The Electric Cinema in Notting Hill is probably the coolest cinema I have ever been to. It even beats Australian cinemas' 'Gold Class' (and GC is damn good). After going to The Electric for the first time back in December, I don't think I'm ever gonna be able to go to a normal cinema again..."this cinema doesn't have arm chairs, foot stalls, and cashmere blankets?! Get me out of here!"
I first heard of The Electric Cinema a coupla years ago, my friend Amy told me about her boyfriend taking her to "this amazing cinema where it's like seeing a film in your living room, but better!". So when my Dad's birthday came around I knew exactly what we were all doing for the day as a family - going to see the new Hobbit film at The Electric. My treat, of course.
Dad first introduced me to Tolkien's books when I was about 11 years old, and I've been hooked since. Although I still have yet to read The Silmarillion (don't judge), but I'll get there one day. It was always a tradition for us to go and see the new Lord of the Rings film when it came out each year, our 'father daughter bonding session'. However when The Hobbit came out we didn't get to see it at the cinema, so we got the blu-ray, caught up on it (thought it was a bit shit), then headed to The Electric Cinema to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (waaaay better!) back in December.
At over 100 years old the cinema is one of the oldest working cinemas in the country, and is part of Soho House group. It's slightly more expensive than a normal cinema in London, as prices range from £10-£22 depending on what day you go and whether you're a child or adult, but for a special occasion or date it's so worth it!
You sit in huge leather arm chairs with a cushion, a foot-stall, cashmere blankets, and a small table with a light on it. There's a bar in the cinema room where you can get everything from a burger to afternoon tea to nachos. They also serve tea and coffee in china cups, coca cola in actual glasses, and wine. It's such a novelty and was so much fun! The Hobbit was quite a long film, so it was nice to be in comfortable seats - my bum definitely didn't go numb like in normal cinema seats!
After the cinema we went to Honest Burgers, which is definitely my new favourite burger place! I'll review it properly when I'm back from Australia in March. The burgers are just mouthwateringly good.
We had a great time at the Electric Cinema, and I would recommend it to anyone even just once for the experience. You can buy tickets in advance online, and it's recommended you do this as they sell out quickly. They only show one film at a time for a few days, and then they show a different one, but you can see what's on here.
Have you been to The Electric Cinema? What's your favourite film?