Going to the cinema is an enjoyable experience for many, with a visit to the pictures offering a chance to take some time out and immerse yourself in another world. It’s especially handy in the UK, with the weather often being unsuitable for many other activities.
There are also often offers available on cinema tickets, depending on when you want to go, and subscriptions you may have that include discounted films. So a trip to the pictures can also be affordable, as well as fun.
For those wanting to save further, you may be wondering whether you’re able to take your own food and drink along, as doing so can often be far cheaper than buying popcorn and other snacks from the foyer. It is commonly-believed that this is not allowed, with some of us having “smuggled” things to eat and drink into the cinema before now.
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But this is often not the case. Each cinema chain has its own rules around viewers bringing in snacks and beverages, and here’s what Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and Showcase say on the matter.
Vue
Vue has 92 cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Customers, according to its website, are not allowed to bring in any hot food or any alcohol drinks.
Vue sells popcorn, nachos, milkshakes, and many other snacks and drinks, but if you’d like to bring your own you can. Its website states: “Feel free to bring your own food and drink with you, but leave the hot food and alcohol at home”.
Odeon
Like Vue, Odeon also said customers can bring their own food and drink, but some rules apply. Odeon advice on its website reads: “We have a fantastic range of cinema classics like popcorn, hot dogs and our famous nachos available to buy in cinema, but we do allow guests to bring in their own snacks and drinks.”
However, viewers are banned from bringing in heated food, “pungent” food, and alcoholic drinks. Additional guidance adds: “If you’re unsure, please ask any member of our team in cinema who will be happy to advise you. Please be advised the Odeon Islington Luxe & Dine does not allow you to take your own food.”
Cineworld
Similarly to the cinema chains above, Cineworld says customers can bring in their own food and drink. Part of the “terms of entry” on its website states: ” Neither alcohol nor hot food may be brought onto the premises.
“Only hot food bought on the premises may be consumed on the premises. Alcohol may only be purchased and consumed in Cineworld licensed bar areas or in licensed screens and licensing laws will be strictly enforced.”
Showcase
Showcase’s stance on a person bringing in their own food and drink is also made clear on its website, which reads: “We do not allow guests to bring hot food, alcoholic beverages and drinks in glass containers into our buildings.
“We reserve the right to refuse admission.”