On a rainy day in Auckland, I decided to take advantage of the weather and see a movie -…read moreOppenheimer. The biggest cinema for mainstream movies is Event Cinemas, part of a large commercial complex right in the heart of CBD. Talking with people, this area still hasn't fully recovered since the pandemic, which speaks to why the complex feels relatively empty and quiet. I even had difficulty finding the main entrance as most of the door area that used to have restaurants and bars are empty and looked closed. Entering off the street and going down, only to go up massive escalators inside, I finally found what I was looking for. The theatres are on multiple floors depending on the style of screen (traditional, IMAX, etc.). The ticket lobby and main concession stand is on the third level. Tickets can be purchased off touch screens in the lobby, where you choose your desired seat. Most theatres have recliners or even full day beds, prices depend on time and type of seat. After purchasing my ticket, I went up another level where usually a ticket taker would be, but the table was empty and remained so. I found it odd there was no one checking - I guess trust (or cameras) were ensuring you are a paying customer. There are bars and concession stands in other areas but all were closed on my visit; maybe only peak time they're open. The screen itself was great quality; seats comfortable, prices reasonable for modern movies, and everything was clean. I was happy taking a break from the city for a few hours and would see a movie here again.

5 stars for the dramatic architecture 2 stars for the…read moreservice/bathrooms. The building is quite simply amazing. This would have to be the most dramatic movie theater I have ever seen. I came here to see Star Wars the Force Awakens and was more impressed by the sci-fi bridges and architecture in the theater than i was with the planet killer bridges and architecture in the Star Wars movie. Event Cinemas never seem to have enough staff and the bathrooms always seem to be a disaster, there is never enough toilets, they are dirty and often in some state of disrepair.

Sylvia Park Hoyts is one of my fav movie places to meet people from all over town, because it's so…read moreconvenient to get to, either via train, bus or car as it's right next to the Southern Motorway. (and you don't need to grapple with city traffic) The staff here are always incredible, the cinemas are clean and comfy, and they have special prices if you go in the morning or on Tuesday. (think it's about $11) Their La Premiere seats are awesome too if you have a special occasion to splurge out on. I was here last Sunday when our mini earthquake hit, and the building is so strong, I honestly thought it was just the surround sound system making the seats move. haha If you want to watch a movie in a safe, clean and welcoming environment, go here!

Hoyts Sylvia Park has been my regular movie theatre for over five years now. By far the most…read moresuperior theatre in the South/East Auckland areas, its smack bang in the middle of Auckland AND the largest shopping centre in the country, making it easy to get to whereever you are in the city. While people may see this as an negative, I love that this cinema gets busy. I'm the sort of person that would rather see a movie in a full theatre that with a few people, so Sylvia always does the trick. The seats in the theatres are comfortable, there's enough leg room for a basketball player and the arm rests are movable if you're into that sort of thing. I find its always worth it to pay a little extra for the Xtreme Screen because those regular sized screen just don't cut it anymore (maybe Chris Rock was right about women not being able to back in lifestyle...). The La Premiere seats at Sylvia are great too and while its on the pricey side its a great and very comfy way to make that date or girls night out a little more special (...okay, he was right). Sylvia Park also hosts a lot of the midnight screenings for some films and those usually go off without a hitch. Do yourself a favour and book your tickets online or purchase them early from the cinema to avoid the inevitable long queue that will await you!

Unequivocally my FAVOURITE venue in Auckland! There is something quite magical about this place…read more From the beautifully themed entrance lobby to the star covered ceiling in the theatre itself the Civic never fails to impress. Their line up of musicals, orchestral performances, theatre and Opera are the best of the best too! Close to public transport and parking close by it is an easy place to get to as well which is a convenient bonus

I have a special bond with the Civic, when I was a kid my grandmother worked there and I would…read moreoften get to go into the Civic and the Wintergarden theatres and run through the back halls and rooms, this was during the days of the St James theatre when no-one had even heard of a multiplex. I've been up to the top and seen the stars, I've played with the glowing eyed lions. In part I think the bond I have with the Civic is a little more intense but no less symbolic then the one the rest of Auckland has with it. The Civic is possibly more iconic than the Auckland Town Hall and it seems to sit astride the heart of the Auckland CBD. Inside the Civic, the entrance hall remains mostly unchanged with the exception of the candy bar that used to sell Tangy Fruits, with a glass of wine or beer being the order of the day. Yes folks the Civic ascended from its cinema roots and matured to be an actual Theatre. In all its changes, its not lost its Grandiose 1940's charm and while the seats are still packed in there, you can sit in the Civic and know you're part of Auckland's long history with the Arts. Wellington is still considered the cultural capital of New Zealand, but its got competition here.

This Event Cinema is my favourite because it is so quiet. I often wonder if they make any money out…read moreof this cinema at all, but I'm not complaining. Often the candy bar is a one man operation and they even rip your tickets because 80% of the time there is no dedicated staff member to do this. It is obvious that the skeletal staffing is due to the lack of movie goers at this cinema but we can rip our own tickets and use the lights on our phones to find our own seats. This cinema is huge, there is a lot of seating, big couches around and a time out games arcade. I have only seen this area packed a few times and there is also a bar here. These cinemas also do not have stadium seating so you often feel like you are sitting on the floor which I don't mind, to make up for it there is quite possibly 1.5m of leg room in front of you. One other good thing is you can get your parking validated so it only costs $6 for a maximum of 4 hours, not even The Hobbit was that long so you would be safe. The parking is just of Davis Crescent.

Even on bargain Tuesday's (really, who actually goes to the cinema any other night of the week?)…read morewhen there's a newly released blockbuster on, this place is quiet. It makes taking my "can't we just wait 'til the DVD" whining partner out to watch a film a much more enjoyable experience. The Broadway bar is an absolute winner as well. AND you can take alcoholic beverages and cups of coffee into the movie with you! It's fantastic. The staff are always friendly and happy to help and the place is vast but easy to navigate. I really wouldn't go to the cinema anywhere else; comfortable seats, big screens and good choice of popcorn and snacks at the counter. Tip: If you go after 6pm, you can park for free a few minutes walk away at the bottom of Parnell Road.

What a great little theater! While the service from the cashier was amateur at best, the…read moreavailability of fresh coffee, cold beer and local wine made up for my "Hi! Yes there is a person in front of you" moment. I came here with some Lady friends for a screening of Grace of Monaco. The theater hosts a regular 'Girls Night' which includes Champagne, gift certificates and a bag of special goodies! The theater is spacious with full sized comfortable chairs. The space between the chair in front of you has enough space for you to stretch your legs, Yes! The screen itself is not massive, but it works. Fellas don't be shy, you're not excluded from Girls night. So if you want to impress, you know what to do. Ladies, this place offers champagne, soft chairs and a movie. Need I say more?

What I love most about this cinema is that movies are $9.90 Sunday through to Wednesday. What an…read moreabsolute steal! On top of this they have a small bar with an espresso machine and plenty of comfy seats to relax and enjoy your pre-movie drink. As for the cinemas, they are relatively small so the view is good no matter where you're sitting and the chairs are comfy with plenty of leg room. Definitely my go-to cinema on the shore!

A local, independent cinema in the Auckland suburb of Balmoral. You'll find it situated on…read moreDominion Road, just past the Balmoral Road intersection, and by all the amazing (and cheap) chinese restaurants. It doesn't look much from the outside (my flatmate did in fact wonder what kind of movies were shown there) but walk inside to find a beautiful foyer with chandeliers. A range of snacks are on offer, such as Movenpick ice creams and you can even enjoy a wine with your movie if you so desire. This one cinema wonder certainly delivers on its luxurious surroundings. The plush purple chairs are very comfortable, while the curtain across the screen is a sign of a bygone era. It is a nice change from the cinema mulitplexes that we have become so accustomed to. While the ticket prices haven't gone back to $5, there is still a Tuesday night special (adults $10.50). So make a night of it, perhaps visit a restaurant across the road for some homemade dumplings and then make your way to the cinema for a movie. Thank me later for that great idea.

The Capitol used to be one of my favourite teenage haunts when it was Charley Grays. It had late…read morenight movies on Friday nights and I once saw Auckland icon Killer Ray live here before a showing - probably The Rocker Horror Picture Show or A Clockwork Orange. It closed down for a few years in the 90s and eventually Clip'n'Climb opened amidst fears the old cinema had been ripped out. Thankfully this was not so and the theatre, its foyer and restrooms and have been restored to their former Art Deco period glory. I always especially loved the Powder Room - a good Powder Room is such a girlie pleasure. This is not a 100% faithful restoration as it includes contemporary touches but like its sister The Lido in Epsom, it is beautiful and luxurious with a full bar, lounge-y lobby and gourmet ice cream. The films on show here are usual Indie Festival types and often chosen I think for an older demographic who seem to be in force each time I am here. Make a night of it and get a cheap fast dinner at one of Balmoral's many eateries; the only problem you might run in to is parking so allow time for that before sitting back, relaxing into your huge seat with your goodies and enjoying the show.

Used to a go a lot to this cinema but staff is not about hospitality, they are not nice at all I…read morethink it was about time for me to do this review seeing that they don't change.

Wairau Park is not a bad little cinema, with apt seating and good service. I found the seats were a…read morebit on the old side though, and tended to creak at random moments. The overall feel of the place is a bit run down, but the prices are less than other cinemas to compensate for that. I liked the huge, open feel of the place, and they have some real coffee on offer which is a great addition to the experience. They have ample seating for you to enjoy hanging out with your friends pre-movie, which is a cut above many cinemas. Good work, Wairau!

I go to Rialto on a semi-regular basis. Most of my experiences here have been good, although they…read moreoften seem short staffed (or the only staff on hand cannot perform all the tasks needed to serve someone). They don't have frozen coke and more often than not don't have Nut Top ice-creams (my favs) but they do have Kapiti ice-cream which serves as a great alternative. For those wanting an alcoholic beverage, they also have quite a range in their bar and bar snacks to match. Keep an eye out for deals - they often have special events or cheaper priced nights!

Rialto cinema is an attractive cinema that offers an extensive range of screenings, bringing to…read moreAuckland otherwise overlooked film festivals. Chirpy French pop played matched to their current French film festival while the current Hollywood hype was advertised beside screening from The Metropolitan Opera. And it is ONLY because of this range in movies that I would give this venue anything above a 1 star rating. While paying almost double the amount of other cinemas, expect service that is nothing short of a teenage bowling alley. Uncleared tables. A caffeinated decaf coffee. Ignored during a 10 minute interval in the movie. No to mention our exquisite opera was preluded with music by a rapper and a Spice Girl. Staff seemed to lack product knowledge, management or incentive so that their lethargic attitude left a bad taste in our mouth and an empty space in our bellies. Now if only there was some way of downloading movies and viewing them in the comfort of your own home...

I had the privilege of not only seeing Courtney Barnett live last night but to also see a gig at…read morethe infamous St James Theatre. I have walked by this place for years on my way to the Academy Cinema and was always so intrigued at the back story behind this random boarded up theatre in the heart of the CBD. When it opened a short while ago I knew I had to keep it on my radar. And then Courtney Barnett announced a show there and it was just pure serendipity. The acoustics are great and despite it being a rather large venue the 2nd and 3rd levels are closed off to the public. This makes only the mezzanine floor opened (no seating) for gigs. As a result you get a beautiful venue to perv at while enjoying a rather intimate show. There aren't many places like it in Auckland nonetheless in the rest of NZ. It reminded me of the beautiful venues back in Chicago and really look forward to the next gig there! The bar presents a respectable selection of beer wine and spirits and the only downfall for men is that the loo is like 3 floors down in the basement. Lucky ladies is on the main floor. They've still got some work to do but I am so grateful at the efforts to save this piece of Auckland history.