Ponsonby's Flash-As New Silky Otter Boutique Cinema Complex Is Finally Open

Boasting a cocktail bar, full-scale restaurant and bottomless popcorn on Mondays — that's date night sorted.
Sarah Templeton
November 22, 2022

If your idea of the perfect summer's evening involves drinks, dinner and a movie in luxuriously cool air conditioning, we know a spot. Ponsonby's brand new Silky Otter cinema complex has just opened in Ponsonby Central and it's everything we dreamed it would be.

Catering to date (or mate) night from start to finish, the new Silky Otter boasts a cocktail bar, barista coffee, and full-service kitchen slinging eats like pizzas, arancini, charcuterie and more. Don't worry, purists — all your favourite classic cinema snacks will be available as well as Silky Otter's signature bottomless popcorn on Mondays.

Our dream evening schedule: Arriving early for a drink and a few light bites in the SO cocktail lounge, then catching one of the summer's excellent new releases, before hitting one of the surrounding Ponsonby eateries for dinner. Of course, you can always have a meal brought directly to your cinema seat if so inclined.

Ah yes the cinemas themselves — an important element of proceedings. Each 28-seat theatre has luxe leather recliners, laser cinema projection and 7.1 surround sound. Managing director Ahmed Almukhtar says the new cinema will offer a "full mix of films" including mainstream blockbusters, arthouse films and old faves.

"As film lovers, we want people to not only see the films they want, but have an experience so good that they keep coming back for more".

The new opening marks the fourth Silky Otter cinema in the country and the second in Auckland — the first two-cinema complex caused a stir when it opened in seaside suburb Ōrākei back in 2019. It was then joined by sites in Nelson and Christchurch, with new locations in Takanini and Queenstown set to open in 2023.

Ponsonby's new Silky Otter cinema is open now in Ponsonby Central, 11 Richmond Road, Auckland. Check out the film lineup here.

Published on November 22, 2022 by Sarah Templeton
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