The Electric Cinema
47 - 49 Station Street
Birmingham
B5 4DY
Tel: 0121 6437879

The Electric Cinema is the UK's oldest working cinema having opened in 1909, it's now over 100 years old. Offering a completely different experience from your average blockbuster Odeon, it's very quaint, interesting and personal.

It only has two screens with less than 80 seats in each so I would recommend advance booking to avoid disappointment. The majority of the seats are just like regular flip-up cinema seats, however these are a bit small. So if you should find yourself sitting between two men who like to stick out their knees and elbows, like I did, you might find yourself a little uncomfortable.

However, there is the option of booking a sofa! Tickets to sit in the sofa are twice as much as the regular seats at £13.50 per person but it's great for a special treat. The sofas are made of worn in leather and are really squishy and comfortable; just like being at home. Be careful not to nod off, though, as they're a little TOO comfortable!

The other benefit of having a sofa is that you can get a waiter service on your drinks and snacks. When you arrive, you are given a phone number and a menu. All you do then is text your order to the phone number whenever you like and they will bring it right to your seat, charging pre-determined debit or credit card which you give them details for when you arrive, if you wish to use this service.

The range of snacks isn't in the realm of your regular hot dogs and nachos, but rather you get choose slices of cake, bowls of nuts and even slices of ham! Drinks include wine and bottles of lager.

The cinema shows a range of films from current blockbusters, indie films and even classics; I went to see Metropolis here, the original 1920s film with extra added footage. So if you keep checking the schedule, you're bound to find something you like. Unfortunately, I was sitting in a small seat for Metropolis so I had to get up to stand at the back and have a stretch as the film is very long. I would definitely recommend a sofa for a longer film.

Ladies toilets are downstairs in the basement, so if you're viewing the screen on the first floor, you have to go down two floors to get there which is quite a trek. The toilets are quite basic and a bit creepy, but otherwise clean and fully functioning.

This isn't the kind of cinema you would want to go to for your regular cinema trip, but I would definitely recommend for a special treat.