Our Full Hippodrome London Review: Sumptuous Soho Site
Written By Scott Lawson
The Hippodrome London Overview
There is a long and storied history to the building in London’s West End, which has been called the Hippodrome throughout its many different forms. It has been a theatre, a circus venue, and a couple of different nightclubs before being turned into the casino in 2012. Since then, it has gained a reputation as the most elegant and well-liked casino in London and the UK as a whole.
| Open Times | 24/7 |
| Entry Cost | Free |
| Dress Code | Casual but clean |
| Number | 25 |
| Table Limits | £1 – £300 |
| Dress Code | Casual but clean |
| Open Times | 24/7 |
| Entry Cost | Free |
| Promotions | Poker Progressives |
| Address | Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, W2CH 7JH |
| Phone | 0207 769 8888 |
| info@hippodromecasino.com | |
| Website | hippodromecasino.com |
You’ll find the Hippodrome London slots and games and all of its other offerings at the corner of Cranbourn Str and Charing Cross Road, just around the corner from Leicester Square in London’s West End. It is open around the clock, every day of the year. The only exception is the 25th December as all casinos in the UK are closed on Christmas.
The casino is posh and swanky, without being stuffy or intimidating. You can go in jeans and a t-shirt as long as you are dressed cleanly and are not wearing anything that might offend other guests. There are four different floors, all with a different style and feel to them, meaning that this is Britain’s most well-rounded and full casino establishment as well as being the largest casino in the country. We’ll turn to the Hippodrome London games now, but skip ahead if you want to know more about the overall casino.
The Gaming Options
| Game | Tables/Machines |
|---|---|
| Roulette | 25 |
| Blackjack | 15 |
| Poker | 15 |
| Slots | 100 |
The Hippodrome London slots are one of the biggest draws to the venue. While the UK cannot compete with Las Vegas in scale – as most casinos really only have a few gaming machines – you can choose from 100 different slot and gaming machines here. This is in addition to the 45 tables for roulette, blackjack and poker. The latter is a particularly popular option at the establishment.
As mentioned before, this offering is unparalleled in the UK. So-called “supercasinos” do exist, but the difference here is that the Hippodrome London games are not simply there to rack up the numbers. Genuine quality and choice has been given priority at all times.
Other Entertainment – Dazzling Shows
There is no shortage of entertainment options. If you find yourself not wanting to gamble, have a drink or get something to eat (despite the 24/7 Hippodrome London open hours), then you’ll be glad to hear that you can go and see shows like Magic Mike Live at the venue. This has been one of the most popular shows to be put on in the West End, even against the tough competition that always arrives in London each season. Of course, the performances change over time, always keeping things fresh.
Alternatively, you can relax and enjoy the dancing of Lola’s girls. Bringing back some of the old-world showmanship and allure that was a part of the building’s early history as a circus venue, these trained dancers arrive in the underground casino room to dazzle and bring a bit of Vegas vivacity to London.
Restaurants and Bars
Unfortunately, there are no hotels as part of the establishment. Of course, in the West End of London, there are lots of accommodation options. There is something for everyone, from The Travelodge London Central to The Connaught Hotel and other luxurious options. Here are some hotels near The Hippodrome London:
There are lots of options for food and drink while you take a break from the Hippodrome London slots or table games. The Heliot Steak House has been named the “Best Steak Restaurant in London” by Booktable, can seat up to 100 diners at a time, and claims to have “some of the best views of any restaurant in London”. Given that these views are of the main gaming floor, we think that this claim may be a touch bold. It is, however, a very good restaurant with well-decorated surroundings. It just might fall short of those eateries that have views over the Thames or the city’s famous skyline.
In terms of drinks, you can choose between six different bars spread across the establishment’s five floors. The highlights include the Boozy Tea Room, which is famed for its tea-influenced and tea-infused cocktails. Alternatively, if the weather is good enough to allow you to drink out in the open, the Havana Club Terrace is a must-visit. Heaters and coverings also mean that you can get some fresh air and have a cigarette with your drinks no matter the weather.
Transport to the Casino
Getting to The Hippodrome London is easy enough. As you might imagine, given that it is central London, driving is not the easiest, with traffic around Leicester Square often a challenge. You can access the casino by private car, train, bus and taxi services, all of which are plentiful.
Public Transport
We recommend that you use public transport instead of driving to the casino. The nearest tube stations are Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross, meaning that you have plenty of options. Alternatively, you can use the 24, 29, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41 or N279 buses to arrive near the casino. Here are the various ways of how to get to The Hippodrome London:
- Underground to Leicester Square
- Underground to Piccadilly Circus
- Underground to Covent Garden
- Underground to Charing Cross Station
- Train to Charing Cross Station
- Bus to Charing Cross Road
Taxi and Car
You can choose to drive your car, though you should be aware of the congestion charge for entering central London. For parking, you can use the China Town Q-Park with a 20% discount if you book online. There are dozens of London city taxi services you can use.
- Taxi to the Casino
- Car, parking in the China Town Q-Park car park
Interesting Facts
Unlike at many UK land-based casinos, you don’t have to be a member of The Hippodrome London to play there. The establishment happily accepts casual guests, as long as you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under 25, it is recommended that you take ID with you.
There is a loyalty scheme, in which you accrue reward points. It is free of charge to sign up for the loyalty programme. If you want a private gaming experience, you can ask the floor manager about having a private table made available for you.
Alternatively, you can have private parties at the casino, with between four and 600 guests attended. There are lots of different options for the spaces used for this, from small rooms and individual bar areas to the entire casino site, depending on your needs.
Conclusion to Our Hippodrome London Review
In general, The Hippodrome London casino outstrips all of its competitors around the country. It is the largest casino in the UK and one of the most sumptuously decked out. Alongside the many Hippodrome London slots and table games, you can enjoy excellent food and drink options.
The venue offers great entertainment options, such as shows like Magic Mike Live. This has brought hundreds of people to the establishment who would otherwise never have sought out a luxury casino.
The only real downside to the casino is that there are no branches located elsewhere. Therefore, you will have to travel to central London in order to enjoy any of the features or fixtures. However, the trip is almost certainly worth your effort.
To top it off, you will find yourself in the heart of all of London’s tourist attractions and cultural highlights. If, however, you are not able to visit this site, we would recommend you check out whether there is a Grosvenor Casino near you. This brand, which also runs an excellent online casino has many sites across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully we have given you all of the info that you might need on the Hippodrome London dress code and any other worries that you may have before visiting. Just in case, we have answered some of the most common queries below.
Where is the London Hippodrome?
The London Hippodrome is located at the corner of Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street, about a minute's walk from public transport options including Leicester Square Station. Its address is Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH London.
Who owns the Hippodrome London?
The Hippodrome London is currently owned by Jimmy and Simon Thomas, who are father and son business partnership from Leicester. They took over the lease on the building, which has held many different forms over the years, from Charmaine Haig in 2009.
What is the Hippodrome London dress code?
The Hippodrome London dress code is casual. While you will see many guests dressed smartly, as is normal for establishments in the West End of London, you are not required to follow a dress code. The only requirements are that you are dressed without anything that would offend other players. When in doubt, follow our general dress code guide.
What are the Hippodrome London open hours?
Hippodrome London open hours are 24/7 every day of the year, except for Christmas Day. This is because all casinos in the UK close on Christmas, as required by law. There is more open hours information on these laws available to read in our guide.
