Gate Picturehouse

This must be the smallest Picturehouse in London, just one main screen and a tiny foyer, and the tinest Ladies. Very close to Notting Hill Gate Station, so very good location. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Seating is not tiered, so could have heads in your way.

We’re a bit spoilt for choice in Notting Hill in terms of cinemas. No need to visit a nasty multiplex when you have three independents on your doorstep.
The Gate has been my favourite for as long as I can think, it has a good programme of independent and interesting films. It used to be part of a very small chain of small cinemas, then a slightly larger one as part of Picturehouse. So far, the recent takeover of the latter by Cineworld has not had a negative effect — it still feels like the local membership movie theatre it started out as.
It’s unassuming exterior and slightly disappointing bar area don’t do the main auditorium any justice, and once inside you forget all about modern day Notting Hill and take a step back in time to red velvet seats and plush curtains.
Luckily everything has been upgraded, with handy tables between pairs of seats — they don’t serve you at your table as they do at the posher Electric down the road, but you can enjoy a nice glass of wine while enjoying the movie — slightly too many people opt for noise crisp packets, oh well.

I have to say that the Gate Picturehouse definitely has a bit more character than some of the other cinemas that i have been to in London… Even though it doesn’t have that modern look about it. Its old aged look give it a more welcoming and inviting atmosphere… The seating was surprisingly comfortable and seem to have a good view of the screen from where ever you sat down… Probably the only downside of the venue is that the foyer is small and if their are a lot of people queuing up the line can extend outside of the venue and we all no know London isn’t famous for it’s inviting weather… So if the weather is unfriendly it can become a miserable wait. Would i go back? Most definitely…

Single cinema with an intimate glamorous old world feel. The seats, the carpet, the ceiling are gilded in velveteen burgundy and ribbons of gold. There are little wooden side tables between every two seats, which is perfect if you’re buying a bucket of chilled wine to work on throughout the movie (I didn’t actually do this, but I saw others doing it and wished I was in their shoes!), or a cocktail to sip and savor. If you’re not in an alcohol kind of mood, fairtrade coffee. To go along with any of the above there are bougie nibbles to treat yourself to, like Joe & Seph’s gourmet popcorn, fancy snack mixes, cute chocolate bars.
… All of this sounds like the kind of place to roll your eyes out but somehow does it all without being pretentious. How? Not sure, but embrace it!

Loved this artsy movie house. Single theater. Kinda reminded me of the places in Chicago and NYC. Nice wide aisles and rows along with plush seats. Each seat has a little table next to it. You are also allowed to bring in wine and beers among other drinks. Very nice atmosphere. Very retro.
Great place to bring friends and family.

This cinema makes you feel like going to a movie is enough of an event for your day– you’ve done something interesting and slightly fancy, you’ve sufficiently carpe diem’d when you don’t feel much like carpe diem’ing. This might be an especially useful concept because their matinée and off-​peak prices are affordable (but the prime time viewing gets a little silly expensive, in my opinion).
The tables between the seats are awesome. I found it curious that when you get your ticket, you have to pick your seat number… and at the movie with less than 20 viewers, they chose me a seat right next to someone else? No thanks. There wasn’t anyone enforcing the seating… but I’m not sure the assigned seating is necessary if you’re not expecting a crowd.

My favourite cinema experience to date. Ever.
We were sensible enough to have got the tickets for the showing earlier in the day (got our film snacks elsewhere too — naughty!) and so were not subject to what must be a tight squeeze in the very small lobby and concessions area.
I was stunned when I walked into the auditorium. Clearly an old, decadent theatre conversion, the room is very ornate and plush. Very comfortable seats with little tables for your drinks and snacks. I quite liked the old school touch of having the toilets just off the room too. Although these, like the lobby, are very small.
Treat yourself, it’s fun here.

I treated myself to a matinée here yesterday. Nine pounds for my ticket but it was truly unlike any theatre I’ve been to. Old school seating, very comfortable but single-​level chairs, meaning you better hope no one over 5’5 sits in front of you.
Fortunately, I was one of about ten people that had the compulsion to see a Larry David flick in the dark while a beautiful Saturday is occurring just outside. I loved the table in between every pair of seats. Very convenient for my Maltesers and bottled water (bought across the street at Tesco — cheaper and better selection.) I also like that the bathrooms are at the front of the theatre, so I don’t get lost in the dark.

I agree that the whole vibe at the Gate Picture House is nice, and that it does make going to the movies feel like a special occasion. The inside of the theatre definitely has a bit of «wow» factor, and the seats are pretty damn comfortable. It’s also ever-​so-​nice to be able to have a glass of wine while watching your movie.
My only reservation is that the «lobby» (can’t even really call it that) is EXTREMELY small. If you get there at all early and are waiting for the staff to open the cinema, it gets extremely crowded and uncomfortable. It’s basically like taking the Tube at rush hour. Sure, if the weather is nice, you can spill out to the sidewalk, but if it’s freezing rain (as it was when we went in February), you basically have to grin and bear it. Not pleasant.

Yup, this one’s pretty spesh. Cannae knock it really. It’s bring your own which I LIKE in a cinema, 4 bottles of ale make any film a deeper, more textual visual experience I find. And it has a beautifully-​decorated auditoreum, of the kind Britain used to have, before Warner Villages, and entertainment parks and Thatcher came to town.
And I really rate their selection and choices of films — the artier, more complex interesting side of Hollywood and lots of indy European films. Which tend to be much more inspired than our indy, left-​of-​centre film industry. So, you’ll be watching films amongst other very cool people, who dig these things just like you. But I like that feeling, like, «yeah the Gate Cinema is good, just like this film. Is good — c’est bon uh?» Comme ‘le gate’.

I think this is the best cinema in London, hands down. They always have a really great variety of films showing, from the latest blockbuster featuring any number of Hollywood 6 packs to the latest limited release French art house featuring people having sex. The seats are ultra comfortable and there is a coffee table style ledge next to most seats where you can put your bottle of wine or beer — so much more civilised than a plastic cup holder. That’s right you can buy alcohol at the bar when you buy your tickets so there’s no messing around and getting there 4 hours before.
The whole feel is quite upmarket and a little bit of a throw back to when cinemas were really special.