Rio Cinema

This is a jewel in Hackney: Beautiful art deco building with a cozy screening room that shows independent films. Very friendly staff too. This is an absolute must go if you’re in Hackney. Long life to Rio!

very sweet staff, watched the euros in the basement in a cozy set up and a small bar to get drinks. would definitely visit again and support an independent cinema

Love this art deco cinema with so much history behind it. Good movie selection, great space and I like the fact it is independent. Affordable prices too, especially Mondays and Tuesdays. In the heart of buzzy Dalston.

Despite showing a good range of films and their discounted Tuesday showings, the cinema was dirty and damp. Bag searched on way in and mouse/rat crawled up curtains in cinema during film. Flys dancing around projector only made for a disappointing viewing of a good film.

I have been here a few times before when I lived in Stoke Newington as a teenager and it's changed a bit since then (over 20 years ago!). They took my shopping bag off me this time around 😂, but I had a secret stash of treats in my partner's coat, put this minor issue to one side. The toilet was out of order and considering the amount of drinks they sell, it's not great. The seats must still be the same as those from the 1930s. Very uncomfortable and quite frankly if you sound different to the regulars nowadays, you are treated differently, but your money won't be turned down. I wouldn't recommend, the atmosphere has changed. A shame but this is my opinion. We only decided to return after so long due to nostalgic reasons. 3 stars for just ok. It is what it is.

A wonderful eclectic cinema with a beautifully redesigned basement bar modelled and inspired by the Shining and other classic films, made locally by wooden craftsmen, which added to the local authenticity of the place. Seats are huge leather individual seats and small intimate screens. Super lovely staff and locally sourced drinks including a delicious passion fruit soda and vegetarian snacks. Great place for date night and to find films not on general release.

Amazing cinema, lovely small and cozy screen room on addition to a big one. Lovely, friendly and professional personnel. This cinema not only offer a great selection of interesting movies, the majority of those are not mainstream. Entering to this cinema it feels like home, wonderful and open-minded environment

the rio is my my favorite place in london, possibly the uk. i don’t know a better place. first of all, best popcorn possibly ever? second, extremely queer friendly. third, film photo booth recently installed?!?! a cinema after my own heart 🥹🎬💘

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

The Rio Cinema is a great old fashioned cinema complete with the old theatre facade 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!

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 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.

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.

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.

The Rio Cinema would likely be a shoo-in for a four (or at a push five) star rating, I saw the insipid Keira Knightley flick Atonement here however so it's forever tainted for me. Sometime programming blip aside, the Rio Cinema is a good old fashioned picture house in the same vein as the Ritzy or The Prince Charles with requisite plush red seating and curtains and more than a dash of cultish appeal. I can't say I'm crazy about the surrounding area so the Rio wouldn't be my first choice venue for a little movie watching but if you are a local or live in the East End and don't fancy venturing further north or west to find your nearest Vue the Rio should do the trick. Prices are reasonable, the programme is varied and there is a certain anorakish atmosphere to the place that some will certainly find beguiling.

Very good independent cinema, the last thing I saw here was Indiana Jones and the thing with the skull. It was a bad movie that wasn't helped by the poor quality sound system. I really like this cinema but they have to sort out the sound. It was kind of intermittent depending on the reel. Sit at the back, cos there tends to be one seat that doesn't work so you get a nice gap between you and other people. The staff are very nice and will give you a discount for student equity ha ha. Films that worked really well here: The Royal Tenenbaums, The Saragossa Manuscript. Since the Blockbuster opposite became a Tesco, you can also stock up on cheapish snacks and possibly booze. Wink.

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.

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 matinee double bills and a Saturday morning kids club.

my local cinema is a double edged place. Whilst it is a repertory cinema and often shows good quality Uk, American, and european independants, they are often of the depressingly middle class foreign people talking about relationships variety, leaving the real edgy stuff to other independant cinemas such as the excellent Brixtion Ritzy. The Rio also hosts seasons of Jewish or Turkish films, which is fine if you're Jewish or Turkish, too middle class to admit that you want to watch stuff exploding, or will watch anything as long as it's on film, but leaves even less time for proper good films. The staff are friendly, the sunday double bills and occasional late night saturday and friday night bills are sometimes good, and the cake rule. Overall a great cinema, but one of the least good rep cinemas in london unless you're turkish.

An island in a sea of mulitplexes, the Rio really is one of Dalston's true gems. Showing a range of Hollywood, foreign and independent films, as well late night screenings, Sunday matinees, special double bills, and special parents & babies screenings. They also screen a free matinee in the middle of each month (with free tea and cake!). You can also hire the cinema out on Friday and Saturday nights for special screenings of a film of your choice, a perfect idea if you're planning a birthday party with a difference. The large screen and comfy seats make for a perfect cinema experience, especially if you're watching Casablanca with a Monmouth coffee and a slice of chocolate cake!

such a cool place. Latest film I saw here was Grind House with Quentin Tarantino. Rio is a cinema run by local people. I know a few who get involved. Its great here. Meet new people, eat popcorn and watch filmsawesome.

The Rio Cinema on Stoke Newington High Street / Kingsland Road is an independent cinema showing arthouse and alternative releases along with mainstream flicks. The cinema has only one screen so has on feature per week. Not too expensive at £8 for an adult ticket, but quite diffcult to get to unless you live locally (check the bus routes!). The Sunday Matinee double bills are often worth a look, and its a good idea to consider membership if you are planning to go often (£35 for a joint membership gets 4 free tickets and then £1 off tickets).

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.

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.

This is a great local cinema, holding its own in an area that's pretty free of the bigger chains. You have to travel to find a Vue or an Odeon from here which means that the Rio is always pretty busy despite being tiny only showing one film at a time. It's a really cosy place to walk to to watch a film, the seats are surprisingly decent for an indie cinema, the cafe/bar offers a nice selection of things to take in with you, it's not hyper expensive and the architecture of the building itself is really attractive and cinema-ish - perhaps a daft thing to say but pleasing nonetheless.

The Rio is another of London's disappointingly banal 'rep' or 'arthouse' cinemas. It tends to programme week-long runs of first run films from the Festival circuit, often twee reminders of why such films are not often picked up for wider release. The cost is low and they do spice things up with the occasional double bill, but once again, a city of this size and this repute deserves a great deal more than these half measures. Too little, too late.

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!

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.

Very cool cinema! Showing old and new, with nice snacks and a bar in a cool building!

This old school independent cinema is a real gem on the slightly shabby Dalston Kingsland Road. With one screen in a giant auditorium with gorgeous art deco decoration you feel like you're watching your film in a different time. Nice staff and good snacks etc that you would expect from any cinema, but with bags more personality than the usual multiplex experience. Highly recommended.

This beautiful Art Deco cinema in the up-and-coming area of Dalston houses a cafe and auditorium with 175 seats. Originally designed and built in 1905 during the advent of electric pictures, the Rio is one of a handful of original UK cinemas still in use. It is now run as a not-for-profit social enterprise run by a board of community-elected representatives. This structure allows the Rio the independence to screen a variety of film from international and ethnic productions to art house cinema with the occasional Hollywood blockbuster. So if you prefer old-school ambience to airport hangers, the Rio is for you. Great for Eastenders who don't want to spend half the night getting to and from central London. They even have a Parents and Babies club operating on Thursdays. This allows families the opportunity to come to the cinema without worrying about the inevitable noise and chaos that disturbs childless patrons.

Lovely local cinema for rep and mainstream. Good value Saturday kids' club and homemade cakes!

cant recomend highly enough from the 40p minimilk to art deco charm, independent cinema at its best

love the cinema, not impressed with the rude woman who served me today, when i say served, i meant barked at without a please or thank you in sight, considering I just bought two tickets to see a film for this evening and was pleasantly nice to her, I would have expected more manners from a child than what I received from her. she could also be the manager, not sure, but way bad an attitude, someone needs customer service lessons perhaps?