Bonjour bonjour. After much cheese noshing, vino drinking and cheek-kissing I am back in sunny England. I’d forgotten just how beautiful Brittany is – so beautiful in fact that I even managed to turn a blind eye to the wood effect wallpaper in one of the hotel bedrooms (it also came with bobbly brown wool blankets and a strange over the bed net curtain that I guess was supposed to look romantic). Days were spent eating, drinking, discussing where we were going to eat next and…well, drinking again. Then we joined my extended French family at a gite for my granny’s 90th birthday where yet more food and drink was consumed. I have come back ½ stone heavier and am now contemplating yet another diet to trim down the camembert-filled rolls of fat.
I’m not feeling in the slightest bit glamorous but had better get myself in the mood pretty sharpish as this weekend I’m finally off to see the new Sex and the City film. I can’t wait and have deliberately avoided all plot giveaways as I want it to be a surprise. It’s had terrible reviews but I know I’ll love it regardless for the fashion and the friendship between the fab four. There’s 10 of us ladies going – a proper gaggle of girls – so I feel sorry for any random men who find themselves there. When I went to see the first film there were just 2 poor blokes in the audience – one I think was gay and the other had been dragged along by his cruel girlfriend (why would you do that?).
Films like this are just crying out for a chic cinema to watch them at. Dodgy multiplexes just don’t cut it for a film that’s all about glamour and decadence. We’re going to the Everyman in Angel which has just been done up with its own bar and comfy sofas and footstools but here is my list of the top cinemas in London.
Starlite Urban Drive-in
Truman Brewery
1 minute walk from Shoreditch station or 5 mins from Liverpool St station.
OMG, a real life drive-in… in London. And you don’t even need a car. At the Truman Brewery, 20 Volvos have been pre-parked for 3 nights only so you just need to rock up with a partner to snog on the backseat. Watch classics like ‘Grease’, ‘Eclipse’ and ‘Twilight’ and get your drinks served to you by rollerskating waiters. Tickets are very limited but they are releasing more tickets on the day so keep a beady eye out.
The Aubin Cinema
Redchurch Street, Shoreditch
This is part of Shoreditch House so is super swanky. With only 45 seats it’s tres intimate so perfect for a soppy first date. It has velvet sofas, squishy cushions and a bar.
Everyman Cinemas
Everyman have cinemas all over the place but my favourites are the Screen on the Green in Angel and the Hampstead branch where you can book a sofa for two, put your feet up on the footstools and enjoy waiter service.
The Electric
191 Portobello Road, London
This is dead posh but what else would you expect from a cinema in the heart of Notting Hill? It has leather sofas, footstools, a bar and delicious cakes. Check out Electric Sundays for cheaper seats and more unusual films. They also have a Kids Club – leave them there and go shopping.
Curzon
Curzon have cinemas all over London but the Soho one is great if you’re in town. Mainly showing arty films, this cinema has its very own Konditor and Cook café. Yum. It also hosts regular Director Q&As, documentary events and the Midnight movie.
Phoenix Cinema
East Finchley, N2 9PJ
This cinema is one of the oldest cinemas in the UK. Run by a charitable trust, it’s Grade II listed and has unique art deco features. It shows independent films as well as new releases and holds regular events, talks and workshops.
Firmdale group – Weekend Film Club
It doesn’t get much posher than this and I’m still waiting for my invite. For the ultimate in chic seats, check out this group of cinemas at the Soho Hotel, the Covent Garden Hotel and the Charlotte Street Hotel. Every weekend they offer afternoon tea or dinner in the hotel restaurant followed by the movie of the week for £35 per person. They show old classics as well as new releases – so stuff your face, lie back in the cowskin seats and order in the champagne dahrlings. Popcorn munching has never been so chic.
Enjoy the show. Valerie x
Young London
Hidden Art Christmas Fair + Open Studios
Secret London
