I dissagree. While you may have more venue oppertunities to perform in, the bigger paying gigs don't usually book out close up artists. Save for MAYBE weddings. But it's always a bid war when it comes to those.
Cruise ships, College tours, trade shows, and Corporate magic gigs almost always require at the minimum a parlor show.
Yes you CAN do close up for birthday parties, and there are people out there that make a nice living doing just that, but it's not for me.
Resteraunts will be steady work and a good experience but typically your good pay is in tips, not your flat rate that the establishment is paying you.
Just my thoughts.
You're not limited as a close up performer. In bigger parties and events a strolling close up magician is very easy to place in the schedule because other things can be happening at the same time. You don't need a stage so you can perform pretty much in any venue. For smaller parties you can do a 20 minute show - or you can even do your close up show on stages with the help of a camera and a projector. You are not limited.
You can perform pretty much in any event but first you need to start getting your name out there. Take every gig you can get because they will all give you possible new clients. That way you start getting more gigs and people start to recognize your name. Don't do it for money, do it for performing experience. Otherwise you may end up losing gigs that you need.
Birthday parties are probably some of the easiest gigs to get to. Just ask around your friends and family and see if there are some upcoming parties. Take big gigs, take small gigs, and do even some free shows. Perform as much as you can.