Melting Vinyl: Bringing the cream of live music to Brighton.

The Duke of York’s Picturehouse is a Grade II listed cinema, Britain’s oldest. Programming a mix of the best of arthouse, independent, foreign language, cult and classic films, it also serves as a fantastic music venue and comedy club.
Renowned for its comfy seating and friendly staff, a night out at the Dukes is a completely different experience.
The cinema opened on 22 September 1910 and was one Brighton’s first picture palaces and also one of the first cinemas in the world. It was built on the site of the Amber Ale Brewery, the walls of which still form the rear part of the auditorium. The architects were Clayton & Black. The building remains largely unaltered, it even retains one of its boxes in the balcony area.
The cinema has operated as an arts cinema since 1981 and has passed through several owners and suffered various indignities including punk rock concerts. The cinema was in a shabby state when it was purchased in 1995 by City Screen who have invested in the building and returned it to its former glory.

It houses one single screen with 283 seats, including a luxury balcony. It originally seated over 800, but modifications have been made to the inside of the building to create the café/bar upstairs, a concession space downstairs, and to allow for greater comfort.

It plays host to Melting Vinyl’s Vive La France! festival, The Great Escape as well as the Brighton Film Festival each year, CINECITY. Organised between The Duke of York’s and University of Brighton, it counts as patrons Brighton residents Nick Cave and filmmaker John Hillcoat, as well as actor/comedian Steve Coogan.
Duke of York’s Manager Jon Barrenchea writes a cinema blog, Splendor Cinema about the exhibition industry in the UK.
The cinema regularly hosts events such as film premieres, all night marathons and late night cult screenings, and has become the home of some of Melting Vinyl’s most memorable concerts.

With a fully licensed auditorium, you can enjoy an alcoholic drink whilst watching a film or event, purchased from our cosy Balcony Bar, which has a full range of beers and a great wine list. We also serve organic and fairtrade coffees and teas, as well as our famous homemade cakes (in twelve varieties!).

Previous Melting Vinyl shows here include The Kills, Kurt Wagner, Herman Dune and Angus & Julia Stone.

Road Directions
Travel north from the Old Steine along the A23 London Road, until you reach Preston Circus. The cinema is on the right.
Public Transport Directions
Buses: 5, 5A, 5B, 25A
Train: London Road Station – 5 mins
Brighton station – 15 mins

Age restrictions: check listings for details