Posted 2 March 2024

Are Cinema staff strict about where you sit?

I have a question. If a Vue cinema film showing is going to be almost empty, is it sensible to buy the worst/cheapest (£4.99 super saver) seats and just sit anywhere you want at the actual showing, or do/would the Vue staff actually check if you are sitting in the correct seats, and reprimand/punish you or throw you out if you are not? Has this happened to anybody? Is it worth the risk to save some money or should I pay the £2+ more for better seats in case they check?

I would appreciate any constructive input or insight on the matter, thanks in advance.

New Comment

27 Comments

sorted by

3rd Mar
I believe Vue and other cinemas have cameras in the screens so they can see where people are sitting. Easy enough to match that up with the actual paid seats on their system. (edited)
2nd Mar
There aren't any staff inside the actual viewing areas. Sit anywhere (once movie has started) especially if it's practically empty
Author
3rd Mar
What would you say/do if you were confronted?
2nd Mar
Sat in posh seats at the odeon before and they didn't care. Film was probably 5% occupied.

I don't think you're at risk of being kicked out. Just asked to move back to the seat you paid for in the practically empty room.
Author
3rd Mar
What would you say/do if you were confronted?
2nd Mar
From my experience. We bought four cheap seats in the before the posh seats. The place was empty bar a couple sitting on the front row. The film (Avengers if you’re interested ) we shuffled to the big seats behind us… within minutes staff came in and asked us to return to our seats. We complied.

She left we climbed back into the posh seats.
2nd Mar
'We bought four cheap seats in the before the posh seats.'

Oh.
2nd Mar
Wonder if you could get away with using the beds in the Odeon without upgrading? 😁
2nd Mar
If it’s quiet I don’t think they care
Author
3rd Mar
What would you say/do if you were confronted?
2nd Mar
I’m not saying it’s right, but if a screen looks empty when selecting seats online, I’ll always pick the cheapest and then move to a better one once the adverts start. You can check live seating on the apps once you’re in there, so it’s fairly obvious if you’re going to have someone come in and want your seat. Also I’ve never had staff question where I’m sat.
Author
3rd Mar
What would you say/do if you were confronted?
Author
3rd Mar
Also is it true they don’t care if you bring in outside food/snacks so long as it ain’t hot food?
3rd Mar
We always take our own snacks and, on occasions, we have taken sandwiches. They would probably only have an issue with glass bottles and/or alcohol
3rd Mar
Not vue, but at the Imax and Picturehouse Central.. we chose and paid for seats a couple of days before the screening. The theatre looked empty bar about 10 seats... Lo and behold, on the day when we got there- it was full to the brim (both films weren't 'current').. meaning, just pay for the seats you want. Why risk it? (edited)