Lido Cinema

My absolute favourite place to see a movie. Such a pretty little cinema, you can get coffee or wine and snacks. You’re guaranteed to have a good movie viewing experience here!

Thanks to my fellow Unilocalers in guiding me to this theatre. I had thought to go to Queen St cinema, but after reading the reviews, and seeing what people had to say about Lido, it was no contest.
I’m so glad to make the trip here.
The seats are for adults. Wine can be purchased from their bar and brought into the theatre. Parking is available for free across the street. Admission prices are fair.
A most positive experience, as no one’s cell phone went off during the film, and no one was looking at the phone (at least none that I could see)!!

Very different. Real old school vibe. Music and surroundings bring a real early 80’s feeling.

The Lido is probably my favourite cinema in Auckland. It’s old, but has been refurbished so it’s all nice and comfortable inside. They’ve got a lounge cinema with super cushy chairs — it’s kind of like Gold Class. The movie selection is pretty small, but they show a lot of lesser known films which is great. They also screen blockbusters too, so it’s not as alternative and snobby as you might think. It’s worth taking the little drive to Epsom to watch something in that environment. There’s wine and beer and coffee available — nice snacks as well as the usual movie theatre fodder.
Excellent for dates. There’s a Japanese restaurant/​sake bar just a couple of doors down which is great for dinner and a nightcap.

The Lido cinema is situated on Manukau road and is a one of a kind in Auckland.
It’s not your typical movie theatre it is smaller and has an old cinema feel to it.
It has a lounge cinema which is amazing; all the seats are like lazy boys and are sooo comfortable you could fall asleep in them which I wouldn’t be surprised if some have.
They usually play about 4 films at a time and they are not your generic blockbuster films they play the more off the Hollywood path type movies. They also have these cookie and cream ice creams in a waffle cone that are too die for! I would seriously go there just for these.
Awesome cinema, love it.

Depending on the movie, I much prefer the Lido than other cinemas. If it some action movie whose entertainment value rests on its special effects than I might go to an Imax. But if it is a movie where I really want to appreciate somebody’s acting, or if it has a plot line that makes you think, I would much rather the comfort of the Lido. I actually find the Lido’s more modest sized screen easier to watch, combine that with their comfy chairs, and their superior food and drink (nice coffee, wine, cake etc), then there is really no competition in my mind. They usually have a mix of the more credible hollywood flicks and some other less mainstream stuff.

The Lido is a real little sweetie.
I love that it gives me back the feeling of the cinema being a treat — an occasion to be indulged in. I think part of the appeal is that the Lido isn’t attached to a shopping mall in any way, which is such a relief!
The plush carpet and generously comfortable seating will have you ensconced into the world of your chosen film in no time. It’s true that Lido has fewer movies on offer than the larger complexes, but for those times when you just want to hop along without doing too much research, you can be sure that very few films at Lido will be flops. They just screen the good stuff.

The Lido is an independently owned cinema located in Epsom. The cinema only has two theatres so unlike Event or Hoyts cinemas, there are only a few films that run each day. Also unlike larger cinema complexes, The Lido plays more offbeat films as well as those popular blockbusters and Oscar nominated works.
On top of the interesting and creative films The Lido plays, the cinemas themselves are also more comfortable and luxurious, with each theatre being decked out with nice high backed, wide seats and aisles.
Glasses of wine, beer, coffees, popcorn, confectionary and Rush Munro’s ice-​creams are available when purchasing tickets, and the staff are all incredibly friendly, smiley girls that really contribute to the comfortable atmosphere of The Lido.
This cinema is the perfect mixture of homeliness and class, and is the ideal place to meet relatives or the girls for a good movie, or alternatively romance your partner on a date.

The Lido is the sister cinema of the Capitol in Balmoral and shares the same Deco aesthetic. It’s housed in a beautiful building, has a separate lounge off the foyer and has the same set-​up as far as wine, food and ice cream go which basically means upmarket, plush, classy and comfy.
I am so grateful Auckland still has these boutique cinemas; the character and care makes such a difference. Nice big seats, arty films and that feeling you used to get as a kid when going to the movies was special.
You will need to plan ahead as they don’t do back to back showings here and I would recommend booking your tickets in advance too. Pop in and pick them up then go next door to Sake Nippon for a fresh and fast dinner — they are used to cinema goers so just let them know your movie time.

I have a soft spot for the Lido, I often come here on a girlie date with my mum when we fancy watching an artsy style film. Our latest visit to the Lido had us watching Les Miserables and we had a great time, everything at this cinema feels luxurious and boutiquey. I ordered my coffee with my ticket and took it in to the cinema with me! They have tables next to each seat where you can put your coffee or glass of wine and the seats are big, plenty of room to stretch out and relax. They only have two cinema rooms, and both are very cosy, they also only show around 5 movies at a time, all of which fit into a similar genre (festival style, arty, cultured). The décor is very romantic and is perfect for a date, even if you don’t feel like watching a movie, the lido is a wonderful place to sit and have a coffee or tea.