Everyman Cinema Belsize Park

I had two tickets to see The Class, winner of the Palme d’or at Cannes, at the newly opened Everyman cinema in Belsize park. But I had no date to go with. During an inspired moment, I advertised on a well known dating site: ‘Free ticket to see a film at a luxury boutique cinema…will you be my date tonight?’.

I even said that they ‘didn’t have to fancy me, just be charming and like film’. You’d imagine I’d be overwhelmed with offers, for the free ticket if nothing else. Was I hell? Not one message. So I took a mate.

It’s a shame because the Everyman group of cinemas are the perfect place for that second date (the first generally you want to talk/assess the other person). I was invited to the Everyman cinema in Hampstead for a screening earlier this year and was impressed by the luxury sofas, cocktail tables, plush furnishing and business class leg room.

The Everyman’s interior at first glance looks like the decor for 2001: A Space Odyssey, all space-age styling and retro swivel chairs. There is a late Sixties living room feel to the foyer, with books, vases and modern knick-knacks on shelves.

Inside at the back you have the Parker-Knoll style sofas with little side tables and waitress service. These are ‘premium’ seats that cost £16 each. The rest of the ‘salle’ is filled with spacious electrical reclining armchairs for £12 a standard seat. Seat kicking will not be a problem here. The vibe is more modern than at Hampstead, with easy-wipe leatherette rather than velvet.

Everyman has also started to produce their own cinema snacks with pretzels and chilli bites on sale at the bar, and beautifully packaged posh sweets such as the E=MC2 chocolate selection (yup eating these chocolates actually turns you into a genius) and the more old-fashioned pear drops and jelly beans. However a packet of chocolate buttons at a steep £3.50 are probably only for those who have a date to impress.

Speaking to one of ushers – who sits on a little podium at the front like a maitre d’ in a restaurant – I’m told that Hampstead celebrities often visit: ‘Last night we had Jon Snow and Bianca Jagger! Not together though. I think I also saw the actress Lindsay Duncan but I can’t be sure about that.’

Years ago, when it was the Screen on the Hill, I remember watching a dodgy comedy in front of Princess Margaret’s daughter Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones and her boyfriend. This is definitely the place to see the stars in the audience as well as on the screen. You never know, you might see Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin holding hands in the back during one of the ‘scream’ screenings that allows babies.

The Everyman Belsize Park
203 Haverstock Hill
NW34QG

Reservations: 0870 066 4777