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BFI Southbank
Indie Movie Theater
London, London
"2000 films or TV programmes from the archive."(6 Tips)
"Mediatheque for hours of archival film and television treasures."(3 Tips)
"Comfortable seats, good cocktails & great films!"(6 Tips)
"bars and a mediateque."(2 Tips)
111 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- mediatheque
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Magnus HultbergJuly 18, 2012Not just a movie theatre, here is a great (movie themed) book shop, a great bar, comfortable seating in sofas and arm chairs and a nice (albeit not cheap) restaurant.
Thunder CatFebruary 20, 2015Hidden down the side of the BFI, the bar serves great cocktails with adaptations on classics (fig old fashioned pictured) and there's a chilled ambiance. Seating is limited however.
Manu G.September 13, 2014Awesome place to dine or study on your own! Restaurant very good with reasonable prices and cafe very cozy and welcoming with big comfortable sofa-chairs! Literally obsessed with it!
Awesome place! Always have an amazing selection of films. Small complaint is the hot water only bathroom taps (us enviro folk like to fill up our water bottles and not constantly buy plastic)
Johannes DriessenApril 19, 2015Love the library here. Quiet, but friendly atmosphere. Free WiFi and great cocktails at the bar afterwards
Mel MelJune 15, 2019Must visit this place, huge selection of vintage and new movies, nice balcony bar to have a drink in one of the most beautiful areas of London
Nilson RogérioMarch 6, 2015'Sunset Blvd.', 'Citizen Kane', 'Bridge on The River Kwai': why I consider this the one place to watch the best in world cinema and, obviously, more to my taste, great classic films, British or not.
O LJuly 31, 2016Very comfortable seats. Great projection. Excellent film listings, both old and new. Make sure you arrive early as there's no adverts.
Mete MetinApril 22, 2014Great place to hang out. Nice bars, cafes and restaurants. Further down towards West nice Italian restaurant. National Film theatre has a nice cafe area at the back next to Cinema book shop.
One of my favourites places in London, and probably the best cinema in the world. I went more than 30 times in a year, and I missed it so badly!- Giacomo MasonMarch 27, 2017A true gem in London! Always showing old and new films in beautiful theatres, plus bars and a mediateque. Get a membership!
Marwan QJune 30, 2014Every time i visit London this is the place to be as they have a good selection of classic and international films ... Well recommended
Great cinema, recommend London Film Festival and BFI Flare (LGBT film festival) when they are on. Lovely bar at the front (not the Riverside side)
This used to be one of my favourite bars in London but the revamp they've done has changed this. It's now overcrowded and takes about 15 min to get served. Sad times as I used to love it here!
Elizabeth LeeNovember 22, 2014Great place to learn film appreciation and catch classic movies on screen. Has a library with free admission.
Rowan WernhamOctober 25, 2014All of life's essentials are here. Outlets, wifi, restaurant, bar, great cinema. It's a shame there's nowhere to sleep.
Beauty SoulSeptember 3, 2014Great place to hold Film Festivals as there are many screens with mega comfortable seats and reception rooms for discussions to take place.- A great place to see classic films, in a proper cinema theatre + decent bars, cafes and restaurants.
The Benugo bar at the furthermost end of the building from the river is great, but if its a pint of ale you are after, you'll be needing the riverside bar instead.- Check out the Mediatheque it's free & you can watch over 2000 films or TV programmes from the archive. With headphones & seats for 2 it's a great place to go with a friend. Open 12-8pm Closed Mondays
Amaka NwokejiNovember 5, 2018Bar was okay. Nice seating area and nice cocktails. Will try the restaurant next time.
An opportunity to view films made by unique individuals who want to express a view, tell a story. Worth visiting film archive library
George SteinFebruary 11, 2017Great selection of classic and foreign films. Worth checking frequently what's on!
Andy BuddJuly 29, 2012Check out the quiet library style cocktail bar off the main bar. Very chilled.
Udderbelly FestivalApril 4, 2012Don't miss the Purple Cow when your this close! Comedy, cabaret, family shows and dance as well as The Magners Pasture - the Southbanks largest beer garden!6 April - 8 July 2012www.underbelly.co.uk
Very good selection of movies, and nice artsy vibe. Love coming here.
Sam Easterby-SmithMarch 21, 2011Hang out in the bar at the back with all the squidgy sofas. A lovely place to meet people, drink coffee, wifi oneself, all those good things.
Mila StarApril 6, 2012If packed in main area, go to the very back of the bar through a small corridor and to the second room - always a seat!
Great venue with 4 screens. Lots of food & drink outlets.
Lydia BerkennouJanuary 28, 2015Great screens. Superb selections of films (new and old, English or foreign languages)
National Maritime MuseumJuly 11, 2011The Mediatheque’s ‘Tales of the Shipyard’ includes an 1898 film of HMS Albion’s disastrous launch. Its wake washed away a viewing platform and many of the spectators drowned. Find your maritime story Read more
Keep an eye out for special talks and premieres. They often have filmmakers introduce their film with a brief chat afterwards.
Marcelo AlbagllAugust 4, 2012Come earlier, so you can enjoy the bar, the shop and the Medieteque. And free wifi! :-)
Olaf StephensonMarch 1, 2013Sausage & Mash in the canteen followed by Chinatown followed by cocktails in the bar....is this a dream world I'm in?
You can't get a ticket for a movie that started even if you're five minutes late.
If you plan to buy a drink before your film, leave plenty time. The BFI don't staff their bars properly, especially at busy times like the LFF or LLGFF
Definitely try to go and see some classic horror during this Winter's GOTHIC season!
Check out the small room where you can watch old films from the archive on your computer. Full of hidden gems.
SCI-FI-LONDONApril 3, 2012Tickets now on sale for Premieres, Q+As as well as an all day computing event marking the 35th Anniversary of the ZX Spectrum. SCI-FI-LONDON Film Festival 1-7 May 2012 http://www.sci-fi-london.com
Head over Embankment Bridge for fine quality bratwurst at Herman ze German on Villiers St. Their wurst is ze best!
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The British Film Institute promotes greater understanding of and access to film and television culture.
BFI Southbank is our London-based venue, where we screen over 1,000 films a year, from rare silent comedies to cult movies and archive television screenings.
None listed (See when people check in)
People tend to check in during these times:
- Today
- 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
- Tue–Thu
- 5:00 PM–9:00 PM
- Fri
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sat
- 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Sun
- Noon–9:00 PM
+44 20 7928 3232
Features
Wi-Fi
Yes
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Places inside BFI Southbank
- 6.7
"Sitting under the bridge can be nice on a warm evening. It does get very busy so pick your time. The door staff have always been cheerful and helpful: some of the best."
Jon Curnow - 8.5
"Great range of film magazines and cheap box sets"
Ally Clow - 7.9
"The place to sit back and watch British films made in 30s and more. Two hours give you plenty of time to browse collections and watch 1 1/2 films. Absolutely love this spot."
David Davidson
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- 9.0
"My favorite coffee house in London. Very relaxing and perfect for working or meetings. Great Moroccan wrap too!"
Tony Constantinides - 8.3
"I absolutely love the retro theme for this cinema, with plenty of seats, a great view of the screen from any vantage. Grab a wine/beer/coffee and settle in for a show!"
Chris Potter - 8.4
"The War for independence + live musical accompaniment by Lola Perrin. Depicting the war between Romania and the Turkish Ottoman Empire in the winter of 1877. Early silent movie from 1912."
Heval Ceylan
Places people like to go after BFI Southbank
- 8.9
"A good place to meet friends before a day or night out in London. The interior is very spacious and the outside bar is great overlooking the river."
Bob Smith - 9.2
"The building is amazing and it’s great to wander in and out of each gallery seeing such different types of art in very different forms. The setting is excellent too being located right by the Thames."
Mark - 9.4
"The best performances take place here. Huge, modern industrial rooms/theatre. Excellent bar with drinks/beers in the ground floor, with view in southbank. Excellent coffee shop on the side."
George X
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