London’s nightlife isn’t just about clubs and pubs-it’s packed with hidden spots where film lovers can drink, laugh, and geek out over classics and cult favorites.
If you’ve ever walked past a dimly lit pub in Soho and heard the muffled sound of Vertigo playing inside, you know London’s film scene doesn’t end at the cinema. This city has spent decades building a nightlife culture where movies aren’t just watched-they’re shared, debated, and celebrated with a pint in hand. You don’t need a ticket to a premiere to feel the magic. Some of the best film experiences happen after dark, in basement bars, rooftop screens, and retro cinemas that never closed.
Forget the multiplexes. The real film heartbeat of London beats in places where the projector hums louder than the bartender’s ice shaker. These aren’t just venues with a movie night once a week-they’re temples to cinema, run by people who can tell you why the opening shot of Blade Runner 2049 works better in 35mm, or why The Third Man still feels like a foggy alley in 2025.
The Prince Charles Cinema: Where cult films come alive
Right in the heart of Soho, the Prince Charles Cinema isn’t just a theater-it’s a pilgrimage site for film fanatics. Open late, often until 2 a.m., it’s where you’ll find crowds in Rocky Horror gear dancing in the aisles, or silent crowds holding their breath during a 70mm screening of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The staff don’t just show films-they curate them. You won’t find the latest Marvel sequel here. Instead, you’ll get midnight screenings of Eraserhead, seasonal double features of Donnie Darko and Being John Malkovich, and monthly Star Wars marathons that sell out six weeks in advance.
What makes it special? The ticket price includes a drink. You can order a gin and tonic while watching Amadeus, and the bar serves cocktails named after directors: the Hitchcock (blackberry and elderflower), the Scorsese (bourbon and bitters). The walls are lined with posters from films that never got wide releases. You’ll find a copy of Eraserhead next to El Topo and The Holy Mountain. This place doesn’t just screen films-it keeps them alive.
The Cinematek: A hidden gem in Camden
Nestled above a record shop in Camden, Cinematek feels like stepping into a film professor’s basement. No neon signs. No online booking. Just a small wooden door with a flickering bulb. Inside, it’s all mismatched armchairs, dusty film reels on shelves, and a projector that’s older than most of the audience.
They show films you won’t find anywhere else: 16mm prints of French New Wave shorts, Soviet propaganda documentaries from the 1950s, and obscure Japanese horror from the 80s. The screenings start at 9 p.m. and end when the last person leaves-sometimes 3 a.m. No one rushes you out. There’s no intermission, but there’s always tea and biscuits. The owner, a retired film archivist named Margaret, will sit with you after the show and talk about why Persona should be watched with the lights off.
It’s not glamorous. It’s not loud. But if you’ve ever wanted to see a film the way it was meant to be seen-quiet, intimate, with no distractions-this is your spot.
The Rooftop Film Club: Movies under the stars
Summer in London doesn’t mean much until you’ve seen a movie on a rooftop with the city skyline behind you. The Rooftop Film Club sets up screens on top of warehouses, hotels, and even a former bank in Shoreditch. You get a blanket, a glass of wine, and a film that’s been carefully chosen to match the mood.
Last month, they showed Amélie on a warm July night. The next week, it was Chinatown under a full moon. The crowd? Mostly couples, solo film nerds, and groups of friends who treat it like a weekly ritual. The sound is crisp, the screen is huge, and the drinks are surprisingly affordable for the location. They even have a “Film of the Month” club where you can vote on what’s next.
It’s not just a screening. It’s an event. People come early to picnic on the roof. They bring snacks from local delis. They argue about whether Paris, Texas is the saddest film ever made. You leave with a full heart and a memory you won’t find on Instagram.
Bar Risa: Where every night is a film quiz night
Down a narrow alley in Dalston, Bar Risa looks like any other indie bar-exposed brick, wooden tables, vinyl spinning in the corner. But every Thursday, it becomes the most competitive film night in East London. The quiz starts at 9 p.m. Sharp. You pay £5 to enter. The prize? A free round of cocktails.
The questions aren’t easy. “Who directed the 1974 film The Spirit of the Beehive?” “What’s the name of the fictional town in Don’t Look Now?” “Which actor played both the lead in Requiem for a Dream and the villain in Reservoir Dogs?”
Teams form fast. Students, retired teachers, film students from Goldsmiths, and tourists who wandered in by accident. You’ll hear someone shout “It’s Jean-Luc Godard!” and someone else yell back, “No, that’s the wrong decade!” The host, a former film critic who now runs the bar, has a database of over 3,000 questions. He’s never repeated one.
Win or lose, you leave knowing more about cinema than you did when you walked in. And you’ve probably made a new friend who’ll text you next week: “Did you see that 16mm print of La Jetée they showed last night?”
The Screen on the Green: A community cinema with heart
Just off the bustling High Road in Islington, The Screen on the Green is a volunteer-run cinema that’s been showing films since 1973. It’s small-only 120 seats-but it’s packed with character. The seats are old, the carpet is worn, and the projector occasionally skips a frame. But the passion? Unmatched.
They show everything: foreign films, documentaries, silent classics with live piano accompaniment, and indie shorts from local filmmakers. Every Tuesday is “Film Club Night,” where you can watch a movie and then stick around for a guided discussion. No experts. No lectures. Just people talking about what moved them.
One night, after a screening of Shoplifters, a woman in her 70s stood up and said, “My husband and I used to watch films like this in Italy. We didn’t have subtitles. We just watched the faces.” The room went quiet. Then someone clapped. Then everyone did.
This isn’t a venue. It’s a community. And in a city full of noise, that’s rare.
What makes a film night truly great?
It’s not the screen size. It’s not the sound system. It’s not even the film itself. What makes a film night unforgettable is the people around you. The stranger who leans over and says, “Wait-did you catch that detail in the background?” The friend who brings a thermos of coffee because they know you’ll stay up past midnight. The barkeep who remembers your name and your usual order after three visits.
London’s best film nights aren’t about luxury. They’re about connection. About the way a film can turn a room full of strangers into a group of believers. You don’t need to be a film scholar. You just need to care enough to show up.
Where to go next
If you’ve got a free evening and you love movies, here’s your starter pack:
- Monday: Prince Charles Cinema for a cult classic double feature
- Wednesday: Bar Risa for the film quiz
- Friday: Rooftop Film Club for a summer vibe (book ahead)
- Saturday: Cinematek for something rare and obscure
- Sunday: The Screen on the Green for a quiet, thoughtful ending to the week
Don’t wait for the perfect night. Just go. Bring a friend. Or go alone. You’ll leave with more than a memory-you’ll leave with a new favorite film, a new favorite bar, and maybe even a new favorite person to talk about it with.
Are these venues expensive?
Most are surprisingly affordable. Screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema start at £10, and drinks are £6-£9. Bar Risa’s quiz costs £5, and cocktails are £8. Rooftop Film Club tickets range from £12-£18, but include a drink. Cinematek and The Screen on the Green are even cheaper-often £5-£7. You can enjoy a full film night for under £20.
Do I need to book in advance?
For Rooftop Film Club and Prince Charles Cinema, yes-especially on weekends. For Bar Risa, Cinematek, and The Screen on the Green, you can usually walk in. But if you want a good seat, arrive 20-30 minutes early. Popular screenings sell out weeks ahead.
Are these places open year-round?
Yes. Rooftop Film Club runs from April to October, but the others operate all year. Cinematek and The Screen on the Green have heating and blankets for winter nights. Prince Charles Cinema never closes for holidays-they even show It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
At Rooftop Film Club and The Screen on the Green, you can bring snacks. At Prince Charles and Bar Risa, you can’t bring outside alcohol, but you can order from their menus. Cinematek doesn’t serve food, but there’s a bakery next door. Always check the venue’s policy-some have strict rules.
What if I don’t know much about film?
You don’t need to be an expert. These places welcome everyone-from casual viewers to lifelong cinephiles. The quiz at Bar Risa has easy and hard questions. The discussions at The Screen on the Green are never technical. The staff are happy to recommend films if you’re unsure. Just show up with an open mind.
