Film

Irish cinema tops Time Out ranking of the 50 best cinemas in Britain and Ireland

Six movie theatres around Ireland make the going-out guide’s favourite film venues

Time Out’s 50 best cinemas in Ireland and Britain: the Stella in Rathmines tops the list

Wed Jul 28 2021 - 10:34

The Stella, in Rathmines in Dublin, has been named the best cinema in Britain and Ireland by Time Out, the travel and entertainment guide.

The cinema, which first opened in 1923, was restored to its art-deco glory in 2017 by its new owner, the Press Up Hospitality Group, after being closed for a decade. Seating just 216 people at full capacity, it features rows of deep leather armchairs and sofas. In front of each seat is a leather ottoman to stretch the legs on, and inside it a cashmere blanket for cosiness, and space to stow coats or bags.

The Stella’s “swish art deco details, outlandishly comfy seating (and beds), a destination cocktail bar, and the ever-friendly staff make this seriously seductive Dublin cinema our number one pick”, Time Out says.

Five other Irish cinemas also make the going-out guide's top 50.

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  • Queen's Film Theatre, in Belfast, is at number 11.
  • The Light House Cinema, in Dublin, is at number 15 .
  • The Irish Film Institute, in Dublin, is at number 23.
  • Strand Arts Centre, in Belfast, is at number 32.
  • The Phoenix Cinema, in Dingle, Co Kerry, is at number 48.

Time Out’s top 10 best cinemas in Britain and Ireland

1 The Stella Cinema Rathmines, Dublin
2 Glasgow Film Theatre Glasgow
3 BFI Southbank London
4 Filmhouse Edinburgh
5 Hailsham Pavilion Hailsham, East Sussex
6 Odeon Luxe Leicester Square London
7 Home Manchester
8 The Cameo Cinema Edinburgh
9 Zeffirellis, Ambleside, Cumbria
10 Prince Charles Cinema London

Earlier this year Time Out also named the Stella as one of the world's 20 most beautiful cinemas.

Kerry GroupPress Up Hospitality Group