There are strict rules about what can and cannot be taken inside cinemas across the UK – with one chain completely banning outside snacks and drinks
With school holidays now underway across most of the UK, many families are looking for ways of enjoying the time off without breaking the bank. With about six weeks to fill and children often getting bored very quickly, trips out can be a lifesaver.
However rising costs across many areas mean any savings are essential. One popular trip is to the cinema, but for many, the day out is not complete without snacks to enjoy during the movie.
Buying these inside the venue can add up, especially if there are several people going, which means for decades many have tried to “smuggle in” their own supplies. But is this really necessary?
Many cinemas do allow visitors to bring in a wide selection of snacks and drinks – but there are also strict rules around what is not allowed. The main banned items include alcohol and hot or smelly foods that could impact the enjoyment of other cinemagoers.
We have checked out the rules at five of the UK’s biggest cinema chains which have total of 348 locations across the country. This is what they say.
Vue
One of the biggest cinema chains in the UK is Vue, which has 94 locations and more than 900 screens. While selling a wide range of food and drink it is also happy for people to bring their own.
The cinema says: “Feel free to bring your own food and drink with you, but leave the hot food and alcohol at home.” It adds in its guest admissions policy: “Guests may not bring or consume any hot food or alcohol purchased outside of the premises.”
ODEON
ODEON is relaxed about visitors bringing in many food and drink items to most of its 102 cinemas but with some exceptions. Posting on its website it says: “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.”
But it added: “We do not allow the following to be brought in from outside the cinema:
- heated food
- pungent food
- alcoholic drinks
“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
As with the other cinemas Cineworld has rules around what can be brought in to eat or drink across its 87 locations. It says on its website: “Cineworld have a strict no externally purchased hot food or alcohol policy, and we reserve the right to refuse customers entry into the screens with hot food or alcohol bought outside the premises.”
It adds: “We offer a wide range of drinks and snacks for you to enjoy when watching our movies, including cinema favourites such as popcorn, hot dogs and nachos.”
Showcase
People can also bring many food and drink items into the 16 Showcase cinemas but with some exceptions. It advises: “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.
Everyman
Unlike the other cinemas Everyman does not allow people to bring in their own foods into any of its 49 venues. It says: “Only food and drinks purchased at the cinema are allowed into our screens.”
