Top 5 Arthouse Cinemas in London

Top 5 Arthouse Cinemas in London

When I really need a break from all the commercial, consumeristic chaos this is London, I venture off to an independent cinema somewhere in the city.

Most of these venues have been preserved since the early 1900s. The cinemas they house are special spaces with such charm and ambience that no amount of big budget can buy. Here are the top five that I would recommend.

Phoenix Cinema in London

Most people walk by the Phoenix Cinema during guided walking tours in Finchley and remark “we need to go there”. It’s one of those cinemas that captivates you from the outside, before you’ve even seen the inside.

It’s been here since 1910 and hasn’t changed much aside from a few necessary repairs here & there. They mood light the interior, and it looks a lot more like an old opera theatre rather than a movie house.

Phoenix Cinema in London – by Phoenix Cinema – Uploaded by them

At Phoenix they screen a variety of content in order to make their monthly ends meet. While a large portion of the bill is reserved for independent, small budget films, they do show the occasional blockbuster as well as live screenings of operas happening around the continent.

There are filmmaker classes and discussion panels occasionally too, and special screenings for children’s films on the weekends.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Daily

ADDRESS: 52 High Rd, East Finchley, London N2 9PJ, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: East Finchley

Ritzy Cinema and Cafe in London

If you ever need to severely impress someone on a first date, bring them to the Ritzy in Brixton.

This is one of the most notorious independent theaters in all of London, and it is also the largest. The Ritzy houses five different cinema screens within its walls, as well as two bars and a cafe.

It was built back in 2011 and, like the Phoenix, hasn’t had much adjusted since. Screen 1 remains the most beautiful and the room in which everyone wants to be.

Ritzy Cinema and Cafe in London – by Ritzy Cinema and Cafe – Uploaded by them

They screen a variety of independent films, classics, new cinema and a few very special late night screenings that is not an experience available elsewhere in London. Their upstairs venue is not a cinema screen but rather an auditorium where a lot of live performances and standup comedy shows take place.

On Mondays the Ritzy does one special screening targeted at mothers with babies; babies first day at the cinema featuring suitable content.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Daily

ADDRESS: Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Ln, Brixton SW2 1JG, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Brixton

Regent Street Cinema in London

From the outside the Regent Street Cinema looks like nothing more than a modern theatre complex. Once inside, you’ll find the antithesis of this; it’s actually the home of a plush and very old 1800s cinema space.

Complete with a balcony and velvet chairs, you’ll feel like you’re about to watch the Queen herself walk onstage and introduce the film. They show art movies from around the continent, as well as classics through the ages.

Regent Street Cinema in London – by Regent Street Cinema – Sourced from their website

To many, the Regent Street Cinema is regarded as the “birthplace of British cinema” due to its age and presence in the city. There is a fantastic old bar area where you can knock a few back before the film, and the staff do well to make the whole event very memorable.

By London’s standards, this also happens to be quite an affordable cinema experience, especially if you don’t intend to make use of said bar.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Daily

ADDRESS: 307 Regent St, Marylebone, London W1B 2HW, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Oxford Circus Underground

Electric Cinema in London

The Electric Cinema is one of the oldest movie cinemas in the country, and it earned its much needed renovations back in 2001.

The interior is now world class; plush, red couches will caress you while you perch your feet up on a footrest during the movie. There are velvet blankets provided, reading lamps between the seats and side tables instead of cup holders.

Electric Cinema in London – by Electric Cinema – Uploaded by them

This is more than just “going to watch a movie”, it’s a night out at the cinema, an event, an experience. Your whole understanding of cinemas will be completely challenged.

They screen art house films plus a few current releases. There is a full bar and restaurant menu to be enjoyed before or after the screening. If you’ve taken a guided walking tour past Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens, then this theatre sits right on the north western edge of the grounds.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Daily

ADDRESS: 191 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill, London W11 2ED, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Ladbroke Grove

Genesis Cinema in London

This gorgeous cinema feels just as good as a night out at the theatre, which is largely due to the fact that it was actually a theatre at one stage. A theatre in which Charlie Chaplin was a regular, I might add.

It was converted into the cinema house in 1912, when films became the buzz of society and everyone wanted to see them being screened.

Most notably, Genesis has done everything they can to keep the cinema experience well within the budget of even low income British families. For what you’d usually pay for just a ticket at other arthouse cinemas you can get a ticket and snacks combined at Genesis.

Genesis Cinema in London – by Genesis Cinema – Uploaded by them

In order to ensure that they are not taken advantage of, there are bag searches done at the door. Which is completely understandable considering their efforts to keep things reasonably priced.

The smaller screens inside the venue make use of sofas instead of regular seats, which is a nice touch!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Daily

ADDRESS: 93-95 Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4UJ, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Whitechapel