Showroom Cinema is one of Sheffield’s best-loved independent cinemas, combining film exhibition with a café bar, events space and creative workspaces at the heart of the city’s Cultural Industries Quarter. Opened in 1993, the Showroom champions independent, international and classic cinema, alongside festivals, talks, Q&As and special screenings, making it a cornerstone of Sheffield’s cultural life.

Housed in a striking 1930s Art Deco building on Paternoster Row—formerly a Kennings car dealership—the cinema now features four screens, a welcoming bar and café, and flexible meeting spaces. The wider building is home to the Workstation, supporting businesses from across the cultural and creative sectors. The Showroom has received national recognition, being voted The Guardian readers’ favourite independent cinema in 2002 and later named Best Cultural Venue at the Exposed Magazine Awards. It has also featured on screen itself, appearing in the Leave Before the Lights Come On music video.

Alongside its film programme, the Showroom plays a strong educational role, hosting initiatives such as the BFI Film Academy, which supports young people aged 16–19 to develop filmmaking skills and gain recognised arts qualifications. Independent, inclusive and deeply rooted in Sheffield’s creative scene, the Showroom is far more than a cinema—it’s a cultural hub.

Key details

• Opened: 1993

• Screens: 4

• Type: Independent cinema, café bar & events venue

• Setting: Cultural Industries Quarter / Workstation building

A must-list venue for film lovers, festivals and creative events, Showroom Cinema remains one of Sheffield’s most distinctive and important cultural spaces.