The best independent cinemas in London
Close-Up
Best for: seeing art-house films on the big screen
As alternatives to multiplex cinemas go, it doesn't get much more alternative than this cosy 40-seat independent cinema just off Brick Lane, which has a digital projector but also shows reel-to-reel 35mm and 16mm. Swing by most evenings and you’ll find a screening of an obscure film you’ve always wanted to see or, more likely, something you’ve never heard of. The people who run Close-Up really do know their stuff so it’s worth trusting their choices. There’s also an extensive library of film books and DVDs including early cinema, classics, world cinema, documentaries, experimental films and video art that you can rent if you become a member (membership also gets you 40 per cent off cinema tickets). Go early to browse the selection and make the most of their café/bar, which serves strong coffee, snacks and negronis, all available to take into the cinema. By Sonya Barber
Address: Close-Up, 97 Sclater Street, London E1 6HR
Telephone: +44 20 3784 7970
Website: closeupfilmcentre.com
Whirled Cinema
Best cinema for: a members’ club experience
This quirky cinema opened in 2010 as a sanctuary for film buffs. Set underneath the railway arches at Loughborough Junction, it’s just round the corner from better-known Brixton. The screening room is almost-cave like, with an arched roof, a handful of seats and a cool vintage-style bar at the back, while a rooftop terrace acts as a place to relax before or after the film. Membership is required, but is very affordable: join weekly for £12 or you can pay £145 for 12 months. Members watch their films without any additional cost, and can even bring a guest free of charge – plus get a five per cent discount on snacks at the bar. Listings run from much-talked about recent releases to arthouse flicks and cult classics.
Address: Whirled Cinema, 259-260 Hardess Street, Loughborough Junction, London SE24 0HN
Telephone: +44 20 7737 6153
Website: whirledcinema.com
Craig GibsonRich Mix
Best cinema for: Shoreditch cool
Inside this old factory building, two minutes walk from Shoreditch High Street, there are three cinema screens and a fun bar (which serves popcorn and pick'a'mix too). Run as a charity, it's not just a cinema – and so, on any given week you might find an art exhibition, a theatre performance and a family-friendly film screening happening all at once. They show all the latest Blockbusters, and the prices are cheap; afterwards head to the Indigo Restaurant on the ground floor for Indian street food.
Address: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA
Telephone: +44 20 7613 7498
Website: richmix.org.uk
The Lexi Cinema
Best cinema for: do-good entertainment
The Lexi donates 100% of their profits to charity and is mostly staffed by volunteers. All proceeds go to The Sustainability Institute, which helps villages in South Africa with projects like a new crèche, school meals, after-school clubs and better power systems. There’s also an exhibition space, plus sister project The Nomad, a roaming outdoor cinema that’s been set up in iconic locations across London including St Paul’s Cathedral and Leadenhall Market.
Address: The Lexi Cinema, 194B Chamberlayne Rd, Kensal Green, London NW10 3JU
Telephone: +44 20 3011 5523
Website: thelexicinema.co.uk
Everyman Screen on the Green
Best cinema for: A night at one of London’s prettiest cinemas
Islington’s Screen on the Green looks a little out of place on Islington Green; smaller and squatter than the surrounding buildings with super-cool neon signage and a retro American-style marquee outside. Confusingly, it’s not an outside cinema: rather a cosy little single screen (with a welcome fully-stocked bar at the back). As well as the usual big-hitters, Screen on the Green also shows smaller indie films plus live screenings of the Royal Opera House and Royal Shakespeare Company.
Address: Everyman Screen on the Green, 83 Upper St, London N1 0NP
Telephone: +44 871 906 9060
Website: everymancinema.com
Electric Cinema
Best cinema for: Full-scale pampering
Electric Cinema Portobello underwent an extensive £2 million overhaul in 2001 (think lush red leather armchairs, footstools and double beds), so you may find it hard to believe it is one of the oldest working venues in England. Before you become entranced by one of the mainstream or art house films on show - whilst wrapped up in a cashmere blanket and sipping a glass of red - try the American '50s-inspired Electric Diner for a feast of smoked pork belly and Nevada Pale Ale.
Address: Electric Cinema Notting Hill, 191 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2ED
Telephone: +44 20 7908 9696
Website: electriccinema.co.uk
Everyman Baker Street
Best cinema for: Date nights
Set near shopping superhighways Oxford Street and Regent Street, the modestly-sized yet intimate Everyman Baker Street is extra cute for couples. You can lounge about in its lavish cocktail bar and take your drinks into the theatre when it's time for your film to start. Families with young children might prefer the Hampstead venue (5 Holly Bush Vale, Hampstead, London NW3), which has a yoghurt bar and an upper lounge that can cater to children's birthday parties.
Address: Everyman Baker Street, 96-98 Baker Street, London W1U 6TJ
Telephone: +44 87 1906 9060
Website: everymancinema.com
Curzon Mayfair
Best cinema for: Red carpet glamour
For world-class art house pictures try the Curzon Mayfair, where blue carpeted floors, velvet armchairs and private royal boxes make for a prestigious experience - and a fitting venue for the dozen or so red carpet premieres it hosts each year. It mostly offers independent films, but also screens live satellite transmissions from the National Theatre, London's Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Address: Curzon Mayfair, 38 Curzon Street, Mayfair, London W1J
Telephone: +44 333 321 0104
Website: curzoncinemas.com
The BFI Southbank
Best cinema for: Critically-acclaimed pictures
Anyone who knows their Godards from their Tarkovskys will have heard of South Bank's unmissable, four-screen British Film Institute. As well as screening more than 2,000 titles each year, from the classic and contemporary to the critically-acclaimed, it hosts the BFI London Film Festival, the UK's largest public annual film event. Its mezzanine exhibitions showcase posters, scripts and costumes, and a wealth of books and free films fill the shelves of its Reuben Library and Mediatheque. Even if you don't have time for a film, pop to the Riverfront Bar & Kitchen and tuck into a salmon burger or scampi while looking out at views of the Thames.
Address: The BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT
Telephone: +44 20 7928 3232
Website: bfi.org.uk
Ritzy Picturehouse
Best cinema for: retro south London vibes
The Ritzy has all the old-school grandeur of an iconic 20th century picture house. The scruffy glamour is authentic too: first opening as a cinema in Brixton in 1911. Now, part of the Picturehouse family, it has all the comforts you come to expect from these cinemas (a cool bar with great views and comfy seats are at the top of our list). But this grand old cinema also hosts comedy nights, live music, open mic and dance workshops among them.
Address: Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton SW2 1JG
Telephone: +44 871 902 5747
Website: picturehouses.com
The Phoenix Cinema
Best cinema for: Old-school vibes
Built in 1910, the Phoenix's antiquated exterior lends it a nostalgic appearance that will excite architecture obsessives and movie fans alike. Beyond showing feature films, live international opera and art house hits, it holds weekly screenings for children and toddlers, film studies classes and discussion groups. Grab a snack and a glass of wine in its café bar upstairs, where you'll find a selection of homemade cakes, soups and stews.
Address: The Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9PJ
Telephone: +44 20 8444 6789
Website: phoenixcinema.co.uk
Rio Cinema
Best cinema for: Matinees with the family
Rio Cinema is old-fashioned but cosy, and puts on an impressive variety of foreign and independent films alongside current Hollywood big hitters. On top of its late-night Saturday screenings, Sunday Matinees and monthly Classic Matinees, its programme includes bargain children's films and even subtitled screenings for parents with particularly vocal babies.
Address: Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2PB
Telephone: +44 20 7241 9410
Website: riocinema.org.uk
Regent Street Cinema
Best cinema for: A slice of cinema history
Step into the newly refurbished foyer of theRegent Street Cinema and you would be forgiven for not realising you were in the birthplace of British cinema. But while the outside is deceptively modern, the screening room is just as grand as one would expect from the 1800s. In fact, the gilded interior is so pretty you might forget to watch the film. Screening a selection of arthouse and world cinema, the schedule changes daily, sometimes with double screenings during which food is laid out in the interval. And if a film doesn't take your fancy, grab a glass of wine at the bar, one of the best-positioned and quietest on Regent Street.
Address: Regent Street Cinema, 309 Regent Street, London, W1B 2UW
Telephone: +44 20 7911 5050
Website: regentstreetcinema.com
ArtHouse Cinema
Best cinema for: Art, art and more art
There's a bit of everything for everyone at ArtHouse Crouch End: it's a must-visit North London destination for fans of film, fine art, theatre, comedy or dance - essentially, most of the arts. It screens a rich list of alternative content alongside a handful of the best popular picks of the moment. There's also a stylish café bar that hosts art exhibitions, comedy nights and live music, as well as an intimate mezzanine that can be privately hired.
Address: ArtHouse Cinema, 159A Tottenham Lane, London N8 9BT
Telephone: +44 20 8245 3099
Website: arthousecrouchend.co.uk
Ciné Lumière
Best cinema for: Foreign film
Part of the Institut Français, the French Cultural Institute in London, Ciné Lumière is an Art Deco charmer right in the heart of stylish South Ken. Named after the Lumière brothers, its emphasis is on showcasing French, European and world cinema, and it is therefore a popular choice for foreign film lovers. The venue shows French classics on Sundays and subtitled films for children aged four and above - ideal for families or those looking to brush up on their beginner's French.
Address: Ciné Lumière, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT
Telephone: +44 20 7871 3515
Website: institut-francais.org.uk/cine-lumiere
Prince Charles Cinema
Best cinema for: Marathons and sing-alongs
For an extra special cinema outing, head to this London institution in the ever-frantic Leicester Square. It hosts a stream of both quirky and classic screenings and events. Regular sing-alongs are also part of the programme, to the pleasure of die-hard fans (sick of that Frozen tune? Stretch your lungs to Moulin Rouge and Dirty Dancing instead).
Address: Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7RJ
Telephone: +44 207 494 3654
Website: princecharlescinema.com
Genesis Cinema
Best cinema for: superior snacking
This one-time theatre (housing famous acts like Charlie Chaplin way-back-when) was converted to a cinema in the early 20th century, and recently renovated by two film-set designers who know their stuff. Snacks in the bar include must-try crodoughs from legendary East London Rinkoff’s Bakery - but don’t worry, there’s still the usual pick’n’mix and popcorn if sugar-sweet nostalgia is more your desired foodie vibe. The team also run seasons of themed listings (try Women in Film, where only films that have a female director, writer, producer or strong female lead are shown) and quirky one-off events – because who doesn’t want to attend a pizza party for Ryan Gosling’s birthday?
Address: Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Rd, London E1 4UJ
Telephone: +44 20 7780 2000
Website: genesiscinema.co.uk
Olympic Studios
Best cinema for: rock’n’roll history
Olympic Studios first opened its doors more than 100 years ago, when you might have caught King Edward VII’s funeral rather than an indie arthouse film. After stints as a theatre and a television studio, it became a recording studio in the 60s housing the Rolling Stones and the Beatles as they recorded some of their classic albums. Now converted back to a cinema, its all brass tables, snuggly sofas and footstools for the ultimate relaxation while you watch. Add a membership at the members' club upstairs and you’ve got one of London’s plushest independent cinemas.
Address: Olympic Studios, 117-123 Church Rd, Barnes, London SW13 9HL
Telephone: +44 20 8912 5161
Website: olympiccinema.co.uk
Peckhamplex
Best cinema for: (Really) affordable screenings of the latest block-busters
This South London institution isn’t London’s smartest cinema – set next to a multi-storey carpark (albeit one with a cool rooftop bar) in the heart of Peckham. And yet, its one of the most-loved cinemas in the capital. Tickets cost just £4.99 at any time on any day, making it just possibly one of the best value days out in London. Plus (and unusually for an indie cinema), it has 6 screens and shows all of the latest releases – and for real film buffs, arthouse films are screened too.
Address: Peckhamplex, 95a Rye Lane, Peckham, London, SE15 4ST
Telephone: +44 844 567 2742
Website: peckhamplex.london