London's Trocadero. The Piccadilly Circus Entertainment Centre
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Here is a guide to what the different parts of the centre offers. You will also find practical details on how to get there, parking, ticket prices, opening times, places to eat in and close to the Trocadero and places to stay nearby.
What to expect and what makes this entertainment centre special
The Trocadero began its life as a restaurant that opened in 1896. It was considered to be a glamorous restaurant and was also a place to see cabaret. The Trocadero restaurant closed in 1965. In 1986 the new and re-developed Trocadero opened. It was transformed into an entertainment complex with games, cinema and shops.
The Trocadero is an entertainment complex. Step through the doors of the Trocadero and the sights and sounds will let you know instantly the type of place that you are in. You will hear the bleeps and dings of arcade games, smell the heady tang of sugar-heavy snacks and see an assaulting world of neon lights, souvenir shops and excited youngsters.
The Trocadero complex spreads across three floors. In the basement you will find arcade games, a trampoline with harness (allowing you to hurl yourself safely into the sky) and a breakdancing practice area. On the ground floor there are shops including Claire's accessories, some clothes shops and toy shops. On the first floor there is the entrance to a multiplex cinema and a café.
The attractions in the Trocadero are aimed at kids and teenagers. The Trocadero offers a space where teenagers can play safely in the centre of London or grown-ups can bring your children here and keep them entertained for a couple of hours.
How to get to there
The Trocadero is located in between Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. The nearest tube stop is Piccadilly Circus. On leaving Piccadilly Circus tube station head towards Coventry Street - it sits on the other side of Piccadilly Circus to the tube station exit and links Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square. Once you are on Coventry Street you will see the Trocadero in front of you on the left.
Opening times
There are so many different sections on the Trocadero that opening times can vary. If you would like to find out the opening time of something like a specific shop, it is best to call them or check website details for more details - see links below.
For the Operating hours of the places to eat in the Trocadero see the information below on places to eat in the Trocadero.
Ticket prices
The Trocadero itself is free to get into. If you would like to find out about the individual prices of the games, the bowling or the eateries, you will need to check the website or contact the venue for more details.
Places to eat at the Trocadero
The Trocadero and the surrounding area are packed full of places to eat out. The following are options of places to enjoy a drink or something to eat in the Trocadero:
Le Bar: An American style bar with a long bar area and red leather bar stools. It offers drinks, basket meals and light bites. It also contains an eight foot plasma screen which shows sports and films.
The Sports Bar: This does exactly what it says on the tin - it is a spot to catch on some sport. There are widescreen plasma screens and televisions dotted around the bar.
The Rainforest Café: This is a place to bring the kids. It is a burger and salads joint that has been given a rainforest theme complete with thunder and low hanging vines. For a full guide to this restaurant, see our Guide to the Rainforest Cafe in Piccadilly Circus.
Closest tube stop to the entertainment centre
Tube: Piccadilly Circus (Brown Line / Bakerloo Line and Blue Line / Piccadilly Line) and Leicester Square (Blue Line / Piccadilly Line and Black Line / Northern Line)
Parking at the Trocadero
There is no car park directly at the Trocadero. It is not advisable to drive to the Trocadero as it is difficult to find parking in central London. The parking that is available is expensive.
If you do need to drive your car to the Trocadero you will find a limited amount of pay and display parking in the streets surrounding the Trocadero (Archer street, Shaftesbury Avenue and Winnman Street).
During your holiday it is not always easy to find an activity that will please the whole family. Under the one roof that is the Trocadero there will be something to please each family member. The grown-ups may choose to take a stroll around the shops or see a film at the cinema. The kids can get stuck in on the arcade games or play the air hockey tables. Sometimes on a sightseeing holiday the grown-ups get to have fun with their churches and museums. In the Trocadero centre the kids get to call the shots. If you can persuade your Mum and Dad to bring you to the Trocadero you will find yourself in a world of games, films and tasty snacks (there's not a vegetable in sight!).