These are the real rules on taking food into the cinema

Given that you pretty much have to take out a loan in order to buy cinema tickets, splashing out on food once you’re there is often completely out of the question. It’s a matter of principle, too - why should I pay an ENTIRE FIVER for some mediocre popcorn or a musty hot dog when I could bring it my own, delicious food? It is - and I do not say this lightly - an utter travesty that makes a mockery of us and everything we collectively stand for.

What this means in practice is that we’ve all become incredibly adept at smuggling food in with us when we go to the cinema. Some of us just shove packets of M&Ms up our sleeves, some of us fill our pockets with treats, some of us…hollow out polystyrene and create fake pregnancies?

All perfectly reasonable, tbh. 

But, it turns out, all this smuggling may have been completely unnecessary. According to Cineworld’s website, there are “no restrictions” on bringing in cold food - so your sweets are actually safe. 

That doesn’t mean you can take it whatever you want though - Cineworld and Vue have a “strict no hot food or alcohol policy”. 

“Not all movie-goers are considerate of others in their snack choices and we have needed to set clearer guidelines on what is appropriate,” Cineworld’s website says. Odeon has a similar policy: “You can bring your own food/drink as long as it’s not hot or alcoholic.”

So if you fancy taking in your McDonalds/a tupperware full of roast potatoes/booze then I guess you better get carving yourself that fake pregnancy bump. 

(Image: Jake Hills)