United Kingdom
The Secret Cinema is one of the most innovative projects in London. The crew rent a discreet venue in the city and construct an interactive version of the film that they show at the end of the evening. The audience are expected to dress up and immerse themselves in the environment, heightening the eventual experience of the film itself.
The location varies, but details of upcoming events can be found at www.secretcinema.org
The Barbican Cinema, hidden away in the depths of the Barbican complex, is/was a leading cinema exhibition centre with an international programme full of past classics, screen talks with film giants, lively film discussions, and contemporary festivals. While for years the Barbican art gallery and the concert hall have been lauded for providing world class artistic entertainment the cinema has remained largely underappreciated by those not in the know, despite the fact that it was the only cinema rivalling the BFI for high quality imaginative programming. With cuts afoot this cinema looks likely to lose what had make it special so I urge you to visit it soon while its programme still resembles what it once did and while it still has a claim to call itself ‘London’s most diverse cinema’.
www.barbican.org.uk/film/whats-on.asp
Silk Street, City of London, Greater London EC2Y 8DS
+44(0)20 7638 4141
Google map: bit.ly/rszbGi
* Sophie is our Been there local for London. You can view her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/london-local-sophie-mitchell-intro.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/SophieMItchell
A lovely pub on the Gallic Choumert Road with a 'Back Room' cinema club and a long menu offering organic roasts for Sunday lunch
The fish is fresh and comes from sustainable sources & British seas. The supplier is F.C Sopers fishmongers in Nunhead (www.fcsoper.com), a local institution since 1898.
The meat is free-range and organic. The chicken, pork & lamb comes from a small farm, Gillwing, in Sussex (www.gillwing.co.uk/farm) and is delivered by Andrew, the farmer, who makes the sausages all by hand.
The opening times seem to vary, the staff are exceptionally friendly and continued to pour the beverages long after midnight on a Thursday, as everyone was still having a good time and reluctant to leave!
www.themontpelier.net
43 Choumert Road, London SE15 4AR
+44 207 635 9483
Open Mon-Thur & Sun 12.00-23.00, Fri-Sat 12.00-01.00
Overground to Peckham Rye, buses 12, 171, 197
Google map: bit.ly/p4e0OB
Lucy is our Been there local for London. You can read her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/london-local-lucy-mallows.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/LucyRM.jsp
As a teenager I passed the Renoir on the way home from a night out in central London. It was part of the exciting, interesting London I knew little of then, having grown up in the eastern suburbs. Years later I worked nearby and was a regular visitor. Descend into its subterranean world and you will find a friendly place showing films that are a bit different. It is part of the re-vamped Brunswick centre, which has now realised its architect's dream of a modern village with restaurants ideal for a pre-film meal. Afterwards have a drink in Dean's Bar in the Waverley House Hotel, which has appeared in several films and has been the location of many nights out for me.
Renoir Brunswick Centre WC1N 1AW 0871 703 3991
www.curzoncinemas.com/#/venues/renoir
Google map: tinyurl.com/y9hrpln
This awesome art deco cinema, one of the oldest in the UK, never fails to hit the spot, offering a friendly and charming viewing experience every time. Their discerning choices of film include classics such as 'Psycho' along with any new releases that are worth seeing. They host regular talks from local celebrities, offer scrumptious home-made cakes and many other goodies. Oh, and did I mention the Earlybird lunchtime screening, where you get a ticket for £6 which includes one of their excellent cups Joe?!
52, High Road, London N2 9PJ
(East Finchley Tube)
Telephone: 020 8444 6789
www.phoenixcinema.co.uk/
Google map: tinyurl.com/yd7hfly
One of the most sophisticated cinemas in the heart of London. Good food, not crowded,little bit expensive but you get a high class cinema for your money. They have great choice of movies Like, Pride and Prejudice, Place to hangout with Friends
103 Nottinghill Gate LONDON W11 3LB By tube Central line or District and Circle lines To Nottinghill station By Bus Routes 28, 52, 328, 94, 27 or Visit online:www.coronet.org
Just off Leicester Square, this is the cheapest indie cinema in London's West End (probably even the UK), with ticket prices at no more than £4, and as low as a quid all day Fridays! They show a great mix of top blockbuster and indie films just off their mainstream run, and also host special themed nights for cinephiles.
You'll find the Prince Charles Cinema at 7 Leicester Place, the street running north off Leicester Square (just up from the Haagen Dazs shop). Visit www.princecharlescinema.com/ to find out what's playing. Give them a call from 1-9pm on 020 7494 3654, and they'll guide you there!
The best cinema in London, albeit with the very worst cafe/bar (dire food, miserable staff). Great for catching up on the classics of world cinema, sniffing out the work of upcoming filmmakers or attending one of the many film festivals.
National Film Theatre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, Waterloo, London SE1 8XT
www.bfi.org.uk/incinemas/nft/
Tucked away on a quiet street in Fitzrovia, this trendy five-star hotel is home to an intimate basement cinema. The Sunday night film club costs about £35 and includes a three-course meal at Oscar, the hotel's restaurant, and entrance to a film screening.
It's an affordable way to wine, dine and flop in front of a celluloid classic. The bright orange leather seats are pretty stylish and roomy enough to snuggle up in the back row-would really impress on a first date.
15-17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJ; 020 7806 2000;
Goodge Street station is the nearest underground;
www.charlottestreethotel.com
Stretch out on a huge two-seater leather sofa at the back of the re-vamped Electric cinema. There's also a bar in the auditorium and tempting pre-film snacks that go way beyond popcorn. Ultra-cool venue, perfect for a date with a film buff.
www.electriccinema.co.uk. Nearest tube Ladbroke Grove. Bookings 020 7908 9696
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