Cinemas in Central Business District

Top 5 Movie Theatres in Central Business District (Melbourne)

Movie Theatres in Central Business District

Types of Attractions
Fun & Games
Fun & Games
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Neighbourhoods
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Cinemas
Central Business District
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • Paul L
    Hallam, Australia940 contributions
    A lovely cinema in the Melbourne CBD. It's an unusual scenario in a way because you turn up to the address and while there may be a sign saying Kino Cinema it's not immediately apparent where they cinema actually is. Until you happen to glance down into a food court style area which is in a depressed area and see the place.

    There are several cinemas and the place does tend to be one of those that participates in various film festivals so it can tend to have a rather eclectic batch of films on at any one time.

    Inside the cinemas are really quite well appointed which makes for a nice experience.

    The place has the usual sort of snack bar out the front and you'll have no trouble finding a place to eat if that's what you are after before/after your film.
    Written 26 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Paul G
    Kettering, UK2,206 contributions
    This place is way up there in height and popularity!
    Great rooftop bar in the heart of the city with awesome views of the surrounding area.
    It also has a great little burger bar as well as the outdoor cinema.
    I visited during the day for a beer, as I did last year and it was as busy as ever.
    Stylish, modern, it’s a must see venue.
    Written 18 December 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maksym K
    Odesa, Ukraine76 contributions
    Generally is okay,chairs are comfortable,decent distance between rows. They have free popcorn refills for members,so just register in app or website to get free refill
    Written 27 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Peter M
    Melbourne, Australia1,301 contributions
    The former Palace Theatre, opened in April 1912 and redecorated in 1923 The design had seating on three levels and a large proscenium with curtains of gold. On the first floor there were bedrooms, and the new building incorporated the Pastoral Hotel.
    The remaining theatre interiors is important for the elaborate and extensive plaster decoration, executed in a lively version of the 'Adamesque' style. The shallow ceiling dome probably survives from 1916, and is executed in a more flowing, almost art Nouveau style, complete with cherubs.
    The facade has distinctive leadlight windows and iron balcony remaining from 1916, and the 'marquee' style verandah, with its illuminated front, and attached lettering.
    The structure of the building and the balconies dating from 1916 is the second earliest major theatre to survive in Victoria, and the only one from the Edwardian era
    .
    In 1934 it was known as the Apollo Theatre and in1940 the building was renamed the St James . In 1951 it became an MGM cinema and was renamed the 'St James Theatre & Metro', featuring films exclusively from its owners. The last film to be shown at the MGM cinema was Kelly's Heroes starring Clint Eastwood in October 1970. After this it was sold.The cinema was reopened as a theatre in 1971. It featured a 39-week season of the musical Hair from 1971-1972. The life of the theatre was short-lived, as in 1974 it was converted back into a cinema and renamed the Palace Theatre for the first time since 1916.
    In 1980 the cinema was sold to the Melbourne Revival Centre, a Pentecostal church headquartered in Melbourne. It became a major venue for their services, which involved theatre productions.
    The next sale resulted in a major refurbishment by the Melbourne architectural firm Biltmoderne. In 1987 the building was transformed into the Metro Nightclub.The Metro was described in 2006 as having a "classy, intimate VIP lounge in Gods Bar along with the funky Fish Bowl on the mezzanine level providing electrifying views of the Main Room below, all available for your partying pleasure.
    In 2007 the Metro nightclub was sold. The new owners, who operated the former Palace, St Kilda, lost an acrimonious 2 year battle with the State Government over the lease of the old building and moved their business to the Metro
    In late 2012 it was sold to a Chinese developer Jinshan Investment Group. The new owners revealed plans for a major 30-storey W Hotel development replacing the theatre in mid 2013, These plans generated considerable opposition, especially from Melbourne's music community. The surprise opposition met by the developers from the council for the new plans led to the original plans to be downgraded to a smaller 7-storey hotel. The Palace was closed in April 2014.
    The fight to save the Palace went to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in early 2016.
    The decision was made to allow demolition and redevelopment works to go ahead. The decision was appealed but was unsuccessful. In late February 2020 internal demolition works began.
    It was the only theatre to survive on Bourke Street, once the home of entertainment in Melbourne, lined with theatres, halls, and other attractions.It is National Trust classified.
    Written 23 April 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Coast2Coast91
    14 contributions
    Very much targeted at younger kids. A little on the old side but a good distraction for a visit to Melbourne.
    Written 31 May 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Peter G
    Point Cook, Australia91 contributions
    Hoyts LUX offers customers an intimate theatre with luxurious recliner seats and a meal whilst viewing a movie.
    You can't have a decent meal AND watch an action movie at the same time. I attended with my son because he had given me a LUX Card for my birthday. Although I can't complain about the quality of the movie experience or the comfort of the seating, the food was almost inedible and the luke-warm tea and not-so-fresh scones served as a devonshire tea item lacked certain essentials such as cutlery to spread the jam and cream as well as a spoon with which to stir the tea. We had to call the service staff to obtain these.
    I must, however compliment the staff on their friendliness.
    To sum up: Pay the $40.00 per ticket for the cinema and enjoy the complimentary pop-corn and soft drink, or, better still, visit the Hoyts Xtreme Screen cinemas.
    Written 2 August 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.