On a touristy trip to London, much of the focus tends to be on seeing the sights, particularly the historic buildings that spring to mind whenever the British capital is mentioned. For many tourists, it’ll be about snapping pictures of these icons of the city and venturing into the myriad of world-class museums.
For those who’d rather come to London for a bit more of an entertainment-themed trip and experience some novel foodie venues, then Leicester Square is the place to be. The square itself is rather picturesque, but there’s much to explore in the local area, which is why over 2.5 million people flock to LSQ every single week.
Loaded with Entertainment Venues
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As soon as you step out of the tube station, you’ll notice that you’re in one of the most buzzing parts of London. Depending on where you walk out from, you might literally be standing on the doorstep of one of its most famous venues. Of course, the main form of entertainment the area is known for is the West End.
This hub of theatre puts on the biggest and most popular shows in the world at some of the country’s most storied venues. The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre continues to be a headline act here, while the likes of Mamma Mia!, Moulin Rouge!, Les Misérables, and Hamilton never fail to fill the seats with each showing.
From stage to screen, the collection of cinemas at LSQ also makes the headlines. There will be at least one red carpet event each week, with Vue, ODEON Luxe, and Cineworld all jostling for the title of being the city’s top cinema. The Scenes in the Square trail, spanning Batman to Mr Bean, is a testament to this local love of film.
One of the most recognisable venues of LSQ, however, is the one that you pop out under on arrival. The Hippodrome boasts several tiers of entertainment, from the sports room below to the casino and rooftop bar. So popular and iconic is The Hippodrome that even live casino UK online players can find its brand.
Hippodrome Live Roulette is streamed live from the London casino to the online platform, letting people who can’t make it to London experience the top-class action. Add in London Blackjack and London Roulette, and The Hippodrome has successfully expanded from the building on the corner at LSQ to online audiences.
A Snippet of China and Japan in LSQ
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While many will come to London to immerse themselves in its distinct flavour of Britishness, it’s the sections of the city carved out for other cultures from around the world that can prove to be the most alluring. Chinatown is the prime example of this. It’s loaded with restaurants and runs seasonal events throughout the year.
As you’d assume, it’s one of the best places in the country for Chinese New Year. While there are celebrations for all kinds of occasions, lots of pop-ups, and masterclasses constantly on the go here, it’s CNY that really kicks up the festivities. Taking place from 6 February, Chinatown will be welcoming the Year of the Fire Goat in 2027.
For a very different dive into Far East culture, there’s also the Japan Centre. It’s loaded with Japanese goods to buy, with it all being very accessibly presented. The centrepiece here, though, is the food hall. Thanks to the variety and quality of the food on offer, it’s become incredibly popular among Londoners and tourists to LSQ.
Whether you want to be entertained or to enjoy delicious meals from far-flung lands, Leicester Square is your best bet in London.