BFI Southbank Reviews

A favourite haunt, the laid back public spaces offer wifi, seating and a good vibe. The movie selection is an eclectic mix of old classics, restored forgotten gems, indie stuff and current hits. The cinemas are comfy, the coffee is hot and the mediatheque room offers hours of footage for free that you can really lose yourself in. I love the Library bar at the back for drinks and lite bites.

The BFI houses two cafes, shop, library (free), mediatheque (free films! woohoo!) and FOUR cinemas! It hosts a collection of fantastic film seasons and is definitely worth a visit for film lovers.

I love this cinema and the selection they bring. I do not love the bartender who was a bit condescending the last time I was there due to my membership card being out of date. I know, my fault, but come on! At least be nice about it

Cosy bar, perfect for whiling away a few hours with good friends or a good book.

My experience of seeing an old classic movie at the BFI was great. They have a wide variety of events happening all the time. Definitely worth a look.

Nice riverside view, food & drinks on the expensive side.

BFI Southbank is the leading repertory cinema in the UK, specialising in seasons of classic, independent and non-English language films and is operated by the British Film Institute.

Perhaps the best cinema in London - beautiful decor, super comfortable seats, wonderful projection and sound equipment

Eclectic cinema. It cannot be everyone taste but it's great it exists as you could see movies there that are not shown on mainstream cinemas. Thumbs up!

Went to the BFI flare festival and watched some brilliant movies. Friendly staff and good atmosphere

If you haven t been to the BFI yet what are you doing?

There s fun posters dotted around and an exhibit or two as well as a great selection of films.

British Film Institute (BFI) is the ultimate venue for cinema lovers and industry professionals. It typically hosts top festivals, film weeks, etcetera. It is often so non mainstreat, thus open your heart to the art of movies. Multiple bars and restaurants are very vibrant and filled with jolly folks.

Excellent place for people who love all aspects of Film an Cinema

The venue is alright, nothing wrong with it but when comparing to other places in London, it s only a 4 star. Service and people was a 5, location as well, but the venue looked a bit dated. Would recommend visiting.

Great place to engage with film and teaching Engish in the classroom.

If you're a film buff, BFI Southbank always has something going, be it talks, events or screenings. Couldn't recommend highly enough.

I love the BFI but can anyone use their mobile website to see what s on it buy a ticket?

Great movies, library, bar, and there's an area to watch movies by yourself for free!

Absolutely outstanding - real classic grand cinema feeling and excellent selection of classic films to boot. Staff super friendly and always clean; nice clientele as well unlike many cinemas.

Located in Waterloo, its easily accessible by public transport. If you are planning to see a film, the queues can be long to get tickets so allow sufficient time beforehand. There is a bar on the ground floor which is usually busy and toilets dotted around the building.

There is no free publicly accessible wifi in the building, the film listings are stated on their website.

Love watching old films here with my boyfriend who is a film buff. It has comfortable seating, good screenings and a warm atmosphere and Cosmopolitan feel in and around the bar area

Very comfortable seats, friendly personnel, and a small restaurant on-site. Annual film festival offers diverse range of movies for everyone.

Great cinema, comfy tiered seats and brilliant sound system

A large bunker - like building dedicated to the glory of cinema. Not only can you watch classics you missed or renew acquaintance with much loved masterpieces, but you are given opportunities to explore whole genres of film, or the output of different famous actors and directors. Comfortable, friendly, and with unexpected pleasures round each corner, well worth a visit or two or three ......

This place is amazing for film lovers or just people looking to spend a good time in a chilled and creative environment. A range of things to do and see. Highly recommended.

Good facilities inside even if the outside does not look all that. Shows that you would not find in a normal cinema.

If you love cinema, this is a must go. Great variety of films, excellent projection, comfy chairs.

If you're a fan of cinema become a member, it's worth every penny.

Internationally recognised institution that lives up to its reputation. Bibliothech is vital for all film and doc heads.

If you are a cinema lover, this is your place!! Wide range of films new and old! There is a mediotheque where you can enjoy for free thousands of films. There is also a events to discover o get deeper in differents directors or actors. You can enjoy also in the shop where you can get whatever you want in relation with film history.

4 words: BEST CINEMA EXPERIENCE EVER!

(I made a review on the cinema already. Check it out)

Lovely place and great services. Food was amazing.

Seating plan and seats are comfortable.

Agree with other reviewers: great cinema, comfy seats, good screen in NFT 1, but bar staff are all over the place, at what I think is called Stephen Street Kitchen. It has a circular bar. You frequently have a large queue on one side; very few people on the other. This is where 3/4 of the bar staff hang out. One of them was more interested in lining up the jiggers than paying any attention to the three deep, increasingly irritated, wall of customers on the other side of the bar. This place tries to position itself as a classy place to have a drink before going into the cinema. I think they got the look right, in an airport lounge type of way, but the combination of inattentive service combined with the whiff of hamburgers and fries means I'll go look elsewhere for a drink.

Loved the Dark Cryystal Exhibition small but definately worth seeing

I ve been visiting the NFT since the early 1970s but after a deeply unpleasant event early this year I ll never return. I was publicly accused of racism by two young black girls who were actually negotiating free tickets. They accused me of calling them nig...s which was completely untrue and these girls were asking for free tickets as compensation . I was accused publicly and the entire event has left me scared. I will never step inside the NFT ever again. the staff handled this extremely badly and in public. The girls were able to make the accusations without any retribution.

Good for meeting people but not so great for Internet connection!

Nice to be here for the reopening of BFI South Bank. Staff were great, explained the new distancing procedures without being over officious. Went to see Australian docu The Tall Man part of the Injustice season. Great film, smaller audience, its good to be back.

We went to the London Feminist Film Festival and the attention received was extraordinary. The place is located near the river, surrounded by restaurants, bars, exhibition spaces and leisure. Highly recommended!

Great selection of movies & atmosphere! Definitely recommend.

Great space with loads of activities, the shop is a little short on books but has a great selection of old movies and some lovely cards. The cafe/bar are buzzing and the film programme is comprehensive. Great library and movie theatres sections. Could spend longer than an afternoon here with ease.

I was taken to the BFI Mediatheque over the weekend and I feel that ALL Londoners should know that it exists. It s basically a small room in the BFI where anyone can rock up, borrow a pair of headphones and sit in front of a telly for two hours. They have a huge range of films, documentaries and TV shows and it s entirely free. I watched Withnail & I and it was wonderful. You can book in advance if you like, but I went on a Saturday afternoon and there were spaces available. Totally coming here next time I m out around South Bank and it starts to rain.

Here for the film festival..great staff was well looked after ..

I wasn't impressed, sadly.
I know these are challenging /confusing times but it feel is of optimum importance that the human factor is kept intact. With everything being given over to technology making eating, drinking, socialising experience very clinical. I was most disappointed that the staff were on the whole unattainable. When we did have interaction when food was brought to the table, the attitude of the staff was a little dismissive bordering on arrogant, 1 female member.
Our pizza was delivered without cutlery. When we attempted it with our hands found it to be dry with very little topping. I managed to get attention of the said female staff member & asked firstly for some olive oil as it was dry. She suggested getting another pizza for us to which I agreed, then returned back with the olivd oil, & was quite short with us when I said I had agreed with her offer to bring a fresh one.
I am not happy having to do everything electronically. Especially for older folk there should be an alternative.
We don't always see/hear same as others & can't always get our heads round technology.

Really cool place. Restaurant, bars and cinema all in one building. As well, its a nice place to visit

A pleasant enough place with a relaxed bar and a fairly laid back atmosphere generally. However, parts of it are in need of being refurbished and the seats in the cinema l used were incredibly uncomfortable.

Absolutely love this place....bit pricey but can snap up a bargain if you look hard enough. Cafe/restaurant attached is surprisingly reasonable. Had a party of 20 eat there for lunch and there weren't any complaints.

2nd time visiting for the Dark Crystal exhibition & I loved it, great experience & brilliant engaging staff!!

There is a great bar hidden away inside the BFI which is great for a rest on the Southbank

Fantastic experience. School visit with Floella Benjamin - inspirational trip

A great spot for watching a film. Very comfortable seats and a good stage for talks.

BFI Southbank - aka NFT or National Film Theatre - is THE place to go for film buffs. Open 7 days a week, it shows an eclectic mix of modern, old, British and foreign films, including rare films from the National Film Archive and films from equivalent bodies abroad. Generally they have overlapping seasons of films around a particular actor, director, country or theme. They also host annual events such as the London Film Festival. Relaxed, friendly place with a restaurant and bar open to the public. Also a shop with DVDs from all countries, a reference library of film and a viewing centre for BFI members. Four screens of varying sizes. You don't have to be a member to go there - members get discounts and use of the viewing room.

cheap tickets on a tuesday. great place to see a film