price. The magician was fun, not the best magic or entertainment I've ever seen, but definitely delightful and he had actually flew in from the Magic Castle in LA. We saw him at the airport a few days later!! We all agreed that we would go again. In a world full of stale/same old dinners this was definitely a treat.

This is a hidden restaurant that employs magicians to entertain. There are no signs for entry, you have to reserve a spot on line. Expect the prices to reflect excellent, chef prepared food. We had a Sunday brunch here and then watched the theater show. It begins with a group photo that's free. We started the brunch with deviled eggs. They were accented with bacon and blue cheese. Next I had Burrata eggs Benedict. An English muffin muffin, watercress, burrata cheese, poached eggs, holindasie sauce and crispy southern spuds. Oh, so very good. Others had waffles and southern fried chicken, egg white omelet and they all loved it. No pictures are allowed except in the patio area. We all had great meals and a great time! It gets a big recommend from me! Oh, Park at the Pinnacle lot as they validate

It was an unexpected amazing memorable experience for Sunday Family Brunch. House of Cards is 21 and up only, except for Family Nights and Family Brunch. Details are posted on their website. https://www.hocnashville.com Dress code is strictly enforced and reservations are highly recommended. Finding this place is tricky as it is located in the basement of the Johnny Cash Museum, that I absolutely love BTW. There is a security guard/bouncer at the side door entrance. I felt like a mobster walking downstairs and to my surprise- get whack (Yes I have watched too many mob movies). Lol. It is a dimly lit classy speakeasy. The hostess offered a brief tour and then we posed for a complimentary photo, since they mentioned no photos are to be taken in the dining area, during the table card tricks, or magic show. The food and signature cocktails are good. Vegan and vegetarian options available. It was a great fun and different experience. Perfect for families, couples, and the adult kid at heart. Highly recommend and will return to check out the 21 and up show.

This place did not live up to expectations for us. We sat at our table for over 15 minutes before getting menus or being greeted by a server at all. We had read the menu before coming so we already had somewhat of a plan of what to get, but we were just awkwardly sitting there with no menu and no drinks while everyone around us had menus/drinks/food. When the server came around, he was good. He wasn't great and didn't really go into detail about anything and almost made it seem like we were a bother to him which I felt like was because of the 8pm reservation but with the amount of money people spend there, service should be near perfect. The menu is small and the cheapest thing is a vegan entree and it's almost $40. You have to get an entree in order to get tickets to the magic show. We went with the lamb shank and the filet mignon. Both over $50 and neither come with sides. You have to buy those separately. We got the asparagus and hollandaise and I ended up dipping my filet in the hollandaise because it was almost flavorless. My boyfriend liked the lamb shank. The magic show was at the end and we heard the group next to us talking about a 10:45 show (we were told we were going to the 10:00 show, but since our server took so long to get to us, we weren't really even eating until 9:30) so we wanted to go to that one since there's two small shows you can go to beforehand/after. Our server just said "you guys are set up for the 10 o clock show" and gave no other option so we just got the rest of our meals boxed up. The show was good, the magician was great, it was just only 15 minutes. We are glad we went, just to say we did. We spent $450 though. It was nice to have a reason to dress up! Just not worth what we paid.

Food was meh. We ordered sea bass and a steak. Two sides and two salads to share. Service was friendly and generally efficient. There were only two areas for small magic shows so they were pretty packed and hard to see. The main show area is also smaller than expected. The magician was as much comedian as magician so no major tricks. But it was still a unique experience that we overall enjoyed. I expected magicians to come by the table but no one did. It's very dark in there and the tables are way too small, so it was hard to fit entrees and app at the same time or entree and salads. It's pricey but something different to do for a special occasion.

This place had such a beautiful underground boujee old school vibe I loved that we couldnt use our phones because it really helped us experience everything first had The food was delicious! Our waiter Brandon was spectacular The show was quirky and impressive And overall had a great time I didnt give it a 5 because we finished late and the mini magic shows were done, so I wished maybe they wouldve told us so we couldve done that first. Regardless would love to go again but tip: reserve earlier in the night so you can do it all

Wouldn't have expected such a hidden underground gem. Loved the experience and the food was amazing. It is pricey and I expected a little bit more of magic than what I got, to be honest. It's a great place for a date and or dressing up with friends.

We stayed an extra night in Nashville just to go to House of Cards. The food was delicious as always, and the service top notch- but what really wowed us was the main show. Joe Turner was amazing! He was funny and he had everybody completely mesmerized. He even graciously took time to talk to us afterwards, and he's so down to earth for a man who is literally magic. Don't miss the chance to see him perform!

The food was decent, but you come for the show. The magicians were top notch and the main show for us was a mentalist that did something that to this day we are still dumbfounded over! Spendy for a dinner, but gladly paid it for the experience! This is a nice place and you must dress up for dinner. Men must wear a dinner jacket and no casual attire for women.

Came here for brunch while visiting friends. The food was not bad, decor was super cool. But the magic was mediocre (have seen way better), and there were mobs of children running WILD disrupting other tables and staff did nothing to address it. Obviously not completely their fault, but they need to figure out how to manage those situations by seating families together, or not putting adults only next to the attractions that are kid-magnets (ghost piano). It ruined our experience. Also, the server wasn't the most attentive. We sat with dirty plates for longer than we should have, and they didn't manage our time/drinks well in order to get us to the show on time. They really should give people more guidance on how to stage different activities in order to see everything. I expect way more for the price.

Everything was amazing ! Food was spot on and the experience was amazing. You cannot take pics inside the restaurant and they are super strict about it. They take a picture and print it out for you. They took 3 all together,printed one, and emailed the other 2. Photographer and General Manager was super nice. Other than that would absolutely recommend!!!!

Came to House of Cards for my anniversary and made a reservation for 8:15 pm. It's a wonderful atmosphere and we got great service. The scallops appetizer was delicious and so was the filet mignon. My boyfriend loved his Braised Lamb Shank. After dinner, we were able to watch some close-up magic and then attend a magic show at 10:15 pm that was extremely enjoyable. I did find some of the menu items to be a bit overpriced for the size and quality, but you are also paying for the atmosphere and the magic aspect. Overall a great choice for a celebratory night out.

This place was so much fun! If you want to try this place make sure to set an alarm for midnight 2 weeks ahead of time to get a reservation on open table. There is a dressy dress code. But don't worry, if you aren't up to par they got u!! We showed up early because it took about 15 min to get checked in. Husband didn't have a dress jacket so they provided one to him at coat check in. I wasn't wearing proper shoes so they also provide me with black flats in my size. Genius!! They didn't have the cognac my husband likes so the bar manager found something she thought he would like. She knew her liquors and we appreciated her choice. Our server was outstanding and really explained how things worked. Each person needs to order an entree to receive a ticket to the magic show they guide u too after dinner. The show lasted about 45 min and was fantastic!! Food: Octopus-wasn't a fan. Needed more flavor Croquettes-husband loved them. Fried ball with sweet potato center and some goat cheese slaw on the side Beet salad-fantastic Filet-fantastic. Super tender Sea bass-excellent but could have been served warmer. The lentils were smoky and delicious Pork chop-absolutely amazing Brussels sprouts-melted in your mouth Dessert: Lemoncello cake-fantastic Chocolate cake-tasted like a truffle. Delicious Cheese cake- some of the best we've ever had Over all, we decided with wine and food, a magic show will run about $150-200 pp. definitely worth it because we were there for almost 3 hrs in total! Fun place to try and/or bring guests who are visiting the area!!