The Screening Room

Imagine a place where the magic of cinema meets high-end gastronomy. The Screening Room is exactly such an establishment, located in the heart of Masterton. It is a modern art-house cinema combined with a stylish cafe-bar and restaurant, making it a unique cultural landmark in New Zealand.

The Screening Room. Иллюстрация. Источник: Kupi.com AI

The interior of the venue is designed with impeccable taste: warm parquet floors, elegant wooden furniture, and cozy banquettes create an atmosphere of intellectual comfort. Here, you can not only watch high-quality independent or festival films in one of two modern theaters but also enjoy a full lunch or dinner in the exquisite setting of the foyer.

The Screening Room is rightfully considered a social hub of the city, where art lovers and foodies meet. The main feature of the establishment is the ability to order food and drinks directly into the cinema, which is equipped with super-comfortable seats with plenty of legroom, turning a simple movie screening into a true celebration of comfort.

To clarify table booking details or to check the current cinema schedule, you can use the official contact information below.

At The Screening Room, everyone will find something to their liking. The cinema schedule is impressive in its variety: they show everything from light romantic comedies to deep documentaries and gripping thrillers. Modern equipment ensures excellent picture and sound quality, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the story on the screen.

The culinary component deserves special attention. The menu features dishes with global flavor accents, prepared from the freshest produce of the Wairarapa region. Be sure to try the hawker roti with double-cooked pork and kimchi or the exquisite duck risotto with truffle mushrooms. Special options are provided for vegans, such as the original cashew-based cheesecake.

The bar list will delight connoisseurs: there's a choice of about 40 varieties of wine available by the glass, as well as craft beers and signature cocktails. It is an ideal place for a family weekend brunch, a business coffee, or a romantic evening. For those seeking privacy, there is a spacious outdoor area where you can enjoy the fresh air and great drinks.

Finding the venue is easy, as it is located at 435 Queen Street, Masterton 5810. This is right in the heart of town, making The Screening Room an excellent starting or ending point for a stroll through local attractions.

If you plan to travel by car, you can park directly on Queen Street or on the adjacent streets. Masterton is located approximately 100 kilometers east of Wellington, and the drive from the capital through the scenic roads of the Wairarapa region takes about an hour and a half.

For those who prefer public transport, bus routes connecting the central districts operate within the town. You can also use local taxi services to quickly reach the cinema from anywhere in town or from the Masterton railway station.

The history of The Screening Room is closely linked to the evolution of the town's cultural identity. For a long time, Masterton was primarily known as the home of the Golden Shears sheep shearing championship, but thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts, a world-class venue for cinema and fine dining lovers emerged here.

The project was founded by Eve Buchanan and chef Travis Clive-Griffin. Prior to this, they successfully managed the renowned Saluté restaurant in neighboring Greytown for 13 years. Their wealth of experience allowed them to transform a standard art-house cinema foyer into a stylish space with parquet floors and elegant Bentwood furniture, creating an atmosphere unique to the region.

The opening of the establishment marked an important milestone for the local gastronomic scene. The Screening Room quickly proved that a cinema restaurant could be a prestigious standalone destination. Today, it is deservedly ranked among the top three restaurants in the city by popular travel services, attracting guests with its impeccable service quality.

To fully enjoy the atmosphere of this place, it is recommended to set aside 2 to 3 hours for your visit. This is quite enough time to watch one of the films in the current repertoire and have a leisurely dinner at the restaurant.

If your goal is only a gastronomic introduction to the menu without visiting the cinema, then 1.5–2 hours will be sufficient for a comfortable lunch or an evening cocktail with tapas. In any case, the cozy setting encourages you to linger a little longer.

The venue welcomes guests daily, offering service throughout the day. From Monday to Friday, The Screening Room is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. On Saturday and Sunday, the doors open a bit earlier at 9:00 AM, and the establishment continues to operate until 9:00 PM.

The restaurant and cafe function continuously, so you can stop by for a morning coffee with a pastry, a full lunch, or evening tapas at any convenient time. Before your visit, it is recommended to check the official website for movie schedules and any potential changes to the hours.

A walk around the Queen Street area will allow you to better feel the atmosphere of the town and get acquainted with its cultural life. After visiting the cinema and restaurant, it's worth taking some time to explore nearby sites within walking distance.

Below is a list of interesting places located nearby: