The Balcony Bar at Heliot Steak House, The Hippodrome

Last Updated on July 11, 2023

Cocktails and Beyond at the Balcony Bar

The Hippodrome at Leicester Square may seem an unlikely place to dine, but inside you’ll find a range of options from the Chinese restaurant in the basement (Chop Chop) to the excellent Heliot Steak House at what must have been Grand Tier level when the Hippodrome was operating as a theatre.  There are several bars too – we rather like the rooftop one when the weather is fine, but the option of an intimate eight-cover bar with small plates is new – The Balcony Bar offers just that – we just had to go along to try it out!

Perched on the comfy brown leather seats, in the very capable hands of Duarte, our mixologist for the night, we checked through the cocktail list.  In fact, if you prefer, the Balcony also has an extensive wine list drawn from the Heliot Steak House’s own selection – with over 120 options.  Cocktails are fun though and a real treat for me, so I welcomed the opportunity to indulge myself!

I love a good margarita and since The Balcony Bar has a whole section dedicated to my favourite, I picked the Spicy Mezcal Margarita which is made with tequila blanco, mezcal resposado, triple sec, lime juice, chilli and agave nectar.  I was offered a choice of mezcal – Casamigos or Illegal – both premium brands and picked the Casamigos simply because I’d tried it before and knew it was an American brand, founded by George Clooney amongst others.  I’d been a bit unsure how a spicy margarita would work but actually really enjoyed the extra ‘bite’

Meanwhile, my companion ordered a long cocktail, a Helicolada which comes with spiced rum, raspberry, blackberry, coconut, passionfruit, strawberry, pineapple juice and passionfruit juice.  I suspect he thought he was picking a low-alcohol option, but that really wasn’t the case.  The Balcony Bar has a range of premium spirits and you’ll find your cocktails are all excellent quality with a good balance of spirit to mixer.

With 6 small plates on the menu, we’d ordered one of each to try with our food.  While we waited, a portion of house-baked bread with oil and balsamic helped line the stomach a bit.

We loved the seafood-based menu – starting with delicious Carlingford Lough Irish Oysters with lime caviar (actually from a fruit called finger lime that opens to reveal caviar-like pearls with a citrusy juice).  The oysters were beautifully plump and fresh and I’d happily have eaten another round (£10 buys you three of these).

Kiwi Thai Mussels were a dish of New Zealand mussels in a rich lightly spicy Thai curry sauce that just asked to be mopped up with bread. Full of coriander, lime and coconut milk it had just the right amount of kick to bring out the taste of the meaty mussels

And, Salvo’s Salmon Bagel was exactly what it sounded like – perhaps slightly at odds with the rest of the menu, but very delicious all the same.  

Time for another cocktail, this time I picked another tequila-based favourite.  The Paloma is a white tequila cocktail with pink grapefruit juice, pink grapefruit soda and agave nectar.  It’s the sort of concoction I’d make at home given half a chance and a bottle of tequila – a long drink served over ice that is a perfect summer cooler.

Meanwhile, my companion was tempted by the coco daiquiri made with coconut rum, white rum, lime juice and sugar and served in a coupe garnished with coconut flakes

We particularly enjoyed the next dish of octopus with green fava, lemon, chive oil and chimichurri.  Served at room temperature, it was a delicious mouthful of firm but tender octopus and a fava mash that would have been worthy of its own plate

The Valparaiso ceviche was a generous plate of fresh, finely sliced seabass ‘cooked’ in a citrus dressing, garnished with micro herbs and served with lime, orange and pink grapefruit.  I’d personally have preferred this dish chilled rather than served at room temperature but I suspect that is simply because that is what I was expecting.

The only vegetarian option on the menu was a picture-perfect grilled aubergine and amba sauce with tahini and spicy mango.  An utterly delicious dish that could perhaps have been improved by having crudites or crackers as an option to eat it with 

We understand that The Balcony is planning a rotating menu.  For now, the fresh seafood is perfect for summer and the sort of food that would make great pre-theatre dining options.  With all the plates at £10 and with cocktails for £12.75 you can enjoy two or three dishes without breaking the bank.  The spectacular views down to the Grand Casino really make this somewhere to meet up for a stylish evening out.

Book via email or phone –  0207 769 8888 or heliot@hippodromecasino.com

The Balcony at Heliot Steak house is currently open seven days a week:

Sunday – Thursday: 5 pm-10 pm

Friday & Saturday: 5 pm-11 pm

The Balcony Bar at Heliot Steak House
Hippodrome Casino
Cranbourne Street
London
WC2H 7JH

Website: https://www.hippodromecasino.com/restaurant-bars-lounges/