Casinos and private members' clubs in London

The short answer

In London, big West End casinos such as the Hippodrome and the Empire welcome any adult with valid ID, while Mayfair's private casinos and members' clubs such as Les Ambassadeurs and Annabel's generally need membership or a member's invitation. That one distinction will save you an awkward conversation at the door.

London has a long and rather glamorous history of gaming and club life, but the scene has changed a good deal in recent years. Some famous names have closed, and new clubs keep opening. Everything below was checked in late 2026, but entry rules, membership terms and fees change, so contact the venue directly before you plan an evening around it. You must be 18 or over to gamble in Britain, and it is worth having a clear budget in mind before you set foot on the floor.

Casinos open to the public

The Hippodrome Casino on Leicester Square is the best known, set inside a former theatre and spread over several floors with gaming tables, slots, restaurants, bars and a theatre. It is usually busy, and it is the easiest place to start if you have never visited a casino before. The Empire Casino, also on Leicester Square, is a close neighbour and another large, accessible option.

Grosvenor runs several London casinos, including The Victoria on Edgware Road and The Rialto near Piccadilly. Genting runs a casino in Westfield Stratford City, formerly under the Aspers name, and others elsewhere in town. A separate Genting casino has been planned for part of the Trocadero near Piccadilly Circus, with an opening expected around late 2026, so check whether it is open yet.

Expect to show photo ID and, at some venues, to complete a short registration on arrival. Some venues describe themselves as requiring free membership, which is usually a formality. Dress is typically relaxed to smart casual, though rules vary, so check first.

Mayfair's private casinos

Les Ambassadeurs at Hamilton Place is a members-only club with a long history, aimed at serious players. Wynn Mayfair on Curzon Street, formerly known as Aspinalls, is also a private members' club, and its club rules set out customer checks and ID requirements for those who wish to play. The Palm Beach on Berkeley Street has been a fixture for more than 50 years and has a more sociable feel, with a restaurant and a late bar. Metropolitan Mayfair is another option in the area.

Not everything that you may have read about still exists. The Clermont closed in 2018, the Ritz Club closed in 2020 and did not reopen, and Crockfords is reported to have closed in 2023. If an older guide recommends one of those, it is out of date. Ask each club how to apply, and expect to wait, because membership at this level can involve checks and an interview.

What to expect on your first visit

If you have never been to a casino, there is no need to feel nervous. The main tables are roulette, blackjack and various forms of poker and baccarat, usually with electronic games and slot machines elsewhere on the floor. Each table will show its minimum and maximum stake, and these often rise later in the evening or at weekends, so look before you sit down. You change money for chips at the table or the cash desk, and you can ask the dealer to explain the basics if the table is quiet.

Photography is often restricted on the gaming floor, so keep your phone away unless you have been told otherwise. Most venues also have bars and restaurants that you can use without playing at all, and that can be a perfectly good way to see what the place is like. Staff may ask to check your ID more than once during an evening, and this is simply part of the rules they work under.

How private members' clubs work

A private members' club is essentially a shared home from home, offering places to eat, drink and meet other members, often with rooms, events and a gym. Non-members can usually attend only as the guest of a member. Most clubs ask for an application, one or more existing members to propose you, and approval from a committee. There is normally a joining fee and an annual subscription, and these can vary widely by age and by the type of membership, so ask for the current terms.

Clubs also have house rules, covering dress, phone use and photography, and they tend to enforce them. Some restrict phones or business papers in certain rooms. If you are going as a guest, ask your host what to expect, as they are responsible for you.

Clubs to know

Annabel's on Berkeley Square is the famous one, an opulent Mayfair club with restaurants, bars and a cigar room, and a selective application process. Nearby, 5 Hertford Street occupies a Georgian townhouse, while Oswald's on Albemarle Street is its wine-focused sister. Both are known for being very private and accept new members by invitation or proposal.

The Arts Club on Dover Street has a long history with creative people and offers cultural events and bedrooms. Home House in Marylebone spreads across Georgian townhouses with bars, a spa and a busy events calendar. Soho House began on Greek Street and now has several London sites, with a younger, media-leaning membership. The Conduit in Covent Garden is focused on sustainability, 67 Pall Mall is built around wine, and Ten Trinity Square near the Tower shares a grand building with a Four Seasons hotel.

Enjoying the evening sensibly

A casino should be a form of entertainment you can afford, not a way of making money. Set a limit before you begin, take only what you plan to spend, and stop when it runs out. If gambling has stopped being fun, the free and confidential GamCare service can offer support.

A good plan is to pair the tables with dinner beforehand, so the evening has more to it than chips. Mayfair and Leicester Square have plenty of fine restaurants close by, and our restaurants by occasion guide will help you choose. Some of our ladies list dinner dates on their profiles if you would like company for the first part of the night, though clubs set their own rules on who may enter, so always check them first.