Projector X: Picturehouse
The Cathay at Dhoby Ghaut holds fond memories for a lot of people, whether we used to paktor and watch a movie after school or mug at the Starbucks on the first floor before exams. So naturally, the news of The Cathay Cineplex closing down after 83 years came as a bummer to many.
But in case you haven’t heard the good news, pop-up cinema Projector X: Picturehouse is taking over 2 floors of the 1930s Art Deco building. You don’t have to wait for ages either, because it’s soft-launching on 19th August with 3 special screenings, a film discussion, and after-parties to “christen” the space.
3rd location for The Projector
Image credit: @xsweetangel22
If you’re familiar with The Projector, you’ll know that it’s the go-to place for lesser-known indie flicks and cult-favourite films. After the success of its OG location at Golden Mile Tower, the team also took over a former siam du at Clarke Quay as its first pop-up cinema, Projector X: Riverside.
Finishing up with the final touches at The Projector: Picturehouse.
Image credit: @theprojectorsg
This brings us to its 3rd location at Dhoby Ghaut. Projector X: Picturehouse is an ode to a former arthouse cinema that existed right next to The Cathay. As you would’ve probably guessed, it was called The Picturehouse.
4 halls of arthouse fun
Projector X: Picturehouse will have 4 halls named after iconic local cinemas of yesteryears – Majestic, Yangtze, Roxy, and Ruby. You know, probably the same ones your parents or grandparents used to go in their younger days.
Image credit: @theprojectorsg
The biggest hall, Majestic, can fit up to 590 people. Along with 290-seater Yangtze and 252-seater Roxy, the halls will screen a selection of independent, arthouse, and culthouse classics – alongside mainstream fare like Top Gun: Maverick, that is.
For those who wanna feel a lil bougie, the 25-seater Ruby Room will host themed film dinners and will be outfitted with “fancy ass recliners” and all that jazz. The Projector’s words, not ours.
Looks like Cathay Cineplex, but isn’t Cathay Cineplex.
Image credit: @theprojectorsg
There are 4 decommissioned halls from Cathay Cineplex remaining, which in the future will be converted into art and theatre spaces for local artists. There’s even an entire ballroom that will host intimate spoken words, live cabarets, open mics, and DJ nights.
Picturehouse Bar
Booze at Projector X looks a lot like this.
Image credit: @projectorx.sg
Unlike with mainstream cinemas, you don’t have to sneak in your craft beer and other booze into the movie theatre at any of The Projector’s locations. There’s a dedicated bar where you can impress your date, even if you’re not watching a movie at Projector X: Picturehouse.
There’s a wide range of food from Crispy Shrimp Toasts and Sticky Korean Popcorn Chicken to actual mains like Beef Cheek Rendang with Serunding and Vegan Bowls – you know, beyond the standard “sweet or salty?”
And the best part is, you can bring them all in so you can snack while watching the movie.
Soft launch weekend
Soft launchin’ with a sneak peek of the ceiling of Projector X: Picturehouse.
Image credit: @tacit_design
The Projector is soft launching this weekend with screenings of 3 special titles – local music documentary Scene Unseen (19th August), cult Kubrick thriller The Shining (20th August), and OG classic Army Daze (21st August). Come dressed in theme for screenings of The Shining and get free popcorn – it’s the 7th month after all.
If you’re not pantang and want to stay up all night, join in the live DJ set at the Bladerunner Ballroom with local act Nez Senja from 10pm-2am on 19th August. It’s free entry for all.
Those who already have plans this weekend can still catch indie films for the rest of August such as Drive My Car, based on a Haruki Murakami short story, and Everything Everywhere All At Once. Standard tickets at Projector X: Picturehouse are $10.50 from Mondays to Thursdays and $14 on Fridays to Sundays and PHs.
Arthouse cinema at Projector X: Picturehouse
Perhaps you’re tired of being a couch potato and wanna elevate your Netflix and chill sessions or just want to soak in the arthouse vibes. Whatever it is, Projector X: Picturehouse is worth heading down.
Book tickets for Projector X: Picturehouse
Address: 2 Handy Road, #05-01, Singapore 229233
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 4pm-10.30pm | Fri 4pm-2am | Sat 1pm-2pm
Contact: The Projector website
For more fun things to do:
- First look at Singapore Night Festival 2022
- ORTO at Yishun
- Wan Qing Mid-Autumn Festival 2022
- Yakult Factory tours
Cover image adapted from: @xsweetangel22, @theprojectorsg, Warner Bros. Films.