Discover the most beautiful cinemas in Sydney

Time Out has named its 50 most beautiful cinemas in the world
Melbourne and Sydney are the two Australian cities on the list
Surry Hills and Cremorne are where Sydney’s most beautiful cinemas can be found
READ MORE: First Review – MJ the Musical: it’s a thriller!

Architecture might not be top of your list when choosing where to see the latest movie, but Time Out has revealed the world’s more impressive cinemas, including two of the most beautiful cinemas in Sydney. The list is a celebration of the most historic and heavenly theatres and these venues serve as significant cultural landmarks.

Cinema-going is practically a cultural event nowadays, with the ambiance of venues playing a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience. The experience begins long before you sink into a plush red seat with your popcorn in hand.

Several Australian theatres feature through the list, with two renowned venues each in Melbourne and Sydney. Visitors can find the latest blockbusters alongside other unique cinematic experiences such as film festivals, retrospectives and special themed nights. For anyone who appreciates art, a visit to these beautiful cinemas in Sydney offers much more than a simple movie-watching experience.

Golden Age Cinema and Bar, Surry Hills

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marionette Liqueur (@marionetteliqueur)

Coming in at a respectable 36th on the list, this Surry Hills cinema was the home of Paramount Pictures in Sydney until the 1970s. Its Art Deco façade, with the sweeping rounded corner at the junction of Commonwealth Street and Brisbane Street, points to it’s origins. The building was constructed in 1940 and welcomed servicemen and women during World War II, who came to watch newsreels on the big screen. Inside, there are timeless timber furnishings and plush velvet 1940s-era seat, shipped from Zurich.

Seamlessly blending old with new, the vintage projection room is now home to the latest state-of-the-art cinema technology, and the David Lynch-inspired bar hosts live music on Friday and Saturday evenings; performances vary from folk and synths to dream pop or contemporary jazz. Whether spending the evening at the Golden Age Bar or the subterranean cinema, the feel of classic Hollywood glamour paired with modern day entertainment is carried throughout.

Lower Ground, Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. (02) 9211 1556. ourgoldenage.com.au

Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Cremorne

Another Art Deco gem, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace comes in at 22nd. It was built as a theatre and could screen films and live cast musicals across its two levels. Backstage, there were dressing rooms, an orchestra pit and a fly-tower used to store and ‘fly’ scenery. It even hosted the Australian Ballet. The theatre was sadly turned into a shopping mall and gym at one stage but the old dress circle and former ballroom were spectacularly restored in the 1980s, becoming The Orpheum and The Lounge cinemas.

The Orpheum is protected by the National Trust and is the largest theatre in the complex, seating 700 people. Before each screening begins, a giant velvet stage curtain rises, harking back to the theatre’s former days. Look out for the statues of mythical princess Atalanta of Arcadia, who holds a glowing sun in her hands. There are now six state-of-the-art screens, with four newer theatres set underground, so plenty to choose from when selecting which movie you’ll see.

Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, 380 Military Road, Cremorne. (02) 9908 4344. orpheum.com.au