There are many reasons to love the BFI.

One is the cafe bar under Waterloo Bridge. A very cool place to grab a drink and sit people-watching on the South Bank.

Two is the book market which lives just beyond the outdoor seats of the cafe bar also under Waterloo Bridge. Everyday the books get laid out on the long tables and at the end of the day they are packed away again (unless they have been bought and find a new life away from Waterloo Bridge).

Three is the bar inside the BFI. This a a very cool bar done out on mismatching (but actually matching) furniture. I get the feeling not that many people know it exists because it’s never as busy as its coolness would suggest. It is quite expensive, but most places round these parts are.

Four is the actual cinema. It is old school and fabulous. Red velvet seats and curtains, massive screen, over-riding sense of reverence.

Based on the South Bank near Waterloo Bridge the British Film Institute centre is one to watch. With regular shows, movies, festivals – there is always something to watch and do and often at reasonable prices. As films go, it tends to be the better ones that are shown here. Keep an eye on their website if you don’t head in that direction often or sign up for updates.
In June the large Raindance festival is held here (but you need to book early for tickets!) that is quite an experience! The bar is in a lovely spot and always nice to visit and there are often good buskers outside.

The bar has a cool lounge room atmosphere with sofas and armchairs, low ceilings and soft lighting. There is an adjacent restaurant as well. In the daytime it is a perfect place to grab a coffee. In the evenings it is great for meeting friends for a drink. On Friday evenings it is generally busy and lively with a 30 - 35 year old crowd.

The BFI Southbank (the rebranded name for the old National Film Theatre) shows classic and art house films, British and foreign, on its three popcorn-free cinema theatres. The BFI is part of the Southbank Centre and is housed in a concrete monster on the edge of the Thames. The BFI runs both the London Film Festival and the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Within the BFI Southbank is a bar and cafe (food isn't great but it's a fun place, and is pretty cheap, to meet for a snack before or after a film). There's a great second hand book stall on the banks of the Thames by the BFI, under the arches of Waterloo Bridge.