City Screen Riverside Cafe-Bar

What's it good for?

Pre-movie drink, during-movie drink, post-movie drink. Also lunch with great views of the river.

Where is it?

Since a refurbishment in the summer of 2013 the "cafe/bar/restaurant" hybrid on the ground floor of the cinema has expanded gaining a load more seats and a much more open layout.

It's a real improvement and although the comfy leather seating has gone - replaced by many more cafe-style chairs - it does provide more chance to grab a table (or if you are lucky one of the huge sofas).

The location can feel awkward: leaving the cinema on a Saturday evening after a heavy film and a couple of pints to be greeted by queues of stag and hen dos waiting to get into Pitcher and Piano on one side and Revolution on the other can be quite a jolt, but generally the riverside location is a fantastic setting.

What's it all about?

In Pulp Fiction, John Travolta's character Vincent describes some of the little cultural differences in Europe to Samuel L. Jackson's character, Jules. "Well, you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like in no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass of beer."

I still have that sense of excitement and wonder every time I order a pint (albeit in a plastic pint cup) and take it into the movie, but the bar isn't just for moviegoers, it is a nice cafe-bar in its own right.

What's on the bar?

At City Screen Riverside Cafe-Bar there are three ales on tap, usually including one from York Brewery or Rudgate. Alongside this are a decent selection of bottles and a range on keg including Aspall Cider and Hoegaarden.

Do they serve food?

They serve food all day with a wide and varied British/Mediterranean menu.

Is it accessible / allow kids / dogs?

As it is part of the cinema accessibility is fantastic and kids are allowed, but only guide dogs are allowed inside the building, well behaved dogs can go on the terrace.

Will you go again?

I've got a membership (which gives you 10% off in their bar, but 25% off in GBK) so I'll be back.

Opening Hours

Mon 11:00 - 23:00 Tue 11:00 - 23:00 Wed 10:30 - 23:00 Thu 11:00 - 23:00 Friday 11:00 -23:00 Saturday 10:30 - 23:00 Sunday 11:00 - 22:30