Welcome to the Courthouse Hotel, home to one of the most charming champagne cinema London experiences, tucked inside a former Soho magistrates' court. Every Saturday night, a classic film plays in a velvet-seated private cinema, and there's a glass of champagne to go with it.
It's a London night out with a difference!
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you inside for an evening of fizz, film and When Harry Met Sally.
From courtroom to cinema: the surprising history of the Courthouse Hotel
Before the cocktails and the popcorn, this building on Great Marlborough Street was Marlborough Street Magistrates' Court, once the second-oldest magistrates' court in the UK! Charles Dickens even worked here as a young court reporter in 1835.
The list of people who stood in its dock reads like a who’s who of scandal. Oscar Wilde launched his libel case here in 1895, and Christine Keeler, the model at the heart of the 1963 Profumo affair, appeared here too.
Then came the rock’n’roll years: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Johnny Rotten were all fined here. Even John Lennon’s erotic lithographs went on trial here in 1970, and the case was thrown out!
Rock’n’roll behind bars: the old prison cells, now VIP booths inspired by the famous faces who once faced the magistrates here
The court closed in 1998, and the building, now Grade II listed, reopened as a luxury hotel in 2004. The best part? The original prison cells are now cosy VIP booths in the bar, complete with pop-art portraits of its most famous defendants.
A champagne cinema night in Soho: what to expect
Arriving in style
You walk into a lobby full of warm burgundy walls, curvy rust-velvet sofas and a portrait of Audrey Hepburn watching over the room. It's the perfect setting for a night of old-school glamour.
Drinks in the bar
Head through the iron bars (yes, real ones!) into the bar, with its exposed stone walls and plush grey sofas. Arrive a little early so you can peek into the old cells before the film.
We arrived early to explore, wandering from the velvet lobby to the old cells and soaking up the vibes. We loved the cosy atmosphere, which feels full of history at the same time!
Champagne before the show
Then comes the fun part: a glass of champagne before the screening, served on rustic barrel tables decorated with dried flowers. It instantly feels like a special occasion.
The film: When Harry Met Sally
The private cinema is small, about 90 seats, with deep purple seats and a big screen. The Saturday classics starts at 5pm, and the films change from week to week, from romance to action.
We saw When Harry Met Sally, Rob Reiner's beloved 1989 romcom, with Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Watching it after so many years, on a big screen with a glass of bubbly was pure joy!
We loved the vibe in the room. Everyone was around our age, all happily transported back to the late ’80s and early ’90s, and the whole room felt wonderfully nostalgic!
Why the Courthouse Hotel is one of London's most fun experiences
What makes this night so special is the mix: you get a glamorous Soho hotel, a bar full of rock'n'roll history, and a classic film shared with a small crowd of fellow movie lovers.
For a date night, a birthday or a gift, champagne cinema in London doesn't get much more charming than this. Visitors get a slice of real London history, and Londoners get a cosy new Saturday tradition just steps from Carnaby Street and Liberty.
Make a whole evening of it: shop at Liberty first, then stroll through Carnaby Street before the curtain goes up.
Who knew a former courthouse could be the setting for London’s most charming movie night?
Feeling inspired? If you're planning a visit to the Courthouse Hotel, I'd love to hear how it goes on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
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Everything you need to know about the Courthouse Hotel champagne cinema:
Address: Courthouse Hotel, 19–21 Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7HL
Nearest station: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines), 3 min walk. Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines), around 10 min walk
Dates: Saturday Night Classics, every Saturday, 5pm screening.
Tickets: Packages include a champagne cocktail and the film, with a meal at Soho Wala as an option. Book by calling +44 20 7297 5555 or emailing info@courthouse-hotel.com.
Dress code: Smart casual, and feel free to dress up!
Website: courthouse-hotel.com
