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    Empire Cinemas

    3.6 (50 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    Ally H.

    I had no clue this cinema was so damn awesome! I just walked in not expecting much except the typical run of the mill cinemas. Walking through the entrance my friend and I both were open mouthed and in awe! This place is massive!! Leaving the cinema was like the end of a concert of something; the amount of people heading for the exit was manic. The screen has a curtain like a theater or a proper cinema should have and the layout is similar to a theater with stalls and a circle. The red velvet seat are the comfiest I've sat on in a cinema and I couldn't stop complimenting them. The screen was big and the sound was crisp. Ushers are helpful and will buy your snacks for you as you enjoy the film (how cool!) Alcohol is permitted too !yay! Tickets are well above the usual £8-9 but it's well worth it if cinema atmosphere is important to you.

    Leza S.

    Empire cinema Leicester Square has now been taken over by Cineworld but nothing seems to have changed. I've been here many times for special film event screenings and know the place very well. The main attraction is the big IMAX auditorium. Booking seats right at the front is problematic as you are too close to see the full screen which is expansive. Also if there are fast passed action scenes you may suffer from motion sickness like a friend of mine when we went to the Deepwater Horizon premiere. I didn't get sick but I had to keep shutting my eyes because the action scenes just turned blurry and hurt my eyes. Apart from that, the sound is great, IMAX screen makes the film look great and the seating is comfortable. Some of the other auditoriums are a decent size but if you want to see a film that's been showing for a few weeks or is not very popular you may end up in a tiny auditorium, which in my opinion is so small you may aswell watch the film at home. Which brings me onto the ticket prices which are not cheap at all. This is a concern especially if you end up in the tiny screening room or one of the other outdated screening rooms. I've known the two main male managers for years and they are quite frankly miserable. Their saving grace is another female manager, her name I forget, who is lovely, friendly and very helpful. Best to bring your own refreshments if you want to keep the costs down.

    Katey H.

    This place is just all round greatness! I saw 4 films this year as part of the Frightfest weekend held here in August, and i thought this was a fantastic location for it. What a treat. The seating is utter luxury, and you can see the screen perfectly, even if there is a tall person in front of you! Which always happens to me. It has a nice foyer with some comfy black leather sofas too! Plush is the word!

    Empire Cinemas Group (UK) Ltd
    Patrick L.

    I've been to this cinema loads and loads of times, but mostly for film premiere events e.g. Django Unchained, Flight and A Good Day to Die Hard I don't have a strong opinion about this cinema but it appears to serve a good purpose for press photographers like me.

    Ridiculous queues in refreshments area. - not glamorous
    Meike B.

    When I first arrived in London, I was taken to the Empire on a date. Wow, I was impressed by the sheer size of the place, the red velvet seats - a real experience compared to the provincial cinema back home. Somehow Leicester Square has managed to hold on to some of the glamour of yesteryear, but tourists probably make up the majority of the visitors. I still prefer the Empire to the other massive cinemas on the square, even though in truth it is just another multiplex. The red velvet has long gone, replaced with wipe down plastic seats. They crammed in as many rows as they could making this more of a budget airline experience than the special occasion you would expect at £20 a pop. What's worst though are the queues in the "refreshments area" with staff not making the least bit of effort to serve the long queues efficiently. The prices here are astronomical as well, of course - today's cinema experience is all about pack 'em in ... they guys in the cordoned off private event area didn't look much happier either, but they got their beers a little faster. And as the credits started rolling the area emptied, leaving behind a few dropped bits of popcorn ...

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    Empire Cinemas Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Empire Cinemas

    I dare you to find another cinema in proper central London that charges just £9.

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    Vue Islington

    Vue Islington

    3.2(49 reviews)
    1.9 miIslington, Angel

    Been going to this cinema since I was a very young child, and so I have some find memories of…read moreseeing films here with my family, as well as the atmosphere in the cinema, and the excitement I get seeing a film. The screens 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 are pretty much the exact same size and shape, except for some small differences in seating layout, Screen 9 is the Vue Xtreme, which is their largest screen, and Screen 1 is very big and only just smaller than 9. Customer service is quite good, in the times I've brought tickets at the counter they've been very friendly and attentive, and also at the ticket gate they've made sure to smile and hope I enjoy the film. Snacks are on the expensive side, so I'd advise bringing your own snacks- they allow it and have done for a few years now. The screen sound systems are really good, you hear zero outside noise and you do tend to get quite absorbed in it. The screen quality is also good, they use Sony 4k Digital projectors, and if you look really closely (I've seen this on the website, I've not attempted it) the pixels are virtually invisible. The photo posted down below is of screen 10. When you're seeing a film in this screen, first you show your ticket at the normal gate upstairs, once they've scanned it, they will then hand you a pin code that you enter into the lock outside screen 10. It's a fairly small space, the seats however are very comfortable, with plenty legroom, the same sound experience you get from the main screens, and as there aren't many seats here, anywhere you sit is a good distance from the screen.

    I mean what can I say? It's a classic chain cinema…read more Pros: Central location, small screens so that you're not 'sharing' the film with 200 people. Salty popcorn was nice and not too salty They sell decent booze if that's you're thing Bathrooms are massive an very clean Cons: It's pretty soulless It's more than £14 a ticket - obscene On a Saturday night it was pretty dead I was used to my previous neighbourhood chain which I think was a lot better. It was always buzzing and tickets where only around £9.

    Photos
    Vue Islington
    Vue Islington
    Vue Islington - Screen 10, Downstairs, on the right

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    Screen 10, Downstairs, on the right

    Barbican Movie Theatre - Cinema 2

    Barbican Movie Theatre

    4.3(8 reviews)
    1.7 miBarbican

    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...

    Curzon - Curzon Cinemas (Bloomsbury)

    Curzon

    3.8(24 reviews)
    1.0 miBloomsbury

    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.

    Photos
    Curzon
    Curzon - Q&A with Ken Loach

    Q&A with Ken Loach

    Curzon - Curzon Cinemas (Bloomsbury)

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    Curzon Cinemas (Bloomsbury)

    Shoreditch Electric Cinema

    Shoreditch Electric Cinema

    3.8(9 reviews)
    2.6 miShoreditch, Bethnal Green

    So this cinema is in a good location for me in terms of it being in Shoreditch. It's also below…read morebusy three level restaurant/salon/store, Barber & Parlour. Very hipster but so busy it does take away from the cinema experience we were paying for. For example, there's signage pointing to a dull concrete staircase that indicates the cinemas physical location, in the basement, but I still felt a little lost trying to collect tickets and buy snacks. One positive is that you can purchase food from the restaurant upstairs to bring down. Unfortunately, service is somewhat chaotic, as was the cinema's waiting room arrange bets for guests not eating in the actual restaurant. We ended up standing in a hallway downstairs waiting for theatre's only screen to be cleaned and re-opened. In our case, this was 15 minutes later than the actual scheduled start time of our movie. The theatre itself is luxuriously spacious. Cashmere blankets were available and each plush armchair is separated by a little table. So snacks are accommodated but no holding hands during scary movies I'm afraid. Things were fine once the movie got started but for £18 a ticket, I'm not a fan of the chaos we had to get through to get into the theatre.

    Comfortable seating for a cinema housed (downstairs) within a building that sells clothes but I…read morecan't help but feel that at any screening you must get the seats within the middle space as the side seats so bend round a bit. Since it's not a deep layout you don't get the best cinematic experience. I must say that the seats on the wide angles are much cheaper but I would pay the extra and get a seat from a more central view.

    Photos
    Shoreditch Electric Cinema
    Shoreditch Electric Cinema
    Shoreditch Electric Cinema

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    Sadler's Wells Theatre

    Sadler's Wells Theatre

    4.4(44 reviews)
    1.6 miClerkenwell

    I've been here a few times and it's always been great, if you book well in advance you can get…read moretickets for £10 which is pretty affordable but if you book close to the event and want a cheap ticket you will get crap seats with a restricted stage view. The last show I saw here was Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray which was absolutely spectacular. As soon as it was over I wanted to see it again but it was the last night so I couldn't. The only downside is the bar. One night I was there the bar staff were quite slow and drinks are expensive. The crowd is very much upper class.

    Sadler's Wells is an impressive venue. The architecture of the building is modern but not cold. I…read morelove the glass front that allows you to see into the main atrium of the hall. Even though the architecture of the building is impressive, that's not why you go to Sadler's Wells. This is an excellent performance hall and a wonderful place to go to enjoy a show. When I have gone to Sadler's Wells it has always been for a dance performance. I am always impressed with the groups that come to perform at Sadler's Wells. No matter where I sit, I am able to fully see the stage. In addition, the prices are good for the quality of the performers. It doesn't matter if it's Alvin Ailey or Sabian Glover; Sadler's Wells consistently has outstanding performers and performances. If you are a lover of the arts this is an outstanding venuel to enjoy.

    Photos
    Sadler's Wells Theatre
    Sadler's Wells Theatre
    Sadler's Wells Theatre

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    Rio Cinema - Rio Cinema in Stokey

    Rio Cinema

    3.9(33 reviews)
    3.6 miKingsland, De Beauvoir

    I hate going to the cinema: its too expensive and I'd rather be in my house where I can talk over…read morethe film, drink tea and smoke cigarettes, but I'll make an exception for the Rio. You can drink tea here, eat homemade cakes and generally remember what the cinema experience used to be like before chain theatres took over the world. They show independent movies, take part in international film festivals, hold screenings specifically for children and parents and clearly try to reflect the diversity of cultures and religions in East London through the films that they programme. The Rio cinema is also a registered charity and offers an annual membership for £20. There is only one screen there, which adds to the snug feel, and the cinema has been refurbished in keeping with its original Art Deco design. It's perfect for a lone outing or a cosy date and I plan to go this week to see new German film, The Baader Meinhof Complex.

    Independent cinemas are scattered across London and this is the Jewel of the East - unfortunately…read moreexpensive popcorn and a predictable screenings make this spot a little disappointing. I saw Control here a year or so ago and liked the vibe the place has. f you go to the big cinemas now people just sit there like Zombies! Here you get applause, laughter and cheering to films - great for getting you involved in the movie. This place is definitely worth popping in if there is a movie showing you want to see. Drinks and popcorn will cost your granny but tickets are reasonable!

    Photos
    Rio Cinema - Rio looking dreamy

    Rio looking dreamy

    Rio Cinema
    Rio Cinema - Photo.  28.3.1982.

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    Photo. 28.3.1982.

    Empire Cinemas - movietheaters - Updated May 2026

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