Taking a trip to London would not be complete without a visit to one of its iconic casinos where you can rub shoulders with some of the most rich and famous people in the world.
Without a doubt, Mayfair is the most elegant neighbourhood you can live within London boasting some of the finest hotels in the capital. People go to Mayfair to shop and enjoy the fine dining and also to visit one of the best casinos in the world.
Lavish and opulent, the casinos you can find in and around Mayfair, London are quintessentially British with that the first casino that ‘007 – James Bond’ appeared in was one of Mayfair’s land-based casinos.
Below we are going to take a look at some of the very best casinos you can find in and around Mayfair, but for those who do not intend to travel to London then perhaps playing online at one of the newer casino sites might appeal?
In fact, playing at online casinos has become incredibly popular as they are so convenient to access. All your favourite games are available whenever you want and from any location, you happen to be in (as long as you have a good internet connection.) Convenience is definitely the name of today’s game so enjoying your favourites online could very well be an alternative for you if you do not have the time, or the capacity to visit a land-based venue.
But back to those exclusive venues where dress codes are strict:-
Crockford’s
Crockford’s is almost next door to Aspinalls (see below) and the establishment dates back to 1828. A sister casino to The Colony Club, the building was the brainchild of William Crockford who decided to develop a gaming hall that was also a social club for the then aristocracy.
Even though gambling was actually illegal at the time this fact did not put Crockford off who simply paid the fines as they were given out and carried on.
Today, Crockford’s has an open door policy although ID is required, table minimums here are £50 – £100 per hand, so even if there is an open door policy the games do not come cheap.
Aesthetically pleasing the decor has been exceptionally well-preserved so you really do get that feeling that you might be playing back in the 19th century.
Crown London Aspinalls
Friends with the mysterious Lord Lucan, John Aspinall founded this venue which was also a private members club in the 1960s. You can find Crown London Aspinall’s at 27-28 Curzon Street which is right in the heart of Mayfair and you can walk the distance quite easily from Green or Hyde Park.
Although the building has undone some refurbishment it does retain some of its older fittings lending it a contemporary feel. The main room of the casino is known as the Club Room, whilst VIP’s can play in the Jade or Sapphire Rooms if they wish.
Players are able to apply to be a member at Crown London Aspinalls although privileges are only offered to those who have been invited. One of the favoured establishments for many of the world’s high-rollers who are seen to visit on a regular basis.
Les Ambassadeurs Club
Known to its regulars as ‘Les A’ the Les Ambassadeurs Club has a fascinating history. Found at No. 5 Hamilton Place it was owned by the 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire, today it is owned by Mr Suen who also owns Birmingham Football Club. Open 24 hours a day Les A is a private member’s club where players can dine whilst they play in the private area called the Marble Room where the ‘Four Seasons’ fresco by Edmund Thomas Parris* is on the ceiling of the room is a talking point.
*Edmund Thomas Parris 1793-1873 was an English history, panorama, portrait, subject painter as well as a book illustrator, designer and art restorer who was appointed history painter to Queen Adelaide (the Queen consort of William lV) Parris painted the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838.
Notably, the most extravagant room at Les A is the Leopold Room which is so-called after one of its former owners Leopold de Rothschild. With its gold patterned fireplace and bronze lights which have been crafted from Murano glass, you can catch a great view of Mayfair through the French doors.
