Cinema in London

What kind of events can I host in a cinema?

Cinemas can be fantastic locations for events, as they’re generally well-equipped to accommodate large crowds, and feature both seated spaces, and large reception areas. They often play host to drinks receptions and conferences, but these aren’t the only events that work well in this setting: in fact, there’s a long list of event types that are perfectly suited to the unique backdrop of a cinema.

For a start, the tiered seating in cinemas is ideal for presentations of any kind, from product launches to press briefings, and even awards ceremonies. With cinema seats being designed to make sitting for long periods as comfortable as possible, staging your event here helps avoid audience restlessness and helps to keep everyone engaged. For long conferences this is especially useful, but it’ll be a welcome feature of shorter events as well.

Of course, we couldn’t leave out events that need screens - like film screenings, film premieres and private viewings too - there’s nothing like the silver screen for showcasing your film in the best light. And the film theme isn’t all work and no play: why not base your Christmas party in a luxurious cinema, and give your team the rare treat of singing along to Buddy the Elf with their colleagues? Best of all, with private hire, you’ll have the pick of the popcorn all to yourselves!

What's the best cinema for an event in London?

London has fantastic cinemas in every area, with dozens vying for the title of top screen across the city. But not all cinemas are created equal, and some work better for certain types of events than others because of their size, layout, and facilities. To help you find the right one for your requirements, we’ve put together some of the top cinemas for different kinds of events.

Best cinemas for conferences in London

For a conference, you’ll likely be looking to have a stage area that’s visible to all, and a large screen to display the slides. Cinemas are the perfect solution for both, being set up with the sharpest graphics and tiered seating already. The distinctive Odeon BFI Waterloo boasts the largest screen in the UK, at 20 by 26m, which provides an incredible medium to share your products or innovations with an audience of almost 500 delegates. Or, if you need something even bigger, the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square packs a punch with seating for 790 attendees. Both are ideal for conferences, with stage builds available, and comfortable seating to give all delegates a great vantage point.

Best cinemas for private parties in London

If you’re looking into cinemas for a private party, we salute you! Cinemas are fantastic venues for hen parties, birthday parties, retirement parties, engagement parties, and much more. Just think of all the embarrassing home videos you could show (or you could be kind and just roll with the birthday boy or bride’s favourite rom-com!). For private cinema parties, you’ll want to look for cosy, intimate venues, like the Canary Wharf Everyman, which seats up to 109 guests in the comfiest velvet armchairs and sofas, or the iconic Institute of Contemporary Arts, with its fabulous red velvet seats and dressing room-style lighting.

Best cinemas for corporate parties in London

Corporate parties require a different approach to private parties, as you’ll need to give your guests time to warm up and network. That’s where cinemas with elegant, comfortable foyers come in, providing a reception area that’s refined and well-equipped to provide catering, before your party moves on to the cinema screens. The Electric Cinema in Notting Hill Gate is a seriously knock-out venue, with leather armchairs and champagne served inside an Edwardian theatre - a match made in cinema heaven! Another choice which is guaranteed to impress all of your guests is the luxurious Regent Street Cinema, Britain’s oldest cinema and a historic gem of a venue for a special event.

Best cinemas for Christmas parties in London

Ah, the all-important Christmas party: this is one that you can’t get wrong. The usual formula for Christmas parties is eating too much, drinking too much, and dancing until all hours - and you can absolutely keep up the tradition, just in a much more unique venue: a cinema.

Why not bring everyone together to bond over Buddy the Elf, cry over It’s A Wonderful Life, or dance to Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree in a private, sociable screening, complete with festive food and drink?! We’re not talking hot dogs and Maltesers, either (although, if that’s what the office wants, we won’t judge) - in London’s best cinemas, food is as important as the film! Charity venue Rich Mix in Shoreditch provides a range of catering from popcorn and shakes to champagne and canapes, to keep everyone happy. And at RSA House’s Durham Auditorium, you can enjoy a classic film in the atmospheric vaults, complete with tasty treats and the chance to dance the night away in the venue afterwards!

Best cinemas for office incentives in London

If you’re looking for a unique incentive for your team, take our advice and book up a cinema trip to ramp up the anticipation. It’s impossible not to get excited at the thought of a cinema trip, particularly one that’s exclusive to just your company. VUE West End is a classic choice for a fun team trip, with plenty of leg-room and comfy seats to relax in. After something a bit smaller? The Cubic Theatre at The London Transport Museum is a fun and elegant space for up to 120, with an adjoining reception space for drinks and nibbles afterwards.

Best cinemas for award ceremonies in London

Cinemas make fantastic settings for stylish award ceremonies, with an ideal set-up for presentations and plenty of space for mingling and toasting success. For larger guest lists, we’d recommend the glamorous Superscreen at Cineworld in the O2, which can fit over 850 people in a two-tier setting, giving your event the prestige it deserves. Plus, with digital signage options in the impressive foyer, there’s plenty of opportunity to get your brand out there. Or, for something really premium, why not check out the Private Cinema at the Courthouse Hotel in Soho, where you can enjoy some of the bar’s delicious cocktails before the ceremony?

Why should I host my event in a cinema?

There are plenty of benefits to hosting your event in a cinema. Firstly, it’s an unusual setting, and that’s guaranteed to bring in the difficult-to-pin-down guests! And secondly, cinemas are generally set up to accommodate events that require seating and a screen anyway, so you may as well save yourself some of the hassle of coordinating the layout!

Cinemas are also usually well-equipped for accessibility requirements, from having room for wheelchairs, to offering ramps, accessible bathrooms, and lifts, unlike some older buildings. Additionally, many cinemas now offer Audio Description and subtitling so that everyone can enjoy the film, and guide dogs are allowed in all cinemas.

Cinemas are also generally well-connected to transport links, and can provide catering on-site, so it should be easy to facilitate all the important elements of your event, meaning you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the event!

How to plan an event in a cinema

Planning a conference in a cinema

When planning a conference in a cinema, there are certain elements that you need to take into account. Aspects like seating and disabled access will generally be in place already in cinemas, but you’ll likely want to provide banners, signage, and branded materials to decorate the event space. Once you’ve booked the venue, you’ll have to communicate the tech requirements - from microphones to specific sound arrangements - to the in-house team, and make sure that the dimensions and size of the screen is factored into your slide designs.

Planning a private party in a cinema

Whether you’re planning a cinema birthday party, corporate party, or office party, you’ll need to consider several key things in preparing for the event. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, you’ll have to decide on which film to screen, which can be a tricky choice to make. If it’s possible, you could get your invitees to vote on their top pick from a selection of 5 options, which allows everyone to have a say. Next, you’ll need to consider the decorations and catering, and set a budget for the bar, if you’re running your event with a free bar. In terms of catering, many cinemas have great in-house kitchens and catering staff, or have preferred suppliers they work with, so you’ll need to liaise with them to find out the options. If you want to bring in your own caterers, check out our recommendations for the best caterers in the business.

Planning a Christmas party in a cinema

For a Christmas party, it’s also worth getting input on the choice of film from your guests, though we recommend sticking to a festive selection to stay on-season! Of course, you’ll want to decorate the venue to give it a touch of Christmas sparkle, and make your cinema night stand out in your guests’ memories. And last but not least, add snacks! Whether they’re festive-themed nibbles, like mini sausages and mince pies, or cinema favourites like popcorn and chocolates, the food is the icing on the (Christmas) cake, so don’t leave it to the last minute! Find out what the venue provides in terms of catering, or look into bringing in caterers to make your Christmas party a real cracker!

If you need any more help choosing the right venue for your event, get in touch with one of our Venue Experts today for some more advice on finding the best setting for your event.