Is there anything cinemas can do if you bring your own snacks in - like ask you to leave or refuse entry?
Posted by alexsings@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 417 comments
I have got myself a monthly cinema pass and I smuggle in crisps and drink but always feel like I am gonna get in trouble. Is there anything the can actually do?
colin-java@reddit
I take my own beer in, it's not cold though unfortunately.
NotNiska@reddit
my local, non-chain cinema states "outside food and alcohol is prohibited" - but they did not say anything about outside non-alcoholic drinks, to my knowledge so HA (but they do say it may result in refusal of entry or ejection without refund, for the alcohol and outside food)
QueefHuffer69@reddit
They don't care, you can bring your own food in. Only restrictions might be hot food or alcohol.
lornmcg@reddit
(former cinema host) the hot food rule is in case you get food poisoning and try and blame it on the cinema because it was consumed on their premises.
doughnutting@reddit
I thought to myself “wow would people really try that?” And then realised I work in a hospital and have definitely had patients try that with dodgy takeaways they’ve ordered.
windol1@reddit
Working in a supermarket, I've seen a lot of things get returned under the claim it has gone off, yet when we examine it later it's perfectly fine and they just didn't like it.
It was quite common with wine, they'll claim it's corked and yet give it a swig and it's fine, not even sure screw tops can get corked.
doughnutting@reddit
Haha this is exactly what happens at my job. People will order the fish and chips on a Friday and then when it comes complain that they don’t like fish and chips, they don’t know why it was ordered, can they have a new option.
We don’t have a personal chef on the ward, and I did hear you order it. You can’t have anything else. There is a shop downstairs with ready meals though! Feel free to order something you do like next time :)
TipsyMagpie@reddit
I seriously think it should be mandatory for everyone to work in a public-facing customer service type role for at least a year. Maybe it would stop some people being such raging arseholes. Some are just incurable numpties though, no getting round that.
doughnutting@reddit
Very true! I’ve never worked in retail, or in service (bars, restaurants) but I’ve worked in healthcare and thats a bit of everything. My worst stories top most of my retail/service friends’ top stories. But not all. Some of them are so bad I can’t even imagine them!
The famous phantom shitter in the clothes shop dressing room visits the hospital too. That’s just a Tuesday in AED, or elderly care. Lol!
TipsyMagpie@reddit
Ooh we had a phantom shitter when I worked in a supermarket! He used to smear it all over the toilet, walls, door, toilet roll holder - it was just horrendous. Our security guard eventually caught him and stood over him and made him clean it up…he never did it again! We think it was some kind of sub/dom thing, his wife was a professional dominatrix and she used to come in with him and wait while he was…busy. 🤮
doughnutting@reddit
Jesus. Mine are usually lacking capacity in one sense or the other. Drugs, dementia, episode of severe mental illness… I’ve never (caught?) seen someone doing it for this reason. Ew!
Available-Sundae9320@reddit
Ewww...🤮🤮🤮😝😝😝
Available-Sundae9320@reddit
Gross 😝 🤮🤮
punkmuppet@reddit
That wouldn't fix it. Think how many times you've heard that kids should be hit/beaten "because I was, and it didn't do me any harm". Same for student debt, national service, etc. If I go through a shitty thing then I'm going to make sure other people have to do it too, is the mentality of way too many people.
brakes_for_cakes@reddit
The fact that they think it's ok to beat a kid should be evidence enough.
SnooGrapes2914@reddit
I've been saying for years that a year of customer service should be a requirement for claiming the state pension. It's always the sodding coffin dodgers that are the worst (in my job at least)
ieya404@reddit
Pretty sure that wine being corked requires a cork as it's down to some sort of mould in the actual cork (so a plastic "cork" wouldn't do that either).
windol1@reddit
That is jogging something in my memory, remember a colleague telling me something along these lines. Isn't that also something to do with how it's stored, which is why you see them laid down rather than stood up?
It's frustrating only being able to vividly remember what he said to me.
double-happiness@reddit
AFAIK it's laid down to stop the cork drying out, which could break the seal and cause the wine to become oxidised. But that's a different issue from corking which is indeed down to mould. https://www.atelierduvin.com/en/corked-wine-a-definition-and-practical-guide/
Ok_Finance_7597@reddit
Oxidized AKA turning into vinegar
Shaper_pmp@reddit
I think you mean vaguely. If you vividly remembered it you'd be able to remember it exactly.
LinuxLover3113@reddit
Wine is supposed to be stored laid on it's side so that the cork can absorb some of the wine and stay swollen and healthy. Wine getting "corked" is when the cork is allowed to dry too much so it starts to crumble into the wine.
PaulBradley@reddit
I worked in restaurants for twenty years. I can confirm that screw tops (stelvin caps) cannot be 'corked', they may be spoiled for other reasons though.
The actual causes of wine spoilage are;
On that note, when someone orders a bottle of wine and the sommelier offers them a 'taste', it's ostensibly so you can nose it to check for taint, not so you can taste it to see if you like it.
balsawood88@reddit
A screw capped wine can absolutely be corked. TCA can affect a wine makers cellar, leaning it present in all their wine, whether they put a cork in the bottle, a screw cap or whatever sealing method they like.
'Corked' is also commonly used as a catch-all term for all spoiling, despite it's original meaning. TBA can affect screw capped wine and is very similar to TCA contamination and usually referred to as being corked.
squigs@reddit
I suspect most people don't know the specifics, and figure if it tastes nasty it must be because it's corked.
Competitive-Yard-442@reddit
Once worked in a bar that had a couple of screw top wines. Yep, someone claimed it was corked when they didn't like it. Luckily it was in the UK so my response of "how? There's no cork mate, it's a screw cap, dickhead (muttered,)" didn't affect my pay.
FerretChrist@reddit
Somehow missed the "in a supermarket" part of your reply at first, and thought we were talking about people ordering wine in hospital.
FestiveSalad@reddit
You can order a takeaway while in hospital?
How does that work logistically? I'm assuming the delivery guy doesn't bring it to your bed side and you have to hobble out to the car park to collect it?
My local hospital is a nightmare in terms of finding the right entrance and getting parked, can't imagine takeaway drivers here would be interested.
doughnutting@reddit
They order it to the door and go down and collect it. Most people in hospital aren’t so ill they’re bedbound. A lot of people get stuck in there waiting on community help, or need to wait for blood results or wait 48 hours between scans and things like that. Even people on drips or with chest drains go out for ciggies! We obviously advise against it but it’s a hospital, not a prison!
brakes_for_cakes@reddit
I used to work in a pub near a hospital, you'd probably be surprised at how often we had to turn away people in gowns, Even had one guy with an IV bag connected.
doughnutting@reddit
There’s a few by mine. I work in a city centre hospital, all the shops nearby have posters relating to the hospital and alcohol. And patients go out “for some air” and come back drunk.
Once had one come back with crack. Literal crack. He was very apologetic when we told him he couldn’t smoke crack in a hospital, especially as he was on oxygen.
FestiveSalad@reddit
Very good points yeah! I was forgetting that not everyone in hospital is too unwell for a walk!
Spookybword@reddit
I used to work in a hotel, young couple booked in for 1 night stay to go to football game.
The guy was vomiting all the next morning blaming it on the meal he had at the hotel the night before, girlfriend kicking up a storm at reception for a refund.
‘All he had yesterday was a burger from the van outside the stadium and then dinner in this restaurant’
They assumed it was from the last thing he ate and didn’t even consider the greasy burger van outside a football stadium might be more likely to be the culprit or perhaps the fact he was deathly hungover.
doughnutting@reddit
Joys of working with the general public! Surely the dodgy burger van has higher food standards than a restaurant in a hotel? Surely? /s
Spookybword@reddit
Having worked in hospitality for a long time in my 20s I’ve realised an alarming night number of people think if they have food poisoning symptoms it’s automatically from the last thing they ate and in reality it’s very rarely the case!
williamshatnersbeast@reddit
You mean they’ve reheated it and given themselves food poisoning or they’ve actually had a dodgy takeaway? Because the latter is absolutely cause for complaint.
doughnutting@reddit
We don’t have reheating facilities for patients and we aren’t allowed to reheat things for patients with the staff microwave, so I’m assuming it’s dodgy takeaways.
Definitely complain about it, we can keep your electrolytes balanced if you’ve got food poisoning, but don’t lie about your takeaway and then blame our hospital food. People do that all the time. “I haven’t had a takeaway, it was YOUR food YOU gave me!” And there was a 2 day old kebab in their cupboard. Or someone bought a prawn sandwich on a Monday and ate it on the Wednesday, unrefrigerated. It happens. There are trusts that don’t serve sandwiches due to hospital deaths involving food poisoning and sandwiches.
williamshatnersbeast@reddit
I’ve edited my comment… I read your first comment in a completely different way to how it was intended.
I assumed you meant they were patients because they had eaten a dodgy takeaway and had been admitted with food poisoning!
Apologies
doughnutting@reddit
Oh noo! Having nearly went to A&E myself with the worst food poisoning I could ever imagine I’d never begrudge someone help. I hadn’t kept food or fluids down going on 3 days.
It’s when they blame us lol. Like when people bring a takeaway into the cinema then try to sue the cinema for food poisoning. Or they go to a bar, sneak their own alcohol and blame the bar for over serving them if they get caught doing something illegal. People will find a way to be the victim, all these silly policies are in place because someone, somewhere, tried it.
lostrandomdude@reddit
I supposed it's because that has happened in America so many times and the compensation culture seems to be coming to this side of the pond
Remote-Pool7787@reddit
I’m sure that’s what they told you, but it’s utter nonsense. If the venue did not prepare or store the food, it has zero liability
lornmcg@reddit
I stand corrected.
LondonCycling@reddit
That's clearly nonsense though.
Otherwise hot food would be banned on trains or in shopping centres or pretty much everywhere.
lornmcg@reddit
Huh. When I worked in Odeon that's what we were told.
LondonCycling@reddit
Yeah I'm guessing a manager plucked it out of nowhere when asked.
I was on the train today. They served hot foot. They had no issue with me having my own burger on.
ImitationDemiGod@reddit
No barbecues then?
Wrong-Efficiency-543@reddit
But you can get food poisoning from cold food too
Mountainenthusiast2@reddit
You telling me after all this time, I never needed to try and hide the packets of sweets under my coat in the first place?
sideways_86@reddit
best check the policy of the cinema you go to, my local explicitly states that that food and drink not purchased from them is not allowed and they reserve the right to search (I guess if you deny the search you're not allowed in)
Pale-Resolution-2587@reddit
Nobody except a police officer actually has a right to search you. You can just say no. They do have the right to tell you to fuck off though.
Quick_Yam_2816@reddit
Then they would have to refund you
Dangerous_Hippo_6902@reddit
Yep. So longs it don’t smell, isn’t noisy or for whatever reason might upset a fellow cinema-goer
khaotyx@reddit
I think the cinema has the noisy foods covered with popcorn, a bag of sweets and nachos.
Cyanostic@reddit
Cinema's should be banned from selling loud foods. Should be marshmallows, soft breads, candy floss and jelly only.
Mannerhymen@reddit
Slurping all that jelly up.
SignatureSpecial@reddit
We have jelly race in my family, at birthday gatherings to see who can slurp up a bowl of jelly the fastest. Winner gets whatever cash has been pooled on bets. Now we're all getting older we've started adding booze to the jelly too :p
AndyVale@reddit
True, but you're paying £5-10 for them. They'll let a bit of cracking and rustling go for that.
slimdrum@reddit
***40-50
-amateur-paramedic-@reddit
Watched anatomy of a fall the other day while a mate ate a smelly savoury pastry. He then did smelly burps throughout the whole thing
Alexboogeloo@reddit
Bet it still wasn’t anywhere near as irritating as hearing 50cent played on steel drums on a loop
-amateur-paramedic-@reddit
Haha
catfordbeerclub@reddit
You mate sounds awesome!
HailToTheKingslayer@reddit
Not someone I'd go to the cinema with
MarkEsmiths@reddit
I just picture him murmuring to himself about how good it is.
"Ohhhhh. Ohhhmrregod"
Cyanostic@reddit
Oh so I shouldn't bring this biryani, bhajis and poppadoms to the Bob Marley biopic then.
Goudinho99@reddit
I took a Chipotle burritos in once as I was rushing after work. Felt like an tool, because I was.
Upper_Rent_176@reddit
There goes taking my girlfriend then.
KoBoWC@reddit
I did bring alcohol in once, it's very obvious as each bottle fsst'd on opening and we left the empties by the seat (mea culpa). We were not asked to leave Also I am pretty sure there are low light cameras operating that could easily catch you. I guess if you took spirits you might be more likely to get away with it.
originallovecat@reddit
There are cameras. My teen worked at an Odeon last summer and part of the job was sitting in the cctv room watching for people with phones trying to film the new releases. They caught a fair few people having sex too, but that they didn't intervene with. Just tried to avoid getting landed with cleaning that screen after the event...
Taking in your own food/drink? They didn't care. Too busy at front of house watching out for the guy in the wheelchair who used to regularly ramraid the pick n' mix.
x592_b@reddit
me and my friend snuck a huge bottle of Baileys into the cinema to see top gun maverick, we hid it pretty well on entry (probably not in hindsight) but then just started drinking it normally when we got in there. didn't think about them having cameras in there.
no one said anything tho despite us walking out with an almost empty bottle on full show and being visibly quite drunk
alexandriaweb@reddit
There's a big Tesco next to the cinema I go to and they have popcorn, giant bags of crisps and cans of premix cocktails and the like in the bit next to the door. Went to see Barbie with a couple of cans of Malibu last year and had a whale of time :)
cowbutt6@reddit
I watched Independence Day on its original cinema release with a couple of cans of cider. My opinion of it was notably better than that of my sober friends!
Difficult-Jello7724@reddit
I've done it quite a few times. First time I saw The Worlds End was when it launched, and me and a friend got absolutely wasted and had a blast being the only ones in the cinema. Me and my dad would smuggle beer into the older pre-disney marvel films (one or two, not an entire crate), and when Venom was at the cinemas me and my brother in law snuck an entire crate of beer, and ended up giving them out to the people next too us. God, I remember & miss when I used to be able to drink more than a pint.
As long as you don't get ham ass wasted, you can smuggle beer in quite easily and they don't really care.
DarkNinjaPenguin@reddit
The one time my wife brought a bottle of beer in, she was halfway through it when an usher came over with a disposable cup, and asked if she wouldn't mind giving him the empty bottle and not to bring glass inside in the future. All very reasonable, it's not the alcohol that bothers them it's the potential for broken glass.
SpartanS034@reddit
That depends on the chain but the big ones don't care. I know Everyman allow it.
IAM_THE_LIZARD_QUEEN@reddit
Funnily enough Everyman is actually the only chain that doesn't allow it by policy.
Pale-Resolution-2587@reddit
Don't allow it but don't work hard to enforce it. I was a member for years and me and the wife frequently brought our own wine. As long as you buy something they don't really give a shit.
Also helps if you can drink alcohol without turning into a complete fuckwit and making loads of noise.
IAM_THE_LIZARD_QUEEN@reddit
I'm not saying they do care, just the comment I was replying to originally said they did officially allow it.
SpartanS034@reddit
Good spot, I meant don't allow it. But they do good food so I don't resent it.
IAM_THE_LIZARD_QUEEN@reddit
Yeah plus getting it delivered to your seat is pretty decent as well, also I appreciate that you can actually order tap water as well, as opposed to having to choose between overpriced water or soft drinks etc.
Sufficient-Living968@reddit
This video will help you - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwlcu-L7Jtk
fulthrottlejazzhands@reddit
My wife and I have an Odeon pass, and my wife and we bring beer, wine, chips etc. No one has ever said anything.
The most egregious example was at a "classics" showing of Predator at an Odeon. Two guys and their friends were kicking off their stag do. They brought bottles of schnapps and were handing out shots in plastic cups to the audience. Best cinema showing I ever went to.
RoyalyMcBooty@reddit
Honestly that sounds like complete and utter hell for me. I hate having to put up with other people at the cinema!
AndyVale@reddit
Depends on the film. If it's my first time watching Aftersun then yeah, I'd hate that. In fact, I deliberately avoid watching Marvel films on the first weekend because I don't want to be in the background of some influencer's video where they film their exaggerated reactions to whatever happens.
But all having a bit of a laugh and doing shots at Predator, a film most people have seen many times? Yeah, that could be fun.
DameKumquat@reddit
One of the best times I've had at the cinema was Boxing Day evening, the second Lord of the Rings film. I have little interest in LoTR but happily kept the bloke and in-laws company as the first one was fun. We smuggled more wine in.
Place was packed with people who couldnt take their families any longer so had gone off to the longest film they could find. Everyone was smashed and yelling at the screen.
Never heard so much laughter as when Gimli goes 'Toss me, Legolas!'
CanWeNapPlease@reddit
Ah thanks for the memories! The second LOTR movies (Two Towers) is my favourite and I went to the cinema to watch it, and I remember looking over to my dad who had his eyes closed, head tilted up nearly 90 degrees, and mouth wide open, sleeping. It was an amazing night nonetheless, bunch of nerds dressed up, place packed, beautiful movie.
One of my friends was present at a different cinema where they were having technical issues and wouldn't let people into the room for some reason. Everyone was getting annoyed, shouty, trying to push into the room, and someone yelled "Hold the line!" 😂
DameKumquat@reddit
I didn't mind the third for the first 90 min, but I'd heard they'd got rid of the Return to the Shire (best bit of the books IMO), so after I'd reached the point of muttering "oh, just push him in already, Gollum!" I was incredibly unimpressed to have to endure 45 min of the crew wandering about and emoting that wasn't even in the sodding book!
Crusader_2050@reddit
Audience participation is pretty much mandatory at screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Shaper_pmp@reddit
Allegedly famous critic at a Rocky Horror Show showing: "Be quiet - you're spoiling the show!"
Random audience member: "Honey, we are the show!"
AndyVale@reddit
I'm willing to be part of a movement to make shots mandatory at Predator screenings.
bumlove@reddit
Aftersun was so good but in a painful way.
charlierc@reddit
Depends on the film imo. Years ago I was in Madrid watching a concert movie by one of my favourite bands and thought it actually quite fun that other people were singing along (not super-loud but enough to be audible). However, that's not quite the same thing
fulthrottlejazzhands@reddit
It was Predator, a movie I'm going to guess the audience had seen many times before, and is made for campy fun. Had it been Godfather series, which I did actually see around then, I would have been PO'ed.
Caex13@reddit
agreed, fuck all of that.
don't shout and make a fuss.
Dazz316@reddit
I'd love this at a Jackass movie. Predator kinda feel I'd want to sit and watch.
SkirtingboardLadders@reddit
You take chips! How about a battered sausage?
MaxPowerWTF@reddit
She batters the sausage after the lights go down.
hillsboroughHoe@reddit
A classic film like that, sign me up. Had something similar with bttf 1 a few years ago. My first time seeing it at the cinema and a good half of us were singing Johnny B. Goode at the top of our lungs.
SupermotoArchitect@reddit
Alcohol is fine as well, as long as you can behave.
Same-Literature1556@reddit
I got turned away from a cinema once because I brought my own snacks so YMMV. Granted this only happened once in all my life…
MissKeyes@reddit
I went to see Deadpool for Galentines Day a few year
Greatgrowler@reddit
Last time I checked all the big chains had on their websites that you were allowed to bring in food and drink except for Everyman and one of the chains in their ‘lounge’ cinemas.
charlierc@reddit
I remember on Kermode & Mayo's podcast years ago of somebody in a Swedish cinema saying another patron tried to bring in a whole 3-course meal featuring all kinds of loud and crunchy things. So I can imagine maybe not that being allowed
crinkly_sausage@reddit
I love a McDonalds in a cinema, never has any issues.
EatingCoooolo@reddit
I always take alcohol i to the cinema, buy mixer from them and sip on my rum and coke while watching the movie.
Dave8917@reddit
It's not they don't care they don't turn a blind eye, you are simply allowed now days to bring your own snack and soft drinks....no hot food or alcohole is the rule
FestiveSalad@reddit
Frankly these days they're just glad that anyone is going there at all.
reallobotomitehours@reddit
When I went with my family to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi, there was a group of parents who were unabashedly drinking while letting their kids run around playing. They left after our showing had to be restarted on a different screen because we had watched the first hour of the movie with unintelligible dialogue due to the speakers being busted (my father having spent much of this time arguing with the manager that this was in fact not an acceptable movie-watching experience). Watching the movie proper made me somewhat less judgemental of the aforementioned group as some alcohol probably would've gone a long way in helping get through that shitshow of a film.
Plum3725@reddit
They only care about hot food. I’ve never been stopped from bringing in a McDonald’s to be fair but I did get stopped bringing in my leftover pizza express as we’d gone for food first. I’d walked to the cinema and had nowhere to put it so had to throw it away.
boredstudent81@reddit
Rather than throwing it away, couldn't you have just eaten it before going into the film?
Plum3725@reddit
I didn’t finish it because I was full.
starfallpuller@reddit
It’s an urban myth that you can’t bring your own snacks into the cinema. All the major cinema chains allow it. Normally they only have a problem if it’s hot food that smells.
DeeElGee@reddit
No, a lot of cinemas didn’t let you in the past.
ImNotGongYoo@reddit
Yeah, I distinctly remember having my bag checked for food/drink in Vue cinema when I was a teen. It's why I still feel like I have to 'smuggle' food in many years later
petitezay9@reddit
When I was at college (U.K.) so about 16-18 years old I. 2008-2010 you weren’t allowed to bring your own food at all, hot or not. Used to sneak sweets in. But I was too shy and timid to do much more. I’m not sure when they changed that. This was the odeon and a bit later on showcase cinemas.
laputan-machine117@reddit
Yeah I had a security guy in Cineworld search my bag and confiscate my sweets and crisps. I had to go back and collect them after the movie. This was years ago, I’m surprised to read it apparently doesn’t happen any more.
Bombus_RS@reddit
I had sharing bags of crisps confiscated about 15 years ago
AnselaJonla@reddit
They mostly don't care!
Odeon
Showcase
Vue
Cineworld
Cineworld have a strict NO HOT FOOD OR ALCOHOL policy. We reserve the right to refuse customers entry into the screens with hot food or alcohol bought outside the premises.
Everyman
No_Albatross_9978@reddit
Curzon (mostly London based)
Customers are not permitted to bring outside food and drink into our cinemas. We do, however, offer a wide selection of snacks, hot food and beverages that you can take into our screens.
PoliticsNerd76@reddit
Everyman have never stopped me lol
I buy their ice creams and stuff there anyways, but If they did, I wouldn’t be going back.
Forsaken-Language-26@reddit
I’ve unknowingly broken the no alcohol rule then.
THEKINGC0BRA@reddit
Well thats bullshit ive bought beer at cineworld
mark_b@reddit
Bought or brought? I think that's the key difference here.
LittleSadRufus@reddit
Oh whoops I always take my own snacks into Everyman. They sell three jellybeans in a pot for like a thousand pounds so it wouldn't occur to me to do anything else.
I guess I'm taking them into the cinema rather than the specified "into the screen" like some reboot of the Last Action Hero though, which seems a solid defence.
donalmacc@reddit
That's because they make no money on the tickets and all their money on the food and drinks unfortunately.
LittleSadRufus@reddit
Everyman is like £15 a ticket. If they can't make a profit from that I don't really understand their business model.
donalmacc@reddit
Ticket is to get you in the door as a loss leader, food & drinks are their business model.
This_Praline6671@reddit
That's every other cinema, not everyman. Vue charges £5 a ticket, everyman charge £19.
zebra1923@reddit
But their screens are smaller and more costly to build.
Pale-Resolution-2587@reddit
You pay for the premium of not having to watch a film in a dirty hellhole that doubles as a place for teenagers (and adults) to finger each other and watch TikTok at full volume.
adamMatthews@reddit
A lot of Everyman cinemas are repurposed other cinemas. The one near me was an Odeon. They just but failing one and then refit it with a bunch of sofas.
Considering they’re a service-based cinema offering things like table service and drink delivery throughout the film, I’d imagine the ongoing cost of having staff is much higher than the cost of swapping 100 seats out for 50 sofas.
Shartiflartbast@reddit
How are their tickets a loss leader when they're more expensive than any other cinema?
Emma172@reddit
They can fit a lot less seats into each screen at everyman, so I could still see this being true
mathcampbell@reddit
They’ll have gotten a poorer deal on the films.
Cinema operators get virtually no say on the actual ticket price at all. That’s determined by their contract with the studios who dictate a lot of stuff like that. Don’t play along? No film for you.
That’s literally why cinemas charge so much for snacks it’s the only thing they make any money on.
In theory if they sold every single ticket for every single showing they’d make a profit on every film. In reality they make losses - some more than others.
Some chains get better deals than others but even the big boys get very little to no profit on most films.
Ironically if they sold their snacks at a much cheaper price they’d likely make more on volume but they know their business I guess.
Martian8@reddit
Maybe it’s different at other venues, but the ones I’ve been to are basically restaurant/bars that have cinema rooms. I have to imagine that the cost of running the place is a lot higher than a normal cinema for that reason
BriarcliffInmate@reddit
Pretty much. Popcorn and a large drink sold to you for £10-12 is about 60p for them in terms of costs. It's why they'll always try to push you to those and ice cream instead of bags of sweets. They don't make as much from the sweets as they have to buy them at wholesale price from the manufacturer and the mark-ups aren't as good.
BriarcliffInmate@reddit
60% of that goes to the studio/distributor, no matter the price. All cinemas make their money on concessions, it's just that the smaller chains with less screens and less showings are going to be even more reliant on that.
libdemparamilitarywi@reddit
They make the profit on the food instead
totheregiment@reddit
Yeah, they took my bag of sweets off me one time. I was too embarrassed to ask for them back in the way out.
IsUpTooLate@reddit
Fantastic use of the word “pungent”
notanadultyadult@reddit
I sneakied a KFC in to the cinema once. It was delicious.
dth300@reddit
Me and mate snuck KFC into a cinema once. We were watching Chicken Run
alfiesred47@reddit
I used to work with a lass who’d go with her fella and take a four pack of Stella and a kebab each. Animals
Guh_Meh@reddit
The KFC or the cinema?
bikerslut69@reddit
so its cold vindaloo then..
thecuriousiguana@reddit
I think you'll find a cold vindaloo is still pretty hot
oxy-normal@reddit
And pungent
MGNurse25@reddit
And alcoholic
Jestar342@reddit
and tastes like arse whether hot or cold because they are just shit.
Fight me.
Pristine-Ad6064@reddit
I find spicy food even hotter whrn cold if that makes sense 😅😅
SavingsSquare2649@reddit
Yes! And it’s tastier too. It’s just very rare I leave any to have leftovers 😂
frostiesandbananas@reddit
Oh I find it's the opposite for me. I've had to leave a very spicy curry to go cold before I could eat it 😬
stinglikeameg@reddit
Nice.
Milly_man@reddit
What is the spaghetti policy here?
Romfordian@reddit
They're pasta caring
bythescruff@reddit
Just don’t noodle your girlfriend during the movie.
yurtal30@reddit
Wouldn’t want that situation to spirali out of control
Succinate_dehydrogen@reddit
Cold spaghetti only unfortunately
JohnLennonsNotDead@reddit
They would refuseli entry
Snoo3763@reddit
I go to the cinema with just pasta, specially when I'm feeling cannelonely.
Only_Quote_Simpsons@reddit
"Are you hearing this? He doesn't belong in a place like this."
bazzanoid@reddit
Unless it's Friday or Saturday night, I've strolled straight in with McDonald's multiple times. Even though I get discount as an unlimited member on their food, I can still get an entire meal from McD's for around the same price as a hot dog
jdsuperman@reddit
Well, that's not very "everyman" of them.
kairu99877@reddit
So the take away from this is that cineworld sells alcohol where you live? Interesting.
Larrygengurch12@reddit
I think most of them sell beer / cider
BriarcliffInmate@reddit
Quite a few do, especially the IMAX ones that have the 'luxury' seating.
lexaskywalker@reddit
They sell alcohol where I live. Kind of surprised that yours doesn’t, actually.
kairu99877@reddit
I am from a rural backwater in the middle of nowhere lol.
AnselaJonla@reddit
I don't have a cineworld where I am, only Showcase and Odeon. The latter definitely has a bar.
HoneyBadgerEXTREME@reddit
Yeah my cineworld sells booze. There's at least a couple of options, although I drive so I've never paid much attention to exactly it sells
Realistic_Wedding@reddit
How pungent are we talking? I mean, everything has a degree of pungency so where’s the tipping point and who gets to decide? Would the pungency police be called out for a cold samosa or a Cornish pasty? What about a vat of herrings that I pinky promise not to open? Where’s the case law dammit?
x592_b@reddit
sour cream and onion pringles seem like a good upper limit. brought them in once, didn't get kicked out but I'm not taking a chance with anything smellier than that
Realistic_Wedding@reddit
In the absence of a more official ruling, I hereby declare this The x592_b Pungency Threshold for Cinematic Foodstuffs (colloquially known as the SCOP Limit, in reference to Sour Cream and Onion Pringles).
gavint84@reddit
It’s to stop the durian fanboys.
mamacitalk@reddit
McDonald’s is usually lukewarm anyway
MeenaBeti@reddit
So you’re telling me if OP googled their question they would have found the answer?
Cheese-n-Opinion@reddit
So you're grand so long as no mulled wine or Irish coffee.
Woollongong-2500@reddit
And don't say Eat at home before going to the theatre,as that Is NOT the answer to this Problem,and it is for a large Majority in this Country !!!
Woollongong-2500@reddit
They Don't Cater for Food Allergies and people who are CELIAC and Lactose Intolerance,other countries cater for all people concerned and it's about time this country caught up,and Catered for everyone not just an average amount of the community.!!!What are we supposed to Eat if we are hungry at the theatre, Nothing, when everyone else is enjoying food that we can't even go near,or Severe health consequences,will happen and hospitalization! So it's about Time,this Country Caters for all people.
HirsuteHacker@reddit
They don't care.
GazelleReal5450@reddit
Just don't do it at an independent cinema, because the food is how they stay open.
PoliticsNerd76@reddit
They can ask you to leave for any reason that’s not a protected characteristic
But I’d never be going back lol
Adept_Thanks_6993@reddit
I've brought in whole meals on multiple occasions. As long as you're not being disruptive or making a mess, you're fine
OliviaGood23@reddit
I currently work at Odeon.
We don't mind you bringing in snacks and drinks as long as they aren't hot food and alcohol from outside of the cinema, as it can sometimes smell, glass makes noise and annoy other guests in the screen.
alexsings@reddit (OP)
It’s an Odeon membership I have so thanks!
OliviaGood23@reddit
Not a problem ❤️
Hope you have a awesome time when you go 😄
No-Firefighter-9257@reddit
Part of the fun is feeling like a drug king pin when smuggling in some haribo, I was quite disappointed to find that they don’t care
Professional_Cod_371@reddit
they dont really care as its not hot food, alchoholic drinks or something that has strong smell. staffs do understnad you because they also know how expensive popcorns in cinemas are, as long as they think they can convince the manager that they did not see it and think no one's gonna report you, they dont have a reason not to let you in. but yeah do check their rules
FrostyAd9064@reddit
I used to go to the cinema a lot when I was younger with a friend who would take a whole bloody meal in there.
Usually a pack of ham, a tomato and a baguette which he’d make into a sandwich and a bottle of juice which needed a bottle opener which he’d take with him.
Gogginscrotch@reddit
I took a donner kebab in to watch Wonka. At Reel cinemas you can take what you like in
Few-End-9592@reddit
Depends how good the usher/ushers the on duty is. I tended to ignore it because I thought the stuff was expensive. A lot of ushers will, but not because they care like me. Managers taking tickets will be your problem. Then they'll catch you and confiscate your stuff.
livvyxo@reddit
I never gave a shit. Our focus at cineworld was mainly piracy. We only checked bags at midnight releasees of marvel movies for camera equiptment etc, I really couldn't care any less about the haribo.
Few-End-9592@reddit
indeed. Piracy is a bigger problem. Along with people trying to get in under age.
PoppySkyPineapple@reddit
I haven’t been stopped in years, just shove the stuff in your bag or pockets if you feel you need to.
itsapotatosalad@reddit
During uni I had the monthly odeon pass and went all the time with a mate who had one. We got braver over time with what we’d sneak in until we realised no one cared and would walk in with a large dominos each.
Keeks73@reddit
It’s not illegal to bring your own snacks to the cinema in the U.K but it’s always cool to be respectful (noise, smell etc)
theroch_@reddit
Vue cinema says you are welcome to bring own food
boredmoonface@reddit
I’ve worked for cineworld and odeon. No outside hot food or alcohol, anything else is fine
sleepyprojectionist@reddit
None of the big chains really care about people bringing their own food. The policies are available on their websites, but the general gist is: feel free to bring what you want as long as it isn’t hot, pungent or alcohol.
Buddy-Matt@reddit
Alcohol will be licensing laws - as most cinemas are licensed
Hot is probably something similar in the realm of having a license to sell hot food
Pungent is because that's a dick move
So in other words they only care if you're going to get them into trouble with the beurocrats - or other cinema goers.
abarthman@reddit
Seems to be a blanket alcohol ban in all the cinema chains.
Hopefully, the clearly disinterested student part-time employees in our local multiplex don't monitor the auditoria with night-vision binoculars in order to identify those who are drinking cans of beer in the dark instead of cans of fizzy juice!
MooseQuirky1702@reddit
They genuinely don’t care
PKblaze@reddit
Depends on the cinema. Most disallow hot food, glass bottle drinks such as alcohol but other snacks are fine. Check the T's and C's of the cinema.
restingbitchface_xo@reddit
I worked in a cinema for a few years, we never cared. I don't believe we could refuse entry for it. We could throw you out if you, for example, brought in alcohol and became a nuisance but that was about it. Even when I worked there I'd take my own snacks in.
notverytidy@reddit
If you do it once, they can tell you not to do it again.
For a second offence they force you to star in a movie with Brie Larson. And James Corden is both the "hunky" leading man AND the director.
nathderbyshire@reddit
I've always done it but I've always mentioned it as well. I'm vegan and my housemate is coeliac so food is limited although getting better now. They've never denied me but I would get popcorn and a tango ice blast as they're generally safe unless the popcorn has butter on it
anxiouslipbiting@reddit
I've eaten a massive burger in a relatively quiet screening before. Noone said a thing and we took our rubbish with us. 10/10 would do it again.
We also always head to tesco/Sainsbury's/closest supermarket and buy our snacks from there before going to the cinema because of how overpriced they are in the cinema. No one cares
Porkiev@reddit
Nope they’re fine. Got told I couldn’t bring in kfc once
Aggie_Smythe@reddit
We’ve always taken our own snacks and drinks in. Always. Nothing stinky. Not crisps. Chocolate, sweets, drinks.
ChocolateTight336@reddit
300 comments
ChocolateTight336@reddit
300 comments
ChocolateTight336@reddit
300 comments
Scarboroughwarning@reddit
The CEO of Vue (I think), was interviewed, and said they had no issue.
He'd rather you didn't, but he said he wanted bums on seats
paulieD4ngerously@reddit
Doubt the goths on minimum wage give a fuck. Just tidy up after yourself. Annoys me when people leave a mess at the cinema. I put all my rubbish in a bag
CriesWhenEjaculates@reddit
I think it's Vue (?) who encourage you to leave your rubbish by your seat. It's been a while since I've been to a cinema but I'm sure there was a pre-show message on the screen about it.
Icefirezz@reddit
Ye had this when seeing argyle, makes sense since their seats have the tray tables that can easily leave wrappers etc on when the films done
doughnutting@reddit
I was in an odeon recently for the first time in about 5 years and I couldn’t find a bin to put my rubbish in. I ended up binning it outside the toilets. The bin was full so my stuff went on top. I think they must have the same policy.
Bad_UsernameJoke94@reddit
There's a difference between neatly placed rubbish and how you see people leave it sometimes.
I swear they buy a popcorn just to pour out.
Boredpanda31@reddit
Does my head in too. There is honestly no need in the mess some people leave - just sheer laziness. Especially considering the number of bins dotted about!
Few-End-9592@reddit
Good for you. I always thought if this how they leave the cinema, what must their house be like.
I_Am_Groot14@reddit
I saw a post/article but not sure whcih one, it was about this exact issue and it had outline all the major and some minor cinema chains official policy/comment on the issue, pretty much every one all said they have no issue at all with people bringing their own snacks and goodies in as long it wasn't things like hot food and alcohol
Icefirezz@reddit
Was it cineworld unlimited? Never had an issue with staff there when it comes to my own food, most cinemas policy is no hot food or alcohol.
Also if you're in 4dx you can't have hot drinks
Select-Sprinkles4970@reddit
Can i bring in a fish curry?
glasgowgeg@reddit
Cineworld, Odeon, and Vue all have in their terms of entry that you can bring in your own cold food and non-alcoholic drinks.
They don't care about you doing it, you don't need to "smuggle" in anything.
alexsings@reddit (OP)
Ah. I didn’t know that. My membership is with Odeon. Thanks!
glasgowgeg@reddit
I worked for Cineworld back in like 2012, so it's been allowed for at least a decade with them, I don't remember when Odeon and Vue introduced it, but the rules are basically no hot food or alcohol, mainly due to not being licensed for alcohol in a lot of locations, and hot food being more likely to be smellier and disruptive to other audience members if folk are bringing in like pizzas, etc.
TvHeroUK@reddit
Cannon back in the early 90s for me. Only thing our manager asked us to not let in was bottles of beer after a group got pissed on a late show and started launching them from the back row.
Occasionally a group of lads would come in half cut from the offie next door with a crate, be fine with us having to take it, then totally forget to pick it up at 10.30pm because they wanted to go into town. I had half a dozen 12 packs of lager that summer for free
bazzanoid@reddit
Damn that's a name from the past. Had one in Romford that went through multiple names before being demolished
Ritz > ABC > Cannon > ABC > boring block of flats
TvHeroUK@reddit
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/24269 Here’s one of my old ones - still open and possibly the only cinema in the UK where one of the screens has projection via a periscope!
IAM_THE_LIZARD_QUEEN@reddit
2006 at a minimum for Odeon, that's when the one in my home town opened and it was always like that, may have been earlier though.
xe3to@reddit
I honestly didn't know this. I've been making a half hearted attempt to hide my bag full of snacks for years.
Tom22174@reddit
And it's not like they'll care if you put a few shots of rum in your pepsi bottle before you arrive
Hampy1972@reddit
Bottle of vodka 👍
blind_disparity@reddit
Of course they can kick you out. But won't, unless you're being really obnoxious. Like don't set up a 3 course meal.
Ok-Seaworthiness-186@reddit
You can bring your own snacks, who said you can't? Nobody.
frowawayakounts@reddit
I don’t get why people think you have to sneak it in or something, this is a myth. I’ve never had problems bringing in stuff.
Interesting-Buddy957@reddit
Cinemas are private property
Your snacks aren't a protected characteristic
A cinema can refuse service as much as a pub or restraint can
zauchi@reddit
Odeon mentions on its website that you cannot bring in hot food, smelly food, or alcohol to any of their cinemas and you cannot bring any food or drink to the Odeon Luxe and Dine.
Cineworld and Vue say you can't bring in hot food or alcohol from outside.
So it is ok to bring in food like sweets and crisps and soft drinks/water from outside apart from Odeon Luxe and Dine.
foochoo77@reddit
I've took a bottle of red wine and wine glasses in before. I didn't wave it in their faces but fcuk em 😜👍
flightlesspotato@reddit
I’m rather brazen and I’ve brought in shakes from five guys, tupperwares of my dinner (I live a 15min walk away from a cinema that I have a membership pass at) and no one has said anything. I don’t smuggle them in either, I full on had my Tupperware in hand while I juggled my phone and spoon. No disapproving looks or tuts, they just continue talking to their colleagues and wave me in. Maybe don’t be quite as shameless as I am but I think you’re good.
alexsings@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
MotorRelief8336@reddit
Can't you go without food for 3 hours?
alexsings@reddit (OP)
Yes I can. It was just a question. Relax and have a nice weekend!
hedges_101@reddit
Yeah, apparently, they're not that bothered. I doubt you'll be refused entry for a bag of Revels. Just don't take the piss
beefygravy@reddit
Took my daughter to see Barbie last year and my wife packed us both a full packed lunch with sandwiches, crisps, oasis, olives, and some of those little chicken on a stick things. #SorryNotSorry
throwpayrollaway@reddit
Rotisserie chicken for me.
privateTortoise@reddit
The urine is cheaper than their drinks mind.
Fading-Ghost@reddit
So a vindaloo is out of the question then?
hedges_101@reddit
Well, let's not be hasty!
LegendaryTJC@reddit
They were given an ultimatum in the 90s: price your snacks reasonably or don't restrict what snacks can be brought in. They chose the latter. There are no restrictions. Did you not notice that the signs haven't been around for 20 years?
slimdrum@reddit
I worked at the odeon cinema way back when
No one gives a shit lol
mebutnew@reddit
Hung drawn and quartered
charlierc@reddit
I literally walked into one the other day holding a Pepsi Max bottle I brought on my walk to the cinema and had no pushback at all
Maybe it would be different if I was trying to walk in with a whole McDonald's or similar such product
iamsickened@reddit
Usually it’s just hot food they are moany about at my local. Which is a shame because I like eating kfc at the cinema.
Acrylic_Starshine@reddit
Ive been looking at a few regulations with cinema.
Most let you take in your own food and drink but prohibit hot food and alcohol.
I always thought doing it as a kid would land me in prison or something. Think i might have had popcorn/sweets maybe once or twice.
Gonzo1888@reddit
I always bring my own
Soofla@reddit
Which chain? Cineworld have no issues at all with you bringing your own cold snacks in. You can't start bringing takeaway in, but sweets, popcorn, cans, bottles - no need to smuggle.
b0neappleteeth@reddit
I’m fascinated that in 2024 people still believe you can’t take your own food to cinemas
jdsuperman@reddit
I commented this elsewhere, but I definitely recall that my local Odeon used to make everyone line up for a bag search and confiscate outside food. But that was at least 10 years ago. So I guess things must have changed since then, but clearly at some point there were restrictions.
BriarcliffInmate@reddit
It depends where, in fairness. Smaller cinemas and independents are way more likely to not let you bring your food in because they rely so much on the concessions.
WoodSteelStone@reddit
I know, that way of thinking is sooo 2023.
TvHeroUK@reddit
Try having a conversation with people in the pub about the tv licence, the amount of guys who believe you have to pay for a licence just on ownership of a telly even if you just watch Netflix is insane. Once had an old timer swear you had to pay for a licence if you had a car radio ‘as it gets BBC radio’
BeverlyMacker@reddit
I use to work in a cinema and would alwaya laugh when people would smuggle food.
Its not actually against any rules it's just a myth that's gone on for a while.
You're not allowed hot food that smells out the place making it unpleasant for other people.
jdsuperman@reddit
I definitely remember a time (about 2009, probably) when I'd go to my local Odeon and everyone would have to line up for a bag search. Outside food was being confiscated or entry denied. No idea whether this was widespread or not, but it definitely happened at my cinema.
FelesCello@reddit
you're allowed to take your own food as long as it's not hot food. I always take a bag of crisps, sandwiches and chocolates from nearby tescos in (Vue and Showcase cinemas so far)
Darthblaker7474@reddit
No.
I took my mum to see One Love yesterday, I had two cans of Irn Bru, she bought a pack of boosts and a Latte at the café.
Of course me being a greedy bastard I bought both Nachos and a Hot Dog (which kind of defeats bringing your own food).
alexsings@reddit (OP)
The was a wild ride of a message
BaseballFuryThurman@reddit
When I worked at a cinema we just got a kick out of seeing people poorly "smuggle" stuff in despite not needing to.
-TheHumorousOne-@reddit
That means someone got a massive kick out seeing my 1.5 litre bottle of pepsi sticking out like a sore thumb from inside my jacket 😂
lockslob@reddit
Hide it in your pants for the win!
alan2998@reddit
Just uh...hide it in the front, not the back of your pants.
lockslob@reddit
Then you'd have to say loudly "quick, where are the toilets?"
The_Queef_of_England@reddit
Dickbutt!
Myopically@reddit
Especially if you’re a girl.
-TheHumorousOne-@reddit
Could be a problem if JK Rowling is the staff member
windol1@reddit
Next time, get a jacket that has a loose fit on the arms and just carry it in the sleeve using your hand as support. Caught a chap stealing 3L bottles of cider with this trick, he'd done it multiple times before I twigged on he wasn't paying for it.
Luckily, he was also someone I knew from school for years, so knew it was safe to confront and only being a grunt found it quite amusing and left it at that, wasn't worth wasting anyone's time over cheap cider.
CaptainYid@reddit
Good to know when we snuggled KFC in one time, the staff got a laugh from.it
IAM_THE_LIZARD_QUEEN@reddit
Honestly so funny watching people think they were being really sly while their coat pockets rustle and the staff don't give two shits.
GwdihwFach@reddit
My other half finds fun in poorly smuggling in our snacks. Apparently it "doesn't count" if we just walk in with them.
AmphibianNo8598@reddit
It’s literally not against the rules. It’s a myth.
laputan-machine117@reddit
It happened to me, but I guess the rules changed since then.
xe3to@reddit
Of course they can ask you to leave, you're on private property. In practice though they do not give a shit, I have smuggled in entire pizzas before.
Beanruz@reddit
Why do people think you can't bring your own snacks to the cinemas?
Fucklebrother@reddit
Because bags used to get checked at my local cinema a few years back. That's why
pullingteeths@reddit
Most cinemas have signs posted saying it isn't allowed. It just isn't usually enforced these days.
Loud_Fisherman_5878@reddit
This post is the first time I have thought about cinema snacks in probably a decade as I rarely go these days but before reading it I probably would have guessed you’re not allowed to. My reasoning would be that I have been places that say ‘only food and drink purchased on the premises can be consumed here’ so maybe cinemas have a similar rule too. Also I am surprised cinemas charge so much for food if people have the option to bring their own- I thought they overcharged on the basis that people have to pay it. Thirdly, it’s easy enough to tuck my malteasers into my bag so I guess I am ‘smuggling’ them in rather than walking into the cinema holding them in my hand- but why would I hold them in my hand anyway?
ImNotGongYoo@reddit
When I was a teen I remember my bags used to get checked in Vue cinema for food/drink as it was a common policy back then. I suppose for many of us, those memories have carried over into 2024 where it might not apply any more?
Ade1980@reddit
Vue definitely allow you to take food in. Just not allowed hot food or alcohol
Careful-Increase-773@reddit
Most chains allow outside food
The_Syndic@reddit
I think a lot of people don't realise you are actually allowed to take your own snacks in.
Japery228@reddit
I always take my own snacks and booze, they don't care
Rich-Reason1146@reddit
What I do is fill my bag with a load of illegal firearms so if they search me they won't find the packet of licorice allsorts I've squirreled away
Aroace_boii@reddit
Like even gone else is saying , you should be fine if it's not noisy or hot☺👍
Sloppypoopypoppy@reddit
They can only stop you bringing in alcohol and hot or strong smelling food (like a mackerel fillet 😂)
You are quite free to bring in other stuff.
North-Village3968@reddit
Why are you smuggling it in ? I just freely walk past with a carrier bag
Revolutionary_Leg671@reddit
Just put it in a bag, they can’t legally search you. But most places don’t care
johndotold@reddit
Yes, it is private property. They can do anything that is legal.
That said very few would go to the trouble. No one could blame you for not wanting to pay 39.95 for popcorn.
jpplastering1987@reddit
No hot food or bringing your own alcohol, once brought an empty backpack with me and put a 6 piece bucket in with fries and and gravy for me and the missus, then washed it down with vodka and lilt 🤣
reddit_7864589@reddit
So, all these years I've pretended to have a hernia hasn't fooled anyone?
thunderfishy234@reddit
I’ve taken a KFC meal in before because my bus was was sat in traffic for 3 hours because of a broken down bus, had planned to eat Nando’s before the cinema but as we were running late we got KFC and the people at the cinema said it was fine to take it in
Captain_Kruch@reddit
I'm guessing, as long as it isn't drugs or alcohol, the staff don't really care. It's like where work: patients are timid when they ask if they can have two cakes during supper rather than just one. I tell them, " you can have what you like. I'm not paying for it". Who gives a toss?
LuinAelin@reddit
The staff are not going to care.
AngloKiwi@reddit
Pretty sure a few years ago Vue actually tweeted that they didn't mind if your bring your own snacks in.
Everyman doesn't allow it, I was nearly asked to leave because I was eating a supermarket sandwich.
dionysus-media@reddit
...no, my local cinemas have a problem with hot food, but that's because of the mess. No cinema in this part of the world should stop you from bringing your own snacks.
IAM_THE_LIZARD_QUEEN@reddit
And the smell. You'd be surprised how much a McDonalds can stink out an entire auditorium.
dionysus-media@reddit
A big mac could knock me out from five rows back lmao
MaxPowerWTF@reddit
They can ask you to leave or refuse entry for any reason that isn't discriminatory under protected status. So yes.
Davidjwk@reddit
Whenever I go with my wife and son, we ALWAYS bring a McDonald’s with us - without fail. Not once has any staff questioned or looked at us funny. This was an Odeon too.
ShaneH7646@reddit
From someone who's worked in my local cinema for a few years (cineworld), absolutely fine to take your own food in, we don't care, we would only care if you bring cameras as we get fined and bollocked for it. - we might ask to check bags if you're acting suspicious or have a particularly large bag, for the purpose of anti piracy.
I would recommend though:
No hot food - it smells and everyone hates you
No Crisps or crinkly packaging - it's noisy and everyone hates you
Clean up your mess - popcorn on floor isn't particular an issue, but picking up larger items and drinks, particularly if you've brought it in yohrself, is just respectful
Drivingsideways@reddit
Just keep in mind a lot of smaller/independent cinemas rely on secondary spend to make money, I try to bring a drink but buy snacks which I feel is fair. Except at cineworld fuck their prices
SirTimmons@reddit
Can they do anything?
Yes. It’s a private property and business and they can refuse entry if they want. You don’t have an automatic ‘right’ to be there.
Whether they can be arsed or not to police this is another thing entirely.
thegamesender1@reddit
I've brought in my own popcorn and chips many times alongside non alcoholic drinks.
Afraid-Clue8794@reddit
Ex-cinema worker here!
There’s no rules against bringing in your own snacks. The only time we would ever stop someone bringing their own food in is if it was a hot meal (burgers, pizzas, etc.) that would leave a smell that might annoy other customers.
For drinks, anything alcoholic has to be bought from the cinema to stay in line with the alcohol license. Also no glass bottles - in case the glass gets broken! Hot drinks were only banned from the 4D screens (where the chairs move) to avoid hot liquids getting spilt on people. No alcohol in those screens, too.
It was always funny watching people smuggle in their snacks, though, I don’t know where the idea came from that it’s not allowed!
vampire-bats-@reddit
used to work in a cinema and the rules was no hot food and no alcohol
JoeBagadonut@reddit
The policy that most of the big cinema chains in the UK operate is bringing your own drinks and snacks is fine, but alcohol and hot food are prohibited.
You don't have smuggle your sweets or crisps or bottle of Coke in. The staff will only try to stop you if you're bringing in something that's likely to stink up the theatre or get you leathered.
status-pluto@reddit
Odeon, Vue, and Cineworld all state on their websites that you can bring in outside snacks and non alcoholic drinks in. I think the myth that has everyone sneaking stuff in is based off some old rule maybe?
dartiss@reddit
And Showcase Cinemas states "We do not allow guests to bring hot food, alcoholic beverages and drinks in glass containers into our buildings."
FuckedupUnicorn@reddit
Tho reminded me of an ex who wouldn’t take snacks in in case we got searched on entry. Just one of the somewhat petty reasons he’s an ex.
Jordanxd0ll@reddit
I feel like most don’t care! they’ve got better things to deal with than worry about people bringing snacks in 😊
eribberry@reddit
Genesis in east london has had the same security guard searching everyone's bags for snacks since I was a child (could be different now, I haven't gone for years because their bag search policy is so shitty) and he'll confiscate anything: Fruit, chewing gum, leftover cereal bar, water. I had my digital camera taken off me 'because it could be used to record the film'. It could be a nice independent cinema but I don't understand why anyone is still going there when other cinemas don't treat you like a criminal.
Robin_Cooks@reddit
Not that they are going to, but of course they can. They have absolutely no obligation to let you in.
aranh-a@reddit
Completely allowed! People are talking about snacks but normal food is fine as long as it’s cold and not strong smelling, I’ve eaten a whole packed lunch in the cinema before
Intelligent-Tea-4241@reddit
We had our bags searched and snacks removed going in to a London cinema.
eribberry@reddit
Was this peckhamplex, or genesis? Peckhamplex only really cares about alcohol, but genesis will confiscate anything edible from your bag, and is why I don't go there any more.
shaneo632@reddit
Was this recent? I had this happen at the O2 Cineworld about 10 years ago
Bad_UsernameJoke94@reddit
Was it a chain, or a small indie place?
Few-End-9592@reddit
Serves you right.
Intelligent-Tea-4241@reddit
I didn’t care. Just responding to OPs post, not all cinemas are chill with bringing in stuff.
darkse1ds@reddit
unless youre making no effort to conceal an item that is clearly not from the cinema i dont think they really care. this used to be a bit more of an issue a decade or so ago when i last remember cinemas doing bag checks, but in recent years that seems to have died off.
Livieeee@reddit
I usually bring my own popcorn or crisps and they don’t care nor they have ever checked
secret_ninja2@reddit
Mine doesn't care what you bring, I've often taken pizzas and chips in to watch movies. The cinema round ours sells hot food and as long as your not a dick and make a mess they will be fine.
Zanki@reddit
Put them in a backpack and just walk in with them. No one cares. Me and my friends have been doing it for years, I've been doing it since I was a kid.
_manicpixiedreamgirl@reddit
I’ve been going to cineworld for years, they don’t care. I’ve taken a McDonald’s drink and nuggets in before and didn’t bat an eyelash. Don’t worry.
Meewol@reddit
Worked in cinemas for 10 years, there's no policy against bringing in snacks. Hot food and alcohol is a problem especially if it's smelly or you make it an issue. And yet I've removed countless bottles of wine and happy meals from screens. We don't go all detective mode, figure out what seat it came from, find the cinema pass holder responsible and hang draw and quarter them. I literally never was paid enough to give anywhere close to that level of shit.
Here's exactly what will happen if you try to walk in with a large pizza: "Hey, do you mind eating that or getting rid of it before you head to your screen?". Here's exactly what happens if you walk in with a multipack of walkers crisps: "Enjoy your movie".
Guh_Meh@reddit
All of the big chains let you bring in your own snacks and soft drinks.
What I hate is when people bring in their own stuff and leave it all over the floor of the cinema, they let you bring in your own stuff at least put the packets in the bin afterwards.
TheManicMunky@reddit
One walked in with a loaf of bread, a family sized cherry pie and a fresh rotisserie chicken.
BuildingArmor@reddit
Most of the answers are telling you it's ok, but to more directly answer your question; they could refuse service, ask you to leave, issue a nationwide ban from their cinemas, etc.
Obviously this sort of thing would only apply to behaviour they have forbidden which, as is being pointed out, doesn't include bringing snacks.
Outrageous_Zombie945@reddit
Nothing in the rules but think about the others there. Don't be rocking up with a curry and garlic naan!
pullingteeths@reddit
Probably fine if it's a chain. If it's a local independent cinema and you want it to stay open might want to reconsider though, they're struggling and need to sell all the food and drink they can to survive.
Consistent_Wolf_539@reddit
I work for a cinema whose only food rule is no popcorn as it causes a mess.
Luna259@reddit
Where I live you’re allowed to bring food. I think the rule was no hot food. Cinema’s closed down like everything else here
loaferuk123@reddit
Take snacks in, but for the love of God, not crisps.
Lastaria@reddit
I had a monthly pass for years and always brought my own stuff. They never cared.
Though they make most their money from selling snacks and drinks they don’t stop people bringing their own. Probably because there is already enough foolish people who pay the ridiculous prices.
alancake@reddit
They really don't care and expect that people do. A small convenience store has opened opposite our cinema selling all sorts of sweets and pop- they must be rolling in it!
ClothesAgile3046@reddit
I've walked into the cinema with an ice-cream cone in hand before, nobody batted an eye.
mellonians@reddit
If this is Cineworld their terms and conditions used to specifically state that you could bring in cold food and drink. Have a read.
TidalShadows@reddit
I knew someone who smuggled in a big mac once
Mr-_-Steve@reddit
You are allowed to take your own snacks in......
jessielm14@reddit
Most cinemas say you can bring your own stuff in. It's just specific things such as alcohol you can't
maya_clara@reddit
I've only been to one movie theatre where they didn't let you bring snacks in. I cannot remember which one exactly I think it was in Whitechapel area but they actually searched our bags and put our food/drink in lockers for us to claim back after the movie.
ritzybanjo@reddit
I used to work at the cinema and it was so funny watching people try and sneak stuff in. You're allowed to bring food in! No idea where this myth has come from that cinemas don't want you briging any food in. It's crazy.
Upgrade_U@reddit
Honestly, you don’t even have to smuggle it! I walked in with a Tesco bag filled with snacks, one time. No one cared :)
drendugz@reddit
This muthafuckas eating beans!
kipha01@reddit
They could as it's a privately owned business, however as they want bums on seats they will not bother to do anything.
Beardy-Viking@reddit
If they wanted to, they could ask you to leave. If you refused you would then be trespassing on private property. They would be legally allowed to use reasonable physical force to remove you from the premises. I doubt they would do that though, as the staff are generally not trained or insured for such actions, and it would disrupt the viewing pleasure of the other cinema goers.
Boredpanda31@reddit
I have a pass for odeon and they are quite open that they don't mind you bringing your own stuff in - I think the only restrictions are: alcohol; strong smelling foods and hot drinks in case they aren't in a proper cup or container.
I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS@reddit
It's fine as long as you sit on the front row and play on your phone at full brightness for the whole film.
orbitpro@reddit
Should be fine, just remember to clean up after yourself and maybe now and then grab a slush puppy!
nemprime@reddit
My local parkway doesn't care other than alcohol (which they sell anyway). They'll only ask you to open bottles and cans outside the screening room.
You could do worse than just ask them next time.e you're there.
Pugsy0202@reddit
They allow it, but not hot. We always take a feast in. Just be considerate with your choices, packaging can be noisy.
Thestickleman@reddit
I think they let you do it these days. I'm pretty sure Vue does.
I never do though I just like a large popcorn and drink 👀
silver_quinn@reddit
For a while about 10 years ago, my local Vue did bag searches and had a zero tolerance policy for bringing in any snacks at all. If you didn't let them search, you weren't allowed in. I even saw staff confiscating sweets from little kids. It only lasted a few months once it was established that they didn't really have the right to search bags/significantly affected ticket sales.
Queefofthenight@reddit
As long as you don't take a rotisserie chicken in there you should be fine
GliderDan@reddit
Ofcourse they can
Alarmed_Ask_3337@reddit
I remember when you used to be able to smoke in the cinema, and they only complained when it was joints.... 80's...
humanswithnohumanity@reddit
They don't particularly care, I regularly take a Bubble Tea from a nearby business when I go.
I did once sneak a kebab with onions and garlic sauce into a Vue which I thought was hilarious.
HerbTP@reddit
I've only ever been to one cinema that had a problem with it, a small independent in letchworth Garden City. They made you leave any bags in a separate room.
mohammedonprogram@reddit
I'm pretty sure they explicitly state that you can bring in food/drink as long as it's cold, not smelly and non-alcoholic. I just bring snacks in my backpack and have never worried about it.
kitty-cat-charlotte@reddit
I went last night and took my own chicken salad sandwich and ate it during the film 🤣 they don’t care lol
Violet351@reddit
You can bring your own food in, they don’t care
shaneo632@reddit
Literally nobody cares
CuriousPalpitation23@reddit
They don't care
GrandZiggurat@reddit
THey used to be really picky but not anymore, they can't afford to turn people away for bringing in snacks.
Dethark@reddit
I saw a couple with a full on cheese board with crackers and grapes once. Fair play.
Wulfweard24@reddit
I remember a group of nine 12-13 year olds deciding to smuggle in snacks. One of them had decided to place bottles of pop down their pants and sleeves. Packets of sweets under shirts etc.
Looking back, we were idiots as kids.
Mysterious_Soft7916@reddit
I e only known 2 cinemas to actually care, 1 was in Devon 20 years ago, the other is The Light cinema in Bolton. With both you've had the option to either surrender the food or be refused entry.
OkFeed407@reddit
I normally go with my back pack so I can pack a meal deal in and snacks. I done sushi and beer before. KFC and McD. Tube of ice cream. Wonder if I can get slices of pizza next if I keep some boxes in the car I might be able to repack them. Not joking.
mattamz@reddit
They say you can and always tell you to leave rubbish by your seat (vue).
invincible-zebra@reddit
I've never seen a cinema say to leave rubbish by the seat - I always take mine with me and put it in the bin / recycling where I can. I've never understood just leaving it there.
Maybe I'm just old and times have changed?
dazed1984@reddit
Cinemas don’t care, I always take stuff in I don’t try and hide it.
aaron2933@reddit
I always walk into the screen with a morrisons bag full of snacks and have never been pulled up on it
TarcFalastur@reddit
Yeah, they can absolutely throw you out. Most places won't check and you can probably get away with it, but if they feel their profit margins are being hurt enough then they are within rights to get tough and to remove you from the premises. Bear in mind that cinemas make something like 90% of their profit from concessions - the cost of the tickets is generally only just enough to cover the hiring cost of the film so they are reliant on people tanking up on food and drinks to make their margins and pay their staff.
HaloHeadshot2671@reddit
Most chain cinemas explicitly say you can bring your own snacks in their FAQs.
Pretty sure them getting 'tough' and 'removing' anyone would be assault.
TarcFalastur@reddit
Interesting. I guess I'm thinking of my younger days when bag searches were not unheard of.
In fairness, I go to Cineworld (multiple times a week) and they still have a policy where you are not allowed to bring outside drinks in, nor your own hot food (I had to google check, to be fair) so I may just be going to one of the stricter places anyway.
turboRock@reddit
Why do you think you can't take it in? I go in with a backpack, have taken a bottle of wine, plastic cups, crisps...
Mac4491@reddit
They don’t care. I worked for Cineworld and the only thing you weren’t allowed was outside hot food.
Strong_Roll5639@reddit
I went yesterday to watch One Love and took quite a few snacks and beers. Other people did the same.
VOOLUL@reddit
If they wanted to they could ask you to leave. It's a private business and there's no law saying you have the right to bring your own food.
But most cinemas will let you bring your own food so long as it's not alcohol.
irritatingfarquar@reddit
Having worked in a cinema way back in 1987
Snacks were the least of our worries.
After a weekend of showing the rocky horror picture show, where people got free admission if they dressed as the characters.
Some of the shit left behind after that was unbelievable.
MikeSizemore@reddit
“…and seat wetting.”
HaloHeadshot2671@reddit
Check the T&Cs of your pass. It clearly says that if you bring your own snacks in, they are legally permitted to take a pound of flesh to make up for the lost revenue.
Bad_UsernameJoke94@reddit
I'm a fat fuck so they'll be happy.
Interesting-Pay-8986@reddit
I used to work in a cinema we don’t give two shits we know how much the snacks in the cinema cost the only thing is sneaking in alcohol or people that try to bring hot food I’ve seen someone try to smuggle a pizza before and an Indian takeout and there’s been a lot of people who walk into the film completely fine and walk back out absolutely panelled
MGNConflict@reddit
At some point that it would've stunk out the auditorium would've gone through their head, surely? Talk about being selfish.
lockslob@reddit
Ha! See also - train carriages
Interesting-Pay-8986@reddit
Oh we’ve seen some sights nah they don’t care and got pissy when they were told eithier eat it in the waiting area or leave
Legitimate-Health-29@reddit
Nope nothing they can do, it’s the same trigger that makes you feel guilty about walking out of a shop without buying something feel like you’ve robbed something that makes you feel that.
freeeeels@reddit
I mean, as everyone else is saying - most places don't give a shit. But if they did they could absolutely refuse you entry or ask you to leave. A cinema isn't a public place, you don't have, like, a legal right to be there.
Bad_UsernameJoke94@reddit
I had a Cineworld employee tell me I couldn't take in my Greggs sausage roll "incase it's hot".
I mean, the Greggs in that particular town weren't great at serving hot coffee nevermind food
drsmitch2@reddit
I'm a film studies teacher and at a college I worked at we had a small "cinema", so students could view the films in a similar environment to what was originally intended. I told my students they could bring in snacks and one kid turned up with a full Sunday dinner on a plate, a thermos of gravy and a pudding. That kid was my hero ....
Ochib@reddit
They threw me out of the cinema yesterday for bringing my own food...
Come on – the prices are way too high, plus I haven’t had a barbecue in months!
MisterD90x@reddit
I've always taken my own snack since I was a kid
strawbebbymilkshake@reddit
The average chain cinema has no rules against food beyond “nothing hot or stinky”. They don’t actually forbid bringing your own snacks and drinks, people just seem to think they do and macguyver themselves into “sneaking” crisps in when no one cares.
Express-World-8473@reddit
You are allowed to bring your cold food and drinks. I think the Cineworld CEO or some official told this in an interview once. No alcohol and hot food.
Dazzling-Event-2450@reddit
Always take snacks and drinks but at the same I can’t resist buying nachos. It’s why I go to the cinema
annedroiid@reddit
A private business can absolutely deny you entry/kick you out/ban you if they decide they don’t want you there.
However as others have detailed, in this instance they’re unlikely to as they don’t care that much.
AlmostAndrew@reddit
Any private business on private property can choose to refuse service or entry to anyone. If you believe you've been discriminated, you can raise it to the police as a legal matter, but other than that they can kick out anyone they want.
MGNConflict@reddit
Most cinemas let you as long as you aren't taking in alcoholic drinks or hot food. The BBC did an article a few months ago and Cineworld, Odeon, and Vue all said they allow customers to bring their own food and Empire was the only cinema the BBC asked that said they don't.
Corduroy_Sazerac@reddit
The cinema will likely be okay in a “don’t ask, don’t tell” manner, some of your fellow patrons will have a problem with you munching crisps.
coxythelegend@reddit
Former cinema worker here. We genuinely didn’t care if you brought your own stuff in, unless it was something like Maccies which would stink out the screens.
Ella1998_@reddit
I’ve always brought my own sweets, no smuggling required aha and that’s at Cineworld. I often carry a large bag and nobody cares.
MathematicianSad8487@reddit
I always smuggle a bottle of vino in but soft drinks /sweets/ popcorn are all grand . Cooked / smelly food would be a no no . So have your fish pie at home before you go .
IReallyLoveNifflers@reddit
You are allowed to bring in food and drinks, just no hot food or alcohol. Smuggling in shit you're allowed to have, ffs.
Mumfiegirl@reddit
We’re not in the States- you can take in your own snacks.
Al-Calavicci@reddit
It’s up to the cinema, they can kick you out or refuse entry for no reason. However they don’t really worry if you bring your snacks, providing it’s nothing stinky.
TC_FPV@reddit
Yes they can ask you to leave or refuse you entry.
But they can do that at any time for no reason anyway
Doesn't mean they necessarily will though
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