‘With comfortable seating, good food and an eclectic selection of films – from the latest Hollywood hits to independent foreign productions – London's boutique cinemas offer a chicer alternative to the bustling, sticky-floored multiplex,' says venues and events specialist Charlotte Knight.
Here are Charlotte's favourite boutique cinemas and private screening rooms in London. Call us to make bookings or to check what's on.
Everyman Hampstead
5 Holly Bush Vale, Hampstead, NW3 6TX (pictured)
This is the independent cinema chain’s flagship venue. ‘With beautiful leather seats and velvet pillows, this location offers a luxurious cinematic experience,' comments Charlotte. For £32, couples can rent ‘suites’ that resemble mini open-topped pods – each with its own leather sofa, foot rests and a wine cooler. Everyman also opened a new branch in Maida Vale in late 2011, which features the same relaxed seating, gourmet snacks and personable approach.
The Aubin Cinema
64-66 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DP
Situated below the Aubin & Wills concept store – whose tagline is ‘exclusively for the discerning’ – this intimate 46-seat cinema is run in conjunction with the Shoreditch House private members' club. The velvet armchairs and sofas are adorned with cushions and tartan blankets, should you get cold (or scared). Be sure to try the tasty chilli Jazz Corn and the stilton walnut cookies.
The Lounge
Odeon, Whiteleys shopping centre, Queensway, W2 4YL
Britain’s biggest cinema chain opened its first ‘fine food and film’ experience at the start of 2012. Each of the five boutique screens features a maximum of 50 leather seats, which recline at the touch of a button. The real selling point, however, is the restaurant-quality cuisine. Overseen by chef Rowley Leigh – of Le Café Anglais fame – dishes range from gourmet hot dog popcorn to red mullet risotto. Stylish in-cinema tables incorporate a layer of rubber in their design, ensuring that the black plates are placed down soundlessly.
Electric Cinema
191 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11 2ED
This Grade II-listed building offers one of the comfiest and classiest ways to see a film in London. The seating marks this cinema out, with leather armchairs, sofas for couples, footstools and small tables to hold your drinks. An usher serves paper cups of tapas and mini-meals such as fish and chips from the brasserie next door, plus there's a bar for glasses (or bottles) of wine and Japanese crackers.
Phoenix Cinema
52 High Road, East Finchley, N2 9PJ
The Guardian described this art deco theatre as the ‘best independent cinema anywhere'. Opened in 1910, this is one of London's oldest picture houses and the interior retains many of the original features. Charlotte says: ‘Its film programme covers new releases and classics, as well as independent and foreign-language films.' There's also a kids' club, and the cinema regularly hosts talks and workshops.
Firmdale Hotels
Soho Hotel, 4 Richmond Mews, Soho, W1D 3DH
Charlotte Street Hotel, 15-17 Charlotte Street, Soho, W1T 1RJ
Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9HB
These three London hotels all run weekend film clubs that include a two-course dinner followed by a movie in their luxurious private screening rooms. Films range from classics to the latest releases.
Greenwich Picturehouse
180 Greenwich High Road, Greenwich, SE10 8NN
This venue has five luxurious theatres, a bar that allows drinks to be taken into films and a basement screening room which hosts comedy and music events. Food is available from the Organic Tapas Company and The Rivington Grill next door, and the cinema shows art house productions and foreign films, as well as the latest blockbusters.
Lexi Cinema Pinkham Lighthouse
194b Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, NW10 3JU
Staffed predominantly by passionate local volunteers, this is the UK’s first social enterprise independent cinema, with 100 per cent of their profits going to charity. Although housed in an Edwardian theatre, its equipment is thoroughly modern, with a bespoke sound system and digital projectors. The Lexi has comfy seats, a private viewing gallery for up to 16 people, and a bar that serves wine, beer, platters of food and popcorn.
Secret Cinema
London – exact location varies
For those with a love of theatrics and mystery, this quirky monthly event is brilliant. The evening’s film, which could be anything from a cult classic to a one-off preview, remains undisclosed until the starting credits roll, yet clues lie in the impressive set design and numerous costumed actors. Ticket holders are emailed elaborate instructions for where to rendezvous and what to wear.
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