We're a bit spoilt for choice in Notting Hill in terms of cinemas. No need to visit a nasty…read moremultiplex when you have three independents on your doorstep. The Gate has been my favourite for as long as I can think, it has a good programme of independent and interesting films. It used to be part of a very small chain of small cinemas, then a slightly larger one as part of Picturehouse. So far, the recent takeover of the latter by Cineworld has not had a negative effect - it still feels like the local membership movie theatre it started out as. It's unassuming exterior and slightly disappointing bar area don't do the main auditorium any justice, and once inside you forget all about modern day Notting Hill and take a step back in time to red velvet seats and plush curtains. Luckily everything has been upgraded, with handy tables between pairs of seats - they don't serve you at your table as they do at the posher Electric down the road, but you can enjoy a nice glass of wine while enjoying the movie - slightly too many people opt for noise crisp packets, oh well.

Yup, this one's pretty spesh. Cannae knock it really. It's bring your own which I LIKE in a…read morecinema, 4 bottles of ale make any film a deeper, more textual visual experience I find. And it has a beautifully-decorated auditoreum, of the kind Britain used to have, before Warner Villages, and entertainment parks and Thatcher came to town. And I really rate their selection and choices of films - the artier, more complex interesting side of Hollywood and lots of indy European films. Which tend to be much more inspired than our indy, left-of-centre film industry. So, you'll be watching films amongst other very cool people, who dig these things just like you. But I like that feeling, like, "yeah the Gate Cinema is good, just like this film. Is good - c'est bon uh?" Comme 'le gate'.

Now I would highly recommend this cinema if you want an intimate and very comfortable cinema…read moreexperience without the annoying people talking all the way through and even better... A very representable price tag. I think we even attended on a crazy Monday and got half price tickets. They have a bar in the waiting area where you can buy drinks of all sorts and sweets or ice cream (no popcorn if I remember rightly) which is prob a good and less busy place to pop in for a cuppa anytime anyway. The cinema itself usually has most higher rated films showing on release and extremely generous seating throughout. Screen are on the smaller side but overall that doesn't detract from the experience unless you want an IMAX experience or something totally in your face. Barbican is definitely worth a trip for those wanting to avoid mainstream cinemas. Xyz

My wife and I recently visited to see Life of Pi for a Sunday matinee. The tickets were £15…read moreapiece, no stadium seating, and I've seen more impressive movie screens in the tube. Oddly, when we bought our tickets, he showed us a tattered seating chart and asked us which seats we'd like, but had to look up our request in the computer to see if they're already taken, which led to the following conversation: "how about those?" "sorry I'm afraid those are taken. "how about those?" "sorry I'm afraid..." etc. The one twist was the classy food - scones, quiche, and an extensive wine list - which we weren't expecting. While I'm a fan beer / wine in movies, we actually just wanted some popcorn and sweets...

Good indie cinema in London center. Grab a coffee here and the gourmet hot dog. Spot on. Took a…read morestar away for the seating but put it back for the special Curzon preview short.

Great movie theatre. Free wifi and wonderful bar. If you are a member, the price is only 5£read more

As a movie lover, it feels a little blasphemous to rate the British Film Institute at only three…read morestars. It's a really cool space with amazing retro and new screenings. The theaters are small but state-of-the-art, and the gift shop is filled with the most amazing gifts for any cinephile. So why the low rating? On my last visit to London, I was super excited to hear that the BFI would be screening "True Romance, " one of my favorite films of all time. I rode all the way across town on the Tube and when I arrived to buy a ticket, I find out that the film was being screened on -- wait for it -- A DIGITAL FORMAT AND NOT FILM! What? The British FILM Institute was doing a retro screening of a classic film and they weren't even running a 35mm print! This is just insane to me. Why do I want to watch a movie in the digital format, especially at a venue that is dedicated to the preservation of film? Still a cool place to check out if you're in town, but be sure to ask if the film you're going to see is being shown on actual film. Oh, and I totally want the film reel door handles that decorate the front door for my home theater.

Great place to grab a cup of coffee & meet friends before or after a film…read more Wonderful selection of films & books.

Been coming here for 3 years and live 2 doors down. Cafe staff are incredibly rude, not all of them…read morebut have spoken to 2 who can only be described as aggressive. 1 today. Complained to Manger who was remarkably not interested in the least. Im a pensioner and disabled. Really distressing experience today, brought to tears and Manager actually laughed in my face. Unbelievable. Have asked Head Office for a refund of Membership.

My favourite cinema in London due to its constantly good selection of popular and alternative…read morefilms. They have an excellent bar upstairs which is very comfortable and relaxed- a place where you could equally go on a date and sit back and read the papers on a Sunday afternoon. They sell a variety of organic snacks and drinks which you can take into the cinema with you, in addition to the drinks which you can buy from the bar upstairs (a big plus of this place is being able to take beer and wine in to the cinema) The chairs are extremely comfortable- far more comfortable than usual- and are worth the extra few pounds that you spend on getting in.

The customer service here is impeccable! We were told that the movie started at a certain time,…read morecame back.. we were told by someone else the show time was incorrect and that movie had already showcased hours earlier. In response to receiving the incorrect information, the server offered us a free beer and pretzels. It was so nice and we ended up coming back the following evening to see the movie for real this time and I enjoyed how intimate the cinema setting is designed. The chairs are comfy. For a moment, I thought I was in the sitting room. We were also given scratch-offs that allow the viewer to watch the movie two months later for free online.

The Renoir Cinema is my favourite in London. In part this is because it is first where I got into…read morearts cinema, but more so because of the atmosphere. The cinema predates the Brunswick centre's redevelopment, and remains in the same place though slightly spruced up. It is also now a member of the Curzon chain The bar and cinemas are downstairs and they have a slightly moody aged atmosphere. Before the film starts there is a sign that says no smoking which normally seems somewhat moot, but here it feels appropriate. Which is something of shame as I imagine smoke would add to feel of the place. It shows current release arts and indie movies as well as re-releases, retrospectives and occasionally Curzon chain wide seasons.

Eclectic bar/cinema/cafe located across from the bustling Chinatown in Soho, London. I really…read moreenjoyed the Old Mout Cider and also ordered a passion fruit, kale, mango smoothie. Surprisingly, I left without realizing that they had a whole cinema downstairs. That's not a downside, though. Let that serves as a compliment to the relaxing upstairs bar area is for grabbing a quick coffee or meal. Curzon can do it both.

Rude staff. Sat waiting for service and they kept looking over, until they mentioned that we…read moreneeded to go to the cash to order a drink. Not in a nice way, with an attitude!! WTF?

My one piece of advice...Purchase your tickets in advance. You'll save yourself time and stress of…read morefighting for a seat. At the time of online purchase, you can reserve a seat at no cost. There are no ticket stands, but there are 3 machines for you to purchase or pick up your tickets. Just don't be unlucky like me and get stuck behind people that don't know how to use the machine. If you're picking up tickets, simply slide the card you used to purchase the ticket into the a lot and your tickets will come flying out. The theater is nice and cozy. The seats are a bit on the stiffer side, but still comfortable. If you've reserved a seat, there is an usher that will help you find your seat.

It's Christmas Eve and I thought the movie theatre would be packed. We went to see Avatar, The Way…read moreof Water. It was in 3D. It was nice having the place almost to ourselves.