London’s Hippodrome Casino is one of only a handful of surviving venues of central London’s decadent 20th century music halls. Designed by Frank Matcham at Moss Empires, the £250,000 construction became a beacon for entertainment in the heart of the capital.
Over the last 124 years, the Hippodrome has had various guises aside from a music hall venue and stage theatre. It’s twice been converted into a plush central London nightclub, in a bid to compete with the capital’s most iconic nightclub venues. It’s even held a short-term licence to host big-ticket events like album launches, awards ceremonies and gala dinners. In 2009, the lease was acquired by the Thomas family, with the Leicester-bred entrepreneurs having the vision to secure a licence and forge ahead with a refit to create a stunning brick-and-mortar casino.
The venue formally opened its doors in 2012 and quickly cultivated a reputation as one of the leading casino destinations in the UK. It’s known not only for its first-rate gaming facilities, but also for its bustling atmosphere and plethora of entertainment offerings.
The ideal location for locals and tourists alike
The Hippodrome is located in Leicester Square, the showpiece area of London’s West End. It’s a stone’s throw away from multiple Tube stations, including Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. These are prominent stops for locals and tourists alike on the Piccadilly Line.
It’s also well-placed for a visit sandwiched by other cultural sightseeing activities in central London. Its location means you can pay the Hippodrome Casino a visit and then move on to the likes of Trafalgar Square or the National Gallery on foot. Locals enjoy coming here at evenings and weekends too, with the Hippodrome now establishing itself as a vibrant base for post-work gatherings and nights out with pals.
Gaming at the Hippodrome
Today, the Hippodrome Casino has become one of the places to play casino games in London. Spread across four floors, the venue’s professionally trained dealers and croupiers run a host of table games including blackjack, roulette and baccarat. There’s even state-of-the-art electronic gaming machines too, for those who don’t crave the social experience of sitting down and playing with others.
The venue also happens to be one of the go-to venues for live poker action. Its live poker room is operated in conjunction with PokerStars, one of the longest-running online poker rooms in the world. This is a hugely respected brand in poker circles, with first-timers and seasoned pros alike visiting this site to learn how to play poker through the years, underpinned by tried and tested online poker software.
The Hippodrome Casino’s partnership with PokerStars also delivers a high-quality live poker experience, with its 17 professional tables offering a competitive spread of cash games and tournaments with guaranteed prize pools.
Dining and entertainment choices
As one of the largest entertainment and casino venues in the UK by floor space, you won’t be surprised to find there’s plenty of options for food, drink and alternative entertainment.
The Heliot Steak House is the jewel in the crown of the Hippodrome’s dining services. It’s been voted the best steak house in London and has a hat-trick of awards from the British Casino Awards. The restaurant is also popular because it serves only USDA prime steak, which is considered some of the tastiest on the planet. Heliot Steak House is open seven days a week and stays open as late as 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Positioned on the lower ground floor, you can also sample the Four Season’s-led Chop Chop restaurant. Serving contemporary Chinese fare in a casual dining environment, you can sample Four Seasons’ infamous roast duck, as well as high-end dim sum and much more besides.
Aside from its casino gaming, the Hippodrome Casino has also become a go-to destination for bachelorette parties. Its Magic Mike Live shows are a real hit, showcasing a high-octane 90-minute performance, directed by Hollywood star, Channing Tatum.
It’s easy to see why the Hippodrome Casino has cemented its place at the fulcrum of the capital’s diverse cultural scene. A trip to this legendary establishment is truly an experience not to be missed.
