The Best Nightlife in London for Film Buffs
Feb, 18 2026
London doesn’t just sleep when the sun goes down. For film buffs, the city’s nighttime scene is a hidden reel of cinematic gems - places where you can sip a gin and tonic while watching a Criterion Collection classic, debate Scorsese over a pint, or catch a midnight premiere in a 1920s art deco theatre. Forget the usual club scene. If you love movies, London’s best nightlife isn’t found on a dance floor - it’s in the dim glow of a projector.
The Prince Charles Cinema: More Than a Movie House
The Prince Charles Cinema is a historic independent cinema in Soho that reopened in 1983 and has since become the spiritual home of London’s film-obsessed crowd. It’s not just a venue - it’s a ritual. You’ll find queues forming hours before midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where audiences throw rice, shout lines, and dance in the aisles. The staff know the crowd by name. They hand out free popcorn to regulars. The walls are lined with posters from cult classics you’ve never heard of - and you’ll want to see them all.
What sets the Prince Charles apart isn’t just the films. It’s the programming. Weekly themed nights like Midnight Movies and Director’s Cut bring in rare 35mm prints. They’ve screened the uncut version of Blade Runner in 4K. They’ve hosted Q&As with cinematographers who worked on Mad Max: Fury Road. If you’re a film buff, this place is your second home.
The Screen on the Green: Where Film Meets Pub
If you want to watch a film while drinking a pint, head to The Screen on the Green is a pub in Islington that doubles as a fully licensed cinema with a 70-seat screening room. It opened in 1985 and still uses its original 16mm projector. The beer selection? 12 taps, mostly British ales. The film schedule? A mix of arthouse, silent classics, and recent indie hits.
On Tuesdays, they host Free Film Night - bring your own snack, pay what you want, and watch a restored silent film with live piano accompaniment. On Fridays, they screen new releases before they hit mainstream cinemas. The crowd? Mostly students, filmmakers, and retirees who’ve been coming since the 90s. You’ll end up in a 45-minute conversation about Wes Anderson’s color palettes after the credits roll.
The Locksmith: Film-Themed Cocktails and Hidden Screens
Not every film night needs a screen. At The Locksmith is a speakeasy-style bar in Shoreditch where every cocktail is named after a classic film. Order the Chinatown - a smoky mezcal sour with a dash of absinthe. Try the Seven - a dark, layered drink with blackberry syrup and activated charcoal. The walls? Covered in film stills from Hitchcock, Polanski, and Lynch. No music plays. Just the low hum of conversation and the occasional clink of ice.
They don’t show movies on a screen. Instead, they have a rotating Movie of the Month playlist on a private YouTube channel. You scan a QR code at your table, and you can watch the film on your phone while sipping. It’s quiet. Intimate. Perfect for people who treat film as art, not entertainment.
The Rio Cinema: A Beachfront Cinema in East London
Yes, you read that right - a beachfront cinema. The Rio Cinema is a 1920s art deco building in Burnt Oak that hosts outdoor screenings under the stars during summer months. It’s not just a summer gimmick. The Rio has a full-year calendar of themed nights: Wes Anderson Week, French New Wave, British Horror. They project onto a 20-foot screen behind the building, with hay bales for seating and blankets for rent.
During the winter, they move indoors and host Archive Nights, where they screen films from the BFI National Archive - some of which haven’t been shown since the 1950s. One recent screening? A 1933 British propaganda short about London’s Underground, restored from a single surviving print. No one else in the UK had access to it.
Everyman Cinema: Luxury, But Still for Film Nerds
Everyman Cinema is a chain of upscale cinemas across London that combine reclining leather seats, in-seat dining, and curated film selections. They’re not cheap - tickets start at £18 - but they’re designed for people who want to watch films the way they were meant to be seen: in silence, in comfort, with no distractions.
Everyman’s Classic Film Club brings back films like Lawrence of Arabia and 2001: A Space Odyssey in 70mm. They host filmmaker talks, post-screening wine tastings, and even Soundtrack Nights, where you listen to the film’s score live while watching it. The Brixton branch has a dedicated Documentary Corner - a monthly series that screens Oscar-nominated docs you won’t find on Netflix.
Why These Spots Work for Film Buffs
What makes these places different from regular bars or cinemas? They don’t treat film as background noise. They treat it as the main event. The staff are fans, not employees. The drinks are named after scenes. The seating arrangements encourage discussion. The programming isn’t driven by box office numbers - it’s driven by passion.
Most mainstream venues in London have given up on niche programming. They play the same five blockbusters on repeat. But the places listed here? They’re run by people who’ve spent decades collecting VHS tapes, writing film blogs, and arguing about whether Blade Runner should have had a happy ending.
What to Do When You’re Done Watching
After the credits roll, don’t just head home. Many of these venues have attached bars or cafes where the conversation keeps going. At the Prince Charles, there’s a tiny espresso bar that stays open until 2 a.m. - perfect for debating the symbolism in Stalker with strangers who become friends. The Rio’s rooftop garden has a record player and a stack of vinyls from 1960s film soundtracks. You can pick one and play it while you sip tea.
And if you’re feeling bold? Join a film society. London has dozens. The London Film Society meets weekly to screen obscure Eastern European films and host guest lecturers. The British Film Institute’s Film Club offers free tickets to members. These aren’t stuffy academic clubs - they’re full of 20-somethings in vintage T-shirts and 70-year-olds with decades of film criticism under their belts.
| Location | Special Feature | Best For | Opening Hours (Late Nights) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Charles Cinema | Live audience interaction, 35mm prints | Cult films, midnight screenings | 10:30 PM - 2:00 AM |
| The Screen on the Green | Pub + cinema combo, silent films with live piano | Classic cinema, budget-friendly | 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM |
| The Locksmith | Film-themed cocktails, private screening QR codes | Intimate, adult-only film discussion | 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM |
| Rio Cinema | Outdoor summer screenings, BFI archive films | Outdoor cinema, rare prints | 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM (seasonal) |
| Everyman Cinema | Reclining seats, in-seat dining, 70mm screenings | Luxury experience, classic epics | 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM |
Pro Tips for Film Buffs on a Night Out
- Check the BFI London calendar - they list rare screenings you won’t find anywhere else.
- Bring cash. Many of these venues don’t accept cards for food or drinks.
- Arrive early. The best seats go fast, especially at the Prince Charles.
- Ask the staff for recommendations. They often know about secret pop-up screenings in basements or bookshops.
- Join a film society. You’ll get free tickets, invites to exclusive events, and a community of people who get your obsession.
Are there any free film screenings in London at night?
Yes. The Screen on the Green offers free film nights every Tuesday - just pay what you can. The BFI also hosts free outdoor screenings in parks during summer. Keep an eye on their website - they sometimes drop surprise midnight screenings with no ticket required.
Can I bring my own food to these venues?
At The Screen on the Green and the Rio Cinema, yes - they encourage it. At Everyman, you can order food in advance or from the menu. At The Locksmith and Prince Charles, outside food isn’t allowed, but they have excellent snacks and cocktails.
What’s the best time to go for a quiet film night?
Weeknights - Tuesday to Thursday - are your best bet. Weekend nights, especially Friday and Saturday, get crowded. If you want to actually talk about the film afterward, go midweek. You’ll find the same crowd, but less noise and more space.
Do I need to be a member to attend film society events?
No. Most film societies welcome walk-ins. The London Film Society and the BFI Film Club let you attend your first event for free. Membership usually costs £30 a year and gives you access to 50+ screenings, discounts, and behind-the-scenes talks.
Are these venues LGBTQ+ friendly?
Absolutely. Many of these spaces were founded by queer filmmakers and cinephiles. The Prince Charles Cinema hosts monthly LGBTQ+ film nights. The Locksmith has a dedicated queer cinema night on the first Thursday of every month. You’ll feel welcome no matter who you are.
What Comes Next?
If you’ve been to all these places, you’re not just a film buff - you’re a London film insider. The next step? Start your own screening. Rent a projector. Pick a film no one’s seen in years. Invite five friends. Turn your living room into a pop-up cinema. That’s the real spirit of this scene - not the venues themselves, but the people who keep the conversation alive.