Best Nightlife in London for Film Buffs

London’s nightlife isn’t just about clubs and cocktails-it’s a movie lover’s playground.

If you love films, London has more than just multiplexes and arthouse cinemas. The city’s best spots for film buffs aren’t where you watch new releases-they’re where you drink, laugh, and argue about movies long after the credits roll. You’ll find hidden cinemas in basement pubs, themed nights that turn bars into film festivals, and venues where the barman knows your favorite Hitchcock flick by heart.

The Prince Charles Cinema: Where cult classics come alive

Leicester Square’s Prince Charles Cinema isn’t just a cinema-it’s a pilgrimage site. Since 1965, it’s hosted midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where audiences show up in corsets and fishnets, singing along and throwing toast. It’s not just about the movie; it’s the ritual. They also run weekly Star Wars marathons, 70mm film nights, and director retrospectives with live Q&As. The seats are worn, the popcorn is buttery, and the staff hand out free tickets if you show up in costume. This isn’t a place to watch a film-it’s a place to live it.

Screen on the Green: Film, beer, and British charm

In Islington, Screen on the Green blends pub culture with cinema in a way only London can. The venue has two screens: one showing indie films and documentaries, the other hosting weekly Movie & Beer nights. For £12, you get a ticket, a pint of local ale, and a seat in a 1920s-style auditorium with velvet curtains. They’ve screened everything from Blade Runner 2049 to My Neighbor Totoro, always with themed snacks-think Japanese rice balls for Studio Ghibli nights. The crowd? Film students, retirees, and everyone in between. You’ll leave knowing five new people who all hate the same ending you just watched.

The Electric Cinema: Vintage glamour meets modern movies

Not far from Notting Hill, The Electric Cinema has been showing films since 1910. It’s the oldest working cinema in London, and it still has its original plush seats, crystal chandeliers, and a bar that serves gin cocktails named after old Hollywood stars. They host Classic Film Nights every Thursday, where you can watch Casablanca or Vertigo with a glass of champagne and a plate of mini quiches. The lighting dims slowly, the orchestra plays a pre-show medley, and the projectionist still hand-cranks the reels for silent films. It’s not cheap, but it’s the closest thing to stepping into a 1940s film premiere.

Bar 101: The secret cinema bar no one tells you about

Tucked under a bakery in Soho, Bar 101 doesn’t look like much from the outside. Inside, it’s a 20-seat screening room hidden behind a fridge door. You need to book ahead, and you won’t find it on Google Maps. The lineup? Rare 16mm prints, restored foreign films, and underground shorts you won’t see anywhere else. They screen Paris, Texas with a side of French fries, or La Dolce Vita with aperitifs. The owner, a former film archivist, talks about each movie like it’s a letter from a friend. No one else in London does this. You’ll leave with a new favorite director-and a secret you’ll never tell your friends.

Movie nights at The Lock Tavern: Beer, banter, and bad movies

For those who love films so bad they’re brilliant, The Lock Tavern in Hackney runs So Bad It’s Good nights every Friday. Think Sharknado, Plan 9 from Outer Space, or Manos: The Hands of Fate. The bar sets up a projector on the back wall, hands out glow sticks, and gives prizes for the best costume or loudest heckle. It’s not about the film quality-it’s about the shared laughter. You’ll find film professors here, alongside students who just want to drink and scream at the screen. It’s the most honest kind of movie night: no pretense, just fun.

Where to go after the credits roll

After the film ends, the real magic begins. At the Prince Charles, head to the back room where filmmakers and critics debate endings over whiskey. At Screen on the Green, join the queue for the 24-hour kebab shop across the street-everyone does it. At The Electric, linger at the bar and ask the bartender for their favorite underrated film. Most of these places don’t close until 2 a.m., and the conversations stretch even longer. You’ll hear someone argue that There Will Be Blood is a horror movie, or that Amélie is the most realistic love story ever made. That’s London’s film scene: loud, messy, and unforgettable.

What to bring to these spots

• For cult screenings: Costume, enthusiasm, and a sense of humor. No one judges if you show up as Frank-N-Furter.
• For classic cinema: A jacket. The Electric doesn’t have a dress code, but you’ll feel out of place in flip-flops.
• For secret screenings: A phone with the booking confirmation. No signs. No staff at the door. Just trust the email.
• For bad movie nights: A loud voice and a friend who’ll laugh with you.

Why this matters more than you think

Streaming has made watching movies easy-but it’s made them lonely. In London, film nights are about connection. They’re about strangers bonding over a scene that made them cry, or a joke that only cinephiles get. These places don’t just show movies. They keep the culture alive. You don’t need to be a film student. You don’t need to know the difference between 35mm and 70mm. You just need to show up, order a drink, and let the story pull you in.

When to go

Plan ahead. The Prince Charles sells out fast for Rocky Horror-book at least two weeks ahead. Screen on the Green’s Movie & Beer nights are first-come, first-served. Bar 101 books up months in advance. The Lock Tavern doesn’t need reservations, but arrive by 9 p.m. if you want a good seat. Winter is prime time-Londoners crave warmth, stories, and shared experiences when it’s cold outside.

What you won’t find

You won’t find corporate chains here. No AMC, no Odeon, no algorithm-driven recommendations. These places are run by people who love films-not shareholders. You won’t find a loyalty app. You won’t find a menu with 17 types of popcorn. You’ll find a bar that remembers your name, a projector that occasionally jams, and a room full of people who’d rather be here than anywhere else.