As far as London or the rest of the UK is concerned, you don’t get more exclusive than Soho. Because of that, this stunning little slice of the capital is home to some of the classiest venues. Whether that’s fine dining establishments or cosy cocktail clubs, the best of British leisure and recreation is right here in W1. It can sometimes feel like the centre of the world.
However, in terms of exclusivity, very few come close to Soho casinos. These gaming establishments were historically open to only the very top of the food chain in London. You couldn’t just walk in off the streets and take a seat at a table in one of these venues. Instead, you had to be accustomed to rubbing shoulders with the richest and most powerful (usually) men in the country.
The world has changed a lot in the last few decades, though. These kinds of venues are fewer and farther between in the modern age. Physical casinos have declined somewhat, and in a much more socially aware London, exclusive now reads more like excluding certain demographics than as a selling point for this kind of venue.
So, how do Soho’s current venues hold up against those elsewhere in the world?
A Vastly Different Industry from the Soho Gaming Heyday
Many would say that Soho’s golden period was sometime in the 60s and 70s. It was a shining example of the high society of the capital letting loose and letting their hair down. That’s when these casino venues were at their peak, when this part of W1 was where the rich came to party in the cloak of darkness. Technology – and society as a whole – has changed a lot since then, though.
The 1990s saw the first real internet boom. Homes were being introduced to dial-up internet that allowed them to access the World Wide Web for the first time. It was also around this time that the very first online casinos were added to the – at the time – short list of websites. Since the development of high-speed broadband and mobile internet, online casinos have only grown.
In fact, they have gone from sites hosting purely digital representations of games to sites that also offer studio-based live-streamed games. These are called live casino games, and they replicate the experience that would have been on offer at one of these exclusive Soho venues. They’re an immersive type of game that has become extremely popular as players look to experience glitz and glamour at home.
Are Soho Casinos Still a Sought-After Part of London Nightlife?
The short answer to this question is yes. Soho is almost unrecognisable from the 60s and 70s because it has gone from being something of the seedy underbelly of the upper echelons to both the playground of international millionaires and billionaires, and where Londoners like to enjoy a night out. The casino venues in the area reflect this.
The Hippodrome is more akin to the kind of casino you would find in Monaco, given that it is also home to great food and entertainment. Yes, it may be Leicester Square and not officially Soho, but it very much belongs to the area. Its food was praised and its owner deemed a “Soho legend” by the inimitable Jay Raynor. It’s a perfect example of the kind of new Soho nightlife we’ve seen emerge.
In addition to the Hippodrome, there are also the Empire and Grosvenor casinos. These are both chain venues and very different to the Jay Raynor-approved institution. Instead, they show just how Soho has become something for everyone. While it remains an affluent part of the city, it still has something for the many.
Casino Gaming: Perhaps Not Soho’s Unique Selling Point
It is important to note that the casino is not really what Soho is trying to specialise in. That makes it hard to compare the venues in the area with other cities like Monaco and Las Vegas to any real degree. This part of London is much more about being an all kinds of entertainment district full of restaurants and clubs, with a slightly sophisticated – if still edgy – air to it.
Because of that, it’s better to view these venues within the context of the district. They’re a great example of how the once red-light district of the wealthy has become a tourist destination and one of the best places to enjoy an evening out in the capital. They may not hold up against the new resorts in the Middle East and the stalwart casinos in Vegas, but they certainly have their audience.
