The History of the Hippodrome in London
Playing casino games is easy nowadays thanks to the advent of online casinos. But it wasn’t like that in the past. Before people could hop online and spin slots or the roulette wheel, they had to go to a specialised venue for that kind of activity. Brick-and-mortar casinos were popular across Europe in the past, and many of them, like London’s Hippodrome, set the highest possible standards for casino gaming.
The Hippodrome is one of Europe’s and the UK’s most storied buildings and gaming venues. Not just gaming, but an entertainment venue in general. It has a long history that stretches back over a century and remains a popular tourist and local attraction to this day.
The Origins of the Hippodrome Casino
Located in the heart of London, the Hippodrome Casino opened its doors in the early 1900s. Although its name refers to horse track races, the Hippodrome is a venue for entertainment. A bit of different entertainment than horse race betting.
It’s safe to say that it’s the reason casino gaming is so popular in the UK. Nowadays, you can easily find the best slot sites in the UK by hopping online. In the past, people showed up in the high-class Hippodrome Casino to play the latest games and enjoy a night out.
The Hippodrome was designed to offer a true spectacle to all audiences. Its stage was adapted to accommodate everything from orchestras and comedians to even aquatic performances. The live shows were a real blast for Londoners, set against a background of coin-clanking machines and a range of table games.
During the first half of the century, the Hippodrome went fully theatrical. It evolved from a casino to an entertainment venue, which included amazing music performances night in and night out. From the 1950s onward, London’s tastes were evolving. In line with the social expectations, the Hippodrome underwent another change, getting the nightlife treatment. The interior was redecorated and the name was stripped, renaming the iconic Hippodrome to Talk of the Town.
The new nightclub was a success, drawing in huge crowds for performances of iconic musicians such as Tom Jones. It was one of London’s top clubs for decades before it underwent several transformations, which saw the addition of a restaurant. The Hippodrome’s influence on London’s lifestyle was fading, and by the early 2000s, it was largely forgotten. This coincided with the rise of online casinos, which made land-based venues obsolete.
A Phoenix Out of the Ashes
Following several ownership changes, the Hippodrome was bought by a father-son duo from Leicester in the early 2000s. They were aiming to restore the casino to its former glory, pairing the casino with high-class entertainment, just like the Hippodrome of old.
After spending around £40 million on renovations, the Hippodrome was relaunched as a lavish casino in 2012. London’s then-mayor Boris Johnson oversaw the opening. The new Hippodrome had 4 levels of gaming space housed within the historic exterior. It was complemented with stylish bars and restaurants, as well as a cabaret theatre. In short, it was everything the classic Hippodrome offered and more.
The reopening was a hit. London got a new place for entertainment, with classy musical acts and performers, much like the Hippodrome in the past. In the past decade, the Hippodrome returned to its status as London’s top casino. It adapts to the times by streaming live tournaments in poker and other games, available to players and fans around the globe.
Even after a century, the Hippodrome remains one of London’s premier spots for entertainment and casino gaming. It underwent a lot of changes over the years but always managed to remain relevant. Its classy interior and exterior are a sight to see, and thanks to the new leadership from over a decade ago, its bright shine is restored.
Going forward, the casino and entertainment venue will surely adapt to the new times. New gaming trends are constantly emerging when it comes to land-based entertainment, and the Hippodrome will always be there to accept them with its hands open.
