There are some gambling establishments that have achieved iconic status, and London’s Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square is one of them. Boasting beautiful architecture inside and out, there’s tons to appreciate about the building before you even dive into the fascinating past of this theatre-turned-casino.
Here is a brief history of the building now called the Hippodrome Casino London, from its erection in 1900 for circus and variety shows, to its continued use in the 20th Century and its status as an award-winning casino today.
1900: The Hippodrome is Built
On the 15th January 1900, the Hippodrome was built on the corner of Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street in the Westminster borough of London – a premium spot even back then. The name ‘hippodrome’ comes from the Latin (originally Ancient Greek) word ‘hippodromos’ which originally meant a place for equestrian sports and later a circus featuring horses.
1900-1951: Theatre & Circus
The original Hippodrome was used as a circus and theatre venue for the first half of the 20th Century. During this period, various famous acts made an appearance in its saloon-style bar, including a young Charlie Chaplin, supposedly in the first variety show ever performed there, Harry Houdini, who performed his act there in 1904, and Julie Andrews, who made her debut performance on its stage at the age of 12.
1950s: Interior Renovation
The Hippodrome interior was stripped and completely renovated in 1958, reopening as a nightclub called ‘The Talk of the Town’, which soon became a hotspot for various popular music acts of the time. Throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s, countless artists performed onstage at the club, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy David Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Jones, the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder.
1980s: The London Hippodrome Nightclub
The building was again renovated in the ‘80s, reopening as a new nightclub and restaurant by entrepreneur Peter Stringfellow. It enjoyed some success into the ‘90s, before falling out of fashion and being renovated once more in the early 2000s. In 2004, the club, now called Cirque at the Hippodrome, was voted the best nightclub in the UK.
2005: Temporary Closure
After losing its alcohol license, the venue was closed, along with many other clubs in the area. During this period, Charmaine Haig managed the building, returning its original name – the Hippodrome – and letting it out for private events and parties, as well as cabaret and other entertainment shows.
2009 – present: The Hippodrome Casino
In 2009, the Hippodrome acquired new owners, a father and son business team who painstakingly renovated the interior once more, taking inspiration from the venue’s original design as an entertainment venue. By absorbing neighbouring buildings, the floorspace was doubled and the Hippodrome Casino was officially opened by Boris Johnson (then mayor of London) in 2012.
The Hippodrome Casino has four sprawling floors where visitors can enjoy everything from classic card games such as poker and Blackjack, to casino classics like the roulette wheel and slot games. There is an exclusive Gold Room for VIP players in the basement, on-site eateries and bars, and a smoking terrace.
In 2013, the Hippodrome was voted the best land-based casino in the UK at the prestigious Totally Gaming Awards. As well as being a renowned casino, the venue is home to cabaret performances in its dedicated theatre, and it continues to be a popular destination both for London gambling fans and visitors from abroad.
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