The attic bar of the new Hackney Picturehouse was packed to the rafters last night for the cinema’s opening party.
Sandra Hebron was among the many guests treated to canapés, champagne and a fine local jazz band.
But the main attraction was the cinema itself, which lives up to one employee’s name for it as the ‘Tate Modern of cinemas’. Sleek black, white and silver, minimal decor, wi-fi hotspots, a pared back restaurant (whose style reminded me a little of St John) serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. and a cool attic bar, this is certainly the next generation of event cinemas, where venue is almost as important as the auditoria.
The restaurant fare ranges from cured meats to burgers and the drinks list includes the much talked about bespoke Picturehouse beer, brewed at London Fields Brewery. The event schedule includes music, workshops, comedy and quiz nights,while the film offering includes eight current features, a broad alternative content slate, shorts and I know of at least one local music collective who have been contacted about screening some of their experimental films (hipster alert). There are free screenings for students, LGBT events, as well as special screenings for kids, toddlers and those in the autistic spectrum.
The Hackney Picturehouse is alive and kicking. Check it out.
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