Embassy Theatre — Attraction in North Island

The Embassy Theatre is New Zealand's grandest picture palace. This historic theatre, originally built in 1926 was fully refurbished inside and out in 2003 for the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Since then, the theatre has hosted the Australasian premieres of Peter Jackson's King Kong and The Lovely Bones, among many of Wellington's finest film and arts festivals. It's also where the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journeywas held on 28 November 2012: view our photos of the red carpet celebration. An iconic Wellington landmark, The Embassy is situated at the head of New Zealand's famous entertainment precinct - Courtenay Place - drawing people in to see movies in a real cinema environment that is lost in the modern multiplexes. The Embassy has retained many fine features such as its marbled staircases, wrought iron handrails, original tiled foyers and exquisite plastered ceilings despite many upgrades over the decades. With this to build on, the refurbishment included a new, giant cinemascope screen and state-of-the-art sound system; luxury seating; stylish environs and a restoration that is faithful to its origins of the last century yet sympathetic to the new millennium. December 2011 marked another event in the Embassy's history with the opening of two new boutique cinemas and lounge bar in the space created by the 2003 refurbishment. This area was home to original orchestra pit used in the 1920's and 30's when playing silent films. The two new cinemas house 70 seats each and are named deLuxe after the original name of the building. The lounge-bar combines historical opulence with a modern twist - definitely a space to check out and enjoy a New Zealand wine, cocktail or a warm cup of coffee next to the fireplace on a...

Cinema 1 is a large theatre upstairs with a steep incline. If this is your first visit be sure you are fully mobile if you book seats in the top rows as it is a steep climb to the top. If you are in a wheel-chair or have mobility issues opt for the seats closest to the balcony, near the aisles / entrance. The seats are not as wide as those in some cinemas. Acoustics, room temperature and service are fine. As for the audience they do observe the rules so everyone gets to enjoy the movie fully.

Cinemas 2 & 3 are much smaller and located downstairs. Access these via the "tunnel". Seats are more comfortable than in C1 (which in turn are larger than City Gallery's). Screens and acoustics are fine. Accessibility is better for the mobility-impaired.

Booking: If you book tickets in person you will be shown analogue, cardboard, seating plans where your seats will be picked for you. You won't be shown the online plan where ALL the empty seats are visible, so book online if you prefer to wield more control over your choice of seats.

Also be aware that when those cards are shown to you it is UPSIDE DOWN, so get your head around this or turn the card 180 degrees round, otherwise you could unwittingly end up with an...

This was the first movie at a real movie theater I'd seen in ages and what better movie to break that draught but Avatar: the way of the water. The Embassy theatre is one of the last remaining movie theaters in Wellington that has a genuinely BIG screen. This theater has been given attention and had been not so much restored but renovated so that it is better. A bar and lounging areas for those who feel the need, this would be the place to go if you needed a pre-drink before the movie. Tocket sales are streamlined at most every counter with cash handling facilities. I bought a choc dipped ice-cream (it turned out to be a double) with a "medium" combo of salted popcorn and a raspberry fanta. Not bad tasting it could've done with some melted butter as the salted popcorn, was too salty. The movie experience was good with generously sized seats. This isnt economy class on an airline going to Sydney and the seats with wide wooden armrests each had a nameplate. I presume of the sponsor of that seat. It was a nice touch, to which Derek from Bad taste has done well in embuing his personal touches in the theater while retaining the theaters original...