It opened as the Electric Cinema Theatre in 1911, but by 1920 it had changed hands and was now the Imperial Playhouse, screening the latest in silent films daily. It remained a popular theatre through the 1940s, but by the 1960s it had fallen on hard times.

All of this changed in the 1970s when pioneering film lover Peter Howell and friends organized a club to screen new and innovative films at the theatre on weekends. These nights proved to be so successful that the owner asked the club to take over running the theatre.

It became known as the place to see films too bizarre or controversial to be shown anywhere else.

The Electric fell on hard times again in the 1980s and closed for a few years while its fate was being decided. In the end, the theatre was refurbished by the Soho House Group and re-opened in 2002.

The seats are luxurious leather armchairs and there are two 2-seater sofas at the back that can be reserved for a romantic evening.

It's difficult to touch the seat in front even when you are slumped in the chair with your legs fully stretched. Some patrons say that sometimes they get too comfortable and find it hard to keep their eyes open.

There is a full bar serving drinks of every kind (cocktails and chocolate brownies anyone?), as well as light meals, desserts, and sweets. There are even wine coolers built into the little tables between the armchairs.

The movies here are a mix of new releases and more unusual fare, and they offer discounted tickets on Sundays.

Monday mornings are set aside for the aptly named Electric Scream! designed for parents with babies under 1 year old. Here you can watch a full-length film with your baby on your lap.

There is a Kids Club showing movies aimed at a younger audience on Saturdays, and special events like all-night Sci-Fi and Horror film festivals and silent film screenings complete with old style musical accompaniment.

This independent cinema is one of the oldest and nicest places to see a film in London.

Address: 191 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, W11 2ED

Telephone: 020 7908 9696

Photo courtesy: j_silla

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