Go To The Movies
We thought it’d be fun to put together a round-up of some rad cinemas around the globe. There are theaters to fit every sensibility, from some rough-around-the-edges experiences in NYC to a Japanese pagoda in Paris, and more.
New York City
Sunshine Cinema
143 E. Houston St. | 212.260.7289
It’s all about offbeat independent film at this beloved Lower East institution, where comfortable but not exactly luxury environs are very much in tune with the neighborhood. What’s great here is their midnight showings, where you’ll find some great classics on view in addition to whatever else they feel like showing.
Angelika Film Center
18 W. Houston St. | 212.995.2000
Angelika has been on the corner of West Houston and Broadway since the ’80’s and shows the best of indie and foreign films, with bigger, current titles plus documentaries mixed in. The theater retains a really intimate feel, making it an ideal place to come alone. There’s also a great café on the ground floor (open to everyone) to grab a drink and wait for friends. Check out their blog for movie news, exclusive interviews, and more.
London
Everyman Cinema
This is one of Britain’s oldest independent theater groups—with cinemas in Hampstead, Belsize Park, Maida Vale, and more—and as such, they know how to entertain. Loved for their comfortable and stylish interiors—armchair or couch seating comes complete with foot stool and a side table for that glass of wine and gourmet snack (no fake-buttered popcorn or boxed chocolate to be found).
Electric Cinema
191 Portobello Rd. | 020 7908 9696
Electric is one of London’s most iconic theaters: Open since the 1930’s in Notting Hill, the experience here is like watching a movie in a very posh friend’s living room. The seating and amenities are much like the ones offered at Everyman—cocktails, fancy snacks, and all.
Los Angeles
Arclight Hollywood
6360 Sunset Blvd. | 323.464.1478
This is the only multiplex on the list, but Arclight makes the cut because it offers a truly unique blockbuster experience. Home to the iconic Cinerama Dome, the interiors here are a few steps above your average multiplex and include a top-notch sound system and a reserved seating policy to avoid the stumbling-around-in-the-dark-to-find-a-seat routine. That you can bring wine in with you to the showing makes it even better.
Paris
La Pagode
57 Bis, rue de Babylone | 01.45.55.48.48
This lovely little secret in the 7th was originally a Japanese pagoda built in 1895, and still retains its Japanese architecture and surrounding gardens where you can enjoy a tea after the film. The selection here is of the arthouse, foreign, independent new release variety, with the occasional retrospective à la Alfred Hitchcock.
San Francisco
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St. | 415.648.7600
A very San Fran experience, this place serves really great food (dinner and weekend brunch) while screening equally great foreign and indie films in the outdoor courtyard. This is a great dinner and a movie, one-shot date destination.
Athens
Cine Thisio
The movie scene in Athens is defined by its array of outdoor summer cinemas, and Cine Thisio, overlooking the Acropolis, is one of the most impressive. They show English-language new releases here (with subtitles) and classics. Don’t miss their homemade specialty cocktail, made with sour cherries.
