Now Open: Brunswick Picture House Melbourne
Sydney Road's finally got its big-screen swagger back—over 40 years in the making. The Thornbury Picture House duo, Gus and Lou Berger, just flipped the switch on Brunswick Picture House at 510-512 Sydney Road, turning a heritage horse-stabling relic into an 81-seat indie haven with killer sound and a bar built for all-night film analysis debriefs.
Buckle up, northside night owls: this spot's already pulling crowds with cult flicks, live scores and reels that make streaming feel like a bad blind date.
The Lowdown on This Cinematic Comeback
Image Credit: Brunswick Picture House | Instagram
Gus and Lou—Brunswick locals with film creds stacked higher than a double feature—gutsy-renovated this 1875 beauty next to Tiba's Lebanese. Here, you're promised a 6.5m screen, 7.1 Krix audio blasting through plush UK-inspired seats, velvet curtains for Q&As and a walnut-brass bar dripping Golden Age glam (Murano chandelier included). Their 35mm projector adds that alive, gritty film flicker no pixel can touch.
It's a nod to lost legends like the Padua and Empire, but with modern twists: caption-friendly sightlines every row, Gus's vintage projector collection on display, and programming flexing from indies to blockbusters.
Opening Weekend Steals the Show
Image Credit: Brunswick Picture House | Instagram
Friday fired up with Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another (fitting, right?), Then Bugonia, Wicked For Good and doc Signorella: Little Miss kept the reels spinning. Sundays delivered silent fire: The Circus and Battleship Potemkin's 100th with live jazz. Their crowning glory was a sold-out show of Death in Brunswick, kicked off by director John Ruane.
Full lineup online—Clueless 30th, Zootopia 2, A24's Eternity, DJs, live tunes and festivals galore.
Bar Bites and Hangout Hacks
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Pour crisp local pints from Co-Conspirators, Hawkers and Bodriggy, then sip wines from Fin and Noisy Ritual. Order ice cream sourced from Luther’s Scoops like vegan choc-tops and Tiba’s Lebanese small plates straight to your seat from next door (fresh falafel, dips, grilled bites—more collabs incoming).
Playful mix-themed cocktails like the Rocky Horror-inspired Eclectic Bloody Sour with Raspberry Lips crush pre-drinks and energise you just in time for post-film Negronis.
Image credit: Etta | Facebook
Where To Eat And Drink Before (Or After) Your Flick
Because a night at the movies deserves more than just popcorn, here’s your cheat sheet to make it a full Brunswick moment.
Etta: A northside gem that’s all about local produce, bold flavours, and a seriously good wine list. Perfect for a pre-screen dinner that sets the tone.
Green Acre Pizza Bar: Laid-back, loud in all the right ways, and home to some of Brunswick’s best slices. Ideal for a quick bite before showtime or a post-movie debrief over natural wine.
Noisy Ritual: Melbourne’s favourite urban winery brings good vino, dim lighting, and plenty of conversation.
Wide Open Road: For the matinee crowd or a lazy Sunday screening, grab a flat white and a pastry from this local caffeine institution just down the road.
Waxflower: Smooth cocktails, vinyl tunes, and late-night energy. The kind of place you’ll end up closing out the night.
Whether you crave arthouse premieres, cult marathons, or just a killer excuse to linger on Sydney Road, Brunswick Picture House reignites movie magic right now.
Brunswick Picture House is now open at 510-512 Sydney Road, Brunswick—hours vary by session. Book your next show here.
Looking for more? Check out:
- Brunswick: What To Eat, Drink And Do In This Iconic Melbourne Suburb
- A Local’s Guide To Living (And Eating) Well In Brunswick
- Your Guide To The Best Cafes In Brunswick For 2025
Main image credit: Brunswick Picture House | Instagram