Where is The Futurist?

The former Futurist cinema building is at 81-91 John Bright Street, Birmingham, B1 1BN. The rear of the building is on Hill Street (behind Birmingham New Street Station).

In brief

The Futurist started life as the Majestic in 1914, but due to the First World War was uncomplete by 1916. It eventually opened as the Futurist Theatre in 1919. Various name changes until it closed for good as a cinema in the 1990s. After a period of closure, the building has been used over the decades as a nightclub, shisha lounge and restaurant.

The former Futurist cinema on John Bright Street (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

The Futurist - history

Work to build a cinema between John Bright Street and Hill Street started in 1914 (probably before WW1 broke out) and was to have been called the Majestic, but work was delayed by wartime restrictions, and was uncompleted in 1916.

After the war ended, the cinema was completed and opened as the Futurist Theatre on the 30th July 1919.

It was the first cinema in Birmingham to present "talkies on the 18th March 1929.

The Futurist Theatre was damaged by German bombs during an air raid on the city in November 1940.

This closed the building for some time until repairs could be carried out, and it eventually reopened on the 20th April 1943.

In the late 1960s when the Grade Brothers took over the Shipman & King circuit, the Futurist Cinema became part of the S & K circuit.

The Futurist Cinema was twinned, reopened on the 26th Novembe 1981.

It later became a Cannon cinema and it closed in the 1990s.

After it was derelict for number of years it was transformed into an adult nightclub called the Spearmint Rhino.

By 2010 it had been a lap-dancing nightclub called Wildcats. There was also a Gentlemen's Club next door called Rouge.

The former Futurist cinema on John Bright Street (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

The former Futurist cinema on Hill Street (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

After the left unit was empty for a few years, by 2014 it had been replaced with Meer Shisha Lounge & Restaurant. At the time Rouge was still on the right. But had been turned into a seafood restauant called Peninsula Lobster in 2016 (it didn't last too long).

The former Futurist cinema on John Bright Street (May 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

The Gentlemen's Club was gone by 2019, and was for a time (in the right unit) as a restaurant called Bantu.

The former Futurist cinema on John Bright Street (March 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

As of 2022, the former Futurist cinema building is in use by Babylon Bar Shisha Restaurant and The Ark Birmingham - Indian Dining & Cocktail Bar.

The former Futurist cinema on John Bright Street (February 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

The former Futurist cinema on Hill Street (February 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown