As the home of Peter Jackson and Weta Workshop, Wellington is a film lover’s dream destination. As well as playing host to two annual film festivals; The New Zealand International Film Festival and Doc Edge Documentary Film Festival, the city has some really unique places to catch the latest arthouse and mainstream films, all year round. In fact, with the closing of Reading Cinema on Courtney Place due to earthquake strengthening, Wellington only really has boutique cinemas now…so here are my favorite picks of the best boutique cinemas in Wellington:
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Penthouse is Brooklyn’s local cinema. An art deco icon with its distinctive pastel blue and yellow façade. Seeing a film at the Penthouse is a little like stepping back in time. The location first opened in 1939 as the Vogue Theatre and has been showing great films ever since.
The schedule at Penthouse provides all the latest and greatest blockbusters and independent films and you can also catch a wonderful selection of opera, theatre, and performances screened live from around the world. For a dinner and movie date, the attached café bar has a great burger menu or head over the road to the Salty Pijin.
Iconic art-deco The Roxy is a multi-arts venue and a must-do for an oh-so-Wellington evening at the movies. The Roxy building was originally home to Capitol Court which opened in 1928 to screen silent movies. On reopening in 2011, the cinema played host to a star-studded opening party with the cast of The Hobbit.
Coco at the Roxy, the classy bar and restaurant attached is home to some of the best cocktails in Wellington and has exceptional cuisine to complete a high-end night at the movies.
As well as all the latest independent movies, don’t miss Roxy signature events like Eat the Film, Feast your Eyes, and Tea Time Talkies, with things like dress-up, prizes, live music and themed food and drink. The Roxy also plays host to Doc Edge Festival in June, the largest documentary film festival in Australasia.
Lighthouse Cinema – (Cuba, Petone, Pāuatahanui)
Nothing like a night with a great movie on the couch. Lighthouse has us covered with their comfy couch theatre seating. This multi-location cinema shows a diverse range of the most recent arthouse movies, a few of the best blockbusters as well as live theatre and opera from their three Wellington region locations; Cuba Street, Petone, and Pāuatahanui.
All cinemas have double sofa seating to snuggle up on with a coffee and a buddy and watch new films in great comfort. Don’t miss Lighthouse Treat yourself Tuesdays with $11.50 tickets and their other great offers for students and seniors.
The Embassy Cinema and Eatery is another historic cinema, this time in Island Bay. The first film was screened in 1925 but the building was not used as a cinema between 1964 and 2004. Empire became the heart of the community in 2015 when the interior was completely revamped restoring the cinema to its former glory with three boutique cinemas and a great family-friendly café.
Another cinema with built-in couch seating, there is nothing more cosy than a night at Empire! See a great selection of arthouse and more mainstream movies as well as a good roster of family matinees.
The in-house eatery offers a wide range of daily-made cabinet food, family-friendly meals, a brunch menu and treats like gelato and classic popcorn, which can all be enjoyed while watching a movie. Our little tip – Empire is known for its great coffee!
Time Cinema in Lyall Bay is a cinema with a difference. The vision for Time was born nearly 40 years ago by local John Bell and his wife Margaret. Film Buff John began showing his memorabilia in his garage and this was closely followed by frequent film screenings to friends and neighbors. Word soon spread and Time became what it is today: a family-owned private movie theatre and museum with a 40-seat cinema complex that can play host to private functions of all shapes and sizes.
Time Cinema is an ideal venue for a work event or children’s birthday party in a unique setting. As well as the event space, they also run a Cine Club where members can enjoy four monthly screenings for a membership fee. Time Cinema is as local and boutique as it gets!
Embassy Theatre – Kent Terrace
With the sad closing of the Paramount Cinema on Courtney Place, The Embassy Theatre is our go-to cinema for the Mount Vic side of town. When they are not hosting an occasional world premiere, you can also find the best mainstream and arthouse movies on the screen in the theatre which seats up to 750.
Embassy Theatre was fully refurbished in 2003 to host the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. With its high ceilings, stylish foyers, Blondini’s Café and Bar, seeing a movie at the Embassy feels like a night in the heart of London or Paris. And don’t miss stylish The Black Sparrow, Lounge and Drinkery which recently opened right underneath the cinema opening 4 pm – Late.
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Lots of love,
Josie x