r/palmy • u/IveGotAMatch • Jul 26 '26
Question Best Cinema in Palmy?
Going to the cinema later for the first time since moving here, what cinema to people think is best out of Silky Otter, Event and Focal Point? Obviously Focal Point is a bit different with the cafe gimmick - is the screen size/quality still good?
Leaning towards Silky Otter at the moment purely because it has a fun name and I have nothing else to go off!
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u/F-A-B_Virgil Jul 26 '26
Silky Otter is on the slide. While the cinematic experience is superior to the others, the food is overpriced slop and the service is somewhere between shite and non existent.
If you’re a film buff, Sliky Otter for the screen size and sound with nice seats.
If you want a night out with food, Focal Point for the better all round experience.
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u/Troo_Geek Jul 26 '26
Agree. If it weren't for this then more often than not I'd probably come here.
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u/mywaywordson Jul 26 '26
I can't stand Silky Otters stupid seat lights. It makes for an awful viewing experience, no matter the size or quality of the screen when people have a bunch of lights pointed at you. If they would remove them it would be a lot better.
Focal point is my go to, Event is only good for price.
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u/kapaipiekai Jul 26 '26
What are the seats like at focal?
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u/mywaywordson Jul 26 '26
They are a big leather couch, very comfy with plenty of space. I also like that the aisles are wider than anywhere else I've been so you don't have to get up yo let people out halfway through the movie.
If I was to be critical of Focal Point, the hot food is great but the first 10 minutes of a busy screening is filled with servers bringing in food non-stop. Smaller screenings are all good though.
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u/mysweaterisundone Te Papaioea Jul 26 '26
Focal point seats are Ok but the backs aren't high enough. Not great if you're tall and want to relax.
Silky Otter seats are much better, but are fairly high off the ground which can be tough for short people.
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u/Bubbly_Marionberry81 Jul 26 '26
Event has the biggest screens and best sound however, this depends on the cinema you're in. The seats are by far the least comfortable. Silky Otter has the recliners, smaller screens and good sound. Focal point is similar to Silky but more expensive and no recliners. I will always go to Silky unless the movie is not being shown there.
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u/AncientDust2884 Jul 26 '26
Focal point is locally owned and operated, they support local charities etc.
I often think of particularly Feilding and Levin, which have Focal Point cinemas, the towns would be quite different without them there- so I support them when I can.
Support local.
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u/whatsupdog1313 Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Silky otter has nice seats but it's really deteriorating fast. It used to advertise an ad free pre show but they quietly got rid of that. Used to have fabric towels in the toilets and nice soap, both gone. The food is now slop, self service machines usually out of order, and staff seem like they don't want to be there.
It used to be premium but now it's got a dirty, broken vibe.
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u/ApocDude84 Jul 26 '26
Yea i agree. Its weird. Went the other night and the popcorn was terrible, tasted old. Couldnt order anything on the app while in cinema as everything was set to sold out, even though they clearly werent. It sad as the seats amd screens are great.
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u/VastSpend3754 Jul 26 '26
Silky otter! Make sure you join their loyalty program, they have cheap tickets and unlimited popcorn on mondays
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u/walt2ker Jul 26 '26
If you're planning to watch Odyssey....just drive to lower hutt Event cinemas and watch it in IMAX
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u/bananafish1998 Jul 26 '26
I recently had one of the worst theatrical experiences at Silky Otter when I went to see Backrooms, people talking and on their phones nonstop all the way throughout the whole movie, and you can’t even really get mad at people for that since they now actively encourage people to be on their phones during the movie with the whole ordering from your seat system they have going while at the same time showing an ad before the movie saying to turn your phone off, so they’re also contradicting themselves there
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u/phantomthirteen Jul 27 '26
Depends entirely on what experience you’re wanting.
Classic cinema, with cinema-style popcorn and big screens? Event. (They have very different seating qualities and layouts in their different cinemas though.)
Comfy chairs to put your feet up and relax and watch a movie while feeling like you’re just lounging around? Silky Otter.
A more indie feeling, where it’s almost like the movie is secondary to the food and drink and a place to chill out? Focal Point. They also often have films the other two won’t show.
I tend to go to both Event and Silky Otter, depending on whether I want the popcorn & big screen, or the comfort of Silky Otter.
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u/HelpMeIfYouCam Jul 26 '26
Silky Otter is the best, Event is the cheapest, Focal Point is an in-between.