Vue, Odeon, Cineworld summer holiday rules on bringing in your own food – and major chain with ban
Cinemas have set out their rules on what foods and drinks can be brought in – and those which can only be bought inside
11:41, 20 Jul 2026Updated 11:47, 20 Jul 2026
Enjoying food in the cinema is often seen as part of the trip out(Image: Getty)
Summer holidays have arrived and with them the search for ways of keeping the family entertained for as little as possible. One option can be a visit to see a movie at the local cinema, but the cost of tickets alongside a trip to the concession stand can turn a fun afternoon into a surprisingly expensive ordeal.
For generations, filmgoers have resorted to the “trench coat tactic”, sneaking in supermarket sweets and drinks hidden in bags, coat pockets or even slipped into clothing. But in reality, those stealthy tricks might be entirely unnecessary.
Most major cinema chains actually allow you to bring your own snacks – provided you follow a few basic ground rules. The general consensus? Cold snacks and soft drinks are fine; hot meals, smelly foods, and BYO alcohol are strictly off-limits.
Money Saving Expert, founded by Martin Lewis, has shared its tips – and confirmed for most people visiting the cinema can include their own snacks and drinks – with some exceptions.
Martin Lewis founded Money Saving Expert(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
It advised: “Although that waft of popcorn when you enter the cinema lobby can easily tempt many, you’ll be paying a lot more than if you brought your own snacks – though it’s long been thought that cinemas don’t allow this, so MoneySavers have been sneaking snacks into their bags, pockets and socks (maybe?) for years.
“However… Cineworld, Odeon, Vue and Showcase all told us its policy is that you can bring your own drink (as long as it’s non-alcoholic and not in a glass container) and food, as long as it’s not hot nor has an overly strong odour – so you shouldn’t be whipping out a cheeseboard or egg sandwich, but chocolates or sweets, or a bit of fruit are fine – just be mindful of loud crunching.”
We have checked the rules at the major cinema chains in the UK. This is how the UK’s five biggest cinema chains stack up when it comes to bringing your own snacks.
The cinemas have varying rules(Image: Google)
Breakdown by chain
Vue
With over 900 screens across 94 locations, Vue is relaxed about outside snacks. Their guest policy keeps it brief and clear: “Feel free to bring your own food and drink with you, but leave the hot food and alcohol at home.”
ODEON
ODEON welcomes outside treats at almost all of its 102 locations, according to its website, though it asks guests to respect other filmgoers. Outside items strictly banned include:
- Heated food
- Pungent or strong-smelling food
- Alcoholic drinks
However it warns: “The ODEON Islington Luxe & Dine does not allow you to take your own food.”
Cineworld
Cineworld’s 87 venues follow the industry standard allowing most cold snacks and soft drinks to be brought in. However it added: “Cineworld have a strict no externally purchased hot food or alcohol policy, and we reserve the right to refuse customers entry into the screens with hot food or alcohol bought outside the premises.”
Showcase
Showcase allows you to bring in your own items at all 16 locations, with three specific bans. It said: “We do not allow guests to bring hot food, alcoholic beverages and drinks in glass containers into our buildings. We reserve the right to refuse admission.”
Everyman
If you’re planning a trip to one of Everyman’s 49 venues, leave the supermarket snacks at home. Operating more like a restaurant-cinema hybrid, Everyman maintained a firm stance: “Only food and drinks purchased at the cinema are allowed into our screens.”
The bottom line
So before you try to awkwardly hide a bag of gummy bears in your jacket, hold fire. As long as it isn’t hot, smelly, alcoholic, or packaged in glass, chances are your local big-screen venue will let you carry it right through the front door.
