Article from Spotted by Locals - Experience Europe like a local
Filmhouse, Edinburgh (by Stu Anderson)
When the Europe winter weather is getting you down, you’ve visited the museums and money is tight, a visit to an Art House Cinema can be a great option! Screening old classics in small, rustic rooms, an Art House Cinema charges little money for a great cinematic experience.
In this list you’ll find some of Europe’s nicest and coziest Art House Cinemas as spotted by our Locals! In random order, we present a list of the 38 of the nicest Art House cinemas in 38 European cities!
Enjoy!
The Movies, Amsterdam (by Emelie Schuts)
“The Movies on the famous Haarlemmerdijk is the oldest movie theatre in Amsterdam that’s still at work. [...] you can also grab a bite to eat at the restaurant inside the theatre. They have deals combining a ticket and for instant a main course plus dessert. It’s not that cheap but the food’s great!”
The Movies Amsterdam (by Emelie Schuts)
Movie Theatre de Klappei, Antwerp (by Igor Daems)
“The Theatre itself is tiny but I think that makes the movie experience more real. I prefer this to the big movie complexes you can find anywhere, in every city. There’s only one theatre here so don’t expect a lot of choices. They play mostly classics and independent movies.” at de Klappei in Antwerp!”
Movie Theatre de Klappei, Antwerp (by Igor Daems)
Irida, Athens (by Margarita Kalogeropoulou)
“At Irida, the University cinema “[...] you have the chance to watch cult-movies that otherwise you would probably not have the chance to see in the big screen, for free.”
Irida Athens (by Kinimatografie)
Cines Verdi, Barcelona (by Bill Sinclair)
“The cinema is a member of the Europa network so there’s always a good choice of quality films in the original language with subtitles, and free notes with every film. Cines Verdi is not the place to go to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster.”
Cines Verdi, Barcelona (by Christofor Rosique)
Z-Bar, Berlin (by Robby Block)
“[...] a truly off cinema program. Fans of bizarro cinema shouldn’t miss their selection from “the wild side of cinema” where you’ll find B-movie offerings from around the world. Whether you love home-made Japanese horror movies or budget slasher films or crappy sci-fi from the 1950s, Z-inema Z-Bar serves it all up with no judgment. [...]”
Z-Bar, Berlin (by Robby Block)
Illegal Cinema, Belgrade (by Dušan Lopušina)
“[...] independent, low budget or just out of the mainstream films (sometimes called ‘films with subtitles’ among English speakers) became more and more popular in Belgrade. [...] Illegal Cinema became a kind of an institution which is still going strong four years later. It’s a place where marginalized and hard-to-find films are shown – documentary, activist, queer, anarchist, forbidden and underground films [...]”
Illegal Cinema (by Dušan Lopušina)
Cinema Vendôme, Brussels (by Ianthe Lancsweert)
“The cinema doesn’t host a large crowd but mostly a film respecting and knowledgeable audience. During the year the Vendôme cinema offers various film festival. Like an African film festival, a short film festival, a Chinese film festival and other specific screenings.” at Vendôme Cinema.
Cinema Vendome Brussels (by Theophane Raballand)
Studio, Bucharest (by Alex Olteanu)
“If you are interested in experiencing the genuine cinema feeling, please follow my advice and go to one of the old cinemas in the city, like: Studio, Patria, Scala, Europa. [...]Studio Cinema’: Many film festivals take place here.”
Cinema Vendome Brussels (by Theophane Raballand)
Cirkó Gejzír, Budapest (by Tamás Tossenberger)
“Cirkó still stands and regards itself as the smallest art cinema in Europe since the late 90′s. Nevertheless, it is roomy enough for a bike shed and a restful foreground, where you can sip your welcome tea in an armchair until the film gets started. [...] ”
cirko-gejzir-budapest-(by-cirko)
Vester Vov Vov, Copenhagen (by Elina Roivainen)
“[...] absolutely the cutest cinema in the city [...] Vester Vov Vov’s café plays a big role in creating the good, old cinema atmosphere: Cane chairs, big movie posters and checked floor, not forgetting the glass roof.”
Vester Vov Vov Copenhagen (by Elina Roivainen)
The Screen, Dublin(by Barry Hughes)
“[...] The Screens an ’indie’ cinema in character and this is part of its charm. [...] Not content to sit on their laurels, The Screen also host live HD screenings of the Bolshoi Ballet and Opera from the Met, adding another string to their bow. ”
Vester Vov Vov Copenhagen (by Elina Roivainen)
Filmhouse, Edinburgh (by Stu Anderson)
“The Filmhouse is definitely a cinema for lovers of cinema. It specialises more in niche cinema, and it does it very well.”
Filmhouse, Edinburgh(by Stu Anderson)
Mal Sehn, Frankfurt (by Christian Paulus)
“Kino Mal Sehn is for all cinephiles arthouse-movie-lovers. [...] Almost an institution in Frankfurt (since 1984), the first arthouse cinema in town. It also houses various film festivals or special events with international topics.”
Mal Sehn, Frankfurt(by Christian Paulus)
Sphinx, Ghent (by Julie Lenssens)
“[...] If you like to catch a movie and prefer avoiding crappy Hollywood blockbusters you should go to The Sphinx [...] they’re very intimate and make your movie-experience unique. Afterwards you can discuss your film-experience in the pleasant Sphinx-café while trying out some Belgian beers! [...]”
sphinx-ghent-(by-julie-lenssens)
Grosvenor Cinema, Glasgow (by Gill Davies)
Grosvenor Cinema has “[...] huge leather armchairs and there’s loads of leg room. If you fancy stretching out or snuggling up, book one of the leather couches at the back. [...] I like the fact you can take drinks from the bar next door into the cinema with you. [...] Films shown are a mix of the latest blockbusters, old classics and cult movies.”
Grosvenor Cinema, Glasgow (by Gill Davies)
3001, Hamburg(by Daniela Bott)
“For independent and arts, cineasts come and gather together in a hidden backyard at 3001. It’s also for those who are tired of mainstream arts. There are International movies being shown in at least 5 different languages mainly with subtitles”
3001-hamburg-(by-daniela-bott)
SALT Beyoğlu, Istanbul (by Deniz Dönmez)
“I highly recommend stopping by SALT to visit the exhibition and attending one of the many events in the walk-in cinema.”
salt-beyolu-istanbul-(by-deniz)
Cinemateca, Lisbon (by Nuno Lopes de Paula)
“[..] Enjoy your favorite director’s tribute at the cozy small cinema Cinemateca. Sessions start in the afternoon screening movies from great directors. There are also retrospectives of the most acclaimed film directors and actors [..]”
cinemateca-lisbon-(by-nuno-lopes-de-paula)
Kinoteka, Ljubljana (by Jošt Derlink)
At Kinoteka “They show movies from Europe mostly, but also from other parts of the world, like Japan or, of course, America, but never too commercial. You can find different genres, from dramas to black comedies and thrillers.”
Kinoteka, Ljubljana (by Jošt Derlink)
The Horse Hospital, London (by Matt Bramford)
“Film fans won’t want to miss out on a trip to the Horse Hospital – independent cinema at its best. [...] fashion films and independent screenings. Classic films from the golden age of cinema are shown alongside cult classics and films you never knew existed.”
The Horse Hospital London (by Matt Bramford)
Cine Dore, Madrid ( by Rok Korošec)
“Everybody in Madrid, who knows Luis Buñuel, Luis García Berlanga or later Pedro Almodóvar, among many of course, will also know about Cine Doré [...] the best moment is still to come; not just anywhere, but in a magnificent movie theatre.”
Cine Dore Madrid (by Aneta Quraishy)
Spazio Oberdan, Milan ( by Hope Campbell Gustafson)
[...]The films featured at Spazio Oberdan can be young or old, famous or unknown, cult films or blockbuster hits.[...]
Spazio Oberdan (by Hope Campbell Gustafson)
Cinema theatre “5 stars” (Marina Usenko)
Cinema is magic and in 5Stars cinema theatre you get the feeling you’re in an alternative reality even before you enter the cinema hall and the lights turn off. [...] In addition to all the good prices, the cosy atmosphere and comfortable seats make me want going to go to the cinema “5 stars”
Cinema Theatre 5 Stars (by Marina Usenko)
Museum Lichtspiele, Munich ( by Kleopatra Polyzou)
[...] My favourite screening room of Museum Lichtspiele is Kino 2, the ‘cultest’ room of all. With its dark red seats, the big chandeliers and the copy statue of Michelangelo’s David in natural size with the red painted lips, the room offers a unique atmosphere. [...]
Museum Lichtspiele (by Kleopatra Polyzou)
Rue Champollion, Paris (by Tamara Mesarić)
Rue Champollion is not a single cinema, but rather a street with three important art house cinemas! “Film festivals, different movie cycles, sometimes even the public lectures add to the feeling that if you are a film fan you are in the right place.”
Rue Champollion, Paris (by Tamara Mesarić
Kino Svetozor, Prague (by Filip Grimm)
“[...] focused on art films (or let’s say less mainstream films) as well as festivals. [...] Every week there is a premiere of an art film, Mondays are reserved for screening of documentary films and Wednesday nights for minor and experimental genres such as video art, net art, animation, commercials, video-clips, short films etc.” at Kino Svetozor.
Kino Svetozor, Prague (by Filip Grimm)
Splendid Palace, Riga (by Martins Veidemanis)
Splendid Palace is not a common cinema. It is located in a historical building, decorated in the shapes of rococo. A truly beautiful piece of art, this is the first cinema in the Baltics that screened sound movies. [...]
Splendid Palace (by Martins Veidemanis)
Cinema Nuovo Olimpia (by Ivan Marra)
[...] In the city there aren’t many cinemas that show films in their original language. Only Nuovo Olimpia does it [..] In fact there are only two kinda small screens that remind me of a typical 50′s style cinema [...]
Cinema Nuovo Olimpia (by Ivan Marra)
Filmcasino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)
“Maybe there is no nicer cinema in Vienna (apart from Gartenbaukino and Künstlerhauskino) than Filmcasino. [...] there are often very interesting small film festivals taking part in filmcasino – e.g. latin movie film festival or queer film festivals.”
Filmcasino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)
Lantaren Venster, Rotterdam (by Martijn Hordijk)
[...] Lantaren Venster has a very modern interior but with a wide variety of (cult) movies and jazz music, you will get the classic feeling of visiting an old movie theater [...]
Lantaren Venster (by Martijn Hordijk)
Cinemateque, Skopje (by Bojana Trajkovska)
[...] The Cinémathèque is dedicated to bringing what they like to think of as essential cinema. Whether classics, rarely-seen gems or documentaries, these are movie experiences that stay with you long after you’ve left: movies that will inspire you by their meaning; movies that make you question your beliefs [...]
Cinemateque, Skopje (by Bojana Trajkovska)
Bio Rio, Stockholm (by Louise Blomberg)
Bio Rio is one of Stockholm’s oldest cinemas from the 1940′s and offers various entertainments such as a filmcafé, alternative films, film clubs, 3D films and live performances on stage [...] Bio Rio often hosts overseas film festivals and most films are in English, although the subtitles are in Swedish.
Bio Rio, Stockholm (by Louise Blomberg)
Artis, Tallin (byKristiina Kala)
The cinema Artis is charming, it’s small and they screen only good movies so sometimes I just walk in without checking the timetable and take a ticket to the first movie and I have never been disappointed [...]
Artis, Tallin (byKristiina Kala)
Topkino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)
Topkino is another recommendation by Spotter Linda. It’s a three-in-one local, that offers classical and awardwinning films, dinner and drinks!
Topkino, Vienna (by Linda Nepicks)
Skalvija, Vilnius (by Kamilė Naraitė)
“Skalvija is very popular in Lithuania because it organizes special cinema events – festivals, retrospectives and meetings with filmmakers. [...] Also, it organize a lot of international festivals such as Vilnius Documentary Film Festival or Young Filmmakers Film Festival ‘Vilnius Film Shorts’, where all (film-goers and film professionals) can show their works. [...]”
Skalvija, Vilnius (by Kamilė Naraitė)
Kino Muranow, Warsaw (by Stefan Markiewicz)
“Kino Muranów is smaller than those chain cinemas but its atmosphere beats all modern cinemas. And if you are a big movie buff like me this cinema will be perfect for you as they offer a wide range of good quality cinema. In 2003 the cinema received the European Cinemas Award for the best cinema in terms of repertoire.”
Kino Muranow, Warsaw (by Stefan Markiewicz)
Kino Europa, Zagreb (by Karla Lončar)
Kino Europa is “one more place where they’re able to watch latest independent films, national and international festival laureates, and all those movies they won’t easily find in some Movieplex. Kino Europa has also become a national movie center that is a host to many film festivals and art related promotions as well.”
Kino Europa, Zagreb (by Karla Lončar)
Xenix, Zurich (by Roman Rey)
“The Xenix had its beginnings in the eighties, the time of political and social unrest in Zurich. In the building there’s also a Bar to have a drink before, after or during the film. If you’re early, you can get one of the sofa seats in the front (comfy as hell!). So if you’re going with your significant other, make sure you be there in time.”
Xenix Zurich (by Roman Rey)
We’ve reached the end of this list of great and local’s favorite Art House Cinemas in Europe. Have you ever been to one of these? Or do you have another recommendation? Leave us a comment!
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