The New Normal: Top 10 Cinemas to Visit Now That The World is Reopening.
On May 11th 2021 cinemas re-opened their doors again after an uncertain year in which they were mostly shuttered. We posted about it over here and the responses were terrific. People love going to the pictures - I know I do - this is Ben, by way.
When the lights go down and the world falls away, that’s when there’s magic in the air.
I love all types of cinema, from the Tango ice blasting, 4DX, roller coasting of Cineworld Leicester Square to the more independent arthouses I’ve picked below. If we’ve missed any that you absolutely love, and think we should visit, drop me a DM on Instagram - we can’t wait to get back out into the world again!
Full disclosure. This is my hometown cinema. Open and closed on the same day. 2nd September 1939 due to the outbreak of World War 2. Nan took me and my brother here to watch The Little Mermaid in 1989 and a lifelong passion for movies was born.
It originally had 1,450 seats. One screen and all those seats! It’s now a 3 screen independent cinema that’s mostly run by passionate volunteers. Locals have stepped in to help save it on a number of occasions and it has its own dedicated charity shop in the area. Hosting a mostly mainstream program I’ve a host of wonderful memories from this place. Jurassic Park is probably the best. A packed cinema. Face full of popcorn and everyone terrified. I was 16. Awesome.
So, this is looking to be more of an autobiographical journey through Ben’s life in cinemas actually…
This is where I went to University. The old arthouse cinema The Cornerhouse was a staple. Showing the very best in arthouse and world cinema. Sadly it was demolished in 2015.
Rising from the ashes, Jason Wood and the team at HOME have kept that spirit very much alive in this contemporary multi-arts space. An uncompromisingly brilliant program and venue that very much channels the iconoclastic city around it. As a Scouser, I begrudgingly have to accept this is one of the finest cinemas in the country.
This curio of a building doesn’t look like much from the outside. Perched on the end of a block and it’s main entrance in an alleyway, you’d be forgiven for missing it all together. But much like Diagon Alley or the Tardis; Hidden in plain sight is an incredible world of cinematic treats. Set over three floors this is a wonderful cinema, exquisitely programmed (by Andrew Simpson and team) and the cafe and bar are awesome too. Everything from cocktails to cream teas!
An entirely different and unique cinematic experience awaits you at The Rex, Berkhamstead. You dine and watch at the same time. Opened to the public in 1938 this beautiful art deco cinema is akin to dining on the Orient Express whilst watching the latest Oscar winner. Just look at the pictures on the website’s gallery and I dare you not to fall completely in love with this cinema.
I’ve never been. One day. One day soon.
Zeferellis & Fellini’s, Ambleside
Amongst the beautiful mountains and hikes in the Lake District sits the lovely, quaint town of Ambleside. Within this town is a beautiful cinema called Zeferlli’s. Technically this is two cinemas in one town as Zeferelli’s has a sister cinema called Fellini’s. Both named after great Italian directors Franco Zeferelli and Federico Fellini.
My brother, mum and I went to see the Judy Garland biopic at Fellini’s a couple of years ago and it was an experience that will live long in the memory.
If you’re in the Lakes seek it out.
The flagship cinema of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Filmhouse has been a staple of Edinburgh’s film scene since 1979. Housed in a former Presbyterian Church built in 1831 it’s a grand building that plays the best in arthouse and world cinema.
I’ve been to this venue a few times for the festival but my favourite was when I was standing next to Paddy Considine looking at the festival program board deciding what to see. It was just after Dead Man’s Shoes had been released, so to be honest, I was quite scared of him.
Booked by the second best programmer in the country after Jason Wood (Sorry Mark, Jason paid me to write that). Mark Cosgrove and his team have established Watershed as THE go to place for film in Bristol. No mean feat as Bristol has tonnes of cinemas.
This three screen cinema is housed in an old warehouse on the harbourside and has an outstanding cafe/bar. Consistently pushing the envelope with their programming it rightly has a reputation as one of the best independent cinemas in the country.
Housed on the Queens University campus and open from 1968. The QFT is the leading arthouse cinema in Belfast. It’s a two screen venue that plays cult films, international festival hits and arthouse gems.
I’ve never been but I’m hoping their mention in this article gets me an invite soon from Michael Staley or one of his team. :)
The Irish Film Institute is located on the incredibly busy street in Dublin, Temple bar. Another innocuous entrance opens up to a wonderful windowed ceiling atrium. It’s like stepping through a stag do wardrobe and into a cinematic Narnia.
I first encountered this cinema when it was run and programmed by the legendary Pete Walsh. Small and unassuming there was nothing about film and cinema that Pete did not know. He proudly showed me around the cinema but mostly wanted to talk about the 70mm print of Jaques Tati’s Playtime he had secured. That was Pete. Sadly he passed away in 2012.
If you’re ever in Dublin check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
My new local. Huzzah! The Rio Cinema in Dalston is a handsome beast. Art deco. Grade 2 listed. If these are words that get you excited then you’re in the right place. It’s been a cinema since 1909. Well over a hundred years. It only recently added a second screen which will broaden it’s program but it’s always been fiercely independent and cult. If you find yourself wandering along Kingsland Road, this is an absolute treat.
I looked over this list and found that I’d managed to post a fairly good geographical spread of cinemas. What was missing though was a really top notch Welsh venue. I didn’t have to think long. Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff was opened in 1971. The building was previously a school which was built in 1905. Programmed by the sublime Claire Vaughan this is Cardiff’s go to arts venue. A two screen cinema that plays a bit of everything from art house darlings to classy blockbusters. Defo worth a visit if you’re in the Welsh capital.
