Rio Cinema

This is one of those older cinemas converted for modern use. They have a bar here and you can enjoy a drink while you watch a movie. The only problem is the seats are still in the same original layout and you end up tilting your head around the person in front of you to see it. The selection of films is a different mater and I’ve watch quite a few good ones here.

This seems like a great locals spot. The whole place felt like a bunch of neighbors got together and decided to open up their collective living room. It had the charm and feel of an older theater without sacrificing the audio and visual quality of the picture.

Great good old cinema! Become a member, it’s worth it– as you help the business and it pays for itself with free tickets.
They show a selection of Arthouse and other recommended films and the interior is of entertaining beauty.
Drinks are friendly priced– so get them there to help keep it open.
Getting tickets is easy online, you can collect them in the Theater on arrival without queuing.

Happy birthday to the Rio! Which just turned 100. It was remodelled in the 30s and architecturally is an Art Deco classic with a lovely two-​tier exterior — sit in the balcony for a bird’s eye view, but not on a warm day as it gets very hot up there. It is admittedly NOT the most comfortable cinema in town, but it is the prettiest. They show all the major releases plus avant-​garde movies and classics — there are also Sunday matinée double bills and a Saturday morning kids club.

Really great independent cinema, love the late night classic weekend showings. Saw Casablanca here on Valentines day, the Shining a few weeks after, great atmosphere, beautiful building and amazing films.

I love coming here for the baby cinema. It’s liberating to get out of the house and watch a film with a crying baby… because there are plenty of other crying babies!
It’s a bit chaotic, but in a good way. There are babies crying, being breastfed, crawling in the aisles, and nappies being changed. It’s definitely a cheap and enjoyable way to break away from any parental cabin fever.

Let’s face it Dalston’s a bit grim. At the best of times. Sure it’s cool and all, there are the pop ups and the Red Stripes and the asymmetrical haircuts… but it’s not the cheeriest of places. Step up Rio! A charming old cinema, it’s got that faded Art Deco glamour that is just irresistible! Sure you literally sit knee to knee with your neighbours, but it’s cosy and as intimate as you want to make it… Despite showing a huge range of high brow independent foreign films, Rio isn’t snobby, and blockbuster smashes usually get top billing too. A wonderful departure from the Vues and Odeons of the world with their £10 popcorn and surly staff, Rio is a total gem.

Went here with a friend the other day, on his recommendation, and I thought it was a great cinema! Very funky and retro design, and I loved that they let you take your coffee, wine or beer in with you to watch a film. The seats were comfortable, and the price of a ticket isn’t as expensive as some of the other cinemas in London. Plus, before or after a film you can get a slice of pizza from Voodoo Ray’s just around the corner.

Aww! Gotta love this place, a bit tatty & run down but the staff are lovely & there’s always something interesting showing.

This is the best cinema in London (in my opinion :)) There is something special about the rio which is absent from the large cinema chains. Its always nice to support independent cinemas and the Rio is one of the best. Also, they serve great coffee :))

Ooh, I like this cinema. It’s another of those old style cinemas. Non commerical. They show a couple of movies at a time, usually independant movies and usually only for week. Reminds me of watching movies as a young lass! aah!

As it stands, this is my favorite place to see a film in London. (Of course, my judgement may be clouded by the fact that it’s a short walk from my flat.)
It’s a Pearl & Dean cinema, and unfortunately they show 15 – 20 minutes of adverts before most features. (I’m someone who *likes* film trailers, but I’m not at all fond of the straight-​up ads before the trailers.) On the other hand, you can book precise seats either online or at the box office, so you can spend that time queuing at the well-​stocked concession stand, or just breeze in straight to your seat right before the show really starts.
If you book online, you’re meant to collect tickets from the single self-​service kiosk by the concessions. This kiosk seems to hate my credit card, so I always seem to end up back at the box office after a couple minutes of trying to swipe my card at varying speeds in the hopes of pleasing the picky robot. No matter. I’m always cheered by the prospect of starting off the film with a cider or a glass of wine, as the Rio fortunately allows alcohol inside the screening room.
I usually like sitting up on the balcony, but on weeknights they tend to only open the downstairs «stalls». Fortunately, even the front seats are far enough from the screen to allow a reasonable view without neck damage. The screen isn’t huge, but they have a sharp digital projection system (with 3D capability for their kids’ screenings).
The cinema runs a lively program; if you see something interesting on the marquee as you’re riding by on a bus, don’t wait too long! They generally change the main feature every week or two. On weekends, they run childrens’ matinees, Sunday afternoon double features, and late-​night cult film showings on Saturday nights, in addition to their main feature. They also host interesting indie film festivals on occasion.
If the Rio could magically show all the films I was interested in seeing, I’d be a happy man.

I love the fact that this cinema has so much character.
Its independant, housed in a old theatre (I think) and has an upper circle of seats. Cinema on two levels. Thats pretty novel if you ask me! Shame I haven’t ever been in there when the upper level was open though.
There is only one screen, so you dont get a choice of film, but the interesting choices of films they show more then makes it up. Big block busters sit next to indie, Brit films and film festival specials.
The concessions stand smells of fresh coffee and cakes instead of overly sweet popcorn and dirty hot dogs. So bonus points for this.
The seats are just not that comfy, so lost points here.
I like it big time, so this is a 3.5 star review. I wish it hit a little higher on my star rating system, as I really want to support the place, but it just couldnt scrape itself into the 4 stars. Shame.

Love the concessions stand here.
The Rio, unlike multiplexes, sells small portions of most things, home made cake, cup of tea, drinkable amounts of soft drink. I think they even have home made samozas which is great.
They show mainly independent cinema but sometimes show things a bit more mainstream as long as they are well reviewed.
My only problem is the sound quality up on the balcony. I can never make out what is being said, So sit downstairs — they only open the balcony for the big movies anyway.

My favourite experience of the Rio was when I went to see my favourite film De-​Lovely. It happened to be showing at an OAP screening on a Wednesday afternoon and was jampacked. Once the lights go down it’s very hard to see and I had to scramble over old people to find a seat in the middle of the aisle. The cashier looked at me a little oddly because of my lack of accompanying old person but let me in for free! How ace is that. If you’re an actual OAP you get in for free and get a slice of cake and tea in the middle of the show. Absolutely brilliant.
Anyway De-​Lovely has a gay plot but it’s pretty much really tame. However with a 70+ audience there were loud jeers any time there was a slight hand touch or kiss on the cheek. The best bit came when John Barrowman appeared on screen and the woman next to me screamed ‘THAT’S THAT BARRY MAN!!’ Amazing.

Independent cinemas are scattered across London and this is the Jewel of the East — unfortunately expensive popcorn and a predictable screenings make this spot a little disappointing. I saw Control here a year or so ago and liked the vibe the place has. f you go to the big cinemas now people just sit there like Zombies! Here you get applause, laughter and cheering to films — great for getting you involved in the movie.
This place is definitely worth popping in if there is a movie showing you want to see. Drinks and popcorn will cost your granny but tickets are reasonable!

The Rio Cinema is a great old fashioned cinema complete with the old theatre façade still around the main screen and the neon toilet signs at either side of the aisle. I love it here and would recommend it to anyone tired of paying the prices you’re forced to fork out at the bigger chains.
Like any good cinema the Rio has a classic range of snacks including popcorn and soft drinks as well as home made cakes. By comparison to other cinema’s everything here is priced very reasonably. The unusual rectangular boxes that popcorn is served in are just the right shape to wedge between a couple of seats. It’s like they’ve thought of everything!
Any hardcore cinema fans will be interested to here that cinema tickets for the Rio can be reserved online. This is perfect if you’re worried that the mad dash home from work will get in the way of watching the newest release. Another great idea from this brilliant cinema!

The Rio in Dalston is my favourite cinema in London. Saying that, I am not a fan of mainstream cinemas, so my opinion may differ from other peoples.
I went there a couple of months ago to see ‘Gomorrah’ (brilliant film by the way).You can tell that is a haven for film buffs, as you can overhear everyone giving their expert opinion after the film. It is nice to be around a crowd who really care about cinema, and are not just after a bit of light entertainment.
As with most indie cinemas, there is not a huge selection of film. Don’t worry though, it is quality rather than quantity at Rio. It is also reasonably priced and very comfortable.

I hate going to the cinema: its too expensive and I’d rather be in my house where I can talk over the film, drink tea and smoke cigarettes, but I’ll make an exception for the Rio. You can drink tea here, eat homemade cakes and generally remember what the cinema experience used to be like before chain theatres took over the world.
They show independent movies, take part in international film festivals, hold screenings specifically for children and parents and clearly try to reflect the diversity of cultures and religions in East London through the films that they programme. The Rio cinema is also a registered charity and offers an annual membership for £20.
There is only one screen there, which adds to the snug feel, and the cinema has been refurbished in keeping with its original Art Deco design. It’s perfect for a lone outing or a cosy date and I plan to go this week to see new German film, The Baader Meinhof Complex.

I think it’s a really comforting and lovely thing to have a local cinema; imagine every time you wanted to watch a film on the big screen you had to travel into Leicester Square and pay their extortionate prices! ?!
That’s beside the point, because the Rio is a really nice comfy local cinema. It’s really small, and they only show one recent film at a time but the best thing about Rio is that it hosts great weekend events. Recently they showcased some fantastic contemporary Jewish films, and I’ve also been to a Jon Luc Goddard screening day there. Check the website for listings and events. Being in the heart of the arty East, you can guarantee there’s always something fab going on here.