Heliot Bar at The Hippodrome

BARCHICK SAYS

So named after the famous lion tamer Claire Heliot, embrace the compulsory, casino glam and let loose (but not so loose that you have to mortgage the house).  It’s shiny and glitzy – but not in The Ritz kinda way, more nouveau riche - whatever it’s a casino and it works.

It’s all pretty impressive in here: gigantic lights with flower-like stems rise above the tables, there’s a hidden theatre behind an electronic curtain and  even a secret back entrance for Chinese people (so their bosses don’t see them enter the casino and steal their money, not sure if this still happens but were going with it).

Cocktails are created behind a large black marble bar, with a bright red back drop. The list is extensive – toasting her date’s windfall BarChick went for the Snake Eyes made with Smirnoff Black vodka, Crème De Chatagne, Crème De Peche, passion fruit puree, lime juice and chilli powder... but if you’ve really cashed in get a magnum of Pommery, it’ll only set you back 1 G.

You can eat anything from caviar to slow cooked shepherd’s pie but go big and order a steak, they're some of the best in town, big and American just how we like 'em accompanied by some mega chips. After dinner descend into Lola's Underground Casino, it's all about the illegal parties down here (at least it was in Lola's day), so go and play.

(Casino open 24hrs)

www.hippodromecasino.com/heliot

01/08/2012

ADDRESS

14 Cranbourn St, London WC2H 7JH, UK Tel: +44 20 7769 8844

OPENING HOURS

Sunday 11:30 - 16:00, 17:00 - 23:00
Monday 17:00 - 23:00
Tuesday 17:00 - 23:00
Wednesday 17:00 - 23:00
Thursday 17:00 - 23:00
Friday 17:00 - 01:00
Saturday 11:30 - 16:00, 17:00 - 01:00

BUDGET

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The Cocktail Trading Company, London