Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

At the top of China Town is London’s best cinema. The prices are less than the outrageously priced Hollywood junk shown in Leicester square and the venue is so welcoming people hang out here without even watching a film. The Soho Curzon is part of a chain of five similar cinemas, though my personal favourite is the Soho edition as it’s the most central and the layout is most inviting.

At street level a retro-styled café has over 20 different pastries and cakes and serves hot soup, coffees and organic wines. Downstairs a spacious bar is adorned with brown leather sofas you sink down into and tables where you can find people having pre-movie drinks, post-movie chats or just enjoying the artsy atmosphere.

The three cinemas in the basement show a selection of art house independent and less commercial titles. The Soho Curzon regularly hosts Q&A sessions with film directors and script writers along with special previews. Film festivals and a monthly quiz are also on the agenda.

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Soho Curzon | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Ticket £ 12.00
99 Shaftesbury Avenue | Central | +448717033988
Box office 11:00 – 21:00 daily | Bar 11:00 – 23:00 daily

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Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

The Tricycle has been running since 1980 and despite being in the northwest, far from the glamorous West End theatre hub, it has become one of London’s most adored and respected theatres. Eleven years ago a one-screen cinema was added on and in 2001 the Creative Space was built for educational workshops.

The theatre’s directors try to present work which reflects the cultural diversity of its neighborhood Kilburn, a heavily immigrant area and has put on plays by Irish, African-Caribbean and Asian writers.

The cinema kiosk serves ice cream and candy and it has a bar/café which has a simple menu of pasta, sandwiches and jacket potatoes. There is a separate eating area which doubles as an exhibition space. On Mondays cinema tickets are only £6.50.

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The Tricycle | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Theaters
269 Kilburn High Road | North-West | +442073281000
Box office Mon – Sat 10:00 – 21:00, Sun 14:00 – 21:00 | Café & bar Mon – Sun 12:00 – 23:00 (12:00 – 20:00 for food)

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Image by Pritaya Sriolong

Everybody loves anything free, right? London gives residents and visitors alike many opportunities to enjoy this wonderful city at no cost – museums, galleries and other events. The Scoop is a venue beside the City Hall that offers a variety of free stuff, too. Apart from providing everyone with a space to just sit down and relax, you can enjoy a bit of entertainment and culture, too.

Events ranges from film screenings, exhibits, concerts and community activities are often staged at The Scoop, especially in the summer. The best part of these events is the fact that they are open to the public and most likely free. You will need to check their website or sign up to their mailing list to get regular updates.

If there is nothing then perhaps you might catch a sighting of London’s ‘infamous’ mayor, Boris Johnson, at the City Hall.

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The Scoop | Art & culture, Cinemas, Relaxing, Festivals & events | Free
2A More London Riverside,SE1 2DB | South-East
Film screenings Wed – Fri from 19:30

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Image by Matt Bramford

Rich Mix, like the Barbican, is one of those art centres that caters for pretty much everybody. It’s my local cinema, but at the same time is a gig venue, bar, café and art gallery – it’s a big red cultural hub.

The building has three cinema screens – two large, one intimate. They screen mainstream movies and anticipated Oscar winners alongside independent releases and archival films. It’s much cheaper than those horrid West End cinemas that charge you a fortune and much nicer, too. The walls are adorned with Timorous Beasties wallpaper – an attraction in themselves, and the actual cinema screens have walls decorated with contemporary geometric patterns that create the illusion, when the lights are low, of Rococo architecture.

As a gig venue, Rich Mix has played host to a huge range of international musicians, from UK-based classical pianists to Bollywood bands. There’s always something on (and I really should start going more myself) and some events are even free. The centre also hosts a rolling schedule of performing arts, comedy, spoken word events and and exhibitions. It’s enough to render you breathless.

The cinema screenings sell out quickly at weekends and on Wednesdays (when there’s the Orange deal on) so I tend to pop by in the day to buy tickets, or book online if I’m feeling frivolous (there’s an added booking fee). When you’ve seen your film, why not pop around the corner for a cocktail in LoungeLover? There’s nothing better.

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Rich Mix | Art & culture, Cinemas, Music, Theaters | Cinema £ 9
35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road E1 6LA | East | +442076137498
14:00 – 00:00 (approx) daily

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Image by Matt Bramford

Film fans won’t want to miss out on a trip to the Horse Hospital – independent cinema at its best. The building’s origins are pretty obvious from the name – it’s the only remaining example of a two-floor purpose-built stable in London (or at least, that we know about and can access).

Its beautiful red brick structure is a classic example of architecture from the turn of the 19th century and inside it remains mostly unspoiled, save a bit of black paint here and there. The screening room, located underground, only holds about 40 seats, so its advisable to book as films soon sell out. I always get there early because the front four seats are the comfiest.

With a rolling screening schedule, there’s something for everyone. I tend to see 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 venue also hosts regular art exhibitions on the upper floors, and there is a bar to enjoy a drink while you view your chosen film. Wrap up in the winter months, though – it’s absolutely freezing (I tend to have a cup of tea, but there is alcohol if you prefer!)

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The Horse Hospital | Cinemas | Film from £ 5
Colonnade, Bloomsbury WC1N 1JD | Central | +442078333644
Generally 19:30 – 23:00 (Depending on screening times)

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