
The Hippodrome Casino, a Grade II listed building, opened in 1900 as a grand music hall designed by Frank Matcham, famous for its variety acts and even an indoor circus with a water tank. Over its history, it transformed from a theatre to the iconic Talk of the Town nightclub, before reopening as a major casino and entertainment complex. It retains much of its original opulent architecture, offering a vibrant atmosphere across multiple floors of gaming, dining, and live performance spaces.
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Seating
- Main FloorBest for immersion and interaction. Premium tables are central, but some can be compact.
- Upper LevelPanoramic views and budget-friendly, but expect an overhang and less interaction.
Main Floor
Experience the production's interactive core from the Main Floor (Lower Tier) of the Matcham Room, located on the first floor. This cabaret-style layout surrounds an elevated stage on three sides, offering 54 traditional rowed seats and 20 couch seats.
Premium Tables, such as Table 3, Table 4, Table 8, Table 9, Table 26, and Table 27, are positioned directly at the centre of the action. These feature adjustable chairs for optimal legroom and comfort, allowing you to rotate and follow performers who utilize the tables and surrounding runways as active stages.
While these tables offer unmatched proximity, be aware that certain groupings—particularly Table 3 and Table 9—are physically compact with restricted space during peak-capacity performances. Immediately behind the tables, elevated rows of standard seating, including seats A28 and A29, sit four rows back and provide clear, unobstructed sightlines over the raised stage.
Other seating includes movable wooden chairs in sections like Front Row 19, and comfortable couch-style seating on the flanking sides of Rows A and B (e.g., Couch A10, Couch C4, and Row B40). Due to its direct proximity, Main Floor seats offer the highest level of audience-performer interaction, with dancers frequently moving through the aisles and utilizing seating spaces.
For accessibility, step-free access is available via the Little Newport Street, Grand Casino Macau Lounge, and Magic Mike Live lifts, providing up to four dedicated wheelchair-accessible spaces per performance with sloped ramp access directly to stage level. The closest accessible toilet facilities are on the same level within the Penny Bar, approximately 10 meters from Door 1 and 50 meters from Door 2.
Upper Level
From the Upper Level (Upper Balcony) on the second floor, you'll get an elevated, panoramic vantage point, ideal for appreciating the production’s complex ensemble choreography and aerial routines. This level accommodates 46 standard rowed seats across Rows A and B, supplemented by two rows of central couch-style seating facing the stage (such as Couches 19-23), standing spots directly behind the couches (Standing 1-12), short rows of side balcony seats, and elevated raised table seating at the far rear.
Front Row A (containing seats such as A16, A20, and A29) features a waist-height glass barrier for clear sightlines, though the catwalk platform running directly along the opposite side of the glass causes brief, minor visibility restrictions when dancers perform overhead or cross the barrier. Row B seats (such as B7 through B32) and the side balcony sections (such as Row B38 or Upper Raised Seating 12) provide a more distant, bird's-eye perspective.
While these elevated seats are budget-friendly, be aware that portions of the action occurring on the stage directly below the balcony overhang are obscured from view, requiring you to lean forward to follow movement that migrates into the lower auditorium. Although direct performer interaction is less frequent here than on the Main Floor, the cast regularly ascends to this tier to execute routines along the balcony railings.
For accessibility, elevator access connects to the second-floor entrance, with step-free entry to Front Row A routed through Door 2 via the Little Newport Street lift. Entry via Door 1 utilizing the Grand Casino Macau Lounge lift requires navigating two physical steps upward, and there are no designated wheelchair spaces or accessible seating options on the Upper Level.
The nearest adapted toilet is located near the Macau Lounge lift, which is physically separated from the seating area by a two-step descent, presenting physical access barriers for patrons with limited mobility.
Good to know
The Matcham Room operates with a modern capacity of approximately 314 to 332 cabaret-style seats across two levels. Dancers frequently move through the lower level tables and runways, while the upper tier offers a broader, budget-friendly panoramic view.
| Seating Level | Seat Category | Structural Layout & Design | Level of Performer Interaction | Sightline & Visual Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Floor | Premium Tables | Center-stage grouping; individual adjustable chairs; direct table access. | Maximum: Highly interactive; primary site for table-top routines and direct cast engagement. | Immersive, direct, eye-level views; minimal visual obstructions except during immediate close-ups. |
| Main Floor | Standard & Side Tables | Flanking tables bordering the stage perimeter; standard wooden chairs. | High: Regular interaction; dancers frequently utilize adjacent perimeter walkways. | Close-up side profile views; table arrangements can feel physically compact or cramped. |
| Main Floor | Main Floor Rows (A & B) | Rowed seating situated directly behind the table sections (e.g., A28, A29). | Moderate-to-High: Dancers move through rows, but direct contact is less frequent than at tables. | Excellent, slightly elevated panoramic view of both stage-level and aerial choreography. |
| Main Floor | Flanking Couches (A & C) | Sofa-style bench seating positioned on the outer left and right perimeters. | Low-to-Moderate: Limited direct physical interaction due to side positioning. | Off-axis but highly comfortable side-stage views; clear visual path to the main stage. |
| Upper Level | Upper Level Couches | Dual rows of sofa seating positioned centrally facing the stage. | Moderate: Dancers access the balcony catwalk to perform routines directly in front of the couches. | Highly balanced, elevated central view of the entire performance space. |
| Upper Level | Balcony Rows (A & B) | Standard theater rows running along the balcony edge (e.g., A16, A29). | Moderate: Periodical performer presence on the upper balcony walkway. | Row A offers a clear bird's-eye view through a glass barrier; Row B is more distant. |
| Upper Level | Upper Raised Seating | Elevated tier of tables and chairs situated at the rear of the balcony. | Low: Minimal cast contact. | Broad panoramic perspective; action occurring directly below the balcony is obscured. |
| Upper Level | Standing Spots | Dedicated standing areas located directly behind the central couch seating. | Low: Virtually no direct performer interaction. | Clear elevated vista, but requires standing; some stage action directly below is obscured. |
See the view from your seat
SeatPlan has photographs taken from individual seats at the Hippodrome Casino, alongside a full seating plan and reviews from people who sat there. Worth a look before you commit to a restricted-view seat.
View seat photos and planAffiliate link — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Staying nearby
The nearest hotels to the Hippodrome Casino, for anyone travelling in for a show rather than heading home after it.
- The Z Hotel Covent Gardenabout 5 min walk
- Zedwell Piccadilly Circusabout 5 min walk
- Ham Yard Hotelabout 5 min walk
Hotels.com affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Prices and availability are shown on their site.
Facilities
Toilets
| Access. | |
|---|---|
| Main Floor | Accessible on Main Floor |
| Upper Level | Accessible on Upper Level |
Box office
Located by Cranbourn Street entrance; open for ticket collection daily from 12:00, Tuesday – Sunday.
Three complimentary cloakrooms are located on the Ground floor (Main entrance), Little Newport Street entrance, and First floor (above Magic Mike Live entrance). They are for coats and small bags (max 50x36x20cm).
Location
The Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7JH
Getting there
nearest first
- 1 min
Leicester Square
NorthernPiccadilly - 5 min
Piccadilly Circus
BakerlooPiccadilly - 10 min
Charing Cross
NorthernBakerlooNational Rail
Step-by-step walking directions
The Hippodrome Casino is directly opposite Leicester Square Tube station (Northern and Piccadilly lines). Piccadilly Circus Tube station (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines) is a 5-minute walk. Charing Cross Tube station (Northern and Bakerloo lines) and Charing Cross National Rail station are approximately a 10-minute walk.

