There was a time when going to the cinema felt like an event in itself. It was somewhere to dress up for, meet friends or settle in for an evening, where the experience extended beyond simply finding your screen and waiting for the lights to go down.
Today, the journey to the big screen can often feel a little more functional: arrive, find your seat, watch the film and head home once the credits begin to roll. But across Britain, independent cinemas are keeping that sense of occasion alive, creating places where the setting, atmosphere and experience are all part of the evening.
Highland Cinema, Fort William
Set in the heart of Fort William, Highland Cinema brings the big screen to the West Highlands in a building inspired by the traditional Highland bothy. Local stone, a red corrugated roof and a wood-burning stove give the space a strong sense of place, while two boutique screens offer everything from new releases to independent films, classics and live events.
Before the film, the restaurant and bar make it easy to turn a screening into a full evening out. Settle in with a pizza or cocktail, or choose from a selection of Scottish whiskies, gins and beers before taking your seat. For something a little different, Screen One even has two seats inside a Lotus Elan — perhaps the only time arriving at the cinema can include getting into a classic car.
The Rex, Berkhamsted
Originally opened in 1938, The Rex is a single-screen Art Deco cinema where the setting is very much part of the experience. Its restored proscenium, generous seating and crisp projection have helped turn this former picture house into one of Berkhamsted’s best-loved cultural landmarks, showing everything from major releases to independent and international films.
Inside, the atmosphere is deliberately rather more civilised than the average trip to the cinema. In the stalls, big red swivel chairs sit around small, candlelit tables dressed in white linen, while a glass of wine and a few snacks can be enjoyed from your seat. There is no popcorn or obligatory hot dog, and drinks can be taken into the auditorium, making an evening at The Rex feel less like a trip to the cinema and more like a proper night out.
The Scotsman Picturehouse, Edinburgh
Tucked beneath The Scotsman Hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, The Scotsman Picturehouse brings a little more ceremony to a trip to the cinema. Alongside its film programme, the intimate picturehouse screens live and recorded broadcasts of theatre, opera, ballet and music performances.
For something more leisurely, its Fizz & Flick experience begins with a glass of fizz and brunch in the hotel’s Grand Café before heading downstairs for a midday film. There is also a Date Night package for two, including cinema tickets, a bottle of prosecco or house wine, popcorn and sweets. Whether it is brunch or an evening screening, The Scotsman makes a case for turning a trip to the pictures into an occasion.
Genesis, London
On Mile End Road in London’s East End, Genesis Cinema has been entertaining audiences in one form or another since 1848. The site began life as a music hall before becoming the Paragon Theatre of Varieties, welcoming performers including Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. More than 175 years later, that spirit of entertainment and variety remains firmly intact.
Today, Genesis continues that tradition. Alongside a programme spanning independent and mainstream films, Genesis hosts events including its long-running Poetry Slam and Swing Dance Nights, as well as film festivals and special screenings. Arrive early for coffee and pastries at Grindhouse Café, or stay later for pizza and a cocktail at Bar Paragon, and it is easy to see why Genesis has remained part of East London’s cultural life for so long.
The Flower Bowl, Preston
At first glance, The Flower Bowl feels more like a destination for a full evening out than a traditional trip to the cinema. Its three screens offer an intimate setting, with sofa-style seating, ambient lighting and drinks or snacks available to take into the film. Each screen is named after a classic leading lady, adding a little extra character to the experience.
The film can easily be just one part of the evening. Elsewhere at The Flower Bowl, there is bowling, curling, crazy golf and shuffleboard, alongside restaurants, a coffee bar and an ice cream parlour. Start with dinner, catch a film and see where the evening takes you afterwards.
From Highland bothies and Art Deco picture palaces to candlelit tables and cinema seats inside a classic car, these independent cinemas prove that the experience begins long before the lights go down. The film may provide the reason to visit, but it is everything around it that makes the evening memorable.