Penthouse Cinema & Cafe
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe is a privately held, family-owned four-screen independent cinema and licensed café in Brooklyn, Wellington, serving local residents and visitors with mainstream films, opera and theatre broadcasts, cultural festivals, and community-targeted programming.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersWellington, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Penthouse Cinema & Cafe does
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe is a privately held, family-owned independent cinema and licensed café operating from a heritage art deco building at 205 Ohiro Road in Brooklyn, Wellington, New Zealand. The building originally opened as the Vogue Theatre in 1939 and has operated under the Penthouse name since 1975 when Merv and Carol Kisby acquired it; the venue has since expanded from a single screen to a four-screen complex (Cinema One with 167 seats, Cinema Two with 66 seats, Cinema Three with 168 seats, and the 30-seat Vogue Suite) for a total capacity of approximately 431 seats, alongside a full licensed café opened in 1994 that serves food and drinks into the auditoriums.
The business generates revenue from four streams: movie ticket sales across standard, matinee, and premium event sessions; café food and beverage (light bites, mains, coffee, wine, beer, gin) including in-house catering for private functions; physical and digital gift cards in NZD 25, 50, and 100 denominations; and cinema hire for corporate events, fundraising screenings, and private celebrations for up to 100+ guests. Pricing is unit-based and tiered by session type, ranging from NZD 10 (Movie Mondays) to NZD 33 (Met Opera), with discounts for seniors, students, children, and Brooklyn/Kingston/Vogeltown residents. The technology stack is modest: Veezi powers online ticketing, Mailchimp handles newsletter marketing, and a camera-based system manages pay-and-display parking on-site.
Penthouse targets local Wellington residents and visitors seeking a premium alternative to multiplex cinemas. Beyond mainstream releases, it operates a differentiated programming slate through partnerships with the Metropolitan Opera (live broadcasts from New York), National Theatre Live (London theatrical productions), the Italian Film Festival (hosting 26+ screenings October-November 2026), and RunNation Film Festival (running documentaries), alongside internally developed programming including Cult Cinema classics, weekly Senior Sneak Peek sessions with complimentary refreshments, and Babes in Arms parent-and-baby screenings. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the company website, phone reservations, walk-up box office, and physical/digital gift cards, with marketing primarily via website, email newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Penthouse Cinema & Cafe
- Legal name
- Penthouse Cinema and Cafe
- Website
- https://penthousecinema.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Penthouse Cinema & Cafe is a privately held, family-owned four-screen independent cinema and licensed café in Brooklyn, Wellington, serving local residents and visitors with mainstream films, opera and theatre broadcasts, cultural festivals, and community-targeted programming.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cinema Entertainment Services
- NAICS
- Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cinema Concessions & On-site F&B Operations (MPADAKAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Private Screenings & Venue Rentals (Corporate, Parties) (MPADAKAJ), VIP Hospitality & Client Entertainment (Boxes, Suites, Hosted Experiences) (MPAGAHAG)
Keywords
Where Penthouse Cinema & Cafe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wellington
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Movie ticket sales: Revenue from selling tickets for movie screenings across four cinema spaces including standard screenings, special events (Met Opera, National Theatre Live), and Cult Cinema classics series.
- Café food and beverage: On-site café serving light bites, main meals, coffee, wine, beer and gin. The café is fully licensed and offers in-house catering for private functions. Revenue from food, drinks and catering services.
- Gift vouchers and cards: Sale of physical gift vouchers (in cinema or by courier) and e-gift cards in denominations of $25, $50, and $100. Vouchers redeemable for movie tickets and café items across multiple visits.
- Cinema hire and private bookings: Four cinemas available for hire for fundraising screenings, corporate functions, private bookings, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, and Christmas parties. Packages range from intimate champagne evenings to cocktail parties for 100+ guests.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Before 4pm weekday matinee pricing (excludes public holidays) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General admission evening and weekend pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Movie Mondays special promotion |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Treat Yourself Tuesdays |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Family Pass for G and PG rated films |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Senior Sneak Peek Wednesday sessions |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Community tickets for local residents |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Met Opera live screenings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | National Theatre Live screenings |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cult Cinema monthly classics series |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | E-Gift Cards |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe operates a four-screen cinema complex combined with a fully licensed cafe at 205 Ohiro Road, Brooklyn, Wellington. Core activities include screening mainstream, independent, and classic films across four auditoriums (167, 66, 168, and 30 seats), serving food and beverages on-site and into auditoriums, and offering private cinema hire for corporate functions, fundraising, and celebrations. The venue also delivers curated specialty programming (Met Opera, National Theatre Live, Cult Cinema, Italian Film Festival, Senior Sneak Peek, Babes in Arms) and sells physical and digital gift cards.
Product overview
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe is a four-screen cinema and cafe venue located in Wellington, New Zealand. The core offering comprises cinema screenings across four auditoriums (Cinema One: 167 seats, Cinema Two: 66 seats, Cinema Three: 168 seats, Vogue Suite: 30 seats) plus an on-site licensed cafe serving food and drinks. The business extends its cinema operations through multiple specialty offerings: Cinema Hire for private events, Gift Cards (physical and e-gift variants), Cult Cinema (monthly classic film series), Met Opera and National Theatre Live broadcasts, the Italian Film Festival, Adventure Films screenings, Senior Sneak Peek sessions, and Babes in Arms parent-baby screenings. The venue operates as both a traditional cinema and an event space, combining entertainment with hospitality services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cinema Screenings Four-screen cinema offering regular movie screenings across Cinema One (167 seats, upstairs), Cinema Two (66 seats, downstairs), Cinema Three (168 seats, downstairs), and the Vogue Suite (30 seats, upstairs with private foyer). Screens mainstream, independent, and classic films for general cinema-goers and local community audiences.
- Cafe On-site licensed cafe serving light bites, toasties, soup, wedges, cabinet food, and main menu items until 8:30pm. Offers wine, beer, gin, and coffee. Fully licensed venue with in-house catering available for private functions.
- Cinema Hire Private cinema bookings for corporate functions, fundraising screenings, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, Christmas parties, and other events. Packages range from intimate champagne evenings to cocktail parties for 100+ guests.
- Gift Cards (Physical and E-Gift) Physical gift vouchers available for purchase at cinema counter or by courier; E-Gift Cards in denominations of $25, $50, and $100 delivered instantly via email, redeemable for movie tickets and cafe items across multiple visits.
- Cult Cinema Monthly film series showcasing timeless masterpieces and cult favourites screened monthly. Tickets priced at $15 per screening.
- Met Opera Live Screenings Live Metropolitan Opera screenings from New York in high definition and surround sound. Adult tickets $33, Senior/Student $28.
- National Theatre Live Broadcasts of National Theatre productions from London screened on the big screen. Adult tickets $27, Senior/Student $22.
- Italian Film Festival Annual Italian Film Festival screening Italian-language films, supported by the Italian Embassy in Wellington and Italian businesses. Includes gala opening night events with Italian hospitality.
- Adventure Films (RunNation Film Festival) Documentary film festival celebrating running culture and human spirit, featuring real stories and running connections in a curated two-hour screening.
- Senior Sneak Peek Weekly Wednesday morning screenings at 10:30am for senior citizens. Includes free parking, complimentary tea, filter coffee, and freshly baked scones. Tickets $12.
- Babes in Arms Parent-and-baby screenings with dimmed lights, optional lower sound, and easy venue access. Includes free parking. Helps parents shape the film lineup through suggestions.
- Events & Special Screenings Special event screenings including Girls Night Out (with bubbles and spot prizes), collaborative events with partners, and themed evenings combining cinema with workshops and hospitality.
Companies that use Penthouse Cinema & Cafe
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- rosieflowaminorFlowers & Film collaboration featuring bouquet-arranging workshop with drinks and nibbles followed by private screening of My Best Friend's Wedding. Created unique experiential cinema event combining floristry and classic 90s cinema. Event sold out with another evening planned.
- O-StudiominorCollaboration for Spa Weekend preview screening event on August 19. O-Studio provided breathwork session prior to the film as part of an exclusive premiere experience featuring relaxation and girls night/slumber party vibes. O-Studio contributed complimentary eye patches and wellness activities to enhance the movie-going experience.
- Metropolitan Opera (New York)coreScreens Met Opera live performances from New York in high definition and surround sound as part of 2025/2026 season. Brings world-class opera productions to Wellington audiences on the big screen. Includes behind-the-scenes content and exclusive programming.
- National Theatre LivecoreScreens National Theatre productions from London live or recorded. Provides access to British theatrical performances including plays and operas for Wellington audiences.
- Italian Film FestivalcoreItinerant festival screening Italian cinema across 26 cinemas in Aotearoa in 2026. Penthouse Cinema hosts screenings October 15 - November 4. Includes gala opening night events with Italian hospitality (Peroni, Prosecco, San Pellegrino, and food). Supported by Italian Embassy in Wellington and Italian businesses.
- RunNation Film FestivalminorScreens RunNation documentary film festival celebrating running culture. Festival founded in Sydney and grown to world tour. Screening scheduled for 2026 season.
- Smart Compliance ManagementminorOperates the pay and display car park on the south side of the cinema building. Uses camera-operated system capturing vehicle registration. Customers can pay for parking inside the cinema at tills.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Event Cinemas: Event Cinemas is a large Australian/NZ multiplex chain with multiple locations including Wellington. Comparable as the primary multiplex incumbent competing for mainstream movie attendance in the same Wellington market.
- Hoyts Cinemas: Hoyts is one of the largest cinema chains operating in New Zealand with multiple screens and mainstream programming. Comparable as a major Wellington-area multiplex competitor for general-release cinema audiences.
- Reading Cinemas: Reading Cinemas is a major New Zealand multiplex chain operating multi-screen venues with mainstream Hollywood programming. Comparable as a competing cinema operator in the same Wellington/regional NZ market, but with broader commercial focus versus Penthouse's boutique positioning.
Direct peers
- Academy Cinemas: Academy Cinemas is an independent cinema in central Auckland specializing in arthouse, classic, and event programming (festivals, retrospectives). Comparable to Penthouse as a New Zealand heritage-style independent cinema with cultural programming focus.
- Lumière Cinemas: Lumière in Auckland is a small boutique cinema offering mainstream, arthouse, and event programming similar to Penthouse. Comparable as a New Zealand independent cinema with on-site hospitality and a multi-screen boutique model targeting similar demographics.
- The Hollywood Cinema: The Hollywood Cinema in Auckland's Avondale is a single-screen independent cinema hosting arthouse, festival, and event programming with a licensed bar/cafe. Highly comparable as a New Zealand small-format boutique cinema with hospitality integration and event hire.
- Roxy Cinema: Roxy Cinema is a boutique independent cinema in Wellington's Miramar/Porirua area, similarly offering art-house, mainstream, and event programming in a heritage-style venue. Directly comparable as a Wellington independent cinema competitor targeting the same local audience seeking alternatives to multiplexes.
Emerging players
- Alice Cinema & Bookshop: Alice Cinema & Bookshop in Hamilton combines cinema screenings with a curated bookshop experience. Comparable as a small NZ independent concept operator exploring differentiated, experiential cinema models.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe social profiles
Digital presencePenthouse Cinema & Cafe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Penthouse Cinema & Cafe
What does Penthouse Cinema & Cafe do?
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe operates a four-screen cinema complex combined with a fully licensed cafe at 205 Ohiro Road, Brooklyn, Wellington. Core activities include screening mainstream, independent, and classic films across four auditoriums (167, 66, 168, and 30 seats), serving food and beverages on-site and into auditoriums, and offering private cinema hire for corporate functions, fundraising, and celebrations. The venue also delivers curated specialty programming (Met Opera, National Theatre Live, Cult Cinema, Italian Film Festival, Senior Sneak Peek, Babes in Arms) and sells physical and digital gift cards.
Is Penthouse Cinema & Cafe a public or private company?
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Penthouse Cinema & Cafe founded?
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe was founded in 1975. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Penthouse Cinema & Cafe based?
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Penthouse Cinema & Cafe make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Movie ticket sales are the primary driver. The others are café food and beverage, gift vouchers and cards and cinema hire and private bookings.
Who are Penthouse Cinema & Cafe's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Event Cinemas, Hoyts Cinemas and Reading Cinemas. Direct peers are Academy Cinemas, Lumière Cinemas, The Hollywood Cinema and Roxy Cinema. Alice Cinema & Bookshop is listed as an emerging player.
Does Penthouse Cinema & Cafe have an API?
No public API is recorded for Penthouse Cinema & Cafe.
What industry is Penthouse Cinema & Cafe in?
Penthouse Cinema & Cafe's product category is Cinema Entertainment Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAKAN, Cinema Concessions & On-site F&B Operations, with a secondary code of MPADAKAJ, Private Screenings & Venue Rentals (Corporate, Parties). Its NAICS code is 512131 and its SIC code is 7830.