The Arzner

Had I not been staying in the hotel next door last night I would never have the pleasure of discovering this hidden gem! Nestled next to the Bermondsey Square Hotel this newly opened bar (and soon to be opened cinema) is well worth a visit. The staff are lovely and the food snacks & drinks menu are on point. Our order of Rhubarb Gin & Tonics and Mushroom Rolls were delicious! We will definitely be back

Great place! So happy to have a LGTBQ+ space in the area (I would say the Q are very important). Super kind staff. Cocktails are really good (they know what they are doing). A bit expensive, but they are very good and there is a happy hour from 4 to 6pm. It was a cinema. Not sure if movies are playing.

A really lovely addition to the neighbourhood. Great cocktails, lovely happy hour. Staff are really charming. Brilliant to have a new LGBT venue in South East and excited to see what they show on screen when it’s open!

Fab new bar and future independent cinema venue. Great cosy vibe and yummy cocktails!

What a lovely intimate cinema, one screen with about 40 seats, with a lovely bar area outside managed by great staff. Visited for the New Renaissance Film Festival and it was a lovely experience as a whole. Bar prices are also very good for a London venue.

Came for a weekday coffee and pastry. Lovely place to sit for a bit, free wifi, snuggly armchairs. A win for London's LGBT+ spaces!

The Moreno, the Davis , and Jesse’s Cherry drink was simply amazing! Please add Jesse’s Cherry Drink to the menu. And it would be delightful if you could add lavender syrup to the bar as a compliment.

Great bar! Very friendly and helpful staff. Really delicious cocktails

I love a good trip to the pictures, yes I did call it pictures, and no I'm not 70 years old, that's just what I call it! As far as independent cinemas go you can't get more independent than this. Run by some friendly London geezers this is a perfect movie hot spot. A fab selection of new and old flicks that can make a dull night in a exciting night out. So what's so great about this place? Well you can have a cider while watching you film. That was always going to win with me. You also can see some really unusual nights here. I went for a comedy night where a comedian gave a little jibber jabber and then showed their favourite film. It was great and actually I saw something that I wouldn't have chosen to have seen myself and really enjoyed it. This place has a super cosy bar and is just waiting to be discovered. comfy couches in the corner are the best seats in the house and perfect for a bit of pre-movie snuggling. What's really weird about this place though is that it doesn't have a projection room. What that does mean though is that is that you can get a group of your buddies and hire the place out to watch your favourite film on DVD! Pretty cool I'd say!

Convenient location for me, interesting offerings. When in London, I stay less than half a mile from here. The movie they showed is also in some larger theaters, which might be why It was full - they actually turned several couples away ahead of me, but since I was alone I snagged the last ticket. I don't know if the theatre routinely sells out, but it did tonight. You can buy tickets online in advance, but I think there's a £1.50 fee. I'd probably give this place 2.5 stars if I could. The seats are worn and aren't that comfy, and they had a really disorganized ticket purchasing process (a small portion of the bar with a table tent sign that said "Box Office".) For £10 a pop, I think it should be a bit more put together. Also, there's a bit of a ramp going down the hall towards the toilets, but no warning of it in the dim lighting - not cool, so be careful and watch your step!

Twilight raid at the Shortwave Cinema, as bloodied Qypers hit the frenzied hub of SE1 in a bid to indelibly mark their presence at this brand, spanking new movie house. The old medieval square, formerly a clunic abbey, has been totally revamped, now boasting a luxury hotel standing proud against the backdrop of the city lights. Who wouldn't fancy a spot of al fresco dining on such a beautiful night, as the eager undead bustled into the 50 seater uniplex to watch classic cult Britflick Shaun of the Dead. Billed as the first newly built cinema for the 21st century, I know where I'll be going for a cosy rendez-vous away from the masses, regardless of the zombie lined streets!

How do you like your cinemas? Small and full of South London twats? Me too. Nah I kid, this place is great. Used to live nearby and we waited for months for this place to open. Like kids on Christmas morning, we got a board game, not the xbox we asked for. Cos, damn this place is tiny. It's like watching a movie in your living room with twenty of your closest friends. The theatre has about 6 rows of seats and is very close to the screen. I was waiting for someone to get behind a mike and do some improv. What's so confusing is that the front bar is quite big. They should have knocked that down in size and squeezed in some more seats. And what, are we too indie for cup holders? If you like art house, indie and documentary films and feel like giving some money to the little guy, go to Shortwave. Spend some money in the bar too, it's pretty cool and they do great breakfast deals.

I really am a fan of something different when it comes to cinema - and the Shortwave did not disappoint. I first came here for the Yelp 'Guilty Pleasures - The Three Amigos' event, which in itself was brilliant. To be specific about the place as opposed to the event though, the bar was well stocked and the staff were efficient. The atmosphere was great in the bar, especially when it began to fill toward show-time. Decor was cool, as you would expect for a recently built business. In the screening room, is where I began being disappointed. The actual quality of all of the equipment, fixtures and fittings were really substandard. Using a Kef home theatre system that is designed for use in a small living room does not cut it at all for a commercial cinema. Even though volume and clarity were severely lacking, I could have overlooked this if the audio had been set up correctly, which it had not - the surround effects and volume of the centre (dialog) channel were not set up correctly, which led to a poor audio representation of the film we watched. The sub-woofer really struggled with a room this big - and lacked the impact one would expect at moments of drama during the film. The screen and projector also lacked clarity and distinction - not really how you wish to present a serious piece of cinema, or in our case, a well-loved 'Guilty Pleasure'. To also echo Linzi M's review...a cinema where you can drink alcohol...AND...NO CUP HOLDERS?!? What would you do that? I would go back to the Shortwave, but I will expect a great bar and staff, with terrible, cheap sound and picture next time.

We went here yesterday because a friend's short-film was being screened at the London Independent Film Festival. The venue is quite small but nice. It reminds of the smaller theaters I used to go while I was a student: Room for about 50 people (which really gets you 'sucked into' the screen for a perfect film experience), no big popcorn, chips or soda selling, no overpriced items everywhere and no pretentiousness. Just film and that's it. I haven't been on a normal night but this is definitely the kind of theater I would recommend if they're playing a movie of your liking. The bar they have is a nice extra with some reasonable prices for standard drinks.

Cool little moviehouse! Just the thing Bermondsey needs. If they play their cards right, Shortwave has the potential to be a real asset not just for Bermondsey but the whole of London as well. I had a blast at the Qype private screening of Shaun of the Dead last night. It was cool to be in a brand spanking new cinema (no sticky floors!). There was enough leg room between rows and the seats were cushy. I'm definitely going to keep this place in mind and keep a lookout for upcoming screenings.

Fantastic venue even when invaded by Qype-loving zombies. This cinema sits within a square near a new hotel and bar//lounge, across from a Sainsbury's so you can pop in to the supermarket for your movie snacks then grab a beer or wine and get in there. The cinema is small and intimate - perfect for showings of cult classics such as Shaun of the Dead or The Rocky Horror Picture Show which I think should be the next movie Qype gets hosted there. I just need to remember my newspaper as the seats are close and in the velvet darkness of the cinema one never knows what one may encounter. The sound needs improving but once you get involved in the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane you'll know this is the perfect cinema within which to do the Time Warp AGAIN!

If I ever won the lottery I'd model my living room using the Shortwave as inspiration. Cosy, friendly, awesome screen, great sound, plentiful beer, tasty snacks, and comfortable seats. I think I'd make my living room more bar than cinema but the Shortwave excels at both. I'd quite happily come here for a beer, even if I had no intention of watching a film. Not sure what else you could ask for? Kate Moss as a barmaid or Eva Green as an usher?

I do not go very often to cinema -almost never tbh-. A Qype Event was the best oppotunity for me to go there :-) This cinema differs from the common one: it is more friendly and unusual. Small room & big screen. Small structures are always nice to share a moment with friends. The bar adds value ;-) I've seen Shaun of the Dead for the first time (yes, I said I do not watch lot of movie lol) and it will be a very nice remember from London. Staff is very nice and care about customers! Very enjoyable!

To the one who reads this note: know that I am dead. Be warned, lest a similar fate befall you. I only hope that you do not tarry long with this note, but heed its central message quickly and flee whilst you can. On the twentieth day of May, in the year of Our Lord two thousand and nine, I was in a small band of adventurers who were charting previously unknown depths of far-flung Bermondsey. Thinking ourselves leagues from any place inhabited by man, we stumbled, unknowing, into a clearing. To our shock we saw a shambling assemblage of such horror that we were struck mute. There, before us, were the walking dead: hell-spawned automatons, things mindless and terrible, obviously intent only on feasting on the flesh of the living. We knew not what forgotten magicks of blasted elder gods had animated their putrescent corpses. We cared not. We fled into a bright, welcoming structure - a sign above named it the Shortwave Cinema - that we spied to one side of the slow-moving ghouls. We believed salvation was ours. This structure - this cinema - held all the comforts we thought we had long forsaken in the civilized world. Seats, tables, a well-stocked bar (albeit with beer, wine and spirits in place of my favoured mead and elderflower cordials). Tables outside would, in better circumstances, have provided ample places for fresh air; yet, with the very denizens of the netherworld behind us, we dared not hesitate. Helpful cinema serfs waved us into a private screening room. We slipped through, wondering at the even greater luxury beyond. Fifty well-spaced seats welcomed us, with a large screen and surround speakers, ready for the hiring and private display of whatever moving picture we might choose. It was as new and sturdy as if made by the most skilled carpenters of the Middle East. Comfort gave no quarter to style. No sooner were we seated, however, when we heard the awful groaning and the creaking strain of doors on their hinges. They have found us, I know: those rotting, flesh-hungry monstrosities of the grave will be on us 'ere long. Heed this note, which is all I may leave behind me in this world. Pray, do not let this happen to you (http://london.blog.qype.com/?p=1005) .

Had the pleasure of watching a short film about local artist Ed Gray here last week. Lovely little cinema seating about 50 in comfort. Good size screen and the sound quality was perfect. Bar out front serving tasty snacks and a pretty standard selection of beer and wine. This is a lovely part of town to spend a summers evening. The nearby Zucca would be a good place for a pre or post movie meal.

Nice little bar and apparently a cinema too. Only went in to get out of the rain and wait for the Hotel GB final to start but quite liked the bar. Was just a shame there was no free seating or might have stayed longer. Lots of tables outside but no good then it raining.

A great addition to the ever-trendifying Bermondsey Street area. The drinks are expectedly on the pricier side, but for this you get a nice atmosphere and good, friendly service. We used the cinema once and loved it. Cosy, reasonably-priced...and you can take your bottle of wine in with you. Very civilised.

I love his place - the staff are so nice, they raided their old ambandoned umbrellas stash when I was faced with a torrential downpour outside. Nice bar, good tea and a cinema to boot.

Shortwave is new, fresh and oh so COOL! I'm still not sure whether to call it a really cool bar with a cinema or a really cool cinema with a bar, the undeniable fact though is that it's a cool place and the guys who run it are taking it in the right direction. The screen itself has good picture quality and the sound (after a few teething problems) is booming. Having spoken to one of the managers it seems there will be a whole host of exciting event s (pub quiz anyone?) going on there so I will be keeping my eyes peeled.

An excellent addition to the newly renovated Bermondsey square, Shortwave cinema acts as both a chic independent cinema and a vibrant new bar for the square. Whilst the small cinema can only accommodate a few films at a time, it provides a refreshing environment for film buffs who want to escape the drudgery of the big chain cinemas.

I can define it as a small, but nice cinema. The atmosphere is cosy. I just feel very comfortable while sitting on the red soft chairs and simply enjoying some interesting films.

Love it! Each time I come here I am very satisfied!

A magnificent place to have a great night with a friend.

I was in London recently and felt like wathing a good movie. A friend of mine suggested goingo to Shortwave Cinema and we had really great time.

I like this place a lot. The cinema is welcoming and the staff is always friendly to me. The screen has good picture quality, the seats are comfy. If you have time, I recommend you to go there- I guess you won't be disappointed.

Awesome place and very very happy to be here last night with my family.We had a great experience here.And we also had a great time with the foods we ordered.The services are fine really amazing.

I went here with the whole family and they all liked it. The place is cozy and comfortable and I can assure you to have a great time there.

I come here for the documentary club that's hosted here. I love the fact that a small business works with a non-profit club - it's all about the love for the films.

It's not every day you walk into a bar to see your bezzy mate in a t-shirt covered in blood, brandishing what appears to be a long-handled shovel - but this was to be a night of firsts. First time I had the pleasure of using fake blood, first time I had seen the hilarious 'Shaun of the Dead' and the first time I had checked out the Shortwave Cinema in Bermondsey. I had been meaning to snoop around the area since the opening of the Bermonsey Square Hotel, so what better excuse! ( and incognito as the undead - apologies shelf stacker at Sainsbury's, it's really only makeup )The glass-fronted bar is large enough for about 80 people and opens out onto a wide square with extra outdoor tables - great for fleeting moments of sun. Bar prices standard but the best thing is the promotion of local artists and community events that give the cinema a more personal feel. The red velvet cinema seats 50 and is open for private events. Staff were really accommodating and treated the die-hard zombies with respect, even if they were a little bemused. Definitely needs popcorn for a top score, but after the Everyman in Hampstead, I'd say a close second for my fave London private cinema.

I have been to Shortwave once and I liked it. Although it is a small cinema I had a great experience watching a film there.