Looking for the best things to do in and around Leicester Square? You’ve come to the right place!
In this article I have outlined everything you need to know about visiting this iconic London area, including both things to do, things to avoid, and where to go instead!
There’s no denying that Leicester Square is one of the most touristy and busy parts of London, but especially around it, you can still find pretty cool and unique things to do.
So what are you waiting for? Dive in, and discover the best things to do in Leicester Square, London!
In this guide:
How to get to Leicester Square
Getting around London can be complicated, but Leicester Square is pretty easy to get to. It has its own tube station (Leicester Square), and both the Northern and Piccadilly lines stop there. Plus there are loads of buses that go past it too.
Best things to do in Leicester Square
Go to the cinema
This pedestrianised portion of London is famous for being the centre of the city’s film scene. Cinemas here have some of the largest screens in the country, and some of them have over a thousand seats — namely, the Odeon, which opened in 1937.
But that’s not the only one, of course. There are several other cinemas in Leicester Square, where you can catch the latest blockbuster or indie chick flick, including Cineworld and Vue.
You’ll find many films played there throughout the day, just take your pick. Tickets can be booked easily in advance; cut price tickets and discounts are available, too.
See a red carpet premiere
The Odeon is where Leicester’s Square’s movie premieres take place. These star-studded red carpet events see Hollywood and international names launching their latest films, walking up the carpet themselves in glamorous outfits.
Naturally, crowds gather to catch a glimpse of the stars in their finery. And it’s not just film stars: you might even see royalty gracing the red carpet.
If you want to see a red carpet premiere, it’s best to do some research into when the events are taking place and plan your trip accordingly.
Go to a casino
Leicester Square isn’t just home to cinemas — it’s also home to casinos. The most famous of these is the Hippodrome Casino, which is over a hundred years old, first opening its doors way back in 1900.
You will find plenty of opportunities for gaming and gambling across the four floors of the Hippodrome, and it’s every day, 24 hours per day.
Other casinos here include the Empire Casino (also open 24 hours) and the swanky Les Ambassadeurs Casino, among many other smaller venues to try your luck.
See a show at the Hippodrome Casino
As well as being a casino, the Hippodrome is also a venue for all manner of shows, from sports screenings (they show the American Superbowl here, for example) to live entertainment.
It’s known for being the home of Magic Mike Live, if you want to have a fun night out with some friends. Based on the blockbuster movie, it’s what you imagine — stripping, lapdancing and general good times.
There are plenty of bars and different lounges inside the Hippodrome Casino, meaning you can double up your night out of entertainment with something to eat.
There’s even a rooftop terrace on the third floor, looking out across Leicester Square and the West End beyond.
Check out the M&M’s Store
Notoriously very touristy, but still a fun place, the M&M’s Store in Leicester Square is known for being the world’s largest candy store — larger than the branch of the M&M’s Store in New York City.
Set across four floors, this M&M’s-themed wonderland is a multi-sensory experience with colourful displays and photo opportunities galore.
It has a family-friendly atmosphere overall and is a great Leicester Square attraction to visit if you’re in London with your children.
One of the best things at the M&M’s Store is the sweet wall, which dispenses M&M’s in hundreds of different colours, the majority of which have never been in the regular packets.
Have a sunset drink at LSQ Rooftop
If you’re wondering about things to do around Leicester Square that involve taking in some awesome London city views, look no further than the LSQ Rooftop.
Set nine floors above the famous square itself, this rooftop is a great place to get a bird’s eye view of the West End — and some delicious food as well.
The good thing about this place is that you can visit any time of day (it’s not just a nightlife spot). There’s a raved about bottomless brunch on offer at LSQ Rooftop, while the burgers and cocktails at sunset are a great way to kick off an evening of fun in Leicester Square.
Enjoy a night out
With plenty of bars, clubs and pubs in the vicinity, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of things to do in Leicester Square at night. One of my personal favourites is Piano Works.
As you might be able to tell by the name, this relatively intimate 400-capacity venue is all about live music in the form of the piano.
The best thing about it, however, is that the pianists take requests from the audience. It’s a fun place for cocktails, bites to eat and general good times in Leicester Square.
Looking for something a little more quirky? Head to the vintage-themed Arts Theatre Club, which serves up cocktails in teapots, speakeasy style.
Visit Leicester Square Christmas Market
London is a magical place at Christmas, so if you’re in town during winter, you should definitely put Leicester Square on your London itinerary.
Taking place between early November and early January, Leicester Square Christmas Market is curated with everything Christmassy in mind.
From festive food and drink to the chance to pick up gifts, seasonal ornaments and souvenirs to remember your trip, it’s a veritable wonderland to visit.
Best Things to Do Around Leicester Square
While Leicester Square is fun, it’s a very busy and very touristy part of London. But if you explore just a little bit further from this hive of activity, you’ll find a world of things to do near Leicester Square that’ll keep you endlessly entertained.
They might not be hidden gems per se, but they are still slightly less touristy and chaotic than Leicester Square.
See a West End musical
There’s a long list of long-running (and new) shows playing at any one time at one of the West End’s many famous theatres.
There’s Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Mary Poppins at The Prince Edward Theatre and Pretty Woman at The Piccadilly Theatre — to name just a few. And that’s not evening mentioning the plays.
If you’re on a budget, the best way to get a ticket is to look online for last minute deals or cheap tickets. But if you’re in town and make a spur-of-the-moment decision, you can actually head to one of the TKTS booths in Leicester Square itself.
These sell a wide range of discounted tickets, just head over and see what they’ve got.
Eat in Chinatown
Among all the attractions near Leicester Square, none are more delicious than Chinatown. Located just off Shaftesbury Avenue, London’s Chinatown is a pocket of the city’s Chinese community.
It doesn’t have an officially defined border, but it’s in this area — complete with bilingual signs and a Chinese gate (one of the most Instagrammable spots in London) — that you’ll find some truly authentic Chinese cuisine.
It’s also quite a touristed part of town, but that doesn’t mean the restaurants are bad. In fact, there are some real gems. Dumplings’ Legend is awesome for dim sum, while the notorious and very retro Wong Kei is a must-visit.
Go for a night out in Soho
A stone’s throw from Chinatown, Soho is pretty much the place to go out in central London. Here you’ll find storied pubs, jazz clubs like Ronnie Scott’s, a thriving LGBTQ+ scene and a whole selection of international eateries.
Do not overlook this warren of slightly grubby but always fun slices of London — the historic red-light district attracted the likes of Mozart and Karl Marx over the years.
Explore Covent Garden
If you’re on the lookout for free things to do in Leicester Square, or at least nearby, then you should make your way over to Covent Garden.
It may have a reputation for being a glitzy part of town, but you don’t actually have to spend a penny to enjoy it.
Famed as the location of the Royal Opera House, its central piazza is where you’ll find outdoor entertainers, buskers and street mimes wowing crowds.
If you do want somewhere to eat and drink, then diving into one of the area’s pubs, cafes or restaurants is a good idea (and definitely not free). For Chinese cuisine, try Flesh & Buns, while Balthazar is a high-end French eatery hailing from New York.
Explore Piccadilly Circus
Many tourists don’t realise this, but it’s actually faster to walk between Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden than getting the Tube between these two stops — so don’t bother going up and down all those stairs.
Once you arrive in Piccadilly Circus, you’ll be greeted with neon signs and colourful buildings, and a fountain with a statue that’s commonly called Eros but is actually Anteros (the avenger of unrequited love).
People like to gather on the steps of this fountain, meet friends, hang out and play music in the evening, giving it a fun, buzzy atmosphere.
Visit Trafalgar Square and the National Portrait Gallery
Just a few minutes’ walk away is Trafalgar Square. This large public space, featuring the huge triumphal Nelson’s Column — which commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 — is another popular gathering spot in London.
It’s also home to the Fourth Plinth, which is home to rotating, specifically commissioned temporary artwork.
The National Gallery is also here. Founded in 1824, this vast museum hosts over 2,300 paintings by masters from van Dyck, Rubens and Rembrandt, to Impressionist works by van Gogh, Seurat and Monet.
Final thoughts on the best things to do in Leicester Square London
There you have it, the ultimate Leicester Square guide! Have you visited this iconic part of London before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!
To be honest, very few Londonders are fans of Leicester Square. It’s just a bit too much, too touristy, too overpriced, too crowded and too fake. There are so many other beautiful places in London worth adding to your London itinerary.
But, as someone who wasn’t born and raised in London, I enjoyed my first visits to Leicester Square like any tourist. Especially if you only have one day in London, it’s one of those places you have to at least walk past.
I hope this guide helps you plan your time in and around Leicester Square, if you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!
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