Unable to sit down as a pair- discovered a very bad refund policy, worsened by no seat specific booking. Visited as part of a birthday celebration, but when I went to sit down in the cinema itself just as the film started, there were no two seats left together. While the showing was not overbooked, people had sat in such a way that there were only single spaces available, quite far down the various aisles. The only way to sit together would have been to address a whole room of people who at that point were watching the movie. Even sitting apart would mean shuffling passed 10 or so people, during a film, as the rows can only be accessed from one side. The refund policy says that refunds are only available in the event of technical or organisational issues on their side, meaning you're incentivised to awkwardly get a whole screening to move around, worsening their viewing experience. This is not good for anyone, never mind those with social anxiety. I'd suggest that tickets come with instructions/rules regarding how people sit given the lack of seat reservation. £25.80 for two tickets, unable to watch the film. Not ideal. I'd wanted to visit Close-Up for quite a long time, and from a distance have loved the look of their programming. I'm sure most of the time it's a great viewing experience, and the lobby/curation are exemplary, but it's hard to imagine I'll return given the lack of refund protection/risk of this problem repeating.

I showed my short film The Man Behind the Machine here at Close-Up Cinema, and the entire experience was amazing. They were really accommodating and helpful both in-person and over email with the lead up to the screening, really quick to respond via email and let me check out the cinema in-person before I booked. The quality of both the picture and sound was incredible at the actual screening, and the crew there were really nice to speak with. And lastly the price to rent the cinema room was really good, and they allowed us to stay at their bar afterwards. Would recommend anyone who wants to show a film to show it here!

A fantastic private cinema in Shoreditch available to hire for reasonable rates. As a techie I appreciate the fact that Close-Up produce DCPs of the films they screen, using industry-standard best practices from the largest commercial cinemas to ensure showings go without a hitch. As a guest I appreciate the cosy bar available for drinks before and after showings. My only constructive comment would be that the auditorium itself sounds a bit more “live” than other private screening venues I’ve used, with quite a few hard reflective surfaces, but this really is only a small point.

Came to see a private viewing of a number of award winning short films and music videos from the London Film Festival, my partner's being one of them. It was a cold evening and the moment we stepped inside, we were captured by the ambience, decor and friendliness of the chaps in charge behind the bar . We settled down on comfy sofas with our drinks waiting to go in. The cinema room had comfortable seats, good size screen and good sound quality in my view. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I would go back to see other films.

I found Close-Up Cinema on Tag venue. The price was a lot cheaper than a lot of other options, but the experience did not feel cheap in any way. It's an intimate space perfect for independent screenings, and the quality of the screen itself is top notch. The staff and service were also very inviting and chilled, complemented by the bar and lobby area which you couldn't get in a 'proper cinema' - could not have picked a better place to screen my debut short. Ideal for filmmakers and film lovers alike.

Huge thanks to Jake and the crew at Close-up for being a part of a very special film night. The sound and vision in the theater is truly next level. Was great to be able to sound check the film prior to the screening to check levels were correct. All was perfect. The venue is a great place to hold a private screening with great facilities inc bar/cafe and comfy seating area for guests.. I will definitely be returning with another event in the new year. Andy Fielding Echoes event Dec 2023

The Close-Up Cinema did a great job as venue for the cast-and-crew screening of our feature film "Inherit the Witch" (inheritthewitch[dot]com): the projection looked and sounded perfect, following our projectionist Will's good careful sound checks with us beforehand; and the front area of the Close-Up Film Centre had happy vibes as the place for us all to hang out afterwards, furnished with a bar, sofas, and shelves full of movie books. An East End gem of a place.

Essential London venue (cinema / bar / library) showing the best in arthouse, avant garde and world cinema. I recently hired the space for an hour to screen a film I made to a gathering of cast, crew and friends. I was very pleased with the friendly and efficient service by Jake and the team. Highly recommended to filmmakers looking to test a DCP and screen their work in an intimate setting. Keep up the great work.

Close-Up hosted us last minute when we had to switch venues. They were so accommodating and easy to work with. The night was a huge success, everyone commenting on how great the venue is. The screening room is intimate and classy, there's cute bar, comfy sofas and outside area. It is warm, welcoming, relaxed and casual, as well as being classy - the perfect combination! We highly recommend it!

Can't speak highly enough of the service and professionalism shown by the team at Close-Up Cinema! We screened our students end-of-year short films here and the projection and sound was fantastic, we had no issues with the format of the films we provided, and everyone who attended enjoyed the experience and the drinks afterwards in the bar. Highly recommended and we look forward to returning!

We've hosted the screening of our first short film as House26 Productions at the iconic Close-Up Cinema and it was absolutely perfect. The whole process of arranging the screening and communicating with the events team at the cinema was seamless and super easy. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. Can't wait to host all of our future screenings there :)

This is a gem. An absolute gem. £10 a month gets you access to all those films on the 1.001 films to watch before you die list and so much more. You can take out 3 films at a time for a max of 2 weeks. Books for 3 weeks I believe. Do your-ex-film-studies-self a favour and sign up, relive the uni-dream! Staff are very professional and the cinema is lovely too.

Wonderful venue!! Great value with incredible screen and audio quality. So pleased we were able to hold a private screening of our short film BabyThump and bonus! Crew and cast were able to order at the bar with good selection of drinks and enough seating to hold nearly 30 people. Highly recommend for any filmmaker and cinema-goer!

I went to the Close up Festival for the screening of a film. The cinema was quite smaller than I had imagined and was pitch dark when the film was showing. Like the only source of illumination was the screen. It was eerie in a "can't see anyone else" kind of way. I didn't take any pictures, so there goes that.

Rented out this location for a screening - absolutely amazing. Niche little spot with lots of character and personality, as well as very helpful and kind staff. On a technical level, the screening room is very good, with clear visuals and great audio. Will definitely be renting again in the future!

Close-Up is amazing! They hosted my short film private screening and couldn't have been more helpful throughout the process, from letting us have a look around before booking to making our DCP for the night. Will be using them in future for all screening needs in London. 10/10 lovely team!

A beautiful screening venue right in the heart of Shoreditch. Close-Up Cinema was incredible from start to finish, from first contact with Damien to the end of screening. Myself and Flux Projects, will most definitely use Close-Up again for our screening events. Thank you.

Close-up cinema is an intimate and excellent venue for screenings. The staff arw very welcoming and accommodating. The event ran as smoothly as can be and I will definitely be returning for future events. Great vibe in general.

Very cool place. Unique movies, small cinema room, and while wİting u can grab a drink, play chess, read some books. Very cozy atmosphere. Chairs vud be a bit more comfier, esp for people with longer legs, but still fine :)

We used this fabulous venue again this year for our film festival's Young Jury award. It is very welcoming, has great staff and is the perfect event setting for young cinephiles and filmmakers. Highly recommended.

Hands down one of the best independent cinemas in London. It hosts a consistently brilliant programme of films, a huge library of physical films and literature, has friendly staff and is reasonably priced.

Possibly London's coolest and mostly unknown cinema. Jake's Mocha is also one of the best and their library of the best films ever made, together with their movie books, means you never have to leave.

We've just had an excellent showing of a recently completed documentary. The projection and sound quality were superb as was the coffee - all at reasonable cost. Can't fault this preview theatre

Best place to screen our short film! Great communication in the lead up and a brilliant setting to host our talented cast and crew. The cinema and bar area both perfect. Overall a huge success.

A very very nice place to see films, the cinéma is very co for table and the projection quality is alway good. And the bar’s mood is making feeling confortable. Thanks to the very kind team :)

These guys made us feel like family! Conscientious, diligent, flexible, friendly, welcoming and genuinely gave a monkeys about helping us have a great event. Close-Up rocked! …

Tremendous venue for our screening. Could be great for a birthday party too, if you wanted to watch a favourite film for the occasion. Really helpful team too. Couldn't have been happier!

Loved this place. The Staff are friendly, the venue is really cool and unique and the screening room is excellent. We had a great screening and I would definitely use the venue again!

A lovely intimate venue - we hosted three back to back screenings of a film and the staff couldn't do enough to help out and make sure everything ran to plan. Would highly reccomend.

Booked Close-up for a private screen and can't speak highly enough about the team and the service. They were very helpful and accommodating and its such a great venue.

I've used Close-Up to screen two films now and has been incredible both times. The venue and cinema are perfect and everyone is lovely and helpful. Hugely recommended!

We booked it for our private screening view, perfect size for us, great location, good service, good value for money, lovely place. We will surely use it again.

We screened a 20 minute short film here. Fantastic venue - charming, intimate and well located - exactly what we were looking for! Would highly recommend!

Amazing venue! Super accommodating to indie filmmakers. The screen is intimate, but packs a punch and it is a great space to catch up over drinks

Amazing find. Great chilled relaxing bar, excellent service, great drinks. Super dvd collection. And a small screening cinema on the side!

Lovely intimate cinema to screen our cast and crew private screening of our short film - would definitely book again!

A hidden pearl. Must dee. A magical unlisted venue. Books, seleced movies projections, friendly barman. Thank you!

Rented the theatre for an event and was very impressed by the service and professionalism. Highly recommend!

Close Up is a wonderful venue we've used for our own events for the last 5 years. Great atmosphere.

Really cool indie cinema. Love the venue and looking through all their titles. Good variety too.