The floor is sticky, some teenagers are making out next to you and the tickets cost close to a whole days pay. Watching movies at the traditional cinemas these days can be a little overrated. So it’s with open arms that we welcome a new breed of cinema – one that’s combining great films and drinks for some over-18 fun! Here is our list of Sydney bars you can visit for a full drink, dine and movie experience.
Monday Night Movies at the Soda Factory
The Soda Factory is all about bringing a little bit of the retro American lifestyle to Surry Hills. It’s a darkened speakeasy style bar with swinging jazz bands and a menu consisting of old cocktails, milkshakes and hot dogs. Every Monday night, all year long, The Soda Factory is converted into a cinema bar. They screen a range of different movies from American greats to the weird and obscure. The movie starts at 8pm but doors open at 5pm so you can get a good spot and grab $5 beers. The menu offers more than just popcorn and choc-tops with hot dogs, chips and more for just $5 all night. Movies coming up in September are:
No admission fee. Keep posted on upcoming movies here.
The Soda Factory, 16 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Monday Night Movies at Manly Wharf Bar
As the warmer weather rolls in, grab a few friends and head to Manly Wharf Bar cinema bar, complete with amazing beach views. Every Monday, their main bar is replaced by a home theatre, complete with beanbags and popcorn. Movies start at 7pm, with a special $10 movie menu all night, including margaritas, burgers and pizzas. September movies include:
Manly Wharf Bar, E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
The Greens “Flicks at the Greens”
From the 16th September to the 11th of October The Greens in North Sydney converts their large bowling greens into an outdoor cinema. Their movie season is a mixture of old and new, with Oscar winners to kids classics to crowd-pleasers, like Dirty Dancing. General Admission tickets are $15 and gives you access to the dedicated bar. If you want to fork out a bit extra, for $32 you can get a Crown Class ticket, which entitles you to a beanbag in a reserved area and a bottle of Talmatri wine, with every 2 tickets purchased. Tickets are available here.
The Greens, 50 Ridge St, North Sydney NSW 2062
Golden Age Cinema & Bar
Golden Age Cinema and Bar host different events every week, including talks, themed movie nights and screenings of old classics. Every Tuesday, they host Burgers by Nighthawk Diner where they show a weekly cult classic, paired with a burger, inspired by the movie. Other nights are dedicated to beloved favourites like Back to the Future, but also hard-hitting documentaries that don’t get shown at mainstream theatres. Before the movie, you can grab a Joan Collins or Charlie Chaplin cocktail at the bar, or try one of their popular toasties like The Spielberger with pastrami, swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut and mustard. Full list of movies and menu at their website.
Golden Age Cinema & Bar, 80 Commenwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace’s I Love Retro Movie Nights
Cremorne Orpheum is one of the only places in Sydney where you can watch indie flicks, cult classics, operas and stage shows, with a plastic cup of Champagne in your hand. A cinema bar all year round, they have a fully stocked candy bar and you are allowed to take drinks into the cinema. They are famous for their monthly screening of The Room, usually to packed audiences who like to quote along with the movie and throw plastic spoons at the screen. The “I Love Retro” series is sporadically shown over the year, usually to circulate around special days or occasions. Upcoming nights include:
Full list of movies available here.
Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, 380 Military Rd, Cremorne NSW 2090
Sweetheart Rooftops
Sweethearts Rooftop BBQ have started showing movies as well! They are screening their favourite rom coms all through September in their Rooftop Cinema. Read our piece about it here.
Sweethearts Rooftop BBQ, 33-37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011
Govindas, a restaurant with film screenings
If you aren’t looking for a boozy movie night, Govindas in Darlinghurst is the place for you. Indulge in their vegetarian buffet, and then watch the best world cinema has to offer, sitting on luxurious cushions! Open every night.
Or perhaps visit one of our other All-In-One venues, where you can Dine, Drink and Dance!