Empire Casino London Review: Fun in the Heart of London
Written By Zara Harris
Empire Casino Overview
Like many buildings in London, the Empire has undergone several transformations since its opening in 1884 as a theatre. It became a cinema in the 1920s and has grown to house the two-storied Empire Casino London in its iconic location overlooking Leicester Square. It is operated by Caesars Entertainment and known for its lively atmosphere.
| Opening Hours | 24/7 |
| Dress Code | Smart casual |
| Table Limits | N/A |
| Opening Hours | 24/7 |
| Dress Code | Smart Casual |
| Table Limits | ￡1 – ￡5,000 |
| Opening Hours | 24/7 |
| Dress Code | Smart casual |
| Tournaments | Yes |
| Address | Empire Casino, 5-6 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7Na |
| Phone | +44 20 3642 8597 |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | www.thecasinolsq.com |
The Casino at the Empire overlooks London’s historic Leicester Square, and occupies the same building as an IMAX cinema, continuing the building’s tradition as a movie house. Inside, the decor is elegant though the Empire Casino London dress code is not strict, but rather smart casual dress. The casino boasts 24/7 service, including at its slot machines, roulette and poker tables. It also has a lively bar for those looking for more ways to enjoy their time. Further experiences include cocktail masterclasses, dance nights with live DJs and, of course, tournaments.
Whether you are enjoying live games across the Carlsberg Sports Bar’s multiple screens or in-house game play, you can spend your time carefree at Empire Casino London. You can even enjoy everything it has to offer without any sort of membership requirement. Read on for more facts about the casino.
What to Play at the Empire Casino London
| Game | Tables/Machines |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100+ |
| Blackjack | 13 |
| Roulette | 14 |
| Baccarat | 0 |
| Poker | 9 |
Like any respectable casino, the Empire Casino London games options are fun and varied. They offer more than 100 slot machines with progressive jackpots of up to ￡20,000. VIP machines and especially large, state of the art screens are available for some of your favourite games.
Its poker facilities are some of the nicest in London, with nine tables total and a variety of buy-ins, including ￡1/￡2 games. Like more London rooms, they rake their games between 5% to 7% depending on the buy-in. Tournaments are also available daily, alongside attentive service and complimentary coffee and tea.
Empire Casino London likewise offers blackjack and roulette tables. Notably absent is Baccarat. For high rollers, you may be interested in the casino’s VIP offerings, namely its Dragon Lounge, which caters to exclusive higher stakes games. It is Empire Casino’s “club within a club.”
Entertainment Experiences
Though Empire Casino London does not offer much by way of live concerts or shows, they do have a variety of “experience” packages to suit almost every kind of celebration. From birthdays, to anniversaries, to hen nights and more, there is probably an option that will appeal to you.
One option is a “Cocktail Masterclass” with one of the casino’s in-house mixologists. These classes can be booked for groups and have varying price options depending on how far you want to go into cocktail mixing. Drinks are, of course, included!
Another option is a “Poker Experience” which pairs you up with a dealer for two hours of intensive instruction in poker and a chance to play “your own tournament.” A special package for birthdays, including a dinner reservation and a lesson in blackjack or roulette, is also available.
Accommodations and Dining
Unfortunately, the Casino at the Empire does not have a hotel as part of its premises. However, with its convenient location in London’s West End, you will not be short of options for places to stay. Check out some of the possibilities for your stay below:
What Empire Casino London lacks in hotel accommodations, it more than makes up for in dining and bar options. Its Carlsberg Sports Bar is a haven for sports fans with more than sixteen screens featuring a variety of games, from NFL to cricket, Premier League football and more.
Don’t miss a single game, but also eat food with flair. This location offers some of the best bar food in London, designed by the casino’s signature chef.
If you would like a less sporty evening, you can also enjoy the casino’s second establishment, the Icon Balcony Bar. Called one of the best-kept secrets in London, this bar boasts momentous views, luxurious furnishings, friendly service and perfect cocktails.
How to Reach Empire Casino London
The Empire Casino London location is fairly accessible, as it is in the exciting Leicester Square, within easy access of car parking and underground stations. Whether arriving by car, taxi, train, or on-foot from a neighbouring site, you have plenty of options for conveniently accessing the casino.
Close to Leicester Square
The casino is in the heart of London, overlooking the iconic Leicester Square. That means that, in addition to being well-situated among exciting bars, restaurants and entertainment options, it is also just a short walk from both Leicester Square Station and Piccadilly Circus underground stations. Here are some ways to get to the Empire Casino London by public transport:
- Underground to Leicester Square
- Underground to Piccadilly Circus
Taxi and Car
Though there are varied public transport options in this area, if you prefer not to use the tube, bus or train, we suggest arriving at the casino either by taxi, by using a rideshare service, or by driving on your own. There are two Q-Parks close to the casino, and Caesars Rewards members enjoy a discounted rate to Q-Park Leicester Square car park. The following are some personal transport options:
- Taxi to the Casino
- Car, parking in the China Town Q-Park car park
- Car, parking in the Leicester Square Q-Park car park
Noteworthy Facts
You might be interested to know that there is no membership requirement at Empire Casino London, unlike some land-based UK casinos. That means anyone is welcome to enter and play, above the legal age limit.
However, if you are interested in a membership experience, the casino’s operators Ceasar Entertainment do offer their own rewards club. If you sign up with Caesar Rewards you can enjoy perks at any of their seven casinos across the UK, and even resorts in the US.
Rewards can be redeemed for free game play, food and drink at their incredible restaurants, designer branded gifts, and even trips to Vegas! Credits and perks depend on how much you earn per year. As you earn more you can move through their various rewards levels.
Visit Empire Casino London Now
Overall, we would recommend the Casino at the Empire in London for its variety of games, comfortable but stylish atmosphere, and designer bars. It is also well-located in the heart of London’s West End, so whether you plan to stay for a night or just pop in for a couple of hours, you have no shortage of entertainment options during your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand you may have additional questions before you go to play Empire Casino London slots or enjoy any of its other features. Read on or email us for more information at [email protected].
Does Empire London offer live shows or concerts?
No, Empire London does not have any on-sight entertainment by way of live shows. However they do offer plenty of exciting entertainment packages, including cocktail mixing and poker training for interested parties.
Does Empire London have any online gambling options?
No, Empire London does not have an online casino where you can gamble over the web. To view online casinos, see our comprehensive list of real money online casinos for the best UK sites.
Are there any tube stations close to the casino?
Yes, it is very easy to get to the Empire Casino London by public transport. It is well-situation near Leicester Square Station and Piccadilly Circus.
Is baccarat available at this casino?
No, it does not offer baccarat but you can explore a variety of other gaming options.
