Gone are the days when a trip to your local picturehouse included a watered-down Tango Ice Blast, lumpy chairs and some oh-so-suspect carpet stains. These days, London's cinemas are upping the ante with cashmere blankets, gourmet snacks, lay-flat beds… oh, and Champagne served at your seat, naturally.
Spanning the city’s coolest neighbourhoods, these stylish and unique spots are giving the latest Hollywood blockbusters the VIP treatment, and we reckon you deserve a slice of the action. So, settle in for the show and check out our guide to the best luxury cinemas in London.
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Our Guide To London Luxury Cinemas
1. Curzon At Sea Containers
- Location: 20 Upper Ground, Southbank, SE1 9PD
- Price: £14.50 per adult
- Why we recommend: this cinema is a great pick for date night, as it does a two-ticket, popcorn and wine deal for £50
Located on the banks of the River Thames, Sea Containers is one of Southbank’s most iconic buildings and also just happens to be home to a swanky Curzon cinema. Boasting what can only be described as the sexiest lobby of all time, you can only imagine how good the popcorn is here.
It offers a 56-seat screening room, as well as 4k digital projection and Dolby 7.1 sound. Head down on a Friday evening, Saturday or Sunday, and be sure to arrive at least half an hour before the film starts to make full use of the hot food menu.
The mother of all cinema lobbies.
2. Olympic Cinema
- Location: Olympic Studios, 117 Church Road, Barnes, SW13 9HL
- Price: £14 per adult
- Why we recommend: this gorgeous cinema is a dream to watch a blockbuster at, and you'll also find a great selection of Q&A's taking place here
There’s extravagant, and then there’s going all the way to Norway to find the very best reclining seat, and creating bespoke tables, just the perfect size to hold a bottle of wine. Enter, Olympic Cinema.
Located in West London’s Barnes neighbourhood, this spot has wall-to-wall luxury carpets in both of its two screens, with cosy love seats, perfect for some under-the-cover-of-darkness canoodling. You can also grab a bite to eat here at Bar & Bistro Barned, with apertivo hours running daily from 4pm to 6pm, where a selection of curated cocktails are available for £8.
Sinkable seats and drinks catapult this place to another league.
3. The Cinema In The Power Station
- Location: 3rd Floor, Turbine Hall, The Power Station, Nine Elms, SW11 8DD
- Price: £15 per person
- Why we recommend: both the turbine hall and the arches are fabulous places to catch a movie with your friends and family. What's more, screens also have private boxes seating two or four people, which come complete with individual mini-bars
If you're on the hunt for the best luxury cinema London has to offer, make your way over to South for this gem. A slinky string in Battersea Power Station's bow, this gorgeous movie house has taken over from Archilight to be Europe’s first and only independent cinema with Dolby Cinema technology.
Old school Hollywood portraits line the hallways, while reclining seats provide your setting for fine wines, bottled cocktails and tasty treats. It's not just shopping and ice skating up for grabs at The Cinema In The Power Station.
Head to Battersea for movie magic.
4. Everyman Cinema
- Locations: King's Cross, Chelsea, Borough Yards, and more
- Price: varies by location
- Why we recommend: these cinemas provide comfort aplenty, and if you become a member, you can bring a guest for free every Monday
Well on the way to world domination, Everyman is the cinema in London for those willing to dole out an extra few quid for that little slice of luxury. Set in some of London’s most iconic and historic buildings (in Canary Wharf, Borough, Crystal Palace and more), their venues are so gorgeous you’d be forgiven for forgetting to watch the actual film.
Book yourself a cosy two-seater, complete with side tables and blankets. Plus, if you're on the hunt for a luxury cinema in London with food, you'll be thrilled to know that you can order the likes of pizza (and cocktails) to your seat.
A mecca to all things movie.
5. Electric Cinema
- Location: 191 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11 2ED, Unit 2, Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, W12 7FR
- Price: from £15 per person
- Why we recommend: you can look forward to to two-person sofas, laser projections and Dolby Atmos sounds at these West London locations
Portobello Road’s Electric Cinema has all the style and sophistication that we’ve come to expect from the Soho House Group. From Cowshed products in the bathrooms to cashmere blankets, picture-perfect sweetie stands, and lay-flat beds, every inch of this spot oozes luxe.
Head here, or to this place's sister venue at White City, and put your feet up on one of the perfectly positioned velvet stools while sipping on a selection of cocktails from the fully licensed bar.
Meet the sofa cinema in the city.
6. Regent Street Cinema
- Location: 307 Regent Street, Marylebone, W1B 2HW
- Price: from £6 per person (on Mondays and Tuesdays)
- Why we recommend: as well as all the latest releases, you can catch films from the 40s, 50s and 60s
The Sandringham of the screening world, Regent Street Cinema proves that decadence truly never does go out of style. Located just a short stroll away from Oxford Street, this place originally opened as a lecture theatre in 1848, going on to become the UK’s first proper cinema.
These days, it spotlights indie flicks, short films and the latest releases - all within super fancy surroundings. You can expect an Art Deco auditorium with velvet chairs and gold coat hooks, an elliptical-coved ceiling, and 7.1 surround sound.
We'll take the royal box, thanks.
7. The Cinema At Selfridges
- Location: 40 Duke Street, Soho, W1U 1AT
- Price: £20 per person
- Why we recommend: this sleek space is available for private hire, and has a stunning bar called The Cloakroom, where no photos are allowed, but drinks are aplenty
After a day of shopping 'til you drop, you can now fall into a super comfy reclining seat in one of the three screens at Selfridges Oxford Street’s in-store cinema.
With state-of-the-art surround sound and laser projection technology, catching a film here is a fully immersive experience. And if all the action works you up an appetite? Head up to the stunning Brasserie of Light for a mouthwatering meal under some imposing Damien Hirst artwork.
This space-age pick is a great post-shopping movie destination.
8. Firmdale Film Club
- Locations: Charlotte Street Hotel, Soho Hotel, and Covent Garden Hotel
- Price: from £25 per person
- Why we recommend: whether you’re settling in with brunch and a cocktail, having an afternoon tea, or pairing cinema with Champagne and supper, Firmdale's Film Club elevates the act of watching a film
Firmdale’s Film Club offers a beautifully curated alternative to the standard movie night. Hosted within the intimate private screening rooms of The Soho Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel and Covent Garden Hotel, each event pairs exceptional filmmaking with equally considered dining.
Tickets start from £25 for film-only entry (with popcorn, always), rising to indulgent packages that include brunch, afternoon tea or a three-course lunch or dinner, right through to a Champagne experience at £65 per person.
Soho Hotel (pictured) has its own cinema room.
