Electric Palace Open House

This National Cinema Day Open House will shine a spotlight on the magic of the communal cinema experience - still the best way to watch films on a big screen and with 5:1 surround sound! We will be open from 10.30am - 3.30pm, for membership sign-ups, merch and poster sale, plus a private view of our Coastal Currents cinema history art exhibition. 

All donations will help support your local community cinema, the one and only Electric Palace Hastings, still surviving despite increasing costs, decreasing audiences and continuing challenges with our building - not very different from London's legendary Scala! (Grab your chance to see the film again on Sunday 30 August 2025.)

This event is part of National Cinema Weekend and Coastal Currents. 

Hastings Old Town Club (below and next door to the cinema) also joins us in opening its doors today for snooker, beer garden and fully stocked bar.

Electric Palace cinema history

Founded in 2002 by Rachel Pearson and Rebecca Marshall (both now of Dear Future films), the beautiful listed building is one of Hastings' rare gems, originally built as a mechanical institute during the industrial revolution to provide technological education to working class people - one of many that existed around the country. Memberships welcome to any Hastings and Rother residents all year round.

How you can support the Electric Palace:

• Book a ticket to a screening.
• Become an official Friend of the Electric Palace
• Hire the cinema for a private party
• Buy a gift voucher
• Donate to the cinema
• Sign up to receive our enewsletter
• Play our piano before a screening and see the film for free!
• Support us on social media by sharing our posts and events
• Find out more about our ticket prices
• Problem booking online? See our FAQs

Thank you.