Our favourite movie theatre on the Shore – strictly for grown-ups – it has big comfy seats and lots of leg room, an intimate setting, nice foyer where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a coffee before the film, and they even let you take your wine into the theatre IN A GLASS!. It’s nice to be treated like a grown-up for a change.

The Bridgeway – 122 Queen Street, Northcote Point – has a great back story (saved from destruction by some forward thinking people) and the model has been replicated in Matakana. While they screen mainly art-house films, these are generally quite accessible, and they run short seasons of Opera from the Met, as well as live screenings of plays. Senior citizens pay just $10 before 5pm, and $12 after 5pm (exclusive of special screenings and opera).

Take advantage of the $40 pizza and movie deal (2 movie tickets, 1 pizza) and enjoy a light meal before or after the film at adjoining cafe Sausalito. They make mighty good pizza and have a comprehensive wine list. See what’s screening now at The Bridgeway.

Originally built in 1905 to provide water for the North Shore (bricks and timber supplied by local businesses), the Pumphouse was in action until 1944, when the odd eel started to find its way into residents’ bathtubs. Neglected and almost derelict, the building was just saved from demolition by the casting vote of  Mayor Fred Thomas in the 1960s.  In 1971, the North Shore Theatre and Arts Trust was formed, funds were raised and the Theatre was opened in 1977. The gallery is a later addition.

The intimate theatre seats 192 people and has been used to host some exciting local productions such as Ship Songs, Pear Shaped and 1953. It’s a popular spot for music recitals, and children’s plays and musicals are also staged at The Pumphouse – Badjelly The Witch, The Greedy Cat and The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate are some recent productions.

The amphitheatre is an additional space for live shows and is well used in the summer months with productions such as “Shakespeare in the Park” .

Go to the Pumphouse website to see what’s on and what’s coming up. If you’re keen to help, sign up to become a Pumphouse Theatre supporter.