A cinema striving to offer an alternative to the homogeneous multiplex experienceCheck out our Google map and flickr group

Every week we invite our readers to tell us about where they go to watch films. This week it's the turn of Dallas King, who blogs about film at Championship Celluloid.

Location

Situated on Belmont Street, one of Aberdeen's trendiest streets and home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants and clubs should you fancy a night out or pub crawl after the movie.

The building

The entrance to the Belmont Picturehouse is akin to the TARDIS. A small, modest display of posters and front door gives way to three-screen cinema and cafe bar housed within this listed building. Originally built as a Trades Hall in 1896, it became the Coliseum Cinema in 1910, then the New Kinema in 1921. Renamed the Belmont in 1935, it screened movies until 1952, when it was used as a warehouse for several decades.

Still owned by the local council, it was renovated and reopened in 2000 by the City Screen Picturehouse group. The three screens, all of which recently upgraded to digital projection, vary in size from the cozy and intimate (read "small") 65 seater up to 272 seats and the cafe bar has an upmarket feel which is the perfect place to enjoy a drink or bite to eat before the film.

The clientele

Attending a screening on a weekday afternoon, you might be forgiven for thinking that the regular audience is of the more "mature" variety. While several of the regulars can remember it from when it was affectionately called "The Fleckie Belmont", and are happy to tell that to anyone who'll listen, not all of them are silver surfers. Most of the cinemagoers are adults who appreciate the opportunity to see arthouse fare on the big screen, or the chance to watch a blockbuster in a non-multiplex environment. You won't find any nachos with smelly cheese sauce or noisy, texting teenagers in this cinema.

The programme

Though there are two multiplexes within a 10-minute walk of the cinema, the Belmont doesn't try to compete for the same audience – none of its screens have 3D for example, and nor should they. They say that variety is the spice of life, and there is something for everybody in each six-week programme, whether catching up with Oscar-winners, watching the latest independent and foreign-language cinema or screenings of cult classics. Being part of the Picturehouse group, it gets the popular documentary and culture shock films, live satellite Q&A's with film-makers as well as the hugely successful Met Opera and NT Live seasons.

Depending on what night you attend, you might simultaneously find live theatre or music being beamed via satellite, a mini Kubrick season taking place, and a lively audience throwing plastic spoons during a showing of cult favourite The Room.

Further comments

The Belmont Picturehouse, Aberdeen

Earlier this year, the Belmont's future hung in the balance. But eventually, due to a groundswell of support from staff and local community, the current operators City Screen managed to secure another 10 year lease. They are doing their best to promote the cinema as a cultural hub for the community. It provides a valuable place for local film-makers and community projects to promote and showcase their work.

Even its cafe bar, renamed the Bar Below, is now a hive of activity with regular art-exhibitions, live music, comedy and quiz nights during the week.

One of the most recent welcome changes is being able to enjoy a drink while watching the movie, or sample delicious food provided by Eat a Real Lunch. Currently offering soups, paninis and tapas, its menu is constantly expanding. My personal recommendation: try the chilli bowl!

The Belmont strives to offer an alternative to the homogeneous multiplex experience and this is achieved through its eclectic film-programme which is as varied as its selection of popcorn flavours (sweet, salt, caramel, goat's cheese and pepper). Its environment is welcoming and friendly staff are, most importantly, passionate and knowledgable about film.

The prices are on a par with those of Vue and Cineworld, but a year's membership, costing £32, includes several free tickets and previews throughout the year, as well as a discount on tickets, food and drink.

As Tubbs and Edward from League of Gentlemen would say, "This is a local cinema for local people", and a very good one at that.

The Twitter view

@aguidetoglasgow

It's small cosy and cool, always feels exclusive and more of a treat than going to the Cineworld – perfect mix of old and new!

@coolascheese

Comfy, friendly and atmospheric

@jaay89

Excellent sofa-like seating, friendly staff and an all-round great little cinema! Not to be missed.

@Tracey_Cormack

The Belmont is a small, unpretentious cinema which has a more homely feel than the larger cinema chains in Aberdeen.

@petermccann

The Belmont is underused and underrated – it's always got a great selection of films but is a bit on the expensive side.

Is there a cinema you love (or hate) that you think our readers should know about? If you're interested in reviewing a cinema, email adam.boult@guardian.co.uk with the subject line "Cine-files".