The Clapham Picture House

Small and perfectly formed

27 Apr 08, 16:15 Beyond expectations

This picture house, or cinema, is my favorite. It's got so much character, no wonder it's always so popular. With great old retro films on at a weekend, this really is a classic. For me, the old, small cinemas are the best. With a great little bar attached to the side, it's a really good night out

Indie Cinema at it's best

19 Apr 08, 08:04 Beyond expectations

CPH shows a really great selection of Independent Films.

They do really interesting seasons based on directors, actors or themes. I'd go to their website and sign up for the newsletter to keep abreast of what seasons they are showing.

If you are into film - and I mean proper film, this is well worth a visit, plus it's cheaper than going to the soulless Vue or Cineworld!

Picture Perfect

16 Apr 08, 09:42 Above expectations

Turn right down Venn Street and tucked away from the ‘bustle’ of Clapham high street, you will find the gorgeous little cinema that is the Clapham Picture House. The four screens offer an eclectic choice between mainstream films to arthouse cinema, and the inviting bar/café means that you can arrive well before the film starts for a drink or some Ben & Jerrys.

I love this cinema, and it is a great alternative to the chains you find ripping you off in town. The fact that you can take your wine into the film with you is an extra treat - although watch how much you drink because the seats are easy to fall asleep in!

Lovely

21 Dec 07, 11:12 Beyond expectations

Tucked away on Venn Street, the CPH is opposite a number of very good restaurants - gastro for example - making it the perfect place for an extended film, dinner night out. It's a far cry from the standardised Odeans or Vue that you may be used to and way better than Brixton's good eclectic effort.

There's a bar downstairs to while away the time - if you can't find a seat in on of the area's thousands of bars. The Cinema is quite petite with - four screens in what are quite small rooms. This leads to a word of warning: It is quite small so you'd do well to book in advance if you can. It's the only cinema in the area so tickets for the more popular films go quickly.

There is a sort of loyalty card for about £30 a year giving you discounts, free screenings, bar discounts etc. A good present for the film gimp in your life.

They go in for the niche screenings here too. Some friends of ours hired a room and screened a documentary they made there so it's obviously available for private hire. I gather that there is also a 'mothers morning matinee (AKA Big Scream) for mothers who lunch. Do not attend this session if you are not a mother or over three. You will quite possibly go insane. There are special screenings for schools, short films, arthouse films, sceeenings for the older generation and those for people 'dating'.

In all, a pillar of Clapham Life. We love.

Everyone should have a cinema like this.

30 Sep 07, 19:07 Above expectations

This is a great little cinema. 4 screens and a great connecting cafe/bar. They run a membership scheme with perks, great if you're local and a regular cinema goer.

They have an eclectic programming mix of arthouse and quality mainstream films. They host evenings, have private hire, art exhibitions, kids club, "big scream" - where parents can bring young kids and they wont be made to feel bad if the children cry - good idea !

Close to lots of restaurants and bars. Great local cinema. The staff are really cool. Its got all the facilities of a larger cinema change, but its got soul.