The Picturedrome

One of my favourite pubs in northampton, definitely recommend– especially if they have something showing.
Parkings a bit of a pain– but i’d be getting a taxi if you’re heading for a drink anyway ;)
Drinks are cheap, and theres a pretty good variety, my only criticism is the bar is a little too small on a friday/​saturday night when the second bar isn’t open, so you might be waiting a while for a drink.
Perfect for pre-​drinks before heading into town, as it’s only a short walk away to the main drag, and that way you can avoid the mega busy times.
TopTip is to head up to the smoking area/​top balcony (at the back and top of the screening room) It’s not usually too busy, and the seats are much more comfy back there! Smoking area’s not covered but its got a cool view and some ambient interesting lighting!

Great pub, the ale is pretty cheap but still good. Service is a bit slow especially on nights when they are showing a movie but still the crowd is pretty good and they have live music almost every night.

If you like live music and comedy then this is the place to go. Don’t leave it too late to arrive or you might not get in.

Worth the journey to spend time in this pub, there was jazz on when I was there — it’s like a pub in the front, then you go through some doors and you’re in a cinema — but with a bar and no cinema seats, awesome!

Large town bar which has specialist nights including comedy and film nights. It used to be a cinema back in the day and so the main room is a large cavernous area. The place is often very busy with a trendy crowd. Never any trouble here even though it can get very busy.
Apparently they do serve food although I have only ever been here for a drink.
Good for International Rugby as they do show it on the big screen.

Another Richardsons place. Good ales. Excellent rear room which was the old cinema. Shows film and has live comedy.

A truly splendid venue from the ever reliable Richardson Group (see also The White Hart, Charles Bradlaugh and the Black Bottom Club). Great as a standalone pub, serving a good range of drinks and snacks (I originally posted a however, noting that the real ale option had of late taken a bit of a nose dive. Well, fear not real ale fans, I’ve visited twice in the last couple of weeks and enjoyed some spiffing Youngs bitter, even if it is with Bedford water these days!), but really comes to life on Friday and Saturday nights, hosting a range a tip top live bands. With three seperate bars and a roof terrace for the smoking fraternity, The Picturedrome has built a loyal following and is a great starting place before heading out and sampling the other delights (?) that Northampton has to offer. In fact, quite often it’s so good, you never leave. Check out the live comedy store on Tuesday nights too.

The Picturedrome is easily one of the coolest bars in Northampton. Situated on the Kettering Road between Northampton town centre and Kingsthorpe, it is the perfect place for a chilled drink in cool surroundings or to watch a movie or see a band. I believe the building used to be an old cinema and when you walk into the grand back room you can really believe it. From the unassuming, yet very pleasant front room with a floor to ceiling glass frontage which is left open late into the evening during the summer, you walk into a very grand, large back room with a second bar and ample room for anyone there to see a band or for movie night. Definitely a place for the trendy crowd in Northampton!

adult only pub built in a former cinema
the front of house is a great social gathering serving a variety of drinks
the cinema to rear is a large bar used also to show movies on pre-​arranged nights, live sports also on the cinema screen (ticket only, awesome atmosphere) & live acts on stage