Permission at the Hippodrome Casino Review

Welcome to Permission, a fusion of Belle Epoch and Art Deco. Here you can marvel at one of the longest cocktail lists in town and bar snacks which rival that of any 5 star hotel.

Hungry, tired, need to put your feet up? Like champagne but are on a beer budget? This emporium of luxury and glitz can be found in Leicester Square on the first floor of the Hippodrome Casino, hidden at the back of the Penny Bar.

The Decor at Permission

Permission is a newly renovated, gleaming, turquoise lounge of low sofas, mirrors, and sumptuous flower arrangements peppered with silver objet d’art and liveried waiters bearing tea themed cocktails.

Permission is designed by the very talented art direction team of Magic Mike Live which is their sizzling resident dance show.

To the Management of the Hippodrome, please note that I haven’t yet seen Magic Mike Live but I am quite partial to young, cavorting, semi naked men!

Best for First Dates and a Girl’s Night Out

It’s the perfect place for girlie get-togethers, after work drinks, dodgy internet dates where a certain level of anonymity is required and even a pre theatre nibble with your mum. The door staff are particularly obliging to elderly ladies…they helped me with the NHS sign in app, asked me to remove my hat and assisted me up the step before wishing me a pleasant evening!

You don’t need to need to gamble on the roulette or card tables to use the bars or restaurants at the Hippodrome Casino.

The Drinks Menu

Don’t be startled by the bottles of wine wearing luggage labels with eye watering prices e.g. £300 that are stored in the fridges dotted around the casino…the house red and white in the Permission are around the £7 a glass mark which is the London average with champagne starting at £9.

On my most recent visit, I had a Pornstar Martini which sported a little hat of half a passion fruit and a shot of prosecco for £9.50. These guys know what they are doing in the cocktail department and this definitely hit the spot.

Me enjoying my cocktail

Boozy Tea Room Food Menu has all the Classics

Their menu doesn’t leave you scratching your head in bewilderment. No pretentious foreign terms here… well, “sliders” did fox me but the rest was loud and clear. Think hamburgers, club sandwiches, steak sandwiches, chicken curry and roast salmon fillet with side orders of salad or chips. And it has the hallmark of civilisation – English breakfast served 24 hours a day.

All their menu items are at prices that rival the nearest sandwich chain (£5-12 for mains).

There is an added bonus of 10% off the entire bill if you go downstairs and sign up for a Hippodrome Rewards Card.

Permission Service Gets Top Marks

Great service. They took the order and returned at lightning speed with the drinks and food. The waiting staff came back to check that all was well and then, as if by magic, they resurfaced just as we wanted to pay and leave. Telepathy is always much appreciated!

You can find out more about Permission and the creative inspiration behind it on the Hippodrome Website.

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