Dorothy Browns Cinema

Answer us this: When was the last time your at-home movie experience included a gin bar, artisanal cheese platters, a quaint bookshop, and a friendly resident cat named Sox? That’s what we thought.

Down an alleyway in Arrowtown, Dorothy Browns invites movie enthusiasts to step away from their streaming platforms, put down the remote and rediscover the magic of the cinema.

From the moment you enter, an eclectic blend of furnishings and décor embrace you. Modern elements mingle with charming old-world touches like red roses, possum fur seats by a roaring fire, and shelves full of vintage film equipment and books. Inside the main cinema, the walls are draped in soft pink chiffon and glass-beaded chandeliers hang from above. In “The Den” you can enjoy a more intimate living room experience, complete with blankets and couches that form private nooks and ample space to host an array of drinks and food – be it a gin cocktail, local wine and beer, the famous Dorothy’s Cheeseboard (don’t forget to preorder!) or nostalgic buckets of popcorn and candy.

Playing a well-curated selection of both mainstream and arthouse films throughout the year, this boutique cinema ensures there’s something for every taste. But it’s not just about the films. If your version of entertainment is less picture and more page-turner, Dorothy Browns has shelves brimming with the latest book releases as well as classics and lovely children’s titles (best devoured with a hot drink by the fire or a stronger concoction on the Gin Bar’s outdoor balcony). 

Owner Philippa Archibald has created a destination that entices us to venture beyond our own couch, with plenty of inviting pockets to linger in before or after a film. And if you cross paths with Sox, be sure to say hello from us.