CENTRAL
ICA Cinema, The Mall, SW1 Part of the iconic Art centre first set up in Dover Street, Mayfair in 1947 dedicated to the Modern . (Just off Trafalgar Square)
Prince Charles, Soho ( cheapest in central London!)
Regent Street Cinema, W1
NFT ( National Film theatre at BFI) South Bank: the big Mama – world renowned ( hosts major world festivals too) beloved of the good Hollywood directors and actors)
Roxy, London Bridge
EAST
CLOSE UP, Hoxton fab – unique ; Massive DVD hire service & intimate cinema evenings.
Electric, Shoreditch: Clone to Portobello Rd (up-market , posh seats and less people; private hire as per)
Genesis, Mile End
Rich Mix, Hoxton: Arts centre including Cinema
Troxy, Limehouse Music shows and occasional films
Rio, Dalston, Hackney: A London gem. Grade 2 listed, fab Art Deco design is well maintained ( lovely carpeting). Fiercly independent, loyal following . Small themed festivals with social bias as well as mainstream films . Specialist single showing classics at the week-end. Knowledgeable dedicated management.
NORTH
Lexi, Kensal Green, NW10, quaint, unique in a tiny venue. A real community project with participation events.
Art House, N4
Phoenix, East Finchley: Legendry, old school ( real shabby chic- 30’s style)
Screen on the Green, Upper Street ,Islington Green: Now part of the Everyman a chain but happily kept the vintage old facade, as you see. In 2010, unfortunately tarted up for the posh folks with less than half its original capacity with luxury armchairs and foot-rests. Licensed bar
SOUTH EAST
Sands Films, Rotherhithe: free showings – donations appreciated . A real community resource ; political bias + music events . Plus fantastic archive of many things theatrical with a professional costume hire and repair service. Imaginative, labyrinthine windy corridors and delightfully decorated loos.
Peckhamplex, Peckham / Nunhead: another fab and very cheap (£4.99 every day and evening) community cinema. 6 screens
SOUTH WEST
Olympic Studios, Barnes SW13 Was , in the past a TV studio and theatre. Amazing history as a Rock’n Roll recording studio (Beatles and the Rolling stones recorded some of their best albums here)
Ritzy, Brixton: Now sucked up by the Picturehouse chain. My ex- boyfriend took me there years ago to see a porn film (their staple then). It didn’t last
WEST
Cine Lumiere , in the French Institute, South Kensington
Electric Portobello, Portobello Rd, W11: Was a lovely fleapit ; now up-market , expensive with great big seats for the silly rich sods ; private hire as per.