London’s nightlife isn’t just about clubs and cocktails-it’s packed with hidden spots where film lovers come alive after dark.
If you’ve ever sat through a midnight screening of Blade Runner 2049 and wished you could keep the conversation going over a pint, you’re not alone. London has spent decades building a nightlife scene that doesn’t just play movies-it celebrates them. From basement cinemas with vintage projectors to pubs where every wall tells a story from classic cinema, the city offers a different kind of night out for those who don’t just watch films-they live them.
Forget the usual tourist traps. The real gems are the places where film fans gather, argue over directors, quote lines like prayers, and discover obscure titles you won’t find on Netflix. These aren’t just bars with a TV playing old movies. These are spaces built by cinephiles, for cinephiles.
The Prince Charles Cinema: Where Film Becomes Ritual
Leicester Square’s Prince Charles Cinema isn’t just a theater-it’s a pilgrimage site. Open since 1965, it’s one of the last independent cinemas in central London that still uses 35mm projectors. You’ll find midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Friday, complete with audience costumes and call-and-response chants. On Sundays, they host Reel Classics, where they screen restored prints of 70s and 80s cult films with live commentary from film historians.
What makes it special isn’t just the films-it’s the crowd. You’ll see students in vintage T-shirts, retired projectionists, and tourists who came just for the atmosphere. The bar serves cocktails named after directors: the Hitchcock (gin, elderflower, blackberry), the Lynch (mezcal, smoked salt, lime). The walls are covered in hand-painted posters, and the staff know your name if you come back twice.
The Screen on the Green: A Hidden Gem in Islington
Nestled in a quiet corner of Islington, The Screen on the Green feels like stepping into a 1970s film club. It’s a converted chapel with a single screen, wooden pews turned into plush seats, and a tiny bar that serves real ales and homemade popcorn with truffle salt. Their weekly Director’s Cut nights feature complete retrospectives-think three nights of Kurosawa, or a deep dive into Agnès Varda’s filmography.
They don’t do blockbusters. No Marvel, no fast-food franchises. Instead, you’ll find La Notte, Persona, or The Spirit of the Beehive. After the screening, they host 20-minute Q&As with local film students or critics from Sight & Sound. It’s quiet. It’s intimate. And it’s the kind of place where you’ll leave with a new favorite director-and a new friend who just handed you a list of 12 underrated Soviet films.
The Electric Cinema: Vintage Glamour Meets Modern Mixology
Not far from Notting Hill, The Electric Cinema opened in 1910 and still has its original marble floors and velvet curtains. They’ve kept the antique projection booth and the original ticket window. But here’s the twist: they’ve turned the balcony into a cocktail lounge called The Projection Room, where you can sip a Godard Old Fashioned while watching a restored version of Contempt.
They host themed nights like French New Wave Fridays and Horror in Black & White. On Tuesdays, they run Movie & Mingle, where attendees get a free drink and are seated with strangers who’ve pre-selected a film they love. It’s basically speed dating for film nerds. You’ll end up talking about the symbolism in Seven Samurai with someone who works at BFI, or debating the merits of Eraserhead with a retired film professor.
Bar 22: The Underground Film Club You Won’t Find on Google Maps
Tucked under a kebab shop in Peckham, Bar 22 is the kind of place you only hear about through word of mouth. There’s no sign. Just a red door with a number. Inside, it’s a converted storage room with 12 folding chairs, a projector, and a fridge full of craft lagers. The owner, a former film archivist from the BFI, runs monthly screenings of lost films-things like 1920s British silent comedies or Eastern European propaganda shorts.
They don’t advertise. You have to join their mailing list (via a QR code on the door) or be invited by someone who’s been before. No one takes photos. No one posts about it. The vibe is pure underground cinema. After the film, they serve cheap wine and ask everyone to share one line from the movie that stuck with them. You’ll hear things like, “The silence after the gunshot was louder than the shot itself,” and realize you’re not just watching a film-you’re part of its afterlife.
The Duke of York’s Picturehouse: Brighton’s Sister in London
Yes, the Duke of York’s is in Brighton-but its London cousin, The Duke of York’s Cinema (a separate venue, same name, same spirit), brings the same magic to the capital. It’s a tiny, 120-seat theater in Soho with a 1930s marquee and a staff that knows every film by heart. They specialize in rare prints: 16mm copies of early Hitchcock, 35mm reels of Japanese horror from the 70s, and even 8mm home movies from the 1950s that have never been digitized.
They run Found Footage Fridays, where they show obscure amateur films donated by families-old wedding reels, vacation tapes, school plays. One night last year, they screened a 1968 home movie of a family watching 2001: A Space Odyssey in their living room. The crowd sat in silence. Then someone whispered, “That’s the moment I realized cinema could be magic.”
Where to Eat and Drink Between Screenings
Between films, you’ll need fuel. These spots are perfect for film buffs:
- The Film Buff’s Pub (Camden) - Walls covered in signed stills from 100+ films. Their Truffaut Burger comes with truffle aioli and a side of film quotes on napkins.
- Screen & Sip (Shoreditch) - A wine bar where every bottle is paired with a film. Try the Chinatown Pinot Noir with a screening of Chinatown.
- Bar Noir (Soho) - Dark, moody, and full of noir posters. They serve whiskey flights named after detective films: The Maltese Falcon, The Third Man, Touch of Evil.
Many of these places offer discounted tickets if you buy a drink first. Some even let you bring your own snacks-just don’t bring popcorn that smells like garlic. That’s a sin here.
How to Find the Next Screening
Don’t rely on Eventbrite or Facebook. The best screenings are posted on:
- BFI Player - Their event calendar lists indie screenings across London, including pop-ups in libraries and bookshops.
- London Film Society - A 90-year-old club that still meets weekly. Membership is £25/year, but you get access to 200+ screenings a year, including private viewings of films not yet released.
- Reddit’s r/LondonFilms - A quiet, active community where people post last-minute screenings, lost reels, and hidden venues.
Pro tip: Sign up for newsletters from independent cinemas. The Prince Charles sends out a weekly email with a handwritten note from the programmer. It’s the only newsletter I actually read.
What Not to Do
There are rules here. Break them, and you’ll be politely asked to leave.
- Don’t talk during quiet scenes. Not even to your friend.
- Don’t use your phone. Even for a quick check.
- Don’t ask for the latest Marvel movie. They’ll stare at you like you just asked for a cup of tap water at a wine tasting.
- Don’t assume everyone knows what you’re talking about. Explain why Stalker changed your life. Someone might just agree.
The best nights here aren’t about seeing a movie. They’re about sharing a moment with people who feel the same way you do about cinema. It’s not a night out. It’s a community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these venues expensive?
Most screenings cost between £8 and £15. Some, like the BFI pop-ups, are even cheaper. Drinks range from £5 for a pint to £12 for a cocktail. Many places offer combo deals-film ticket + drink for under £20. It’s cheaper than a standard cinema and way more memorable.
Do I need to be a film expert to enjoy these places?
No. You just need to like movies. People come for everything from Star Wars to Tsai Ming-liang. The staff and regulars are welcoming. If you say you’ve never seen Seven Samurai, someone will hand you a DVD and say, “Come back next week.” There’s no gatekeeping-just passion.
Can I bring a group or host a private screening?
Yes. The Prince Charles, The Electric Cinema, and The Screen on the Green all offer private hires for groups of 10 or more. You pick the film, they handle the projector and popcorn. Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or film club meetups. Just book at least two weeks ahead.
Are these venues open year-round?
Most are. Some, like Bar 22, take a break in August. The Prince Charles and The Electric Cinema run year-round, including holidays. Check their websites-many post holiday schedules in November. Christmas week is actually one of the busiest times, with themed screenings like A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life.
What if I want to start my own film night?
Start small. Pick a theme-say, “Films with One Location”-and invite five friends to your living room. Screen a film, order pizza, and talk. If it goes well, move it to a pub with a projector. Many of London’s best film nights started with two people and a laptop. The community will find you.
Next Steps
If you’re new to this scene, start with the Prince Charles on a Friday night. Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Dress up. Shout back. Buy a cocktail. Then, next week, go to The Screen on the Green and watch something quiet. Let the silence speak. After that, join the London Film Society. You’ll meet people who’ve seen more films than you’ve had hot dinners-and they’ll be happy to tell you about them.
This isn’t about ticking off classics. It’s about finding your people. In a city of 9 million, there’s a room somewhere where someone’s watching Stalker for the 17th time, and they’re waiting for you to sit down beside them.
